Cesc Fabregas hails "complete" England star who can't get in Gareth Southgate's XI

Spain legend Cesc Fabregas heaped praise on an England star who is unable to get into Gareth Southgate’s first XI.

England take on Brazil this evening at Wembley, in one of the few remaining friendlies before this summer’s European Championships in Germany.

However, the Three Lions have been hit with a series of injuries for Saturday’s encounter, which could offer an opportunity for the likes of Tottenham’s James Maddison to stake a claim in Southgate’s midfield three.

While Maddison has long been a fringe player for England, former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea icon Fabregas told the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast that the Spurs star has the personality “to make things happen” and is someone “you would always want in your team.”

“Straight away you could feel he’s got the confidence,” Fabregas said.

“He’s got the personality to demand the ball, to make things happen and to create situations. He’s good at dribbling, he is good at assisting and he can score goals. So he’s a really complete player in my opinion.

“He has a good understanding with Son and the strikers and for me, he’s a fantastic player to have.

“And as a coach, I’m sure that you need to adapt to the strengths of your players and the better quality they have, the easier it is. And definitely, he is one of them you would always want in your team.”

However, Fabregas did admit he had doubts over Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou’s high-risk and daring play style.

Maddison may have an opportunity to stake his claim in Southgate's XI vs Brazil (Getty)

“It is brave and you need to trust your players a lot,” Fabregas said. “But for me you are not under control because you are basically reacting, you are not proactive. You are reacting to their movements, you are reacting to whatever the striker wants to do.

“If he comes deep, I come with him. If he goes attacking the space, I go with him. I’m not a big fan of this because as I said, you are not in control of the situation. He’s dictating the play for you.

“I like to dictate my play and I like to take the defence. If the ball is covered, then I can press. If the ball is uncovered then my defenders need to drop a little bit.”

Topics: England, Spain, Cesc Fabregas, James Maddison, Gareth Southgate, Brazil

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.