Lyall Thomas claims Postecoglou plans to use James Maddison as a number eight at Tottenham Hotspur
Journalist Lyall Thomas has suggested that Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager, Ange Postecoglou, has ambitious plans for James Maddison, which could see the midfielder deployed in a different position at the club.
According to Thomas, Tottenham’s interest in Maddison dates back several years, with the club even considering a move for the player during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as manager. While Maddison has predominantly operated as a number ten, Thomas reveals that Postecoglou envisions him as a dynamic number eight in an attacking role.
Thomas draws parallels between Celtic’s playing style under Postecoglou and Maddison’s potential role at Tottenham. He highlights the advanced positioning of midfielder Matt O’Riley at Celtic, who enjoyed a stellar season with more touches in the opposition box than any other player in the team.
The journalist believes that Maddison will occupy a central midfield role but will be given the license to operate in an advanced position, much like Christian Eriksen did during Pochettino’s era.
Speaking on the Last Word on Spurs YouTube channel, Thomas shared his insights on the plans for Maddison
“Postecoglou sees him as a number eight, although he has played as a number ten before. He envisions him as an attacking number eight. If we look at Celtic’s playing style last season, he used Matt O’Riley extensively as an advanced number eight”
By utilising Maddison as an attacking number eight, Postecoglou aims to capitalize on the player’s creative abilities and playmaking skills. The positional change indicates the manager’s intent to maximize Maddison’s impact in the final third, providing him with the freedom to influence the game in advanced positions.
The potential deployment of Maddison in this new role demonstrates Postecoglou’s tactical vision for the team. The manager seeks to create a dynamic and fluid style of play, where Maddison’s ingenuity and vision can flourish, while also taking advantage of his ability to contribute directly to goal-scoring opportunities.
Tottenham fans can look forward to witnessing Maddison’s evolution in his new position, as he aims to become a key figure in the club’s attacking setup. The synergy between Postecoglou’s philosophy and Maddison’s skill set holds great promise for Spurs, offering an exciting prospect for the upcoming season.
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Maddison at Tottenham is a very exciting prospect. Let’s see how he flourishes under the Australian tactician.
