MADDISON CONFIDENT HE CAN BE THE MIDDLE MAN... JUST LIKE AT SPURS

CLUB form does not always translate to international level, but if Gareth Southgate was picking his England XI on domestic performances alone, James Maddison would be one of the first names on his team sheet

- Dan Kilpatrick

Maddison has arguably been the standout player in the Premier League this season and, speaking ahead of tonight’s friendly against his native Australia, Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has said there is “no doubt” the playmaker can be as influential for country as club. The big question is where Maddison fits into an England side packed with attacking quality and which is more conservative than Postecoglou’s Spurs.

Southgate has used Maddison from the left of the front three, including in his first competitive England start in last month’s draw with Ukraine, but Postecoglou trusts the 26-year-old to be the heartbeat of his table-topping side as a No8-No10 hybrid.

“Can I do [the same] for England? Of course,” Maddison told Standard Sport ahead of the Socceroos’ visit to Wembley.

“I think I’m best centrally, but Gareth gives me the freedom to be central when I play off the left anyway, so it’s not like I’m out on the touchline, like Marcus [Rashford] or Jack [Grealish] would do. That’s more their strengths.

“I’m more of a player on the inside, like Phil Foden, who’s better in the pockets.

“Whenever Gareth has played me off the left, the message has always been to find the space on the inside. And that’s been fine.