England manager Gareth Southgate has shocked fans by omitting James Maddison and Curtis Jones from the national team’s 26-man squad for the upcoming European Championship in Germany. This decision marks the first of several cuts Southgate will make from the provisional 33-man squad before the UEFA submission deadline on Friday. Sources have also revealed that Jarell Quansah is another player set to miss out on a spot in the final squad.
Maddison, 27, who currently plays as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, had a less than stellar season leading up to the Euros. Despite his inclusion in the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Maddison failed to make a single appearance. His struggles continued as he had to withdraw from the Euro 2024 qualifiers in November due to an ankle injury sustained during a match against Chelsea. Despite a promising start at Tottenham with three goals and five assists in 11 appearances since joining from Leicester City, Maddison’s form dipped after returning from injury. His lack of impact, highlighted by only one Premier League goal scored against Aston Villa, likely influenced Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the final squad.
Another surprising omission from the squad is Curtis Jones of Liverpool. The young midfielder, known for his flair and creativity on the pitch, seemed like a promising addition to the national team. However, Southgate’s decision to exclude him raises questions about his performances leading up to the Euros and whether he failed to impress the manager during training sessions and friendly matches.
With England set to face Iceland in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, the final decision on the squad composition is imminent. The team’s opening match against Serbia on June 16 is fast approaching, and Southgate must finalize his roster before the tournament kicks off. The pressure is on for the remaining players to secure their spots in the squad and prove their worth on the international stage.
The omission of James Maddison and Curtis Jones from England’s Euro 2024 squad comes as a surprise to many. Southgate’s decision to cut these players indicates the high level of competition within the national team and the manager’s emphasis on form and fitness leading into the tournament. As England prepares to compete in Germany, the spotlight is on the chosen squad to deliver results and make their mark on the European Championship.
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