Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is eager to make a return to the England squad this week following his painful exclusion from Euro 2024. England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, is set to announce his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Finland on Thursday. Maddison, who has been in impressive form, is a strong candidate for a call-up after missing out on Carsley’s first matches in charge last month.
The 27-year-old’s absence from the Euro squad earlier this year was a significant setback, as England reached the final only to lose to Spain. Maddison expressed his devastation over the decision to leave him out, but now he sees an opportunity to showcase his talent.
“I want to be in the squad. It’s simple, every England player will tell you that,” Maddison stated during a press conference on Wednesday. “I feel really good at the minute. I feel as fit as I’ve ever felt, really. I feel like my fitness is at an optimum level.”
He attributed his current form to a productive summer, saying, “Having a break over the summer, not going to the Euros, it does help. I know it’s been spoken about with Erling Haaland how he’s had a summer off and he hit the ground running, and I feel the same. I feel alive on the pitch at the minute.”
Maddison plans to focus on his performances for Tottenham, believing that if he maintains his current level, his international aspirations will take care of themselves.
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has expressed confidence in Maddison’s capabilities and will give him the chance to impress Carsley during Thursday’s Europa League match against Ferencvaros, having rested him for the opener against Qarabag last week.
“Madds has been outstanding so far this year. His form from the first game has been really strong physically,” Postecoglou remarked. “I’ve said a few times that he’s back at the levels where he can play in the manner he wants to and do everything he wants in a game. In the last two or three weeks, he’s had an effect on goals and assists as well, which always gets highlighted with players in his position, but his general play has been outstanding.”
“I’m sure if he continues in that vein he will be in the conversation for England squads moving forward.”
The trip to Budapest has special meaning for Postecoglou, who was inspired by playing under Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas during his playing career at South Melbourne.
Puskas, who died in 2006, won three European Cups during his decorated playing career at Real Madrid.
“I was blessed to be able to spend three years in the company of one of the greatest footballers of all time, but more importantly for me an outstanding person,” said Postecoglou.
“I would love for him to still be around today to see where I am because he played a role in me becoming certainly the football manager I am. He played a role in that but also the person I’ve become.”
