DANNY MURPHY: James Maddison must fight with Phil Foden for England’s No 10 role and there’s NO excuse not to play Eberechi Eze against Scotland

I felt sympathy for James Maddison being moved to the left when he was better suited as a number 10.

It’s difficult to get into this team, but after Saturday night’s experiment the reality is that he will have a good international career at center, if at all.

I can’t see Gareth Southgate playing him and Phil Foden in the same team, but I would like to see them compete for a creative spot in a more advanced position than Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

That way I think England will have enough attacking threat to win a major tournament. It’s a brave way to play against the best opponents, but it’s the best way if you want to lift a trophy.

We saw in Wroclaw that operating from a wider area does not suit Maddison’s undoubted attributes, even if Gareth Southgate were to give him some freedom to roam.

It wasn’t the Tottenham star’s most effective display and he was left angry after being shown a yellow card

But that freedom can pose a problem.

When Maddison drifted in, England had defensive problems. Ukraine’s goal came from a two-on-one against Ben Chilwell on Maddison’s side.

You could be harsh and say Maddison should be more disciplined.

But he was one of the standouts at Spurs because he was allowed to use his technical strengths.

Being asked to do other work when he is not a natural athlete with the physical strength to track full-backs is somewhat unfair when others like Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford can do it better.

Foden is dynamic in short distances, but is similar to Maddison in that he is better suited to help the team in the middle and open up the defense with a dribble or a pass.

At City, Foden can play effectively on the wing as Pep Guardiola’s side dominate possession. But for England, both he and Maddison need to be No. 10.

I did feel a bit sorry for Maddison on Saturday because when Foden came on he was given that role as Ukraine defended to get a point.

Maddison was hooked on Phil Foden and he must battle the Man City man to become England’s No.10

I feel England are fortunate to have two excellent playmakers. I wouldn’t mind starting a tournament with either of them. It could be based on which of Maddison and Foden is in the better form.

But it is important that at least one of them starts in his preferred position, and the manager will have to trust that Rice and Bellingham know when to join them in attack and when to sense danger and open the door have to close the other side.

Maddison can have a successful career in England, but not as a wide forward. Why should he do one role if he’s brilliant in the other?

Gareth Southgate’s decision to play Marc Guehi was fully justified: he is a natural defender

Thanks to Gareth Southgate. He had good options to replace the injured John Stones, including Fikayo Tomori and Levi Colwill, but his decision to appoint Marc Guehi was completely justified.

Guehi was excellent. He is a natural defender, knows when to push off and when to intercept, but can also use the ball well. He has a real chance of competing with Harry Maguire for a place alongside Stones at the 2024 European Championship.

He appears to be slightly ahead of Colwill in terms of development, having emerged from regular first-team football in the Premier League. Leaving Chelsea for Crystal Palace may have seemed like a risk, but the reality is that it has helped him immensely in gaining experience and maturity.

Southgate has seen that and is showing that he will give players from outside the Big Six a chance if they deserve it.

I would love to see exciting young Crystal Palace talent Eberechi Eze play against Scotland on Tuesday

One player I would like to see start for Hampden on Tuesday is Eberechi Eze. It is in exceptional shape and looks stunning. All he needs now is playing time.

I can almost understand why we stick with the tried and tested against Ukraine, where qualifying points are at stake, but that is not the case against Scotland.

It will be a great atmosphere against a decent team, but without the same pressure. There’s really no excuse not to give Eze exhaustion.