James Maddison Reacts After Being Left Out of England Squad by Thomas Tuchel – Djed Spence Also Unhappy After Snub
England manager Thomas Tuchel has officially announced his first squad since taking charge, and the biggest talking point has been the omission of James Maddison. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who has been an important figure for Spurs this season, was expected to be included in the squad for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. However, Tuchel opted to exclude him, a decision that left Maddison frustrated.
Adding to the controversy, his Tottenham teammate Djed Spence was also left disappointed, as he was expecting his first England call-up but was ultimately overlooked. Both players’ reactions have sparked a debate among fans and pundits, questioning Tuchel’s selection choices.
Maddison’s Reaction Goes Viral
Maddison, known for his creativity and ability to unlock defenses, has been a regular in the England squad in recent years. He played a key role in Euro 2024 qualifiers and was seen as a player who could offer something different in midfield.
After learning of his omission, Maddison took to social media, expressing his disappointment in a post that quickly went viral:
> “Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. I’ve always given my best for England, and I truly believed I had done enough to be included. But this is football, and I have to respect the manager’s decision. I’ll keep working hard, and hopefully, my time will come again.”
His post immediately drew reactions from fans, many of whom questioned Tuchel’s decision. Some analysts pointed out that while Maddison’s form dipped slightly after recovering from an injury earlier in the season, his recent performances for Tottenham have been strong enough to justify his inclusion.
Djed Spence Also Left Disappointed
Maddison was not the only Tottenham player upset by the squad announcement. Djed Spence, who has been performing well this season, was reportedly expecting to receive his first-ever England call-up. The right-back has been in impressive form for Spurs and was tipped by many to be included, especially given the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out with an ankle injury.
Spence’s omission left him frustrated, and like Maddison, he took to social media to express his disappointment. He was seen liking and commenting on posts that criticized Tuchel’s decision, subtly showing his disagreement. Many fans felt that he deserved a chance, particularly with England looking to introduce fresh faces into the squad.
Why Were They Left Out?
Tuchel’s first squad selection has sparked debate, with some surprising inclusions and omissions. Aside from Maddison and Spence, other notable absentees include:
Jack Grealish – Left out due to inconsistent form.
Harry Maguire – Unavailable because of injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Misses out due to an ankle injury.
Tuchel instead opted to bring in young talent, such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder, and Dan Burn, the Newcastle defender, who earned his first England call-up.
Marcus Rashford Returns
One of the biggest surprises in Tuchel’s squad was the return of Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United forward had been absent from the England setup for a year but was recalled after finding form at Aston Villa, where he has played a crucial role in their push for Champions League qualification.
Tuchel Defends His Decision
When asked about his squad selection, Tuchel defended his choices, stating that he had to make tough decisions based on form, fitness, and tactical needs.
> “We have a lot of talented players, and unfortunately, we can’t take everyone. James is a fantastic player, but we have to make decisions that are best for the team at this moment,” Tuchel said in his press conference.
What’s Next for Maddison and Spence?
While missing out on the England squad is disappointing for both Maddison and Spence, they are determined to prove themselves. With Tottenham competing for a top-four finish and still active in European competitions, both players will have plenty of opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Maddison’s creativity in midfield and Spence’s dynamism at right-back could be hard for Tuchel to ignore if they continue to perform well. Their exclusion from this squad might serve as motivation for them to work even harder in the coming weeks.
For now, England fans will be watching closely to see how Tuchel’s selections perform in the upcoming qualifiers. However, one thing is certain—both James Maddison and Djed Spence are not giving up on their England dreams just yet.
