Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown says he has heard something big about James Maddison after Ange Postecolgou’s decision to take off the attacking midfielder against West Ham.
James Maddison’s withdrawal changed the game
Maddison gave a decent account of himself in the first half against West Ham, which was why Ange Postecoglou’s decision to replace him with Pape Sarr at half-time caused plenty of bewilderment.
However, the substitution had the desired effect, with Sarr helping the home side get more control in the middle of the park, allowing the Lilywhites to win the ball in midfield and break on the Hammers time and again.
Postecoglou confessed after the game that the decision was tactical as he felt his side needed more running power in the middle of the park (Football.London).
Brown drops Maddison bombshell
Brown, who has connections at Hotspur Way from his time working as a scout at the club, has revealed that Postecoglou is now set to drop the England international from his starting eleven from time to time.
Brown opined that the 27-year-old is often unable to grab games by the scruff of the neck and tends to go missing when things are not going his way.
He told Football Insider: “I appreciate what James Maddison can do. But it’s almost as if the game has to be run for his benefit, whereas the elite players in his position put their stamp on the game and dictate the way it’s played.
“If it’s a 50/50 battle of a game, he can go missing. From what I’ve heard, the manager could look to drop him from the starting XI from time to time. He won’t be afraid of making big calls and that is one that he may have to make.
“Postecoglou will be looking at who they’re playing against, and will change his system to suit the game. Maddison might be able to take advantage of teams that are weaker in midfield, for example, but in games like the one at the weekend they can leave him out.
“We saw against West Ham the difference that dropping him out of the side can make, and I’d expect to see that on a more regular basis now.”
Midfield balance vs individual quality
Maddison is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most technically gifted players and he is capable of picking locks with ease when he gets on the ball.
While Postecoglou will want the Englishman on the pitch as much as possible, he also has to consider the balance of the midfield, which looked much better with both Sarr and Bissouma.
With Dejan Kulusevski now being undroppable, Maddison would have to be the one to make way if the Australian decides to revert back to last season’s system.