'Didn't agree with him' - James Maddison opens up on heartbreaking England snub for Euro 2024 as Tottenham star reveals thoughts on Gareth Southgate

Maddison, a key figure in Tottenham’s midfield, was a surprising omission when former England manager, Southgate, announced his final 26-man squad for the summer tournament in Germany. The decision came as a shock to many, especially given that Maddison had recently featured for England in a warm-up match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, his inconsistent performances in the latter half of the previous season, largely due to an injury, likely played a role in Southgate’s choice to leave him out.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City, Maddison didn’t hide his feelings about the snub. “Well, you have no choice. You can’t change it once it’s happened. I was disappointed. I didn’t agree with Gareth’s decision,” Maddison admitted. “It was disappointing because I felt I could have contributed to the team but like I said, that’s all in the past now and my focus is to just have a good season.”

Despite his disagreement, Maddison revealed that Southgate handled the situation with respect and professionalism. The 27-year-old midfielder acknowledged that while he was upset by the decision, he understood that it wasn’t personal. “Gareth’s a great man, and he explained his reasons,” Maddison said. “He’s a good person. It was never personal, we have a great relationship actually. I messaged him not long ago to congratulate him on his England managerial career and wished him well. There’s no hatred towards that. I knew it was a business decision, which he thought was best for the team, no doubt about that."

Maddison’s exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad marked a significant low point in his career, but rather than letting it define him, he has chosen to use the experience as motivation. Reflecting on his struggles last season, Maddison acknowledged that an ankle injury in November severely disrupted his form.

“I struggled to find the consistency second half of last season post-injury,” Maddison admitted. “It’s always about how you deal with setbacks. I was devastated to miss out on the Euros but my network around me, my dad especially, would never let me dwell on that and let it define me. I’m hungry this season to do well, to use it as motivation, to remind me that I can be at that level.”

Maddison’s resolve to bounce back is clear. His performance in Tottenham’s opening match, a 1-1 draw against Leicester, was a step in the right direction as he showed flashes of the form that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League. He will look to build on his performance when Tottenham host Everton on Saturday.