MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 10:56:41| >> :120:50744:50744:

Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on "honest boy" James Maddison

Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on
© Reuters
James Maddison has scored eight times for Leicester this season.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has hailed James Maddison and believes he has proved any lingering doubters wrong.

The England midfielder has excelled this season ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Brentford.

Maddison has scored eight goals – including three in his last three games after netting in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea which briefly sent the Foxes top of the Premier League.

Leicester currently sit third ahead of the cup game at the Brentford Community Stadium and Rodgers feels the public’s view of Maddison has shifted.

He said: “What I love about him is his personality. He is such an honest boy. This boy hasn’t lost – amongst all the so-called glitz and glamour in the Premier League – where he is from.

“That’s why you get this refreshing attitude in his interviews. No matter where he is on his journey to being a really top player he understands it’s about fighting, learning and being the best he can be.

“His personality has never changed, it’s great he gets the credit for being open and honest but he’s always been like that. Before, for some reason, he was deemed arrogant or cocky but he has just an inherent belief in his ability.

“That’s OK because it gives him that belief to play with those qualities. He is still learning and in his early 20s and with another couple of years playing his football ID and nous will be even better.

“At this moment you can see his is still a top performer in the most competitive league in the world.”

Leicester will be without Jamie Vardy for a number of weeks with the striker due to have an operation on his groin.

Rodgers is expected to rotate his squad in the FA Cup with Ricardo Pereira likely to start as he continues to find full fitness after a long-term knee injury and then a groin problem.

The Foxes beat Brentford 1-0 in last season’s fourth round and Rodgers is confident he has the depth to progress again.

He said: “Yes, we’ll still have a strong team. We’ll still, virtually, have a team of full international players.

“With the games that we’ve had and the games coming up, I have a real trust in the squad and I’ll always pick a team to win the game, but yes, there will be some changes.”

ID:431789: cacheID:431789:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3710:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!