‘If you look’: Jermain Defoe says he’s a huge fan of £20m player Tottenham reportedly want to sign next year

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Tottenham legend Jermain Defoe thinks Leicester City midfielder James Maddison should go to the World Cup with England.

Maddison has just the one England cap to his name but has been included in the 55-man provisional squad for the tournament.

It needs to be cut down next week and Maddison could hardly have played much better this season to get Gareth Southgate’s attention.

Defoe told the Peter Crouch Podcast that the playmaker should be on the plane as the Three Lions go in pursuit of glory.

Defoe on Maddison

He said about £20 million man Maddison: “I think he should go (to the World Cup).

“If you look at his numbers compared to a lot of the other players in his position, if it’s based on that then he should go.

“You’re talking about that little bit of swagger and arrogance. He’s got that.

“He’s one of those players, it could be the World Cup final, he would receive the ball in any area of the pitch. He’s one of those players.”

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Tottenham will be among the clubs who will consider signing Maddison from Leicester City next summer.

Maddison was heavily linked with a move to both Tottenham and Newcastle United in the summer transfer window. The Magpies pushed the hardest, but a move did not materialise.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think it’s a hard deal to do in January, but it’s one to maybe keep an eye on next summer, especially if Leicester are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

“Spurs, I’m sure, will be among a number of clubs looking at Maddison.”