Tottenham switch ‘an absolute steal’ as Levy strikes gold for Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham‘s buy of James Maddison is “an absolute steal”, based on former England defender Stuart Pearce. The midfielder has had a wonderful begin to life in north London and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy seems to have struck gold for Ange Postecoglou.
Maddison was all the time more likely to depart Leicester on the finish of final season. Once the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed, it grew to become a foregone conclusion.
Newcastle had been linked with a transfer for the 26-year-old following their return to the Champions League. But it was Tottenham who swooped in and sealed a £40million deal.
Maddison has a aim and two assists in his first three Premier League appearances. His total performances have been at a excessive degree and he was named man of the match after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth.
Pearce was on co-commentary responsibility for talkSPORT on the Vitality Stadium and he can not imagine how low-cost Spurs managed to get Maddison. He mentioned: “How much did he cost, £40m? I think he’s an absolute steal at that, for this team in what they want.
“Just seeing him manipulating the ball, getting on the ball, liberating himself up and as quickly as he will get it, he is seeking to play that ball in behind that is going to harm the opposition. Whether he performs it or not is irrelevant, he appears for it right away and that is a fantastic trait.”
Spurs have adopted a far more attacking style of play under Postecoglou than they have been used to in recent seasons. They have even received praise from former Arsenal cult hero Perry Groves.
Groves couldn’t help but speak glowingly about Spurs and Maddison in particular. He said: “It is on the entrance foot, it’s entertaining and much more fluidity. You talked about James Maddison, we all know he’s a ten.
“I think Postecoglou has said to him ‘You have so much footballing intelligence, you have the protection of [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape] Sarr, I want you to go find the pockets where you think you can be more influential on the ball’.
“And that’s precisely what he did towards Bournemouth. He was dropping deep and being the playmaker however then he was getting himself within the 18-yard field.
“I am drawn on him a little bit because I shouldn’t be liking him as a player, playing for [Spurs]. But I do. I like his character, I like his impishness, I like the way he plays, he interviews really well… I have got to stop it now… That is my confession, I am so sorry.”