Fans were left baffled after Gareth Southgate did not name James Maddison in his England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League finals.
The Three Lions boss named a 27-man group ahead of this summer's inaugural finals in Portugal, although the squad will need to be cut down to 23 by May 27.
Unsurprisingly, there were no uncapped players in Southgate's selection, but there was a shock call-up for Nathan Redmond.
The Southampton man has been impressive since Ralph Hasenhuttl's arrival on the south coast, finishing the campaign with a tally of nine goals and six assists in 43 appearances as the Saints avoided relegation.
While Redmond's inclusion went down well with some, others were not so pleased to see Maddison miss out.
UEFA Nations League squad in full: Nathan Redmond the surprise name included by England
The Foxes attacker has had a stellar first season in the East Midlands, after joining from Norwich for a reported £20m fee last summer. The 22-year-old scored seven and assisted seven in 38 appearances and picked up the plaudits to help ease the loss of Riyad Mahrez to Man City.
According to Opta, he was: 'The only player to create 100 goalscoring chances in the Premier League this season & was the first English player to create 100+ in a single Premier League campaign since Leighton Baines in 2012-13 (116).'
What many fans will not realise, is England's Under-21s will also be in action this summer, at the European Championships in Italy.
While Maddison could have been just a squad player for the senior team in Portugal, he is expected to be named in Aidy Boothroyd's travelling U21s party and could play a key role as the Young Lions look to go better than 2017's semi-final appearance.
While this would be the logical explanation to Maddison's absence from Southgate's squad, many fans believe he warrants a place in the senior team over others.
Reaction to Maddison's omission
🎯 James Maddison made the most key passes out of any other player in the Premier League this season.
— Super 6 (@Super6) May 16, 2019
😱 He isn't in the England squad. #LCFC pic.twitter.com/qApgq1cPr3
On current form, how on earth are Jesse Lingard and Fabian Delph in the England squad ahead of James Maddison? Baffling.
— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) May 16, 2019
Looks like Redmond’s inclusion has intensified the Maddison outrage. Important to consider:
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) May 16, 2019
• They’d both be backups
• One is eligible to play a key role for the U21s this summer, one is 25
• Since Hasnehüttl was appointed Redmond has been brilliant
Delph over Maddison? I'll have a case of whatever Gareth Southgate is drinking please pic.twitter.com/sm7Y1H7xci
— Craig Law (@djcraiglaw) May 16, 2019
So players like Rashford, Lingard, Delph, Trippier and Dier can get in the England squad, but players like Maddison and Wan-Bissaka are left out, pathetic!
— MR DT © (@MrDtAFC) May 16, 2019
Delph over Maddison? What is this madness! pic.twitter.com/47dt6049LT
— 💲 (@saeed21al) May 16, 2019
🏴🛫 Lingard
— T (@CityFox31) May 16, 2019
❌⛔️ Maddison
This is mental, surely not Southgate?! 😧🤦🏻♂️ @England pic.twitter.com/9Cv3d9eFVn
How the heck are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and James Maddison not in the England squad, but Trippier and Barkley get in?
— EssinemLFC 🇧🇩🇬🇧 (@essinem7) May 16, 2019
Southgate seems to have his favourites, ignoring form and game time....
Would have swapped Lingard for Maddison tbh (even though Lingard has done well for England in recent times). Delph is versatile. No objections to Ward-Prowse.
— JJ (@ShikariAFK) May 16, 2019
How is Maddison not on this list 😳 https://t.co/oI4sRfZSsR
— Joe selway (@joeselway) May 16, 2019
Maddison not in the England squad? Always said Southgate was clueless
— Kiel 🦊 (@AtKiCo) May 16, 2019
Not a single attacking midfielder in the England squad is better than Maddison, yet no call up 🤔
— Tom Gannon (@TomGannon5) May 16, 2019
In all seriousness though how has lingard/delph been picked and Maddison hasn’t😂?
— Sonny (@SonnyCOYG) May 16, 2019
