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    Where does James Maddison fit for England? Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage on England's squad depth
    World Cup 2026

    Where does James Maddison fit for England? Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage on England’s squad depth



    James Maddison has been in sensational form for Leicester City of late, but with the Euros on the horizon, where does he fit into Gareth Southgate’s plans?

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    50 Comments

    1. Callum Bradke on

      Germany went through a similar patch in THE WC winning era when they had countless attacking depth but fixing them altogether was another thing. They played 4231 and had for example Müller, Götze and Reus let's say behind Podolski or Mario Gomez

    10. Only Football on

      Foden is the most tactically brilliant player out of all and can play almost anywhere in that front 5. The very reason Mount gets picked ahead of Maddison is because of his versatility as every knows he's nit the better player.

    14. Anthony Milligan on

      Gerrard, lampard, Scholes were genuinely world class players so understandably Michael Carrick didn't feature as heavily but still won 34 caps…. Mason Mount/Jack Grealish are good players but certainly aren't world class… Mason Mount for me is a tad overrated and if he was playing for Leicester, and Maddison Chelsea, no question would their roles be reversed in terms of selection

    16. Dan on

      I don’t understand the Trent Alexander Arnold hype. So overrated. Attacks well but can’t defend. Would much rather have Wan Bissaka or Trippier play there. Plus he has an arrogant attitude. Chilwell also isn’t good enough, Shaw is levels above

    19. Common Girard on

      England have Maddison,Barnes,Kane,Calvert Lewin,Ings,Grealish,Barkley,Saka,Smith Rowe,Foden,etc. But still Southgate will play almost none of these players

    20. Chapps on

      I'm biased because I'm a Norwich fan and I absolutely love Madders. I think he should be the future main man for England and it'd be criminal if he never gets given the chance

    21. Keenan Ricker on

      If there is room for players like Winks, Ward-Prowse, Phillips…. There is room for Maddison.

      Take Mount, Maddison, Grealish, Foden, Rice, Ward-Prowse to the Euros and England is set.

    31. Trell Ali on

      My thing with Southgate is what’s the point of sacrificing one of the many quality attacking positions England could have, just to put Conor Coady or Tyrone Mings in a back 3?? No disrespect to them but they won’t make much of a difference against teams like Spain or France

    35. Michael on

      Maddison is a #10. Playing him on the wing is a waste & silly because we already have Sancho, Sterling, Rashford & Grealish who play there regularly

    36. Michael on

      I prefer Foden on the right than as a 10. I don't think he's seasoned enough just yet to be starting at the 10 for England. Put Grealish in there, Sancho & Sterling either side, Kane up top

    37. Michael on

      Another question is, who should start on our flanks? Personally I'd have Sancho on the right & Sterling on the left (Grealish at 10).
      But I understand those that would want Foden, Rashford or Grealish on the flanks

    43. Josh Dolphin on

      4-3-3: Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Rashford, Grealish, Sterling, Sancho; Foden, Maddison, Mount, Saka, Henderson, Rice; Chilwell, Shaw, Alexander-Arnold, James, Maguire, Stones, Keane, Mings; Pope, Pickford, Darlow

    47. love pink on

      Just watch. Southgate will have to bring on Calvert Lewin so many times in Euro hoping for set piece goals and from random blind crosses in to the box. Because he will soon realize that no body is able to give that final pass to Kane or Sterling or Rashford. Foden is a pressing and link up player. He plays in the box, not outside it. Mount is a middle of the pitch player, wont be able to split defenses. They need to put Maddison on the plane..

    48. Adam T on

      Forget about who's the best 10 or who has the best stats. Maddison is arguably the best English playmaker at the moment. The likes of Grealish and Foden are more ball carriers who play little one two's and try to create chances, Maddison is someone who can stay central in the 10 position and just spray passes everywhere without needing to carry the ball too much (even though he can). Mount doesn't carry the ball as much as Grealish or Foden nor does he have the passing ability of Maddison, but he can be very direct from a central position and makes good runs into the box just like Lampard.

      I personally would pick Maddison to play as the 10 because I think he's the best passer and playmaker in England. I think he would really help improve England's build up play and tempo in order to keep possession and be in control. Basically he would add that bit of composure (without compromising creativity) in the final third which I think the likes of Grealish, Foden or Mount wouldn't have. I would play Maddison as the 10 and Grealish on the left with Sancho on the right.

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