Rio Ferdinand has shot down James Maddison's hopes of being included in the England squad for the World Cup, despite his "phenomenal" performances this season.
Maddison has impressed despite Leicester's somewhat dreadful campaign so far, scoring six goals and notching two assists. He has been one of the few highlights for the Foxes, with Brendan Rodgers ' men having been stuck at the heart of the relegation battle thus far.
Despite his starring role at the King Power Stadium over recent years, Maddison has continued to be ignored by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. His sole international cap came in November 2019, with the midfielder having not been included in a squad since then.
His performances during 2022 had raised hopes that he may return to the fold for this winter's tournament. Southgate has been criticised for a lack of attacking impetus since England reached the final of Euro 2020. That is a problem that Maddison could surely help to solve given his attacking role at Leicester.
But Ferdinand does not believe he has done enough to secure a place on the plane to Qatar.
"I don't know. He didn't play well at the weekend. What he's doing, his stats, numbers, and performances, especially recently, have been phenomenal," the Manchester United legend told his Vibe with Five podcast.
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"All I am going to say is who do you take out in that position, out of that number 10 position? Who do you take out? Grealish, Foden, Mount, Saka, Sterling. Who do you take out? I like James Maddison.
"I like him right, and think he has huge talent but it's where does he fit in this squad and then team. So Grealish to people like us in terms of stats isn't where he should be. He hasn't got enough assists and goals right.
"But if you went to Pep Guardiola and said: 'In your team in the way you want to function, is he doing what you need him to do?' The fact he keeps playing him suggests yes.
"The point I'm making is, is he doing what's being asked of him for his team? And is he executing that part of it."
England are expected to name their squad a week on Thursday, with Southgate having already drawn up a provisional 55-man list. The Three Lions boss will need to cut that down to a final list of 26 before his team fly out to the Middle East.
Their first game will come on 21 November against Iran, before clashes with the United States and Wales. If Southgate does indeed name his squad on 10 November, Maddison has just two more Leicester games to impress.
First, the Foxes travel to Everton in the Premier League in this Saturday's evening kick-off. Rodgers' men will then host League Two side Newport County in the third round of the Carabao Cup two days before Southgate's squad is named.
