Matchday With The Manager: Why James Maddison Is Key For Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison could have a role to play in today’s Premier League curtain-raiser at West Bromwich Albion – and the Leicester City manager is delighted to have a player of his calibre at the Club.

2020-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison could have a role to play in today’s Premier League curtain-raiser at West Bromwich Albion – and the Leicester City manager is delighted to have a player of his calibre at the Club.

2020-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Why James Maddison Is Key For Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison could have a role to play in today’s Premier League curtain-raiser at West Bromwich Albion – and the Leicester City manager is delighted to have a player of his calibre at the Club.

2020-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Why James Maddison Is Key For Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison could have a role to play in today’s Premier League curtain-raiser at West Bromwich Albion – and the Leicester City manager is delighted to have a player of his calibre at the Club.

2020-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Why James Maddison Is Key For Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers says James Maddison could have a role to play in today’s Premier League curtain-raiser at West Bromwich Albion – and the Leicester City manager is delighted to have a player of his calibre at the Club.

2020-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

The 23-year-old has been absent since City faced Everton at Goodison Park on 1 July at the end of the elongated 2019/20 top-flight season, but is in contention for a return this weekend.

A bothersome hip injury has subsided and, along with returning to full fitness, Maddison agreed a new four-year contract at King Power Stadium – committing himself to Rodgers’ vision for the Foxes as they prepare to embark on another European campaign this term.

Speaking on Friday, Rodgers elaborated on his belief that the former Norwich City midfielder has the leadership skills required not only to increase his standing at Leicester, but also to establish himself at international level for Gareth Southgate’s England side.

Having watched on in training, the Northern Irishman has already noticed the boost which Maddison’s quality inspires in his team-mates – and he is excited to see him return to the matchday squad.

“It’s fantastic news,” Rodgers said, while discussing the Coventry-born midfielder’s new deal. “He’s someone who’s a real leader within our group, even though he’s young.

“He’s got a great personality and his quality, his view of the game, it’s at the very highest level – how he sees the game and how he wants to play the game.

“He’s a player of big quality. To have that at the Club and committed to the Club for the next number of years… I was absolutely delighted when he decided to sign.”

After a summer of personal dedication, alongside the tireless efforts of City’s medical and sports science teams, Maddison is finally nearing a return to competitive action this month.

Although perhaps not ready to start against Slaven Bilić’s newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion later today, Rodgers hopes Maddison can provide an injection of attacking flair from the bench at the Hawthorns as the Premier League returns after just over a month away.

“He looks pretty much clear of that injury,” the 47-year-old added.

“I think towards the end of last season, it provoked his hip, where we didn’t think it would, so he’s come through lots of rigorous work with the sports science and medical teams. They’ve all handled it really, really well.

“Now, he’s back and he’s not having the discomfort. He’s trained competitively and we’ll see how he comes through the final session tomorrow (Saturday) and hopefully have him involved.

“He’s such a talented player. Just having him out on the field again in training, you see that quality that he has – that real quality that we miss when we don’t have him.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll play some part at the weekend.

“I don’t think he’ll be ready to start, considering the length of time he’s been out, but he’s been training. If he comes through everything tomorrow, he can certainly play a part.”

City’s No.10 is one of several exciting young English talents in Rodgers’ first team squad and the Foxes manager was keen to stress the importance of their performances for Leicester.

Perform well in blue, Rodgers says, and there’s every chance they’ll earn the opportunity to do the same in the iconic white shirt adorned by the Three Lions in future.

“I look at all my young English players and think if they go on and have really good seasons then they’re not going to be far away from the England squad,” he explained.

“James is a big talent, but he also has the personality to play at that level and the belief to play at that level. He knows if he plays well for Leicester, there’s a great opportunity.

“I look at the likes of Harvey Barnes as well. If Harvey can produce numbers in terms of goals and assists, he wouldn’t be far away.

“James Justin is a young player who’s improving all the time. If you look at Demarai [Gray], he’s been in and around the Under-21s and is still waiting for that breakthrough.

“In order to do that, they need to play well consistently at the Club. If they can do that, there will be a few of them that can be close.”

Every Leicester City matchday in 2020/21, log in as a Digital Member on LCFC.com at 8am as manager Brendan Rodgers speaks candidly about your Football Club.

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