{"id":295876,"date":"2023-10-11T15:01:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T15:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=295876"},"modified":"2023-10-11T15:01:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T15:01:08","slug":"james-maddison-admits-timing-of-international-break-is-annoying-for-tottenham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/james-maddison-admits-timing-of-international-break-is-annoying-for-tottenham\/","title":{"rendered":"James Maddison admits timing of international break is \u2018annoying\u2019 for Tottenham"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
James Maddison is aiming to impress on England duty this week \u2013 but admits the international break has come at an \u201cannoying\u201d time with Tottenham sat atop the Premier League.<\/p>\n
The summer signing from relegated Leicester has hit the ground running in north London, scoring twice and assisting five times in the opening eight league games of the new season.<\/p>\n
Maddison\u2019s form has played a key part in Ange Postecoglou\u2019s men setting the pace heading into the second international window of the campaign, with Spurs edging out neighbours Arsenal at the top of the division by virtue of goals scored.<\/p>\n
Asked if he was in the form of his life, the 26-year-old told BBC Radio 5Live: \u201cPotentially, I feel really good to be honest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel at the top of my game, and that is contributing to wins at the minute, and we have started the season really well, and we have got a good momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe international break has probably come at a bit of an annoying time in a way.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would never, ever not want to represent your country, because I always say it is the pinnacle when I am away with England, but if I\u2019ve got my club head on, we\u2019re in good form, we\u2019re in good momentum, we are unbeaten in the league in eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came back after the last international break and hit the ground running again and won late against Sheffield United in brilliant circumstances. Hopefully we can do the same off the back of this one and continue the form.\u201d<\/p>\n
I feel at the top of my game, and that is contributing to wins at the minute, and we have started the season really well<\/p>\n
Maddison was part of the England squad that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar last winter but, due to a niggling knee injury, failed to make an appearance.<\/p>\n
Having made his senior England debut in November 2019, the former Coventry and Norwich man would have to wait until the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine earlier this year to pick up a second cap.<\/p>\n
Since then, Maddison has started two out of three qualifying fixtures and will be keen to play a large part in the upcoming Wembley double-header which sees England face Australia in a friendly on Friday before welcoming Italy for a key European Championship qualifier on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo much can happen in a year,\u201d added Maddison.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past year I have worked really hard and played some good stuff, I think. Obviously, I have moved to Tottenham. I feel as though I could potentially be in the best form I have ever been in really.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now I feel at home here (with England). I would be happy to play anywhere, when you are wearing the Three Lions there is no feeling like it to be honest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that means I am playing slightly out of position, then so be it. I couldn\u2019t care less as long as I am out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will try to do my best and bring the qualities that I have to any position that I play in, whether that is in the middle or left wing or right wing, wherever.\u201d<\/p>\n