‘Devastated’ James Maddison releases brutally honest statement after England axe

James Maddison has released a statement after being dropped from England’s final squad for the Euros ahead of their final friendly against Iceland on Friday.

The 27-year-old Tottenham midfielder managed to rack up nine assists and four goals for Ange Postecoglou’s side this season in 28 Premier League appearances but was unable to sustain his early season form after returning from a near three-month absence following an ankle injury.

He was named in Gareth Southgate’s preliminary squad but was told this week that he was surplus to requirements ahead of the showpiece tournament this summer. Maddison released a statement across his social media platforms on Thursday afternoon.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

The midfielder will now link up with Postecoglou’s squad early in pre-season to start preparing for the next Premier League campaign.

Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link.

Catch up with this week’s Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here.