Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has set his sights on returning to the England squad this week after his painful Euro 2024 snub.
England interim boss Lee Carsley names his squad for Nations League matches against Greece and Finland on Thursday. In-form Maddison is a strong contender for a call-up after he failed to make Carsley’s first games in charge in September. That was the latest England setback for Maddison after Gareth Southgate left him out of the Euro squad for the tournament in Germany earlier this year. Maddison admitted he was devastated to be axed as England went on to reach the final before losing to Spain. The 27-year-old, who has experience of working with Carsley at Coventry and England’s Under-21s, has a chance to state his international case when Tottenham face Ferencvaros in the Europa League tie in Budapest on Thursday.
“I want to be in the squad. It’s simple, every England player will tell you that,” Maddison told reporters on Wednesday. “I feel really good at the minute. I feel as fit as I’ve ever felt, really. I feel like my fitness is at an optimum level. Having a break over the summer, not going to the Euros, it does help. I know it’s been spoken about with Erling Haaland how he’s had a summer off and he hit the ground running and I feel the same. I feel alive on the pitch at the minute. If I just take care of my performances for Spurs, which I feel like I’m doing at the minute to a high level, then the other stuff will take care of itself, hopefully.”
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou backed Maddison’s England credentials and will give him the chance to remind Carsley of his qualities against Ferencvaros after the playmaker was rested for the Europa League opener against Qarabag last week. “I think Madders has been outstanding so far this year. His form from the first game has been really strong physically,” Postecoglou said. “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. I’m sure if he continues in that vein he will be in the conversation for England squads moving forward.”
The trip to Budapest has special meaning for Postecoglou, who was inspired by playing under Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas during his playing career at South Melbourne. Puskas, who died in 2006, won three European Cups during his decorated playing career at Real Madrid. “I was blessed to be able to spend three years in the company of one of the greatest footballers of all time, but more importantly for me an outstanding person,” said Postecoglou. “I would love for him to still be around today to see where I am because he played a role in me becoming certainly the football manager I am. He played a role in that but also the person I’ve become.”
James Maddison on his England ambitions: "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… pic.twitter.com/xEMa4u3GqA
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) October 2, 2024
James Maddison has found himself left out of the England squad once again despite some good form and being keen to return to the set-up.
Maddison was unfortunate to be left out of the Euros in the summer and it was no secret it hit him hard at the time.
However, now back fully fit and starring for Tottenham once more, Maddison has put himself right back into the mix.
Unfortunately, Lee Carsley has gone with others ahead of him this time, leaving the likes of Maddison and Aston Villa star, Morgan Rogers, waiting in the wings.
But rather than being down and out, former Tottenham man Harry Kane has insisted that this could be a good thing for Maddison and Spurs.
Ray Parlour shares his advice for James Maddison
Speaking on TalkSPORT about Maddison’s latest omission,Harry Kane suggested it’s time for ‘Madders’ to simply get his head down and perform.
“James Maddison, all he has got to do is don’t worry about that. Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about not getting in. Of course, he is disappointed,”Kane said.
“He wants to play for his country, but just make sure you just concentrate on Spurs and play well every single week and force the issue yourself by playing well.
“That’s all you can do. You aren’t going to change his mind by phoning him up and sulking about it.”
Maddison can thrive for Tottenham without England
This is sound advice from a player like Parlour who often found himself on the periphery or left out altogether due to the sheer talent ahead of him.
Unfortunately for James Maddison, he’s playing in an era where England are blessed with so many good players in his position.
Carsley is not going to leave the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Bukayo Saka out anytime soon, while players like Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Anthony Gordon are all in Carsley’s plans.
For Maddison,Kane is spot on in that he simply needs to keep playing well for Spurs.
And in reality, it might be a good thing for Tottenham and Maddison if club football is his sole focus for a bit.
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