Maddison has enjoyed an impressive first season at Tottenham Hotspur, with his performances earning him several England call-ups.
However, despite recovering from an ankle injury and picking up where he left, Southgate handed the midfielder just 15 minutes of game time in England’s two recent friendlies.
The 27-year-old certainly made the most of his opportunity though, showing off his talent with a moment of genius in the dying moments of the match.
With England heading for a second straight home defeat, Maddison won the ball in the Belgium penalty area and produced a superb pass with the outside of his boot to set up Jude Bellingham to equalise.
The Spurs star’s contribution did not go unnoticed by his manager, who praised him after the match.
“I thought James Maddison when he came on had a very good impact,” Southgate told beIN Sports.
“Jarrod Bowen had an excellent game. So there were a lot of very, very good performances.”
Former Leicester star Maddison has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for a while now, but his cameo on Tuesday was only his sixth appearance for the Three Lions while his assist was his first goal contribution.
Southgate’s apparent reluctance to use Maddison is likely due to the manager’s preference to operate with two holding midfielders.
Bellingham locked in as the team’s more advanced midfielder, the only space in the side is alongside Rice, a deeper position Maddison has never really played in at club level.
Kobbie Mainoo’s impressive displays in both games could give Southgate the answer he’s been looking for.
Jude Bellingham shared a confounded reaction to James Maddison being snubbed from the 26-man England squad for Euro 2024 after the Tottenham midfielder delivered his verdict.
The 27-year-old, who was picked as part of the 33-man provisional training camp for warm-up matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland, has been cut alongside Curtis Jones from the Three Lions contingent. It comes as Gareth Southgate prepares to finalise his squad ahead of their first group game against Serbia on June 16.
Reacting to not being included in the final squad, Maddison said on social media: “Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make.
I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26 man squad as I feel I bring something different & had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that. I’ll be back, I have no doubt.
“Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home.”
In the comments section of his Instagram version, Real Madrid star Bellingham expressed his emotion of seeing Maddison snubbed. The 20-year-old, who lifted the Champions League last Saturday, posted a single confounded face emoji, which expresses strong emotions such as frustration, anger, and helplessness.
Meanwhile, Bellingham was not the only current England star to comment on the post. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire posted two love heart emojis, while Spurs team-mates Brennan Johnson, Pedro Porro, Pape Matar Sarr and Ryan Sessegnon shared their support for Maddison.
Ex-Leicester and Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater said: “Been there mate.. head up n enjoy the summer. Smash it again next season,” which was followed by a person raising hands in celebration emoji and a fire emoji. John Terry and Dominic Solanke both commented, with the former using a fist pump emoji and a blue love heart emoji, having worked with the midfielder during their time at Leicester.
It is yet more heartbreak for England on the international stage. The Three Lions lost out in the Euro 2024 final to Spain, losing 2-1 late on in Berlin.
There was hope an optimism heading into the final – England’s first on foreign soil and their second straight European Championships final. But just llike against Italy at Euro 2020, it was defeat for Gareth Southgate’s side.
After a goalless first half, Spain went in front early in the second half when Nico Williams swept home a brilliant attacking move. They could have had a quick second too, but Dani Olmo dragged a shot wide
Southgate needed to change things and Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo were taken off for Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, just like in the smi-final. And the changes worked.
Chelsea man Palmer curled a lovely effort in with his left foot following a cutback by Jude Bellingham and his delight was unconfined. However, England’s joy was not to last.
Four minutes from time Mikel Oyarzabal got on the end of a Marc Cucurella cross to break England hearts. The Three LIons had a couple of late chances, with Unai Simon saving well from Declan Rice’s header before Marc Guehi’s follow-up was cleared off the line.
It was devastation for England’s players on the pitch after the final whistle, with players slumping to the ground. But Tottenham legend and England captain Harry Kane showed his true colours by going around his teammates and trying to pick them up.
One in particular was a special moment, as Kane could be seend crouched down with Bellingham, giving him a hug and talking into his ear for a good amount of time. After that Berllingham, just 21 years old, showed his true colours by taking his skipper’s advice and getting around his more senior teammates and trying to pick them up himself.
