An Exclusive: Journalist Discloses Spurs Coach Postecoglou’s Potential Plan for £40m Footballer
This new football season will likely see Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, position James Maddison differently on the field. Journalist Lyall Thomas disclosed this while appearing on the Last Word on Spurs YouTube platform. Although training for the pre-season is already underway at Tottenham, not all players have returned yet. Players who were part of […]
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This new football season will likely see Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, position James Maddison differently on the field.
Journalist Lyall Thomas disclosed this while appearing on the Last Word on Spurs YouTube platform.
Although training for the pre-season is already underway at Tottenham, not all players have returned yet.
Players who were part of the international lineup last month have been granted a break that will last a little longer in preparation for the new season.
Regardless, it’s expected that several players, such as Oliver Skipp and Destiny Udogie, may cut their vacation time short.
The present moment demands that every player prove themselves to their new coach, without wasting a second.
Development of impressions about the players by coach Postecoglou are underway.
Thomas posits that Postecoglou may put Maddison into a fresh role upon his return.
Upon leaving Leicester, it was inevitable that Maddison would need to adapt to Spurs’ distinctive tactics.
The Australian coach could likely already have planned Maddison’s place in his starting squad.
Postecoglou may put Maddison in an alternate role
Discussing Maddison’s move to Spurs, Thomas revealed: “The club has had Maddison on its radar for much longer than a year, beginning from the era of [Mauricio] Pochettino.
“Although there was an opportunity to sign him earlier, they didn’t believe the timing was right or that he was ready.
“Postecoglou, or Ange, envisions him as a number eight, even though he previously played as a ten.
“I believe Ange sees him as an offensive number eight, similar to how he used Matt O’Riley in a forward position last year.
“Looking at Matt O’Riley’s stats from last season, when he was among the top performers, reveals that he touched the ball more often inside the opponent’s box than any other Celtic player, despite being a midfielder.
“This can give us a hint of how far forward and advanced Maddison will play, even though he will technically be playing midfield.
“Maddison will be seen as the one leading and creating scoring opportunities high up in the field, much like Christian Eriksen during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure.”
TBR Opinion – Spurs could Utilize Maddison to the Fullest
Having joined Tottenham for £40m, James Maddison already carries a high level of expectations.
Last season, despite being in a team that faced relegation, his goals and assists statistics were commendable.
Traditionally, he has played as a number ten, although he often had to go deeper to control the ball.
Postecoglou may have taken note of that, which is why he may intend to play Maddison in a more recessed role.
Playing as a number eight would definitely ensure Maddison holds the ball more frequently, although questions could be raised about his ability to perform defensively in such a position.
