Marcus Rashford has insisted that Newcastle United target James Maddison is 'fully committed' to England while on international duty.
Maddison will leave relegated Leicester City after five years at the King Power Stadium and the attacking midfielder has interest from both Newcastle and Spurs to consider. While Maddison is focused on England's upcoming Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, the players, naturally, speak about their respective clubs during their downtime in camp.
Nick Pope, for instance, got the inside track on Newcastle from Kieran Trippier a year ago before completing his move to St James' Park from Burnley. Pope was already keen on the switch, but Trippier 'really sold' it to the goalkeeper.
Although Pope is currently injured, it would be a surprise if Maddison did not pick the brains of Trippier and fellow Coventry native Callum Wilson, who the 26-year-old is particularly close to. Indeed, Maddison even previously joked how it was 'three on one with the Newcastle boys' during the World Cup following a 'bit of speculation' last summer.
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That has not gone unnoticed and Maddison was namechecked when Rashford was asked about the Leicester City star, and others, being among a host of England internationals linked with 'credible' summer moves and if that speculation had been a 'distraction'.
"It's not the first time that this has happened," the Manchester United star told reporters. "Every time it has happened, every player has been committed to England whilst they have been here.
"That's what you have to do. You have to try and leave behind what's happening in your club career.
"There will be people maybe doing stuff - I don't know, I've not spoken to anyone about it - but I don't think here is the right time or place to do that because the players are just focused on firstly the game against Malta and then the second game. They are fully committed to winning those games."
