Gareth Southgate explains James Maddison omission as Leicester City midfielder misses out to duo

Mason Mount and Phil Foden’s continued good form has kept James Maddison out of the England despite his impressive season, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has said.

The Chelsea and Manchester City stars are the players that Maddison is competing with for a spot in the England set-up, and Southgate said he is happy with the pair who have been regulars in his team, and who have performed well for their club sides this term. The Leicester City midfielder enjoyed the best campaign of his career, scoring 18 goals.

Southgate has picked the likes of Conor Gallagher and James Ward-Prowse in his midfield for the upcoming Nations League games, but he has suggested Maddison is not a rival to them. He sees City’s player of the season as operating further forward.

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“He’s finished the season very well,” Southgate said when asked about Maddison’s omission. “He’s obviously scoring goals.

“We just feel very happy with the players who have been with us in that area of the pitch. He’s competing with Mount and Foden and those types in the role where he’s at his best.

“It’s like a couple of positions where there’s a lot of strength in depth. There will always be a debate about a player you don’t pick, but if you do that, you have to leave somebody out, and they would probably be equally or even more deserving.”

City do have a player in the squad though, with James Justin earning a maiden call-up. The full-back will fancy his chances of game-time, as his versatility makes him the stand-out left-back in the squad.

“He’s a player we’ve followed for a long time,” Southgate said. “He obviously had a very serious injury and has now, we feel, played the number of matches and been able to play more regularly.

“He’s comfortable playing left-back or right-back, he’s very comfortable with the ball, he’s a super athlete, he’s a very good person from all my feedback from the Under-21s and people who have worked with him. We’re really looking forward to working with him more closely.”

Justin himself said: “It’s an absolute honour to receive my first senior call up for the Three Lions. Can’t wait wait to meet up with the boys on Monday at St George’s.”

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