Leicester manager Claude Puel believes James Maddison will remain grounded despite receiving his first senior England call-up.
The midfielder, 21, has been selected by Gareth Southgate for this month’s Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
Maddison joined Leicester from Norwich in the summer in a deal reported to be worth £24million and he has scored three goals in seven Premier League appearances. He also has two assists.
“He has improved since the beginning of the season and I am happy with his work,” said Puel ahead of his side’s home Premier League game against Everton on Saturday.
“He was in the Championship last season and he has stepped up to the Premier League. I am pleased about his work, both in training and on the pitch.”
Maddison’s call-up marks a meteoric rise for the player, who only left Coventry in 2006, where he was a youth-team player, and who was playing in the Championship last season.
However, Puel believes Maddison has the right temperament and thinks there is still plenty to come from his player.
“He has the character to keep his feet on the ground,” said Puel.
“The most important thing is he keeps his desire but he has a lot of maturity for a young player.
“He is only 21 but he has a good personality and it is important he keeps that mentality to improve.
“I hope he keeps going this way and maintains his focus on the pitch. It is a good reward, of course, but he must maintain his calm and concentration.”
Asked what he thought Maddison might be able to bring to the England squad, Puel said: “The attributes he has for us, he can bring to the national team.
“He has good ability, good attributes and a strong character. He has good maturity and he is an intelligent player.
“He has a different intensity and tempo and can play between the lines. He has ability from free-kicks and his dead-ball delivery is good.”
Another Leicester midfielder, Harvey Barnes, who is on loan at West Brom, will be named in England’s under-21 squad for the first time.
He scored a superb individual goal against Sheffield Wednesday this week to earn Albion a point in a 2-2 draw at Hillsborough.
