Ange Postecoglou has hopes in James Maddison for the upcoming season
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that English international James Maddison will be his main man in midfield for Spurs in the upcoming season. The club have started their pre-season friendlies ahead of the new season and won their first match against Scottish club Hearts.
Spurs had a splendid start to their pre-season friendlies as they won their first match against Hearts 5-0. They won their second game against QPR 2-0, continuing the good run. Australian gaffer Ange Postecoglou is all set to lead the club for the second time, and he had a wonderful track record in his debut season for the North London club. He helped the club to finish fifth in the league table along with securing a spot in Europa League.
He is currently under a revamp process at the North London club and he is also in search of some new players in the transfer market to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season. He is likely to have assessed who his key cogs are from last season and where he needs to reinforce.
James Maddison seemingly belongs in the good books of Postecoglou with his impressive debut stint with the North London club. Despite many injuries, he managed to establish himself as an important player in the middle of the park last season. He scored four goals and nine assists in 30 games for the Lilywhites across all competitions in the last campaign.
After returning from his injury in the second half of the campaign, the English midfielder struggled with his form, and at the end of the season, he managed to regain his fitness with the club. The player was snubbed from the Euro squad by Gareth Southgate, and it was a huge blow. The England squad made their second consecutive final in the Euro Championship, but unfortunately, failed to bring silverware to the country.
Maddison set up Tottenham’s opener when Brennan Johnson slotted home from close range against the Scottish Premiership side in the pre-season game, and he is preparing for his comeback to the N17 with full confidence.
Ange Postecoglou responded to Sky Sports about Maddison’s exclusion from the Three Lions squad after the first pre-season friendly against the Hearts.
“I haven’t really spoken to him, That’s part of a footballer’s career, you ride the bumps.”
“Madders has come back and he is working hard in pre-season. He knows that he has a big year ahead of him, but we all have. It was good for him to get minutes and I thought he did well.”
Ange Postecoglou has immense trust in the 27-year-old midfielder and he believes that Maddison can continue his form throughout the season. The Aussie coach has some holes to fill in the squad, and he will be signing players from the transfer market or Ange could give a chance to the academy players who thrive in pre-season.
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Anyway, we can expect the presence of Maddison in the middle of the park when Spurs face his former club Leicester City in the first match of the upcoming season.