James Maddison was delighted to earn his second debut with England after facing difficulties during the World Cup in Qatar.
The Leicester City midfielder s second cap for the Three Lions came three and a half years after his international debut, with opportunities not forthcoming in that spell as he faced immense competition for a berth in the side.
Maddison shone in his display against Ukraine at Wembley, creating five chances – the most of any player in their first game for England since Theo Walcott created six against Andorra in September 2008.
With his England debut feeling like a lifetime ago , Maddison enjoyed his second coming into the national side.
It felt great. I said in there it almost felt like a second debut. Like it doesn t really work. But it s been that long, he told reporters.
It feels a lifetime ago, since that Montenegro again. So almost felt like a secondary it felt really good out there.
It s so refreshing to be out there with the lads and, in a strong team and a big game. So, I really enjoyed it.
Maddison s hopes of featuring for England at the World Cup in Qatar suffered a serious blow after picking up an injury ahead of the tournament, leaving him battling for fitness in his bid to play.
5 James Maddison has created five chances today, the most by a player in his first men s start since Theo Walcott v Andorra in September 2008 (6). Claim.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
No minutes in the tournament came for the Leicester City man, who detailed the struggles he endured during England s campaign.
I felt there were a lot of lows, and there s a lot of sad, sad faces when I was in my room by myself, he explained.
Just thinking why now this little injury why? Why in the West Ham game did I get that just before the World Cup , after I ve worked so hard to get to the position where it felt everyone was clamouring for me to be in the squad.
And I ve worked so hard and my performances were really good. And so there were tough times in the room in Qatar, FaceTiming home, just sad, but it was almost like a battle with myself to say, don t take this for granted .
I might not be able to shake this injury off, but it will leave me in good stead if I show Gareth, and show the people who are questioning my personality off the fields that or whatever that is, that s all rubbish and that I can be a good person.
We have such a good group and I get on so well with the lads and the staff, and it s what you see from the outside is exactly how it is.
The togetherness and the fun nature of the energy around the camp. So, I hoped stuff like that would leave me in good stead.
