Head coach Gareth Southgate will be without in-form midfielder James Maddison for England in the next international break later this month, after the 26-year-old Tottenham Hotspur new summer signing and midfield maestro hurt his ankle during Spurs’ 4-1 demolition by fellow London side Chelsea on Matchday 11 of the 2023/2024 English Premier League Season. After the news have been confirmed by the officials, the Coventry-born player James Maddison will not be featuring in the Three Lions‘ double-header against Malta and North Macedonia at Wembley and Toše Proeski Arena in their final two games of the 2024 UEFA Euro Qualifiers.
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What Happened to James Maddison?
During Spurs’ disappointing 4-1 loss to Chelsea, the game not only saw them lose for the first time in the league this season, they will also be without several players in their upcoming matches due to injuries and suspensions, including James Maddison, who was forced to be taken out of the pitch in the first minute of the stoppage time during the Chelsea clash. The 26-year-old was seen going to the ground without contact, suggesting that he might have picked up the problem during a training session or the early stages of the Chelsea game.
Spurs’ Official Statement on James Maddison’s Injury
In an official statement by the North London Club on X, Spurs validated the news that 26-year-old James Maddison will not be called upon for England’s next two matches and will spend the following international break for recovery purposes. “We can confirm that James Maddison has been withdrawn from the England squad due to an ankle injury. The midfielder will not feature in the Three Lions’ UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, and will remain at Hotspur Way for rehabilitation with the Club’s medical staff.”
Prior to the Chelsea clash, James Maddison, who joined Spurs last summer from now-relegated Leicester City, has been performing above par for his new club, notching three goals and five assists in 11 matches in all competitions for Tottenham, and his absence will cast doubts and uncertainties to the current second-placed Spurs in the league and other domestic competitions.
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We can confirm that James Maddison has been withdrawn from the England squad due to an ankle injury.
The midfielder will not feature in the Three Lions’ UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, and will remain at Hotspur Way for rehabilitation with the Club’s… pic.twitter.com/Y4WelJrcbO
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 10, 2023
What Does This Mean for the England National Team?
Fortunately for the 53-year-old Southgate, his Three Lions have already booked their places in the Finals of the UEFA European Championship at Germany next year with their emphatic 3-1 Wembley revenge over defending European champions Italy in the previous Matchday. In other words, instead of selecting experienced stars in their double-header later this month, the former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and and Middlesbrough player is likely to deploy players with little to no caps for them to gain valuable experience while the team are on their way to complete their 2024 UEFA Qualifiers schedule.
The James Maddison-less England will first host Malta at Wembley on 17th November 2023, before they travel to North Macedonia for the final round of the Qualifiers a few days later. Watch these matches via AsiaSport.com, the one and only channel you need for everything about international and club football matches.
