'I’ll show you': Maddison opens up on Jamie Carragher’s remark that fuelled his England return

James Maddison opens up on how Jamie Carragher’s words motivated him to get back into the England squad

Back during Leicester City days, the creative midfielder made his senior debut for England in a 7-0 win over Montenegro in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. And then for the next three years, he surprisingly did not represent England.

On Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show , Maddison was discussing with Carragher and host David Jones his strong numbers during his penultimate season with Leicester City. While speaking, he remembered how Carragher’s words of him not scoring enough goals to get into the England squad had riled him up.

“I actually remember went for a little spell where probably just couldn’t find the back of the net. I was still getting chances, just wasn’t scoring enough and he [Carragher] actually said something on commentary or in the punditry,” Maddison said.

“Years ago now, it might have been around just before the lockdown. He questioned me and my inclusion in the England squad and what I have to do to get into that point. And Carra said “I love the way he plays and stuff but just doesn’t score enough goals.” And remember thinking “Yes I do and I am gonna show you.”

“So, I went back into the drawing board to see how can I score more? Why am I not putting some chances away? And then I went on a hot streak to get those sorts of numbers and managed to get back into the squad.”

Carragher funnily replied: “He’ll thank me one day.”

James Maddison is one of the best goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League in the last seven-eight years

Indeed, Carragher’s criticism had a positive effect on Maddison and he went on to enjoy his best season in a Leicester shirt. The 2021/22 season saw him produce 18 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances, subsequently earning him a recall in the England squad after a three-year absence.

While he has earned just seven caps for England thus far, thanks largely due to insane quality and competition for places and his injury issues, Maddison has proven himself as one of the best creative and goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League in the last seven to eight years. It is extremely sad and unfortunate that the 29-year-old will likely miss out a chance to represent England at the 2026 World Cup due to his ACL injury.

As far as the latest update on his injury goes, Maddison was spotted on grass with a Tottenham physio on Monday as he stepped up his long road to recovery.