James Maddison says he is “devastated” at missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, but admits his poor Tottenham form left Gareth Southgate with “a decision to make”.
Maddison was named as part of Southgate’s 33-man provisional squad last month but was told on Wednesday he will not be part of the 26 that fly to Germany for this summer’s tournament.
The midfielder has left the England camp ahead of Friday night’s warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley, after which Southgate must finalise his squad, with Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones also already axed.
Maddison made an immediate impact after joining Spurs from relegated Leicester last summer, with eight goal involvements in his first nine league appearances as Ange Postecoglou’s tenure got off to a flying start.
However, the 27-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage in November, ruling him out for three months, and never recovered the same form during a disappointing second half of the season, with just one goal in his final 17 matches.
"Devastated doesn’t quite cut it,” Maddison wrote in a social media post. "Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make.”
Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make. I still thought… pic.twitter.com/LwhIhCPDxS
— James Maddison (@Madders10) June 6, 2024
Despite his dip in form, Maddison was picked in Southgate’s squad for March’s international break and set up Jude Bellingham’s late equaliser after coming off the bench against Belgium.
He also delivered a bright cameo in the 3-0 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Monday, but will watch this summer’s tournament from afar, having been an unused squad member at the World Cup in Qatar 18 months previously.
“I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26-man squad as I feel I bring something different and had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that,” he added.
“I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home.”
