Does Leicester’s James Maddison have an England future?

Leicester City star James Maddison has found himself at the back of a very long queue in the England set up, but does he still have a future?

James Maddison and England have been two things that have never come together, almost like a size four shoe on a size 11 foot – they are an unlikely duo.

During the first half of the Three Lions match against Iceland, those ahead of Maddison were enjoying themselves. Little flicks and feints had blue shirts twisting and turning, and you couldn’t help but think that the 23-year-old would have absolutely loved it out there.

Instead the playmaker was sat at home cursing at Gareth Southgate’s obvious dislike for him. To make matters worse, the former watched players ahead of him perform brilliantly. Jack Grealish was the star of the show against Belgium, Mason Mount – Southgate’s darling – grabbed a goal and Phil Foden scored his first international goals.

For Maddison, however, it has left a question mark next to his name. The Leicester City midfielder is desperate to get back into Gareth Southgate’s plans and said he was disappointed to miss this month’s three games having recovered from injury and putting in impressive performances this season to help his Leicester side go to the top of the table.

The last England squad shows that there is definitely still a place for the former Norwich City man, with Harry Winks and Jude Bellingham finding a way to get in there. However, you definitely question Southgate as Maddison’s struggled to find a way into the squad despite excellent form in a high flying Leicester side.

Despite his ability, the Fox faces a race against time to be involved for England at Euro 2021. A rejuvenated Ross Barkley and a favoured James Ward-Prowse are also raising their arms to be picked for next year’s championship.

Maddison, you would suspect, is behind Grealish, Mount and Foden so even if he is picked he would struggle to trouble the team sheets, despite easily being as good if not arguably better than the midfielders mentioned. It seems like ‘Madders’ is the right player at the wrong time for this England team.