James Maddison has admitted he studied Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes in a bid to improve his own game.
The Leicester City midfielder has been in sensational form this season and made a late, successful bid to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad after a three-year hiatus.
Rather than dwell on the reasons behind his continued exclusion, Maddison sought to fine tune his game in a bid to force Southgate’s hand.
Apparently, keeping a careful eye on United playmaker Fernandes helped his cause.
What Maddison Said
“A couple of seasons ago, when I wasn’t in the England squad, Bruno Fernandes was playing very well for Manchester United and putting up ridiculous numbers in terms of goals and assists,” Maddison told reporters.
“So I probably watched him a bit closer at that time. ‘How is he scoring so many goals? What runs is he making that I’m not?’. If that makes me a student of the game, then that’s what I am.”
“If that makes me a student of the game, then that’s what I am.”
James Maddison on how studying Bruno Fernandes and living in a “football-mad” house helped him rediscover his best form.
✍️ @NizaarKinsellahttps://t.co/j4zdUAkznP
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 16, 2022
He added: “I watch every game. My house is football mad. My girlfriend goes crazy because I watch so much.
“During the lockdown, when there were four games a day, I had them all on.
Trending Stories: Barcelona President Laporta Takes Responsibility For Messi’s Departure
“I don’t think that there is a player now that I model my game on – maybe when I was younger. I appreciate all the good players in the Premier League.
“I try and take something from each of the players I watch, whether they are a higher level, the same level or lower.
“If I’m watching a game on TV, I’m often watching players in my position.
“I’m a football man. I’ve said that many times. Because I just love the game. In my head, I’m still that little boy who is kicking the ball around in the garden on or with [England] face paint on.”
COMMENTS