James Maddison will be disappointed after being left out of Lee Carsley’s latest England squad having suggested he feels as sharp as Erling Haaland.
The Tottenham midfielder hasn’t played a game for the Three Lions since 2023 and was again snubbed for upcoming Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland – 24 hours after staking his claim for a spot in the team.
Despite showing his creativity and class at club level for Leicester and now Tottenham, Maddison’s place in the England set-up has been sporadic.
Making his debut in 2019, three years then passed until his next call-up, which came at the 2022 World Cup. Maddison didn’t make an appearance in Qatar.
He was then selected for the provisional Euro 2024 squad, but was cut from the final group – a decision he said was ‘devastating’.
In total, Maddison has earned only seven England caps in five years, and it appears whatever reason it was that Gareth Southgate didn’t select him has now been passed to his successor.
That’s despite the player and new Three Lions interim boss going quite a way back – having worked together at Coventry City and with the England Under-21s.
Speaking before Thursday’s squad announcement, Maddison said in a Tottenham press conference: “I want to be in the England squad, every player does.
“I know Lee Carsley well. I feel really fit, maybe the fittest I’ve ever been. I had the summer off and it’s been said about Erling Haaland and how sharp he’s come back feeling, and I feel confident and alive.
“I always want to prove the doubters wrong and that’s where I get my hunger from.”
This latest snub will surprise more than a few supporters, especially considering the 27-year-old has started the 2024/25 season well with one goal and two assists in the Premier League.
Unfortunately he faces tough competition for the No.10 position with Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Gibbs-White being called up over him.
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When asked about the difficulty of fitting in so many talented players, Carsley replied: “It’s a challenge with the squad that we’ve got, we’ve got so many talented players.
“We always look at finding the right balance, who complements who in terms of the way that we play. I try not to get too caught up in positions, it’s more the attributes and the way we can potentially attack the opposition.”
Palmer is hot off becoming the first player ever to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match.
The Chelsea attacker withdrew from the previous team to rehabilitate an injury but he will return as a key player for the senior squad in similar fashion to his U21s European campaign in which he assisted the winner against Spain to lift the trophy.
He is the talk of the town right now as Jamie Carragher named him the current best player in the English top flight.
Phil Foden, last season’s PFA Player of the Year, was also selected to face Ireland and Finland but was unavailable due to illness, so it will be interesting to discover how he is utilised in Carsley’s new system.
Despite a lack of game time for Manchester City so far this season, and a poor Euros campaign, he remains one of England’s best talents.
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Jack Grealish was also recalled. Many would consider him a left winger but he started as The Three Lions’ No.10 in the interim manager’s first game against Ireland. The City star scored in the 26th minute to double the score at 2-0.
When asked if Grealish would be playing if England’s star midfielders were fit after the Ireland match, Carsley said: “I’m not sure. Maybe. I’d try and find a way of getting Jack in the team.
“I’m not sure where he’d play, but I think a player of Jack’s talent we have to try and find him a place. We have to be creative at times.”
He was then substituted for Morgan Gibbs-White who continues to impress with Nottingham Forest, only losing once in the league this campaign. Not to mention his several appearances for the Young Lions with Carsley as manager.
Jude Bellingham was also injured last month but has made his way back into the 26-man squad.
This season with the introduction of Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham has been playing a deeper role as more of a conventional midfielder which is a reason behind his lack of goals – he is yet to find the net this term – compared to last campaign.
However, his heroics in the Euros must not be forgotten, saving England from a last 16 exit with a bicycle kick against Slovakia. He is a crucial goal threat.
While all of these players merit their place, it’s worth pointing out Maddison has been more productive than them all, other than Palmer.
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Nevertheless, it appears the jury is out for Carsley’s thoughts on Maddison, although his club manager Ange Postecoglou remains full of praise for the Englishman.
“I think Madders has been outstanding so far this year – his form from the first game has been really strong physically,” said the Tottenham boss.
“I’ve said a few times that he’s back at the levels where he can play in the manner he wants to and do everything he wants in a game.
“In the last two or three weeks he’s had an effect on goals and assists as well, which always gets highlighted with players in his position, but his general play has been outstanding.”
