James Maddison is on track to becoming a senior England regular

How James Maddison is improving at Leicester City in order to become a senior England regular under Gareth Southgate in the near future. How close is he to realising that personal dream?

James Maddison has been somewhat of a solution at Leicester City in the search for a replacement of the output lost in the sale of, the now reportedly unhappy at Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez. Regardless of their positions on the pitch being different, they are comparable in importance.

To reach that feat the former Coventry player exhibited elite play and productivity. Involving himself in 13 Premier League goals in a first top-flight season is an imposing haul which has gained him exposure and admirers from the top six.

Statistically, Maddison would really be up there with the foremost providers in the premiership had his Leicester comrades finished some of  his key passes and setups. Although with only six there are three divisional players with double his assists or more.

In fact when it comes to chances created, Leicester’s playmaker has a higher amount than the anointed world’s best Lionel Messi. Actually Maddison’s tally is one of the highest in Europe. Leicester Mercury informs us:

"“Maddison has created an impressive 94 chances this season, which makes him the leading chance creator in the Premier League.“It also puts him second on the list for most chances created across Europe’s top five leagues, sitting behind only Alejandro Gomez of Atalanta by six, level with Memphis Depay of Lyon and five ahead of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.“No player in the Premier League, La Liga or Bundesliga has created more chances than the 22-year-old, who has been tipped for an England call-up by many. Even Lionel Messi is seven behind on 87.”"

In together with some stunning company, indeed. Yet the only Englishmen ahead of Leicester’s No.10 in the facilitating category are superb Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold, PFA Player of the Year candidate Raheem Sterling, Burnley’s underrated Ashley Westwood as well as Bournemouth’s talismanic Callum Wilson.

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England’s formation not helping Leicester City midfielder

England boss Gareth Southgate called-up the ex-Norwich man to a borderline experimental squad during Nations League qualifying in October. This was Maddison’s initial inclusion into the senior international squad, however he was an unused substitute.

What the Three Lions manager said of the 22-year-old following his omission from the elder roster and demotion back to the Young Lions is quite telling:

"“I think there are others in the attacking positions ahead of him,” said the England boss.“I think he’s a number 10 and, at the moment, we’ve not been playing with a 10. In the 10 position we’ve also got Dele (Alli) and Raheem (Sterling), Marcus (Rashford), Jesse (Lingard), although Jesse is not available this time.“So I think he’s in with a really strong under-21 group, but at the moment I think that others are ahead of him.”Via Leicestershire Live"

Most noteworthy is that ‘Madders’ was completely gracious after his exclusion, proclaiming his happiness to represent his country at any level. Additionally he’s received an inadvertent boost from the now relatively poor form of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, in the respect of the queue. Also, the Fox has been playing in a similar pair or advanced midfielders as opposed to a No.10 of late.

Though some may feel the occasional immaturity shown by Maddison possibly contributed to his cut from Southgate’s peripheral side: diving regularly until recently, disappointingly getting a red card in the process. While trying to win games in an ‘any means necessary’ capacity is begrudgingly admirable, especially when you’re a fan of the team in question.

Let us not forget it’s been a year of immense tragedy at King Power Stadium as chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha passed away in a dreadful helicopter crash at the ground. Maddison also had to endure the passing of his friend Super Strong Sophie; the compassion shown could bring a tear to the eyes of anyone.

These awful events must make a difference to performance, making the Leicester City squad more remarkable than some have given them credit for this campaign with regards to still attaining growth, when put in true perspective.

Hopefully the Foxes favourite can continue developing under forward thinking gaffer Brendan Rodgers and display more match-winning excellence for the remainder of this term. Hypothetically, Maddison would then surely be welcomed back for duty for England’s fixture against Netherlands, along with the increased possibility of a full international cap. Through the leagues and to the pinnacle, in a relatively similar fashion to Leicester leading up to 2016.

Arsenal are the upcoming visitors to Filbert Way; another club who has been linked to the Fox per talkSPORT. Apparently Maddison would fit in to their style of play quite well; whilst others believe the Gunners are a footballing vacuum and that he would be well advised to avoid the Emirates.