Ange Postecoglou has hailed the impact James Maddison has made both on and off the pitch at Tottenham, insisting that Spurs have got the attacking midfielder at the right point in his career.
While Maddison’s arrival certainly excited the Spurs fan base, it is fair to say that the 26-year-old has surpassed most people’s expectations with the start he has made to his career at the North London club.
Almost all of Tottenham’s attacks in the first half against Bournemouth went through the former Leicester City man, who often dropped deep to pick up possession and consistently managed to progress the ball into the final third.
Maddison got his first goal for the Lilywhites at the Vitality Stadium as he guided the ball into the far corner after his well-timed run was picked out by Pape Matar Sarr in the 17th minute.
Postecoglou showered praise on the midfielder, who took home the Man of the Match award, with the Australian speaking in glowing terms about the player’s attitude.
When asked how much of a bargain Maddison was compared to some of the other Premier League midfielders who have switched clubs this summer, the Tottenham head coach told Football.London: “A £45 million bargain. I don’t know what world you live in mate (Laughs). I know what you mean, relatively so.
“There wasn’t anyone happier than me when we got him. I was delighted. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, but I’m overjoyed at the footballer I’ve got. The way he’s embraced the whole club, where he’s at in his life.
“He really wants to be the person. He’s that creative force for us. He works hard, he wins the ball back, presses. He’s not like he just comes to life when we’ve got the ball.”
Postecoglou has been impressed with Maddison
Postecoglou credited Maddison for delivering a flawless display despite not being able to train for much of the week, and the 57-year-old further whetted the appetite of Spurs fans by remarking that there is lot more to come from the midfielder.
He continued: “He’s had a disrupted week. He only had one session with us, but for him to put on a performance like that is credit to him.
“And I think there’s more to come, when he gets more understanding with our forward players and they get more understanding with him. He’s going to keep improving. If we got him in the bargain bin, that’s great for us.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Many felt that Maddison would have been disappointed at Kane’s departure as he would have wanted to play alongside the England captain. However, I actually think Kane leaving works in the 26-year-old’s favour.
Not only would the striker taken up similar spaces to Maddison, given his tendency to drop deep, but the 30-year-old’s departure also allows Maddison to step up and be the main superstar of the side, which is a prospect that the midfielder evidently relishes.
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