Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign leading up to the November international break was a rollercoaster of mixed fortunes. A disappointing loss to a previously winless Ipswich Town lingered as a bitter memory during the football hiatus.
However, James Maddison, recently benched by Ange Postecoglou, made a resounding statement by scoring twice in a stunning victory over Manchester City.
Tottenham made a powerful statement with a remarkable comeback at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. James Maddison was the catalyst, delivering a brilliant brace, while second-half strikes from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson capped off a commanding 4-0 triumph over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Maddison believes the team performs better with him
Maddison, who celebrated his birthday in style by netting the opening two goals in Manchester, shared his thoughts on being left out of the starting line-up in recent matches during a post-match interview with Sky Sports via Youtube.
The 28-year-old midfielder candidly admitted his frustration, stating, “I’m never happy with not playing.” However, he acknowledged that Ange Postecoglou’s decision was a tactical one, explaining that the manager prioritized Pape Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski in previous games against Aston Villa and Ipswich due to their superior fitness and pressing abilities over 90 minutes.
Maddison’s performance not only demonstrated his quality but also his determination to cement his place in the starting XI moving forward. His response reflects the mindset of a player ready to fight for his spot. The midfielder continued
“I’ve got a lot of self belief and if I go through tough spells of having two games out I’m at the age now where I’m able to go and show you that this team is much better with me in it.”
“I’ve actually been really happy with my form this season, been a couple games when I haven’t maybe been at the level, but I watch all the games back and I know when I’m not playing at the level.”
More Tottenham News
- Tottenham new boy eager to make an impact as January move beckons; transfer ahead of schedule
- Manchester United legend fetes ‘brilliant’ Tottenham duo for ‘knocking the living daylights’ out of Pep Guardiola
- ‘Nothing to say’- Pep Guardiola names ‘quality’ Tottenham duo who left him speechless
With the squad grappling with injuries, Maddison finds himself with a golden opportunity to solidify his role in the team. His composure and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments position him as a key contender to secure a permanent spot in the starting XI. Being overconfident might be a red flag but given the brace he scored at the Etihad, the midfielder is more than capable of walking the talk.
