Leicester City’s James Maddison should have made England debut by now

England’s national football team has an abundance of quality to choose from and optimism around it. Yet Leicester City’s James Maddison should be involved already.

England boss Gareth Southgate is spoiled for choice during the team’s Euro 2020 qualifiers at the moment. In fact, even the next generation of players – some of whom he’s overseen directly in Young Lions squads – are already knocking on the national side’s gaffer’s door.

Mason Mount came on as a substitute on Saturday in the Three Lions’ 4-0 defeat of Bulgaria; football.london described Chelsea’s attacking midfielder as “lively”. Mount and Maddison know each other well; playing together in the international youth set-up.

Unsurprisingly, the duo also sharing similar attributes and positions: conformable in possession, creators and goalscorers who can ply trade on the wing or in advanced midfield placements. While the Blues’ player has been very impactful through talent and desire upon his arrival in the Premier League, he got there through impressing in the Championship last campaign.

Whilst Mount was making his name with Derby and Frank Lampard last season, as well as a thoroughly convincing contemporary start, Maddison was setting the premiership alight. He created the most chances in the English top-flight in 2018/19. Just let that fact sink in. Additionally, Maddison was directly involved in a combined 14 goals for the Foxes that term.

Leicester City’s Maddison is primed

But it’s not just the former-Norwich man’s skill set that made him standout, his confidence and immediate impact in the world’s best division shone. Many onlookers were surprised when Maddison failed to make Southgate’s squad; instead the manager explained that he wanted the Fox to finish his role with the Under-21s at their summer competition.

England’s chief also stated that the one-time Aberdeen playmaker was a No.10 and his outfit were playing with two No.8s; chiefly fielding Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and Spurs’ Dele Alli there. Yet, everyone now knows the prowess of Belgian starlet Youri Tielemans and “Madders” as a No.8 pairing for Leicester.

There are other proficient athletes hovering around the much desired advanced midfield placing, like Ross Barkley. Who, it seems, is a Southgate favourite and is certainly finding his Chelsea feet, so to speak. Therefore the gaffer has a difficult decision regarding filling the facilitator capacity, even saying:

"“There’s Phil Foden as well underneath that.”– Gareth SouthgateVia: Leicester Mercury"

The boss went with “tried and tested” against the Bulgarians – will the surprise package of Kosovo receive the same treatment? Intense Kosovan manager, Bernard Challandes, said his team will press non-stop.

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Versus a buoyant along with fresh country, determined to defend, a Maddison debut could be the key to unlocking a tight defence when the two sides meet on Tuesday. He was an unused substitute on Saturday. Some observers feel the 22-year-old should have already featured for the senior national team, especially as he may have a major part in the tournament proper – providing England qualify.

According to Sky Sports, Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell will replace Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny rose at left-back in the Kosovo clash.