‘Very grumpy’ James Maddison sends message to Gareth Southgate after inspiring England’s late comeback against Belgium
JAMES MADDISON has told Gareth Southgate: Play me more often and I’ll give you game-changing moments.
The Tottenham midfielder came on as a late sub and teed up Jude Bellingham for England’s last-gasp equaliser in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium.
And Maddison is adamant he can have the same impact at Euro 2024 — if Three Lions manager Southgate lets him have the opportunity.
Maddison was frustrated not to play in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Brazil and said: “I know the quality that I have — and that can help this team, most definitely.
“You’ve got to show it and you’ve also got to have the opportunity to show it.
“I didn’t feature in the first game, which was disappointing because I wanted to play in a big game at Wembley.
“Against Belgium, I came on and made an impact. I’m showing him what I’m capable of and I just want to show more of that.”
Maddison is able to cope better at being left on the bench now he is older.
But he admitted growing impatient as he saw gaps open up during the Belgium game before his introduction with 16 minutes to go.
The playmaker said: “I’m very, very, very grumpy but once you accept the fact you’re on the bench . . .
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“I’m experienced now, I’m 27. On the odd occasion when I was younger, I’d be sulking, I’d be moody, probably not go about it the right way as a teenage James Maddison.
“Now I’m older, I just assess the game and see where I can have an impact.
“Watching on the side, I could see there was quite a lot of space between the lines, where I like to play, so I was thinking, ‘Come on, Gareth . . . there’s a lot of space’.
“I knew I’d be able to have an impact.”
Maddison is even hungrier to make his mark at Euro 2024 after going to the World Cup in Qatar but not playing a single minute.
He said: “That was a very difficult time, what people don’t see behind the curtain.
“I had an injury that I just couldn’t shake off. I got myself back training after the group stages but I wasn’t really right.
“I was so disappointed, because going to a major tournament with your country is the pinnacle and you want to impact.
“I’m hungry to get there now.”
As for England’s chances in Germany this summer, Maddison knows they will have to show more than they did in this month’s two Wembley friendlies.
But he is taking comfort from how he and Southgate’s makeshift team kept going on Tuesday to prevent the Three Lions suffering back-to-back defeats at Wembley for the first time since 2013.
Maddison said: “It’s a lot better than two defeats — but still not probably quite good enough.
“Two home games at Wembley, coming away with what would be one point, that is not enough for us.
“I think we are ranked third in the world. We need a bit more.
“It’s always difficult with friendlies. We’ve had a lot of injuries as well, the team is very mix and match, a lot of players and partnerships who haven’t played together. It’s not an excuse.
“The positive coming out of it is the character we showed to keep going until the very last minute and score right at the end.
“That is going to be massive in tournament football.”