James Maddison, the Tottenham midfielder, has been left out of England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024. Despite being initially called up by manager Gareth Southgate to the provisional 33-man selection, Maddison did not make the final cut. The 27-year-old had featured in England’s friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, coming off the bench in the 3-0 win at St James’ Park. However, he is one of seven players who will be dropped from the squad when the final 26 is announced on Saturday.
Maddison, who has seven senior England caps, was part of Southgate’s lineup for the 2022 World Cup but did not make an appearance in Qatar. The midfielder joined Tottenham in a £40m move from Leicester last summer but had an inconsistent season due to injuries after a strong start.
While Maddison has now been cut from the England squad, there is still hope for Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. Shaw, who returned to training on Wednesday after a lengthy injury lay-off, has not been ruled out of the final squad. His inclusion would provide a boost to England’s defensive options.
The final England squad for Euro 2024 will be announced on Saturday, following their last warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley the night before. Southgate will have to drop another six players to finalize his squad for the tournament held in Germany.
This decision highlights the tough choices managers face when selecting a squad for a major tournament. With only limited spots available, even experienced players like Maddison can miss out due to competition and other factors such as form and fitness. Southgate has a challenging task ahead as he strives to assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
In recent years, England’s national team has seen a resurgence in talent and performance. The success of reaching the final of Euro 2020, along with their strong showing in the 2018 World Cup, has raised expectations for the team. Southgate will be under pressure to build on these achievements and deliver a strong performance in Euro 2024.
As for Maddison, missing out on the England squad will be disappointing. However, it can serve as motivation for him to continue working hard and striving for excellence. The midfielder will now have the opportunity to focus on his club career at Tottenham and aim to make an impact in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, James Maddison’s exclusion from England’s Euro 2024 squad highlights the difficult decisions managers have to make when selecting a final squad. Despite his previous international experience, Maddison did not make the cut due to competition and inconsistent form. The final squad announcement on Saturday will reveal the players who will represent England in the tournament held in Germany.