‘It’s gutting’: Declan Rice shares what James Maddison has been messaging him during Euro 2024

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has revealed that he’s been in contact with Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison all throughout the Euros.

Although Rice has been starring for Gareth Southgate in Germany, the England manager decided he didn’t require the services of Maddison this summer.

Undoubtedly a tough decision, Southgate preferred to take the likes of Eberechi Eze – who has proved his importance throughout the tournament. 

Bitterly disappointed, Maddison shared a classy message of support for his England teammates when the news first surfaced a few weeks ago.

And although he’s now in the beginnings of starting Tottenham’s pre-season, that disappointment is probably still just as rife.

Spurs fans at least will hope that Maddison channels that frustration into another excellent start to a season under Ange Postecoglou.

The England midfielder admitted that his own form tailed off towards the end of the season after he returned from injury, something he’ll be determined to amend.

That being said, speaking via Sunday’s edition of The Sun (14/07, page 64) before England’s final with Spain at Euro 2024, Rice said that Maddison has displayed zero bitterness towards the group.

Declan Rice says James Maddison has taken ‘tough’ England call with grace

Speaking on the behalf of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell, another close friend of Rice’s, the Arsenal midfielder said he and Maddison have only been full of support.

Rice said it would have been easy for the pair to be ‘bitter’ this summer, but said it’s not been like that at all.

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He shared: “They’ve all been so supportive but don’t get me wrong, it is tough as I and the lads would have loved them to be here.

“They are all such big characters and have all played such big parts for England.

“It would be easy for them to not message and be bitter but they’re not like that at all.

“They’ve been so happy, so full of support. Messages and FaceTimes, I’ve been having a laugh with them. They are so happy for us.

“It’s gutting because they’ve not been here with us on this journey in Germany.

“But then they have been because they have all played massive parts in us getting to where we are right now.

“Whatever happens on Sunday, they are fully a part of it with us.”

Of course, Maddison was unlikely to ever act adversely – who has only ever been a professional at Tottenham and Leicester City.

And in truth, it shouldn’t be too long before the midfielder is once again lining up alongside Arsenal’s Rice for England, who is hoping to win immortality with his country vs Spain.