James Maddison (28, Tottenham Hotspur), who was the center of attention for assisting Son Heung-min (32 ) early last season, will have to compete with the teenagers this season.
In an interview with TalkSPORT in the U.K. on Thursday (June 14), former Liverpool, Tottenham, and Fulham pundit Danny Murphy stressed that Maddison needs to improve his durability and defensive skills to maximize his impact at Spurs.
“Maddison is an amazing player. She’s very intelligent, she’s got great balance and she can get through defenses with her passing. “There are two things she needs to improve on to become a superstar for Tottenham and to actually make a difference in games that matter,” Murphy said.
Maddison joined from Leicester City last season and was a key contributor to Tottenham’s early season surge to the top of the table. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he not only created chances for his teammates, but also scored goals of his own to help Spurs to a 10-match unbeaten run (8 wins, 2 draws).
Vice-captain Maddison, in particular, has become an integral part of Ange Postecoglou’s system, working closely with captain Son Heung-min.
With one goal and two assists in his first three games. The £40 million Tottenham paid for him from Leicester City looked like a bargain.
But that changed after his ankle injury last November. Maddison hasn’t been the same since returning from injury. 토토사이트 순위 His four goals and nine assists in 28 league games fell short of expectations. Murphy himself was disappointed.
“First of all, Maddison’s durability,” Murphy says. “It’s about avoiding injuries, but it’s also about being substituted in the middle of the game,” Murphy said. ”Madison can hardly play 90 minutes. I don’t know if it’s a physical or mental issue, but it’s something that needs to be improved.”
Murphy added: “Another improvement I would suggest is the defense. “The other thing I would suggest is defense, because when you play as an attacking midfielder out of three midfielders, you have to work on defense,” he added.
Tottenham added Lucas Verbal and Archie Gray this summer.
Both are teenagers, born in 2006. Verbal is a central midfielder but can also play as an attacking midfielder. He has been used consistently during the preseason.
Gray can play both midfield and defense. He can play as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder. If Gray moves into the midfield, Maddison may have to compete with the likes of Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr.
Tottenham are also targeting Eberechi Eze (26, Crystal Palace) this summer. He’s an attacking midfielder who could push Maddison. If Eze is signed, Maddison’s position could shrink even further.
However, it is urgent that Maddison is back to his best. With Son Heung-min showing steady form and striker Dominic Solanke, 27, the offensive line is more or less ready for the season. If Maddison can return to his early-season form, Tottenham will have a shot at the top of the table this season.