‘I watch him closely’ – Alexander-Arnold admits he tries to learn from one Spurs star
Trent Alexander-Arnold says James Maddison is exceptional at receiving the ball between the lines and admitted that he tries to learn from watching the Tottenham man operate.
Despite putting up some excellent numbers for what at times was a struggling Leicester City team over the past several years, Maddison’s talent was never in question. However, the midfielder has unquestionably raised his level of play since joining Spurs.
The 26-year-old has swiftly established himself as one of Ange Postecoglou’s team’s key offensive players, and his performances have been a major factor in Tottenham’s dominance in the Premier League.
( Trent Alexander-Arnold is a James Maddison fan
With seven goal contributions (five assists and two goals) to his record so far this season for the Lilywhites, Maddison has frequently been the difference in the final third. However, Alexander-Arnold is most pleased by his ability to receive the ball in confined places.
The Liverpool player told Channel 4 that James Maddison is an extraordinary talent who can receive the ball in confined situations.
He has worked on it and is really, really good at it. So, you know, I pay great attention to him during training to observe how he does.
How frequently does he check his shoulders? How does he know what’s nearby? When should he turn or set?
Before he joined Spurs, I was unaware of how fantastic Maddison’s feet were and how press-resistant he was. Ange Postecoglou has given him the opportunity to drop deep to receive the ball, and the 26-year-old always seems to have an image of his surroundings in his head
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In order to recruit Alejo Veliz from Rosario Central this summer, it has been revealed how Tottenham Hotspur defeated Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and two Serie A teams.
Veliz was the only center-forward Tottenham acquired in the summer after selling Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, but given his advanced age, there is little expectation on the Argentine replacement to overtake the England captain right away.
However, Ange Postecoglou is beginning to pay more attention to Veliz in practice, and as a result, he has used Veliz as a substitute in the last two Premier League games in which Tottenham have participated.
Tottenham reportedly outbid Nottingham Forest, Wolves, AC Milan, and Roma to acquire Veliz, according to a subsequent piece about his journey to joining the club in The Athletic.
Interesting confirmation is made in the story that Fabio Paratici, who left his position as managing director of football at Tottenham four months before Veliz joined the team (due to a FIFA ban), played a consulting role in the purchase.
Last but not least, Tottenham was able to finalize the $13 million purchase, and they will be hoping that it turns out to be money well spent. Veliz, a 20-year-old South American sensation who is signed to a deal that would keep her working until 2029, may spend the first of her six seasons in north London.
Players like the underwhelming Richarlison, the new captain Son Heung-min, and fellow summer addition Brennan Johnson are currently standing in his way of playing time. There may have been ways for Postecoglou to rotate Veliz into the team this season, but there seems to be a great belief that he will succeed. Tottenham this season do not have access to European competition, and they are already out of the Carabao Cup.
Veliz can develop at Tottenham
We will never know whether he would have been able to advance at a different rate at any of the other teams who were interested in him, but time is on his side as he seeks to force his way into becoming a significant part of the Tottenham project for the future.
He is also qualified to play for their under-21 squad, which should provide him with a second path to development if Postecoglou’s intentions for the senior team don’t have as much immediate room for him. He has already played for their under-21 team this season, as he did in the EFL Trophy.
Even though they technically never worked at Tottenham at the same time, it seems the Australian strategist is swiftly realizing Veliz’s potential, and he may have Paratici to thank for that.
Has James Maddison been acquired by Tottenham as the summer’s top acquisition?
James Maddison, who Tottenham may have acquired, might be the summer’s top acquisition.
If Veliz had chosen to join to another team instead, Forest would have acquired Anthony Elanga and Divock Origi, Milan would have acquired Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor, and Roma would have gained Romelu Lukaku and Sardar Azmoun. Wolves, on the other hand, were only able to make Matheus Cunha’s loan from Atletico Madrid permanent.
