Tottenham transfer ‘an absolute steal’ as Daniel Levy strikes gold for Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has provided a top signing for new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham’s purchase of James Maddison is “an absolute steal”, according to former England defender Stuart Pearce. The midfielder has had an excellent start to life in north London and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy appears to have struck gold for Ange Postecoglou.
Maddison was always likely to leave Leicester at the end of last season. Once the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed, it became a foregone conclusion.
Newcastle were linked with a move for the 26-year-old following their return to the Champions League. But it was Tottenham who swooped in and sealed a £40million deal.
Maddison has a goal and two assists in his first three Premier League appearances. His overall performances have been at a high level and he was named man of the match after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth.
Pearce was on co-commentary duty for talkSPORT at the Vitality Stadium and he cannot believe how cheap Spurs managed to get Maddison. He said: “How much did he cost, £40m? I think he’s an absolute steal at that, for this team in what they want.
“Just seeing him manipulating the ball, getting on the ball, freeing himself up and as soon as he gets it, he’s looking to play that ball in behind that’s going to hurt the opposition. Whether he plays it or not is irrelevant, he looks for it straight away and that’s a great trait.”
Spurs have adopted a far more attacking style of play under Postecoglou than they have been used to in recent seasons. They have even received praise from former Arsenal cult hero Perry Groves.
Groves couldn’t help but speak glowingly about Spurs and Maddison in particular. He said: “It is on the front foot, it is entertaining and a lot more fluidity. You mentioned James Maddison, we know he is a 10.
I think Postecoglou has said to him ‘You have so much footballing intelligence, you have the protection of [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape] Sarr, I want you to go find the pockets where you think you can be more influential on the ball’.
“And that is exactly what he did against Bournemouth. He was dropping deep and being the playmaker but then he was getting himself in the 18-yard box.
“I am drawn on him a little bit because I shouldn’t be liking him as a player, playing for [Spurs]. But I do. I like his character, I like his impishness, I like the way he plays, he interviews really well… I have got to stop it now… That is my confession, I am so sorry.”
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