Tottenham star ‘leaves camp’ early after heartbreaking decision

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison is reportedly set to miss out on the England squad for this summer’s European Championships in Germany.

Gareth Southgate named a 33-man preliminary squad last month for the warm-up matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland. However, the Three Lions’ head coach needs to cut seven players ahead of England’s first group match against Serbia on June 16.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Maddison is set to be one of the unlucky players to miss out on this summer’s tournament in Germany and has already left the camp. “James Maddison is not in the final England squad for the European Championship,” he tweeted. “The 27-year-old Tottenham midfielder made preliminary selection and featured vs Bosnia – but among those cut from Gareth Southgate’s 26-man Euro 2024 group and has left camp”

The 27-year-old was called up to the squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup but did not make an appearance. He has picked up seven caps for his national team and played 29 minutes on Monday during the 3-0 win over Bosnia at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park. Unfortunately for Maddison, his position is one of particular strength at present for England.

Southgate has the luxury of Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to play behind Bayern Munich and former Spurs man Harry Kane. It was always likely therefore that one player who enjoyed a good season would be unfortunate to miss out.

Maddison arrived in North London last summer after joining from relegated Leicester City. He became a stalwart for Ange Postecoglou bagging four goals and nine assists in the Premier League.

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Southgate must now axe another six names before the deadline to submit his England squad on Friday, June 7. A 26-man squad will be heading to the European Championships this summer.