Leicester City’s James Justin gets maiden England call-up but James Maddison overlooked
James Justin #JamesJustin
James Justin has received his maiden senior England call-up but James Maddison has been overlooked again.
Leicester City full-back Justin has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 27-man squad squad for the four Nations League fixtures in June, and becomes the first player from the club to earn a call-up since October 2020. Southgate has previously said Justin would have been in his squad in March 2021, had he not suffered a serious knee injury a month earlier.
The 24-year-old recovered earlier this year and has since made 15 starts for City. He has trained with the senior squad previously while on duty with England Under-21s, but could now feature for the Three Lions as they take on Hungary twice, Italy, and Germany next month.
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Justin may fancy his chances of game-time, with Luke Shaw injured and Ben Chilwell only just fit again, and with both players left out of the squad. The other four full-backs selected by Southgate – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Reece James, and Kieran Trippier – are all more at home on the right.
But, there is no place in the squad for Maddison, despite his exceptional season. City boss Brendan Rodgers said he could do no more to get a call-up, but Southgate has again opted for other midfielders.
Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, and James Ward-Prowse make up the six midfielders selected by Southgate. Phil Foden is also on the list as an attacker.
It means Maddison’s wait for a second cap goes on, despite scoring 18 goals in all competitions this season. Harvey Barnes, who is also on one cap, is another who has not been picked. Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and uncapped Jarrod Bowen are among the wingers in the squad.
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