Steven Gerrard was delighted that Newcastle United transfer target and Leicester City star James Maddison finally earned his first start for England.
On Sunday, England beat Ukraine 2-0 in their Euro 2024 qualifier, with James Maddison, after previously being snubbed by Gareth Southgate, starting for his country for the first time.
Whilst the sought-after midfielder didn’t get on the scoresheet, he produced a strong display, as Bukayo Saka felt that he ‘deserved’ a goal.
Eddie Howe has been a long-term admirer of the goalscoring midfielder, who has nine Premier League goals to his name this season from 20 matches.
Leicester City are trying to avoid relegation from the Premier League, as Jamie Redknapp stated that Maddison is the type of player you need because he plays with ‘no fear’.
The 26-year-old doesn’t need any boost in confidence because he has plenty of it on a bad day, but he will return to the King Power more upbeat than usual and Gerrard was delighted for him, as he told Channel 4 Sport.
“It has been a long time coming,” said Gerrard. “If anyone deserves a first start, then it’s James Maddison.
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“There is only so much you can do at Premier League level and for your club. He’s been scoring and assisting. Brendan Rodgers has been singing his praises.
“But there comes a point when you need the England manager to believe in you and give you that trust and say ‘go on then, there’s the stage and the platform’.”
MADDISON NEEDS TO PLAY IN EUROPE
It could be argued that, from the teams outside of Europe in the Premier League, Maddison can state that he is the best player.
He has played in Europe before, in the colours of Leicester, but he now needs to return.
At the age of 26, he can’t wait around too long just sitting in mid-table, or in Leicester’s unexpected case this season, battling down the bottom.
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