James Maddison Excluded from England’s Final Euro 2024 Squad

image: James Maddison  after the match in a Premier League game – Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur- May 19, 2024

Maddison’s Exclusion

James Maddison has been left out of England’s 26-player squad for Euro 2024. Consequently, he has departed the Three Lions camp. The Tottenham midfielder recently played as a substitute in England’s 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is the first player from Gareth Southgate’s 33-player provisional squad to be excluded from the final selection for the tournament in Germany.

Southgate’s Decision

Gareth Southgate, the England manager, must reduce his extended squad to 26 names by 11 PM on Friday. This deadline follows England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley. England’s Euro 2024 campaign kicks off on June 16 against Serbia. Maddison’s exclusion marks another disappointment in his international career. He made the final 26-player squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but did not appear before England’s quarter-final exit.

Analysis: Maddison’s Form and Competition

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz analyzed Maddison’s exclusion and noted that it is not a surprise. Maddison’s early-season form for Tottenham positioned him as a strong contender for the England squad. He scored three goals and made five assists in his first nine Premier League games. However, his performance has declined since then. His only Premier League goal contributions since March 10 came against Burnley and Sheffield United. Southgate did not start him in the makeshift England lineup against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Maddison’s Season

A three-month injury in the middle of the season disrupted Maddison’s progress. His form has not recovered since. Blitz highlighted a recurring pattern in Maddison’s career. He starts seasons strongly but then fades. This inconsistency is not ideal for a player aspiring to make summer tournaments for his country. The impressive performances of Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer against Bosnia may have influenced Southgate’s decision. Both players, who are versatile attacking midfielders, performed well in the friendly. They may have moved ahead of Maddison in the pecking order.

England’s Midfield Options

England’s midfield boasts world-class talents such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. This further complicates Maddison’s chances. The player who barely made it to the 2022 World Cup squad is now the first to be cut from the Euro 2024 squad. This decision underscores the intense competition and high standards within the England team.

Current 32-Player Training Squad

As Southgate prepares to finalize his squad, the current 32-player training squad includes:

• Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
• Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
• Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
• Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

Looking Ahead

As England gears up for Euro 2024, Southgate’s squad decisions will be closely scrutinized. Maddison’s exclusion highlights the fierce competition and the need for consistent performance at the highest level. Southgate’s final selections will aim to balance experience, form, and tactical versatility as England seeks to excel in the upcoming tournament.

Conclusion

James Maddison’s omission from the final Euro 2024 squad marks another chapter in his international journey. Despite a promising start to the season with Tottenham, his form waned, and injuries disrupted his momentum. With fierce competition from other talented midfielders and attackers, Maddison’s wait for a major tournament appearance with England continues. As Southgate finalizes his squad, the focus will remain on achieving the right balance to lead England to success in Euro 2024.