Should James Maddison start for England at the World Cup?
Absolutely. I don't think he will, but I really think he should. I don't buy into the argument of 'England don't play with a number 10 so he can't start', because we don't either. Maddison has made that (inside) right forward position his own over the last 18 months, carrying us.
Foden, Sterling and Saka are probably favourites to start in those wide positions alongside Kane - 3 players who Maddison has outperformed in terms of goal contributions in the Premier League. The fact Maddison has done this in a side who had such a poor start to the season, rather than an arguably easier job for the team top of the league (Saka), last season's champions (Foden) or a 'big' team who spent £275million in the summer (Sterling) only adds to the argument for me.
Maddison has shown he can be that bright spark or something different in a team who aren't on form, something which England can struggle with particularly in early stages of competitions. Players out of form often overthink or try too hard to make something happen but Madders looks like everything is so easy for him at the minute, confident players in their flow is what we need.
In the same breath all of those 3 players have done the business for England in the past so I'll understand them getting in ahead of him more than my answer might suggest, but I just think World Cups often throw out a few wildcard performers and Maddison could easily fit that.
He's good enough to slot into the 3 in midfield as well, in place of Mount, but the fact he's been selected as a forward means I think that's even less likely. I'm so buzzing for him making the squad. I really hope he gets some decent game time.
Becky Taylor
Realistically, I think Maddison will be used as a wildcard off the bench.
A lot of people say England don't play with a number 10, but that argument is irrelevant as he has played wide on the right most of the season and I think in the group stages we'll likely play with a back four against three sides that will sit deep against us so will have an extra central midfielder.
We've got an embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas and although I'd like to see Sterling, Maddison and Foden behind Kane, I think Southgate will go for Saka with Foden in the middle. We've also got Grealish who can play off the left and Mount, who he likes in a more central position, but I'd love to see Maddison get some game time in the group stages and hopefully make an impact.
Sterling hasn't been in the best form this season but has been crucial for England, plus Saka has been impressive for Arsenal so I think they'll both start. I don't think you can leave out Foden either so then you've got Grealish and Maddison or Mount to come on and change the game.
He's got to be the most in-form English player currently, is equally adept on both feet, a good dribbler, can pick out a pass and his set-pieces are a huge threat. If you are chasing a game with 15 or 20 minutes to go in the knockout stages, then Maddison would be my preferred choice over Mount.
Maddison, Foden and Grealish behind Kane might lack pace, but they can keep the ball off opponents and I think the opposition would be terrified of that front 4 if Southgate can fit them in the same side.
Jordan Halford
Definitely. This is a World Cup for in-form players. There's no time to put the season aside and feel your way in via training or friendlies as would normally be the case.
In my view, there are better options in the wide right role we've had him in. That's not to say he couldn't make an impression there though.
Where I'd put him in is with Rice and Bellingham in midfield. That midfield feels nicely balanced with a lot of creativity which is ideal for the group games.
Iain Wright
No. My longstanding take about this World Cup is that the lack of warm up games makes it very difficult for managers to take a gamble on something new.
Maddison might be in the Euro 2020 Grealish role, but Grealish had 3 friendlies beforehand to build momentum. Maddison is going in semi-injured and with none.
Tournament games are high-pressure, all or nothing events, and all the competition for the attacking places have played in them before.
The obvious use for him is off the bench. Maddison and Grealish could cause absolute havoc with the amount of set pieces they'd win against tired defenders, and in a cramped schedule the use of subs is going to decide a lot of games. He deserves that chance but he's a way off earning the right to start yet.
In Southgate we trust… #ISWT
James Knight
It's actually a really tough call, but I think I'd verge on saying no. In terms of form, he's absolutely up there with any other player who could start on the right – if anything, he's performed the best of them all.
But realistically, is it sensible to suddenly start a player you've basically ignored for a few years? Tactically, I don't think that's quite right and I can't see Gareth Southgate going for it unless we're looking at a dead rubber somewhere.
So while I'd love to see Maddison get his shot in Qatar, I think he'll have to be a bit more patient yet. Bukayo Saka or Raheem Sterling will be very difficult to shift from the XI, but I'd say that Maddison is potentially a better impact option off the bench than the latter if England are chasing a game and really need some inspiration to get back into it.
I don't think he'll get as many minutes as we're all hoping for, but he should get at least one opportunity to show what he's capable of. I didn't even think he'd make the squad to begin with, though, so there could be a few surprises up ahead yet...
Joe Brewin
