Maddison admits Rodgers is modelling him on Coutinho

Sarah Winterburn

James Maddison claims that Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is trying to turn him into a new version of Philippe Coutinho.

In the week that none other than Noel Whelan claimed that the Reds should make a move for Maddison, the Foxes’ creator has been talking to The Athletic about his role.

“A lot of teams don’t really play with a No 10 these days. Not in the conventional sense, anyway,” he says. “I’d say my best position was as a No 8 now but I can play off the left, as a No 10, wherever – as long as I’m on the pitch and able to express myself, that’s all that really matters.”

In a fascinating interview, Maddison is asked about his influences as a footballer and says: “Paul Gascoigne, if you’re looking at English players…he was my Dad’s favourite player. I never saw him live and in his prime but you can see how good he was from the clips.

“Dad and I will talk football until the sun comes up, and he’s shown me all the footage. Gascoigne played exactly how that creative midfielder should. He was dynamic, he’d weave, he’d chop…I can aspire to that. I’m a creative player. I’d like to think I’m able to dribble and weave as well, and I’ve an eye for a pass. I just watch players like him and try to learn anything I can from their games.

“I’ve seen more of Wayne Rooney because, watching him, I was a bit older and understood more about the game. He dominated the Premier League for years; an unbelievable player. More current era, there’s David Silva who’s like a fine wine, getting older but better and better. And, of course, Philippe Coutinho, who was at Liverpool when I was in the lower divisions. He was outstanding.

“The manager and I have spoken about that role he played in his team, and how sometimes he used Coutinho as a No 8 and other times, off the left in different games. He had the skill set to do well in those roles and now he’s getting me to play there. But I believe I have the versatility to mix it up.

“Tony Mowbray played me as an out-and-out No 10 in a 4-2-3-1. Daniel Farke at Norwich had me playing in a deeper-lying playmaker role for a while.

“Listen, I don’t like to be pigeon-holed into having to play in one position. I very rarely do play in one position. I’d like to say I can play different roles. And yes, the No 10 is an iconic number, and one I always loved when I was growing up but it doesn’t matter what number you wear on your back. You’re not defined by that anymore. I mean, our holding midfielder (Wilfred Ndidi) wears No 25 or something.”