England boss Gareth Southgate has backed his players to take the plunge when it comes to summer transfers, even though there are risks involved. The Three Lions chief has just seen his stars record back-to-back victories over Malta and North Macedonia with an combined score of 11-0 but attention now turns to a much-needed holiday and, in some cases, transfers.
Newcastle United target James Maddison is one player with his future up in the air, along with the likes of Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Harry Kane - all of whom have been tentatively linked with the Magpies at one point or another.
Maddison is the only realistic addition of the quintet at this stage of the summer, with the Leicester man considering his options after the Foxes' relegation. Southgate suggests Maddison, and his other England stars, all have what it takes to play at the very highest level.
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“We have got a few players with a lot going on, really," he said this week. "They have managed to park that brilliantly in their period with us but there is potentially quite a few moves this summer that would be hugely important for their own careers and for us.
“As a player you are always going to back yourself and you are always going to try and make the best decision with the information you have got. But every move comes with risk, you are going from an environment where you are doing well to an environment where new ideas, new training schedules, new tactical requirements so you might have to move house, your family might have to move so nothing is guaranteed.
“But as a player you definitely need and want to play and we have players who are good enough to play at the highest possible level. But in the biggest clubs there is also amazing competition for places and you have to accept that if you want to be at a big club, there is competition every week to play.”
Maddison has flown to the Balearic island of Ibiza as Newcastle and Spurs battle it out for the 26-year-old. "Long season done," Maddison posted. "Time for a break with family and friends."
