James Maddison confident he still has a role to play in England’s World Cup 2022 campaign

James Maddison is confident he still has a big role to play at the World Cup and says he has “no doubt” about his ability to impact the biggest matches.

The Leicester playmaker is one of three outfield players in the England squad yet to play a minute in Qatar.

England have a wealth of attacking talent, and Maddison has seen Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish all used behind Harry Kane. But, speaking ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against France, the 26-year-old believes he can offer Gareth Southgate something different as one of his “finishers” off the bench.

“I know I can affect games at this level, so it is just about waiting for the opportunity and showing it when it comes,” said Maddison, who is fit again missing the start of the tournament with a knee issue. “I never had any doubts, and self-belief has never been a problem.

“I think [I would] definitely [be useful in] a game against a low block, where we are struggling to get a goal or struggling to create. That could definitely be an opportunity. I am a player who takes risks, gets goals and assists. I think one of my strengths is unlocking stubborn defences, so if it gets tight in a game that goes late on, then I could get a chance. We will just see if we are chasing goals. I have a good record of goals and assists, so I hope it can get me out on the pitch.”

Maddison was a surprise call-up, after his good club form proved impossible for Southgate to ignore. The midfielder, who registered 19 goals and 12 assists in 18 months before the World Cup, missed the first two games of the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the final round of Premier League fixtures, but says he is not getting down about not featuring yet.

“Every player wants to play, I am not going to sit here and say I am happy to be part of the squad and not get on, because I want to play,” he added.

“But when you are here, there is almost a bigger feeling than that and everyone has a role to play. For me, I have not had any minutes yet, but if I start sulking and moaning and not giving my all in training, not being a good, positive person around the camp, it just feeds into the spirit that we talk about that is so good. No one wants to be that guy.

“There is a bigger picture here. I wanted to be in the squad so bad that not playing yet is not something that is getting me down. It is a pleasure to be here and I am honoured to be here.

England training - Behind the scenes

“Every substitution is measured and I am sure there will be a time where [Southgate] might need me. I will stay hungry and stay working.”

Maddison has explained the process he goes through on the bench to ensure he is ready if called upon.

“When I was watching England versus Senegal, I was watching and thinking about what can I do, what would I do differently and what positions would I be taking up,” he said. “You just can’t help it when you are a man with a football head.”