Postecoglou calls on Carsley to recall Maddison and Solanke for England

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been impressed with James Maddison so far this season.

The former Leicester man struggled through the last part of last term after suffering an injury and as a result was left out of the England squad for Euro 2024.

But this season, he has scored once and assisted twice so far and is the ticking heartbeat of Spurs’ attacking play under their Australian manager.

And Postecoglou says he is pleased with his work so far in 2024-25 and should be in contention for the upcoming England squad alongside striker Dominic Solanke.

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League clash at Ferencvaros, he said: “I think Madders has been outstanding so far this year.

“His form from the first game has been really strong physically.

Ange Postecoglou leading Spurs’ training session here in the Budapest rain. pic.twitter.com/mPdlG8XTbm

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“I’ve said a few times that he’s back at the levels where he can play in the manner he wants to and do everything he wants in a game.

“In the last two or three weeks he’s had an effect on goals and assists as well, which always gets highlighted with players in his position, but his general play has been outstanding.

“I’m sure if he continues in that vein he will be in the conversation for England squads moving forward.”

Call-up for Solanke?

Solanke has hit the ground running since joining Spurs from Bournemouth this summer.

He has three goals in his last three games, including a goal in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend.

And like Maddison, Postecoglou believes his form is worthy for consideration in the next England squad.

He added: “Obviously, we didn’t sign Dom until late in the window and he was really keen to get his Tottenham career up and running as quickly as possible and then he had a false start.

🎙️| Ange Postecoglou on Dominic Solanke:

“I was really confident that with the way we play and his attributes, that he was going to be a great fit. I could see that from the first day of training, but we had to be patient.
He’s getting up there now in terms of physical fitness,… pic.twitter.com/gBbDN3oAAH

— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) October 2, 2024

“He got injured really early in the game at Leicester and then proceeded to miss a couple so for him it’s probably been a little bit frustrating but I knew what we were bringing to the football club.

“I was really confident that the way we play and his attributes, that he was going to be a great fit.

“I could see that from the first day of training, but we had to be patient.

“He’s getting up there now in terms of physical fitness, I think every game he looks like he’s getting stronger.

“It’s a demanding role up front for us, it’s not just about goals, it’s about his link-up play and pressing.

“We’ve put a fair amount of workload on him, even though he’s missed a couple of games.

“I can see he’s getting strong. Obviously the goals help. He’s a striker. He wants to score goals and that helps him to feel better about the beginning of his career here.

“I think he’s in great condition, he’s already made a big impact at our football club, but I’m even more excited about what’s ahead and the potential we have as a team and he as an individual and that he can make a significant impact.”