James Maddison reveals he's held talks with new England boss Thomas Tuchel as Tottenham star is 'hungry' to force his way back into Three Lions reckoning

Tottenham star James Maddison has revealed that he has been in contact with new England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel is preparing to name his first England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers at home to Albania and Latvia.

Maddison, who has seven caps for England, is eager to be part of the squad but acknowledged that Tuchel has a large amount of players to choose from. 

‘He has touched base,’ Maddison said. ‘I think he was reaching out to a lot of players who would be in the selection, probably quite a big pool of players that the FA have identified.

‘I’m hungry to be part of that. I feel like I’m in good form, my numbers are pretty good, there’s not too many midfielders who can out-score and out-assist me.

‘Especially now when I’m feeling good as well, feeling sharp. I know I can affect most games. It’s just about continuing to do that. Like I always say, if I play at that level for Tottenham, then the rest will take care of itself because I have a really strong self-belief.’

Maddison will hope to be named in Tuchel’s first England squad for next month’s games

After recovering from a calf problem, Maddison scored the only goal in Tottenham’s 1-0 win at home to Manchester United.

Maddison then followed that up with an assist as Tottenham won 4-1 away to Ipswich.

Last summer Maddison was named in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 but wasn’t selected for the tournament by Gareth Southgate.

Maddison admitted that he was devastated following his admission from the squad.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make. 

‘I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26 man squad as I feel I bring something different & had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that.

‘I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home’.  

Maddison made his England debut against Montenegro in November 2019.

Last year Maddison was left devastated after he missed out on England’s Euro 2024 squad

 Maddison didn’t play for the Three Lions again until 2023 but is now eager to be a regular member of the squad.

As well as Albania and Latvia, Serbia and Andorra are the other two teams in England’s World Cup qualifying group.