Gareth Southgate handed Leicester star James Maddison his first England start for Sunday’s match against Ukraine.
The 26-year-old has just one international cap to his name, with injuries stunting his chances of adding to his first he made as a substitute against Montenegro in the Euro 2020 qualifiers in 2019.
AFP
Now, he was confirmed as part of Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up for England’s second Euro 2024 qualifying game at Wembley against Ukraine and adds to his 35 minutes he’s had on the international stage.
According to Sky Sports, the Three Lions boss had been impressed with the Leicester City playmaker’s attitude out in Qatar when the England star didn’t get any minutes due to a knee injury.
Maddison’s expected role in the side will differ from his normal position at the King Power Stadium, which sees him play as a No.10.
He is set to play on the left of a front three with Jack Grealish dropping to the bench and Phil Foden ruled out after having surgery on an appendicitis.
But Southgate will be hoping the Foxes star – who has scored nine goals and recorded five assists in the Premier League this season – can help England make it two wins in two in the qualifiers for next summer’s tournament.
The Three Lions got the better of Euro 2020 final foes Italy on Thursday night in Naples, beating them 2-1 as Harry Kane’s first half penalty made him England’s all-time record scorer and added to Declan Rice’s opener.
Getty
But Luke Shaw’s red card in the second half during the win against Italy means Southgate has had to rejig his starting XI.
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell, Rice, Henderson, Bellingham, Maddison, Saka, Kane
Subs: Ramsdale, Forster, Dier, Guehi, Grealish, Phillips, Gallagher, Toney
