Maddison overlooked in latest England squad
No place for Barnes either in Southgate’s set up
BORUSSIA Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England squad for the first time, writes PA Sport.
But there is no place for Leicester City players Harvey Barnes and James Maddison.
It is the first time in recent memory that an England squad has not included a Leicester City player.
Maddison, who is back to full fitness after missing the majority of pre-season with an injury, has been overlooked despite impressing for City in both the Premier League and Europa League.
The midfielder, below, has three goals and three assists in all competitions so far this season.
He has started three of City’s last four games in all competitions.
Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling said he was surprised at Maddison’s omission from the squad.
“Pleased for Jude Bellingham but can anyone tell me what @Madders10 has done wrong to blot his copybook? Starting again for Leicester, seems bizarre he can’t get into a squad this size,” he wrote on Twitter. Bellingham, 17, had originally been included in the Under-21 squad but was promoted to Gareth Southgate’s senior camp after both Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse withdrew through injury. Bellingham moved to Dortmund from Sky Bet Championship side Birmingham during the summer and has already made six appearances in the Bundesliga. Bellingham only made his Birmingham debut last season, but the club chose to retire his number 22 shirt in honour of what he had achieved at St Andrew’s following his switch to Germany.
He will now link up with the majority of the senior squad ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland and will become the third youngest player in England’s history if he collects his first cap at Wembley.
Forward Marcus Rashford will miss that game as he will not report for duty until Thursday morning for further assessment on an injury suffered in Manchester United’s win at Everton, with Southgate hopeful he can feature in the Nations League game against Belgium on Sunday.
While most of the players arrived at St George’s Park on Monday, a number were scheduled to report yesterday morning.
Ex-Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling were given an extra day at home.
Meanwhile, England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd covered the loss of Bellingham by calling up Everton pair Tom Davies and Ben Godfrey, although Norwich fullback Max Aarons has withdrawn for the games against Andorra and Albania.