- James Maddison out of final squad
- His campaign was derailed by injuries.
- Maddison fell short in the face of stiff competition.
England manager Gareth Southgate has made a tough call, leaving Tottenham midfielder James Maddison out of the final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
Provisional Inclusion Wasn’t Enough:
Maddison initially found himself included in the provisional 33-man squad selected by Southgate. He even saw some playing time, coming off the bench during England’s convincing 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Fierce Competition for Spots:
However, with only 26 spots available for the Euros, Maddison fell short in the face of stiff competition. He is one of seven players who will be released from the squad before the final announcement on Saturday.
Previous England Experience:
Despite the recent disappointment, Maddison has represented England on seven occasions at the senior level. He was also part of Southgate’s squad for the 2022 World Cup, though he didn’t feature in any matches.
Inconsistent Season at Spurs:
Maddison’s exclusion might be partly attributed to his inconsistent season with Tottenham. After a promising start following his £40 million transfer from Leicester City last summer, his campaign was derailed by injuries.
Southgate’s Final Decisions Remain:
With six more players to cut from the squad, Southgate has some difficult choices ahead. The final announcement will be made after England’s last warm-up friendly against Iceland on Friday.
Positive Note for Shaw:
One player who could still make the cut is Manchester United’s Luke Shaw. The left-back has recently returned to training after a lengthy injury absence, offering Southgate a potential solution at that position.
