Puel has urged the youngster to keep his focus and continue to improve
Thursday 4 October 2018 14:46, UK
Leicester manager Claude Puel says youthful James Maddison has "a lot of maturity" and believes his England call-up is a "good reward".
Speaking ahead of Leicester's weekend game at home to Everton, Puel responded to Maddison's selection for Gareth Southgate's England squad.
"I am happy with his work," said Puel. "He's made just seven Premier League games. This is a good reward.
"He has a character to keep his feet on the ground. This is the most important thing."
The 22-year-old midfielder has made an impressive start to Leicester's 2018/19 campaign and his first season in top-flight football, scoring three goals in seven Premier League appearances.
The Foxes boss said Maddison will have to "keep pushing and not stop".
"He has a good personality, he is a good listener, he always has this mentality to improve," said Puel.
"Of course, as a manager, I want to keep this good focus because it's important he continues this way."
Puel shot down discussion comparing Maddison to David Beckham, saying the Leicester midfielder is his own person and should not be compared to other players.
"He's a good teammate. For a young player, he has a lot of maturity.
"He's played just seven Premier League games, we cannot compare him to other players. It is important not to compare because his attributes, he's James Maddison and no other player."
Maddison joined Leicester from Norwich this summer after receiving his first England under-21s cap last November.
