Ange Postecoglou has advised James Maddison to keep ‘making an impact’ for Tottenham Hotspur in order to earn a recall to the England national team.
Despite being among the Premier League’s best playmakers for some time now, Maddison still has only seven England caps to his name.
The 27-year-old was included in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 but missed out on the final cut as the Three Lions reached the final, where they lost 2-1 to Spain.
Maddison has started the 2024/25 campaign in style, notching a goal and two assists in six Premier League appearances.
The former Leicester man is also first among Spurs players for progressive passes (49) and successful dribbles (10), and second for chances created (13) and passes into the final third (34).
“I want to be in the England squad, every player does,” Maddison said prior to Thursday’s squad announcement.
Nevertheless, Maddison was still snubbed by England interim manager Lee Carsley for the upcoming Uefa Nations League matches with Greece and Finland.
Postecoglou reacts to James Maddison’s England snub
Postecoglou was quizzed about Maddison’s England omission during his Friday press conference.
The Spurs boss empathised with Maddison, but urged his playmaker to keep up his current form to ensure he muscles his way into future squads.
“Yeah look I am sure he is disappointed but at the same time, he is playing well,” said Postecoglou (via Football.London).
“You know, it’s not, sometimes it’s all you can do. These things come along at times, it’s not always perfect in your career and there are situations and circumstances that mean you don’t always get what you want but it shouldn’t deter from or detract from everything else that you’re doing.
“So he is playing really well for us, I think he’s been outstanding all year. He’s making an impact in every game he plays, he’s a really important part of our midfield setup and if he continues to do that I am sure he’ll be selected again but he can’t just sort of put everything into one basket just being disappointed just because you’ve missed out.
“I’ve said that shouldn’t have any effect on him and the way he’s playing because he has been brilliant for us.”