James Maddison has become the first player to be axed from England’s squad for Euro 2024. The Tottenham playmaker has struggled for consistency since returning from an ankle injury in January and has left the camp after being informed on Wednesday that he will not be part of the final 26-man group heading to Germany.
The Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has not been included in the squad and Jarrell Quansah, Liverpool’s uncapped centre-back, is also expected to miss out. Jones was in contention to be selected for England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March, only for an injury to halt his progress. The youngster is rated by Southgate, but he was not involved on Monday against Bosnia and Herzegovina and remains uncapped.
“James Maddison and Curtis Jones have departed the England camp, having been told they are not part of our final Euro 2024 squad,” the Football Association said. “We thank them for being an important part of our pre-tournament preparation.”
Gareth Southgate has until Friday night to cut seven players from his provisional squad of 33. The omission of Maddison, who was a surprise pick at the 2022 World Cup, will boost the chances of Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Jack Grealish making the cut. Bowen is thought to be in a good position after playing well on Monday.
The West Ham winger could start again when England play their final warm-up match against Iceland on Friday. Grealish and Eze will also be hopeful about their chances after decent performances against Bosnia. But one attacking midfielder could have to make way if Southgate decides to take the Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who has impressed during his first international camp.
Southgate will cut one of the four goalkeepers in his provisional squad, with the one to make way expected to be Dean Henderson or James Trafford. Jordan Pickford is the undisputed No 1, with Aaron Ramsdale set to be included despite his lack of minutes for Arsenal this season. Ramsdale has played only six games since losing his place to David Raya last September.
Southgate’s biggest concern is whether Luke Shaw, the squad’s only recognised left-back, will recover from injury for the Euros. The Manchester United defender, who has not played since January, is progressing well and has returned to training. It remains unclear whether Harry Maguire will be fit to start in central defence when England face Serbia in their opening game at the tournament on 16 June. The FA said Shaw, Maguire and Lewis Dunk would follow individual training programmes on Thursday.
Maddison made plain his disappointment in a lengthy social media post. “Devastated doesn’t quite cut it,” he wrote. “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.”
