Tottenham star once again snubbed for international duty

James Maddison has not been called up to England's squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League next month.

Lee Carsley is the new England interim manager, stepping up from his role as England U21 manager to (at least) temporarily replace the departed Gareth Southgate, did not include Maddison in his first squad that was announced at 2 pm BST on Thursday.

Maddison was not included in England's squad for the European Championships, despite being named in the preliminary squad. The Spurs midfielder admitted his form had not been what he was hoping for post-injury, but said he thought he "offered something different" to his counterparts that were selected.

It has been a positive start to the 24/25 season for Maddison, registering an assist in both of Tottenham's opening two games, with a curling cross for Porro against Leicester and a pinpoint corner for Romero against Everton.

However, these assists and his general positive performances have not been enough to persuade Carsley to call him up to his maiden squad in charge of England. In general, Carsley went with a youthful squad, picking up several uncapped players who played for him in the U21 side.

Tottenham star once again snubbed for international duty

Those names include Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, and fatally for Maddison - Morgan Gibbs-White. Carsley picked the Nottingham Forest midfielder who was so integral to the U21 European Championship win under Carsley in 2023, at the expense of Maddison.

Of course, it is just the first squad, and as touched on above, Carsley has done plenty of experimenting. A concern for Maddison, however, is that Jude Bellingham is missing from selection due to injury, and if he doesn't get called up when Bellingham isn't available, it'll be extremely hard to be picked when he is back from injury.

Selfishly, it is good for Spurs that there will be no risk of Maddison getting injured on international break, and can be fully fresh and ready for the tough schedule that really starts to intensify towards the end of September.