James Maddison: Did Leicester midfielder live up to hype against Man Utd?

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From Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport in Old Trafford
James Maddison was one of those names on everyone’s lips Whenever the England squad was announced for last week’s internationals.
When it transpired, the Leicester midfielder didn’t perform a single minute and have to wait to create his three-dimensional debut.
Five games in the Premier League season, the 22-year-old has been one of the form players in the top flight, therefore did he justify the calls for him to become an England newcomer in his biggest test of the year so far from Manchester United?
If speak from the gossip column is to be considered, then this was a pastime for Maddison to get a big-money, January proceed to Old Trafford.
Leicester began the day third however a 1-0 defeat – courtesy of the penalty of Marcus Rashford – meant they lost their unbeaten start to the campaign.
But the Foxes might have taken home all three factors had Maddison shot the two chances that fell his way in the contest.
In the opening five minutes, the midfielder fired a shot and sneaked in to Harry Maguire to move onto Kasper Schmeichel punt upfield.
About the edge of the box of Maddison stepped up for a free-kick From the second half although he pushed it it did not have bend over the attack, that flew inches wide of De Gea’s left-hand post.
He really started out broad and just came into the middle once Hamza Choudhury was introduced away to Ayoze Perez on 57 minutes, and it had been this tweak that enabled the former Norwich kid to play his natural game, finding pockets of space in between the defence and midfield and driving ahead with the ball.
With time running out and climbing, Maddison was booked in the second half for a late lunge on United midfielder Scott McTominay.
It capped a day for him and Leicester group as a whole.
“Leicester will not have a better probability of going to Old Trafford and obtaining the things against that group,” former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“They got into a great places but their final ball was bad. Most of their players were bad in the final third.
“I believe [speaking about being a young side] is providing them a justification. I, along with a great deal of folks, are impressed with what Leicester have done this year. A couple of them to get into the top six, and I knew why.
“That’s why I had been excited about this game so much because I had been thinking’come on then, let’s see exactly what you’ve obtained Leicester’. But I was a bit disappointed with them in the last third.”
Influence for his side in the last third this season and maddison’s attacking statistics are one of the best in the branch.
No participant has created more opportunities placing him at the peak of the list above closest Roberto Firmino challengers Paul Pogba and Kevin Bruyne since signing for Leicester in the start of all 2018-19.
The ex-Coventry trainee positions in the top three for most shots (16) this year, many through balls (four) and also has supplied two assists – the only for Jamie Vardy’s goal against Sheffield United was sublime, a defence-splitting pass using the outside of his boot.
His 41 crosses so much this expression is next only to the Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and in Old Trafford Vardy nodded in into the box.
Maddison also showed his growing maturity with his defensive capabilities at the victory over Bournemouth, winning the ball back eight times during the 90 minutes, as well as his attacking art.
Former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Radio 5 Live:”I have been really impressed by Maddison.
“There’s been a good deal of discussion about him in the beginning of this year and you’ll be able to see why. He has dropped into a deeper central role at the moment and just seems to be filled with confidence.”
Maddison is also by the supporters as they clapped him if he trotted over to have a corner.
However, the one thing lacking from his approach is a goals reunite befitting a midfielder who would like to force his way to the team.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount, favored by Gareth Southgate if adjustments were made by the England manager against Kosovo and Bulgaria, felt again on Saturday. His purpose in a 5-2 win against pilots took his tally for the season to three, with scored 11 on loan at Derby at the Championship last season.
Maddison hasn’t found the net in five league matches this period – netting a free-kick that was deflected from the Carabao Cup against Newcastle. He scored seven times.
“In the second half we played well and it looked just like it was coming but we still couldn’t find that last move,” said Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers.
“We did not join the game through our midfield good enough to function Jamie [Vardy]. He thrives on that but we were unable to make those moves. We started to get higher up the pitch but he was not dropped to by anything. It ended up being a match of few chances for both sides.”
Maddison was part of their under-21 side that were pumped out in the European Championship during the summertime in the group stage and that could be lingering in the mind of Southgate.
There is a swagger and arrogance to his game, an observation maybe not missing on Football Association technical chief Les Reed, who named no names but said the kids must guard against”over-confidence” after their bad performance at the Euros.
Maddison might want to add a few numbers to his goals tally to finally achieve his cap, next month, with another round of fixtures taking place.
On the other aspects of his game, there is more he could do.
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