Five reasons signing Maddison would make sense for Tottenham Hotspur
By Aaron Coe
The latest transfer rumour for Tottenham Hotspur has the club working to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, which would make a lot of sense for Spurs.
With Tottenham reportedly finalizing the Djed Spence deal, a move for an attacking midfielder makes sense, given it is one of the areas Antonio Conte reportedly wants to strengthen. Now that Christian Eriksen is officially a member of Manchester United, Spurs are being linked with other attacking midfielders, and Maddison is at the top of that list. Here are five reasons Madders would be a good signing for Spurs.
Reason 1: Maddison is a versatile midfielder in the attack
Currently, Spurs midfield is packed; however, all four players – Pierre Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp, Yves Bissouma, and Rodrigo Bentancur – are more of your box-to-box, defence-first midfielders. Although all four have some ability in the attacking band, none are known for their attacking prowess. Maddison, on the other hand, is the exact opposite.
Maddison played primarily on the right side and up the middle for Leicester City, but he has played all over that space. Although perceived as a #10, Maddison can play in that space or right midfield, second striker, or even right forward. Given Conte’s love for inverted wingers, one could even envision Maddison backing up Son on occasion.
Regardless of his position, Maddison’s movement and ability to find dangerous areas to pick up the ball and then pick out a pass would add something Spurs currently lack.
Good in tight spaces but nearly as capable as Harry Kane at playing that long unlocking pass, Maddison checks many boxes as a midfielder, many of which would complement what Tottenham already has available. Complements, not the least of which would be as a set-piece taker.