MADD ABOUT THE BOY

He couldn’t get a game at Norwich so went to Aberdeen on loan, now he’s ready for England

ALMOST two years ago to the day, James Maddison was turning out for Aberdeen in a Scottish League Cup tie against Morton.

It was far from the most glamorous of nights as Maddison played 85 minutes in a 2-0 win.

It is an experience, however, that the Leicester midfielder won’t forget in a hurry.

‘ It toughens you up,’ said Maddison. ‘I took a lot of kicks, a lot of knocks, had a few little scraps with big Scottish guys on the pitch.’

Having moved to Pittodrie on loan from Norwich in August 2016, Maddison found himself at a career crossroads.

When he had joined the Canaries from Coventry in January of that year, Maddison’s reputation was soaring. Viewed as one of the best young talents outside the top flight, there had been talk of a move to Liverpool.

However, Maddison didn’t make a first-team appearance in his first five months after arriving at Carrow Road. He was then told he could leave on loan by manager Alex Neil following Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League.

‘It was tough to go to Norwich and not play after doing well at Coventry,’ he said. ‘I was not getting a sniff, so I went to see the manager.er. Aberdeen was the bestt option at the time.

‘I was only in Scotland for four months or something, but I look back at that and it was a big learning curve for me in that short spell.

‘I went there with an open mind to show everyoneryone in Scotland what I was about. Looking back, I am very glad with the decision I made.’

No wonder. Maddison became a key player when Daniel Farke took over at Norwich before the start of last season, and he finished the campaign as the club’s top scorer with a nomination for the Championship Young Player of the Season award.

Now, just eight games into his Premier League career following a £ 22million summer move to Leicester, Maddison is in the England squad.

Yesterday at St George’s Park, the 21-year-old exuded confidence, bolstered by a belief that he belongs at this level. It is justified.

On his Premier League debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the midfielder was excellent. In direct opposition to World Cup winner Paul Pogba, Maddison looked every inch the Premier League footballer.

But a few seconds before the game he had to pinch himself.

‘There was a moment in the warm-up when the crowd was filling up and it just hit me that this was the Premier League,’ recalled Maddison.

‘You see all these TV cameras around the pitch, which you don’t get at Championship level, and I thought, “I’ve worked hard to be here. I deserve to be here. I belong here”. ‘I ddid well and we put in a good performance aand maybe could have ggot more out of the game (United won 2- 1). There is no bbigger stage than Old TTrafford on the opening inopening day of the season. ThThat was a dream I will nevnever forget. ‘I always had the confidence.fid The step up from the Championship is a big one. I went into pre- season with the mindset of being fearless, going to show everyone what I can do.

‘If I started trying to play the simple pass instead of trying the harder pass, that is not the type of person I am.’

To be handed his international debut in a Nations League match against Croatia or Spain would be another step up.

‘I’ve only been in the door five minutes but I’ve worked hard this season and I’m very grateful to get the call-up,’ Maddison added.

‘I can only try to show everyone why I deserve to be here. I will try to showcase what I have to offer. This is where every young boy dreams of being.’