Rio Ferdinand questions World Cup hopes of phenomenal Premie
Gareth Southgate will name his squad for this winters World Cup a week on Thursday, but Manchester United legend Ferdinand believes the England boss already has his mind made up
Rio Ferdinand has shot downJames Maddisonshopes of being included in theEnglandsquad for the World Cup, despite his phenomenal performances this season.
Maddison has impressed despiteLeicesterssomewhat dreadful campaign so far, scoring six goals and notching two assists. He has been one of the few highlights for the Foxes, withBrendan Rodgers men having been stuck at the heart of the relegation battle thus far.
Despite his starring role at the King Power Stadium over recent years,Maddison has continued to be ignored by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. His sole international cap came in November 2019, with the midfielder having not been included in a squad since then.
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His performances during 2022 had raised hopes that he may return to the fold for this winters tournament. Southgate has been criticised for a lack of attacking impetus since England reached the final of Euro 2020. That is a problem that Maddison could surely help to solve given his attacking role atLeicester.
But Ferdinand does not believe he has done enough to secure a place on the plane to Qatar.
I dont know. He didnt play well at the weekend. What hes doing, his stats, numbers, and performances, especially recently, have been phenomenal, theManchester Unitedlegend told hisVibe with Five podcast.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What should be Englands squad for the World Cup this winter?Comment below.
All I am going to say is who do you take out in that position, out of that number 10 position? Who do you take out? Grealish, Foden, Mount, Saka, Sterling. Who do you take out? I like James Maddison.
I like him right, and think he has huge talent but its where does he fit in this squad and then team. So Grealish to people like us in terms of stats isnt where he should be. He hasnt got enough assists and goals right.
But if you went to Pep Guardiola and said: In your team in the way you want to function, is he doing what you need him to do? The fact he keeps playing him suggests yes.
The point Im making is, is he doing whats being asked of him for his team? And is he executing that part of it.
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England are expected to name their squad a week on Thursday, with Southgate having already drawn up a provisional 55-man list. The Three Lions boss will need to cut that down to a final list of 26 before his team fly out to the Middle East.
Their first game will come on 21 November against Iran, before clashes with the United States and Wales. If Southgate does indeed name his squad on 10 November, Maddison has just two more Leicester games to impress.
First, the Foxes travel toEvertonin thePremier Leaguein this Saturdays evening kick-off. Rodgers men will then host League Two side Newport County in the third round of the Carabao Cup two days before Southgates squad is named.
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