Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has been named in England’s provisional squad ahead of this month’s European Championships in Germany.
Maddison has been showcasing his flair and quality during the training sessions for the Three Lions, potentially earning a spot in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad, which will be announced later this week.
However, former English football manager Sam Allardyce has expressed doubts about Maddison’s inclusion in the final squad for the Euros.
The England national team is already packed with midfield talents such as Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, and Conor Gallagher.
Additionally, Maddison’s preferred #10 role faces stiff competition from players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Eberechi Eze, who are also in the 33-man provisional squad.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce voiced a strong opinion that Maddison should not be included in England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.
Allardyce argued that Maddison has not performed at a level deserving of selection and highlighted the frequent injury issues.
He said:
“Maddison is a no. Much better players already in the squad, and there’s a fitness problem with him.
“Gets injured far too much, last season, this season. You want players who are going to stay fit, I think that’s one of the reasons you look at.”
Despite these concerns, Maddison’s unpredictability in the final third makes him a standout player.
The 27-year-old provided a crucial assist in England’s friendly against Belgium in March, helping Jude Bellingham score a dramatic equalizer in the 95th minute to secure a 2-2 draw.
Gareth Southgate might prefer someone with Maddison’s skill set to bring off the bench during the tournament.
As the final squad announcement approaches, Maddison and other players will be anxiously awaiting to see if they will make the cut for the Euros.
