Tottenham playmaker James Maddison starred in the 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester United on Sunday
Tottenham Hotspur bounced back from back-to-back domestic cup eliminations with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United at home on Sunday.
James Maddison marked his return from injury in style, opening the scoring for the hosts in the 13th minute which eventually turned out to be the winner. The creative midfielder was criticised by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane last week, declaring that the Englishman would not be the player to help Spurs return to their best.
The 28-year-old responded in style by scoring the match-winner followed by a strong performance during his 64-minute stay on the pitch. After he scored, James Maddison was seen celebrating by making “shush” hand gestures, perhaps responding to Keane’s open criticism last week.
However, regardless of the England international’s impressive 13-goal contribution in 23 league outings this season, it seems as though he is not a guaranteed starter in Ange Postecoglou’s midfield three. Maddison has started 16 out of 23 Premier League games thus far, and reputable podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham thinks Ange Postecoglou’s constant changing of his midfield is unsettling.
“Maddison’s numbers this season have actually been really good,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“For an attacking midfielder, he has scored more goals in the Premier League than most clubs’ strikers have this season. Therefore, for Maddison to score on his return, with all the recent criticism, I was delighted for him.
“I feel he is always deserving of a starting spot. However, Postecoglou seems to change his midfield every week, which means Maddison has never really been settled during Postecoglou’s entire tenure.
“It does feel to me like the midfield changes all the time. However, Spurs’ strongest midfield should always include Maddison.”
In addition to his nine goals, Maddison has also supplied four assists. This makes him an archetypal playmaker required in midfield for a team to flourish going forward. While there have been no questions over his technical ability and vision, the Coventry-born talent’s work rate off the ball has often left a lot to be desired.
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Big Ange wants midfielders who can not only create chances, crash in the box and score goals but also put in a shift out of possession and help the team defensively when required. Aware of the boss’ specific demands in his system at Spurs, Maddison needs to start showing the other side of his game more to cement his place in the engine room.
Having returned from injury with a strong display against United, it is now on Maddison to keep his place in Big Ange’s starting XI intact.
