James Maddison has spoken out for the first time since being left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad
Tottenham striker Maddison was included in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional squad and featured in the 3-3 friendly win
0 for England against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday
However, on Thursday, the 27-year-old left the team – as did Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones – after learning he would not make the final 26-man squad for the tournament
Southgate will announce his final squad on Saturday
On Thursday, Maddison posted a statement on her Instagram profile
“Devastating isn’t enough
I’ve been training hard and hard all week, but to be honest, my form when Spurs returned from injury in the second half of the season was probably not at my level
” I made the decision for Gareth,” Maddison wrote I always thought there would be a place for me in the 26-man squad because I feel I bring something different and I have been a mainstay throughout
this Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in Germany but the coach has made a decision and I have to respect that
“I will return, I have no doubt about that
I wish the guys all the luck in the world in Germany, what an incredible group and guys I literally call my best friends
I sincerely hope football comes home
” England teammates Jude Bellingham and Harry Maguire commented on Maddison’s post, as did former England captain John Terry
Although Maddison only has seven caps for England but he was included in the Euro 2024 Qualifying squad six times, missing the international break in November 2023 due to an ankle injury The midfielder made his England debut in November 2019, but did not get a second cap until March 2023
Maddison started the season in good form following his £40m move from Leicester City to Tottenham, but in November he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action for two months
He finished his first season in north London with four goals and nine assists in 28 games
in the Premier League
