James Maddison: Glenn Hoddle tips Tottenham midfielder for ‘super-sub’ role with England at Euro 2024

Glenn Hoddle believes James Maddison will be a “wonderful sub up Gareth Southgate’s sleeve” at this year’s European Championship but admitted the Tottenham midfielder will struggle to break into the starting XI.

Maddison has earned six caps for his country but has yet to play a full 90 minutes for the senior side.

The playmaker didn’t feature in England’s defeat to Brazil but came off the bench to great effect against Belgium, teeing up Jude Bellingham for the last-gasp equaliser.

And it is in this capacity that Hoddle thinks Maddison could be a major asset for Southgate as he bids to steer England to glory in Germany this summer.

“I think James is a fantastic player. He's done really well at Tottenham,” Hoddle told TNT Sports.

“He's missed 10 games in the season which set him back a little bit, but if he gets back into his goalscoring and assists, which he was doing on a consistent level, then I think he can get himself in that team.

“I don't see Gareth starting him at the moment and I think we have got fantastic players going forward. But I think he's going to be a wonderful sub up Gareth’s sleeve, I really do.

“If he was a sub coming on, you could see him changing the game and maybe actually, by the end of the tournament, he might find himself in the team.”

Maddison joined Spurs in the summer from Leicester City in a deal worth in the region of £40 million and made an immediate impression at the north London club, scoring three goals and registering six assists in 11 appearances to start the Premier League before suffering an ankle injury.

The midfielder’s absence coincided with a dip in results that saw Ange Postecoglou’s side tumble from first down to fifth in the table.

Since his return, however, the 27-year-old has failed to reach the heights of his early season form, managing to find the net just once and make two assists in the last nine games. He was even withdrawn with more than 20 minutes remaining against Luton and then West Ham with Spurs chasing a winner.

There’s no doubting the quality and creative flair he possesses when at his best, though.

Asked where he could see him fitting into Southgate’s midfield, Hoddle added: “He slots into that attacking midfield. If you want to play with one just behind the front or he can play in a three.

“He's even played in a wide position coming off the wide berth like [Phil] Foden does for Man City.

“So he's got numerous positions, but it will be in and around that attacking third. That's where you want him. That's where he does his damage.”

Spurs are locked in a battle with Aston Villas to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League. Unai Emery’s side currently occupy fourth but are just two points clear of Tottenham with eight games to go.

But while going up against the best players in the biggest club competition in Europe is a goal for most players, Hoddle says it shouldn’t impact Maddison’s chances of nailing down a starting place in Southgate’s preferred XI.

“I don't think you have to be in a Champions League side. If you're good enough, you're gonna get in the team,” the former England manager continued.

“It's how he affects the game when he plays for Gareth and plays for England. Putting a white shirt on is totally different sometimes.

“There's players in there now that are not actually on form for their clubs, but they play better for England at the moment.”

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