Former Tottenham man believes Spurs-linked star is missing piece in Antonio Conte puzzle
Former Tottenham man Alan Hutton thinks a James Maddison transfer would be perfect, as it would offer Spurs what they are currently missing.
Maddison has been one of the league’s most exciting talents since he joined Leicester City in 2018. In that time, the creative midfielder has racked up 38 goals and 27 assists in the top flight.
The Foxes have been all the better for his impact. Indeed, Maddison is third on the list of the club’s top goalscorers in the Premier League, just one goal behind second place.
Leicester have never failed to reach the top half while the Englishman has played there. While he is not the only reason for that, his talent goes a long way towards their good performances.
This season, however, the Midlanders have struggled – they currently sit within the league’s bottom three. Without the efforts of Maddison, they would surely be in an even more precarious position.
The midfielder has scored five goals and provided two assists in the Foxes’ nine league games so far.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Maddison is now a big fish in a small pond. As such, it might be time for him to move on from his current side.
There has been speculation over him moving to a bigger side for some time.
Tottenham and Newcastle United have been two of the most heavily-linked sides of late.
A move to either of those would be a clear step up in Maddison’s career. Spurs are seen as one of the league’s ‘big six’, and Newcastle are clearly on an upwards trajectory under their new ownership and management.
Maddison transfer solves Spurs puzzle
Former Spurs man Hutton believes that Maddison would be the missing piece of the puzzle for Spurs, and would perfectly fit Antonio Conte’s side.
“If it comes down to just football reasons, I think someone like Maddison would fit in to the Spurs way. He works hard, he has got that creative spark,” he told Football Insider.
“That is possibly something Tottenham miss in games from that number ten role. He could fit in to the Conte way and it could be something that Maddison could really flourish under.”
Hutton is right that Spurs do not currently have the kind of player that Maddison is. Since Christian Eriksen departed for Inter Milan in 2020, they have lacked a true creative midfield player.
Given Maddison’s form over the past season, it is clear that he should be able to thrive at a bigger side. Moving to Spurs would allow him a shot at playing a better standard at football, and in European competition.
It might also elevate Spurs back into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
They have not finished in the league’s top three since the 2017/18 season, but adding proven top-flight quality to the side could give them an edge.
It should give Maddison a chance at breaking back into the England picture, too. Despite his obvious quality, to this point in his career, the Leicester ace has played just one game for England.
Spurs moving for the Leicester ace seems to tick a lot of boxes for both them and him.
