‘THERE IS A MYTH’: SKY PUNDIT SLAMS WHAT HE’S HEARING ABOUT TOTTENHAM’S JAMES MADDISON
Stephen Warnock thinks ‘there is a myth’ that Tottenham Hotspur playmaker James Maddison ‘doesn’t work hard enough’.
Warnock wants James Maddison to start in midfield with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice for England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday.
According to the former left-back, Maddison is ‘working harder than anyone’ at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou, and he has been ‘amazing’ this season, as he said on The Football Show on Sky Sports.
Spurs have started the current season under their new manager unblemished thanks in large part to the 26-year-old’s two goals and one assist in four Premier League games. Tottenham fans will appreciate Bukayo Saka’s two-word tribute to the player.
In terms of form, alongside the likes of Bellingham and Rice, who also made big-money summer transfers, there aren’t many who have better than Maddison.
But will Southgate, who has come under pressure for the players he has picked for his latest England squad, start the former Leicester City man in midfield against Ukraine at the weekend?
‘Mixed messages’ from Gareth Southgate
We frequently receive conflicting messages from the manager (Gareth Southgate), according to Warnock. The manager explains that if you are performing well in the league and your levels are good, you will play and have opportunities.
This season, James Madison has been terrific. deserves to make his England debut. I’m not entirely sure what Gareth Southgate will do because we know he is loyal to other players, like as Kalvin Phillips and Harry Maguire, who were able to make the squad despite not playing much.
“In my opinion, he needs to play behind Harry Kane. You are asking Harry Kane to do what he does best, which is to remain between the goalposts, in my opinion. You relieve yourself of the responsibility of setting up and scoring goals. The vision of James Maddison is incredible. His spatial awareness of his surroundings.
“I believe the misconception that he doesn’t work hard enough exists. He is working harder than most of the other players, as you can see, under Postecoglou. Also, Son had the impression that he was the vice-captain. He has already been seen donning the captain’s hat. Over the past two or three years, he has grown so much. He should go first.
Maddison is everything that Spurs fans wanted
You can understand that when Maddison entered the building, there were a lot of expectations on his shoulders because the Tottenham supporters have been asking for Christian Eriksen to be replaced for years.
And he hasn’t met them yet, likely blowing them all out of the water because he goes above and beyond what Spurs supporters have been hoping for.
One might even say that Maddison has also filled the vacuum left by Harry Kane’s departure with his presence and performances.
