Paul Robinson: Tottenham star James Maddison is ‘signing of the summer’
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
James Maddison could prove to be the “signing of the summer” after impressing for Tottenham in the infant stages of the Premier League season, according to Paul Robinson.
Spurs splashed out £40million to bring the 26-year-old from Leicester City and the attacking midfielder is showing early signs that he is worthy of the outlay.
The England international recorded two assists in Tottenham’s opening day 2-2 draw at Brentford before getting his first goal for the club in the 2-0 victory against Bournemouth.
Many pundits have noted how Spurs have been lacking a real creative force in midfield since Christian Eriksen departed the club and Maddison is displaying plenty of signs he is ready to fill the void.
He has made the most progressive passes for Tottenham so far this season with 27 and the most shot-creating actions with 19. [FBRef]
Former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson has certainly been impressed by what he has seen and, while he acknowledges plenty in the Premier League have improved their squads, he feels the signing of Maddison will help Tottenham maintain pace in the hunt for a Champions League berth.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “The top four is gonna be very difficult to break. We’ve seen the quality of teams that are there, especially with Liverpool looking a different side to what they were last year with the way that they won at Newcastle.
“The top four can be difficult to break. James Maddison in that side for me, without the Tottenham bias, could be the signing of the summer.
“You look at what other teams are paying for players, you look at what Chelsea are paying for players and if look around the Premier League and the prices that are bandied about. For Spurs to pick him up for £40million looks like a bargain.
“He just looks like a great fit in that number 10 role with Dejan Kulusevski on one side and Son Heung-min on the other side and he sits in behind Richarlison.
“The biggest thing for me is that he stood out in a poor Leicester team last year. They got relegated and they didn’t win as many games as they should have. But he stood out and was head and shoulders above his teammates. That is why Tottenham took the opportunity to buy him.“
One area where Maddison has struggled to make headway in his career is convincing England boss Gareth Southgate he is worthy of a more prominent role in the international set-up.
Maddison has been a top-performing midfielder in the Premier League for the better part of four seasons but has earned just three England caps thus far.
Southgate has given two of those this year, though, after not playing him at all during the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022.
And Robinson hopes Maddison’s excellent start to the season will help him solidify a place in Southgate’s thinking for the Three Lions.
“I think when Gareth Southgate picks his England squad, I’d be very surprised if James Maddison isn’t in that side”, said Robinson. “He’s been a victim of the quality of players in his position.
“Look at the abundance of talent that England have got in those areas, but at the moment he’s standing out and looking like one of the better players. I’d be surprised if Gareth didn’t pick him in the squad this time.”
In other Tottenham news, Hugo Lloris must be given a deserved send-off amid links to Serie A.