Maddison can make difference for England, says Hoddle

LONDON : Leicester City's in-form forward James Maddison should start in England's opening World Cup match against Iran, according to former manager Glenn Hoddle.

Maddison's only senior England cap came in 2019 but the 25-year-old has been in superb form of late and was rewarded with a place in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad on Thursday.

Hoddle, who took England to the 1998 World Cup finals, believes Maddison should form part of an attacking trio along with central striker Harry Kane and Phil Foden.

"Maddison has been one of the players of the season so far with his assists, goals and the way he plays and creates," Hoddle said. "We've got a lot of players of a similar ilk really, and that's why I thought Gareth may possibly leave him out, but I'm glad to see him in the squad.

"I hope he plays at the tournament, but that will be down to Gareth's system. I would definitely look at him to play."

England have depended on Kane for goals under Southgate's reign but Hoddle believes having Maddison and Manchester City's Foden playing behind him would offer more attacking threat.

"I've always been a massive fan of Phil Foden, him and Maddison would be something special just behind Harry Kane," Hoddle, a World Cup ambassador for bookmakers Betfair, said.

"I hope if (Maddison) gets that England shirt he can just relax and play, like he does for Leicester. That is the key when you are stepping up to international level."

Southgate sprung a slight surprise by including Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips despite him only just returning from injury, while his club mate Kyle Walker is another player selected despite injury concerns.

"That's the only spot in the squad that I would have looked at and taken James Ward-Prowse who is fit at