Tottenham News Scout: James Maddison should be number one target for Tottenham
Tottenham News is delighted to welcome Matthew Chadder as our exclusive columnist for our ‘Spurs Scout’ features. Each week, he’ll be providing his expertise on researching players to give insight on the biggest talking points at Spurs…
James Maddison was relegated from the Premier League with Leicester last season and could be set to make a move away from the King Power this summer with Tottenham interested.
Although the Foxes were eventually relegated, Maddison certainly did everything he could to keep them up. In 30 Premier League appearances, he scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in an attempt to turn the club’s fortunes around.
And even though he could not keep his club in the Premier League, his consistent performances throughout the years mean he has likely saved his own Premier League career as he looks set to leave the Foxes behind.
The English playmaker has been heavily linked with moves to both Newcastle and Tottenham, with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeting (18 June) that he is the priority target of both clubs.
Tottenham competing with Newcastle for the Leicester man makes the deal a trickier one to complete, however, if the club go all out for his signature, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to get the transfer across the line.
Here, Spurs Scout have been having a look at Maddison and identifying whether he would be a good fit for Spurs and Ange Postecoglou’s new-look midfield.
Strengths – Attacking brilliance
The stats suggest there are very few things that Maddison can’t do, which is particularly impressive when you consider that he was playing in an under-performing Leicester side last season.
As per FBREF, the 26-year-old showed levels of brilliance across his shooting and passing statistics as the attacking midfielder got involved in and around the penalty area regularly last season.
Maddison scored 0.36 goals per 90 which put him in the 81st percentile compared to his positional peers in the league. He also proved a nuisance for goalkeepers as he registered 3.01 shots per 90 which placed him in the top nine per cent.
His passing metrics demonstrated his forward-thinking approach and that he always had attack on his mind. He played 2.50 key passes per 90 which put him in the top three per cent of the league’s attacking midfielders and wingers and his 4.25 passes into the final third landed him in the top five per cent.
His passing and shooting statistics came together as he was involved in 5.01 shot-creating actions per 90 which placed him in the top six per cent.
It is clear to see that Maddison is a much bigger attacking threat than Tottenham’s two current midfield options, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp, and this suggests that his attacking output is something the club’s midfield is crying out for.
Weakness – Box-to-box ability
Postecoglou enjoys operating with a midfield three with an eight who can push forward and support the front line, and although Maddison is more than suited to supporting the attack, there will be question marks over his work rate and ability tracking back after last season’s performances.
As per FBREF, the former Norwich man made just 5.81 touches in the defensive third per 90 which put him in the bottom 50 per cent compared to his positional peers.
He also only made 2.79 progressive carries per 90 which placed him in the bottom 50 per cent again for this particular statistic. These stats suggest Maddison is not accustomed to carrying the ball from deep as Postecoglou may require.
However, this is something he wasn’t expected to do in the Leicester side he was in last season and there is no reason to suggest he wouldn’t be able to adapt to meet these requirements.
How much would Maddison cost?
Following Leicester’s relegation, the club will not have as much negotiating power when it comes to their midfielder’s price as they did when they were in the Premier League.
However, The Independent (18 June) have reported that the Foxes are still holding out for £80million, yet this seems like a reach.
With just one year left on his deal and the club’s current circumstances, it is hard to imagine them reaching this price point, however with Newcastle and Spurs both interested, a bidding war could perhaps see the eventual fee land somewhere between £50million and the reported £80million the club are after.
Where would Maddison fit in at Tottenham?
With new boss Postecoglou yet to take charge of a match, it remains to be seen exactly how the side will look next season, however, some early predictions can be made.
The Australian is predicted to operate with his favoured 4-3-3 which would see Maddison slot in as an attacking eight within the midfield three. If this was to be the case, his attacking qualities would be the dream for his potential manager.
Postecoglou likes his eight to get forward and provide a goal threat, however, Maddison will have to make sure his ability in a deeper-lying position and carrying the ball forward is up to scratch, something he was not as accustomed to last season.
Should Tottenham buy Maddison?
If Spurs want to land their target, it seems as if Daniel Levy will need to get the chequebook out – something the businessman is not a big fan of doing.
The club’s record signing is around the £60million mark and they may potentially have to break that to lure Maddison to North London. However, that is absolutely something the club should be doing.
There is no reason why Maddison couldn’t thrive under Postecoglou and as the stats suggest, Spurs are currently lacking midfielders who can excel in an attacking set-up. Therefore, they need additions and they need them fast.
If Levy wants to see an improvement after last season’s disaster and give his new manager the best chance of success, he is going to have to spend. It is the least the fans deserve.
In other Tottenham news, the club have kept hold on one of their very own midfield sensations.