Arsenal legend admits Tottenham may have made the best summer transfer
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Tottenham Hotspur did a brilliant job signing James Maddison in the summer transfer window.
This summer, Spurs paid Leicester City, who were demoted from the Premier League after finishing 18th in the standings the previous season, £40 million to sell the England international to them.
Although Leicester had a difficult season last year, Maddison was one of the team’s best performers, tallying 10 goals and nine assists in the English Premier League (TransferMarkt).
Tottenham’s pursuit of the 26-year-old was not unexpected as a result, and the North London club may have acquired one of the best deals in recent transfer windows.
Maddison has effortlessly fit into Ange Postecoglou’s plans for the Lilywhites and has joined Son Heung-min as one of Spurs’ talismans for the current season.
Ray Parlour sings the praises of James Maddison
When asked who the best signing of the summer was, Parlour said to Mighty Tips: “The England international has done so well that even an ex-Arsenal player who spent 12 years with the Gunners has had to set aside the rivalry with Tottenham.”
“In my opinion—and I’m basing this on the price they paid for him as well—James Madison is the one.
“I believe Spurs have a true gem on their hands right now, and I’m thrilled he’s back with the England team.”
“Some people are checking the boxes now, but I want to see flair players and players doing something different, so I think James Maddison will really be a big star at Tottenham, I certainly believe that,” the author said of players like him.
Under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Antonio Conte, who set up the squad to play defensively rather than on the front foot, Tottenham have not been at their best in recent campaigns.
However, Postecoglou has changed the mentality at Spurs and has the North London side playing loose, attacking football. This is because he had to radically alter the North London side’s tactics after Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich.
Maddison has practically already made an effect at the team and has quickly emerged as a fan favorite at Tottenham.
Spurs appear to have underpaid for the former Leicester star when you take into account the money spent on players like Moises Caicedo, Kai Havertz, and Mason Mount this summer.