‘Devastated’ – Tottenham ace James Maddison releases brutally honest statement after England axe

James Maddison has issued a statement after being omitted from England’s last Euros roster ahead of their final friendly against Iceland on Friday.

The 27-year-old Tottenham midfielder has nine assists and four goals for Ange Postecoglou’s side in 28 Premier League appearances this season, but he has struggled to maintain his early season success after returning from a nearly three-month layoff due to an ankle injury.

He was nominated to Gareth Southgate’s preliminary team, but was informed this week that he was surplus to needs ahead of the summer’s showcase competition. Maddison issued a statement via his social media outlets on Thursday afternoon.

“Devastated does not nearly cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week, but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs after returning from injury in the second part of the season definitely wasn’t at the levels I had set, which forced Gareth to make a choice,” he wrote.

“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.”

The midfielder will now link up with Postecoglou’s squad early in pre-season to start preparing for the next Premier League campaign.