James Maddison’s start to life at Tottenham Hotspur has sparked mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike, with some uncertain about his role and impact in North London. However, his recent performance against Brentford has begun to sway opinions in his favor.
Under Ange Postecoglou’s tactical system, which often features a single-pivot midfielder, Maddison has been tasked with playing deeper than usual. In many matches, he’s had to provide additional support to midfielders like Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, who have found themselves outnumbered and overwhelmed at times. Maddison has stepped up, taking on the defensive responsibility to prevent the midfield from being overrun.
As a consequence, his attacking prowess was somewhat muted during the initial stages of the season, just when Tottenham were struggling to find a decisive edge in the final third. Spurs lacked creativity and the kind of cutting edge that Maddison is known for, but he had to prioritize balance in midfield.
However, Maddison’s display against Brentford was a turning point. He delivered a complete performance, one that showcased his ability to impact the game on all fronts. Not only did he score and provide an assist, but he also dropped deeper when necessary to maintain control in midfield. This all-around display highlighted his versatility and football intelligence, traits that are not easy to consistently showcase, especially in such a demanding tactical role.
Following his strong showing, James Maddison is beginning to win over even the most skeptical Tottenham supporters. Alan Shearer, speaking on the ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, made sure to give Maddison the credit he deserved after the Brentford match. Joined by Gary Lineker, Shearer expressed how impressed he was by the midfielder’s performance, noting the balance between Maddison’s attacking threat and his defensive contributions.
“Shearer praised his all-round game, particularly his ability to create danger going forward. After his goal and assist against Brentford, Shearer said, ‘He’s a good player. I don’t think you’d hear many complaints from Spurs fans about him. We all know what he’s capable of. He’s so intelligent, great with the ball at his feet, and can always find that decisive final pass. He’s on course for another strong season,’” Shearer added, convinced that Maddison is ready to shine once again after a stellar showing.
While Maddison has rightly received plaudits, one player who may not be getting enough recognition is Dejan Kulusevski. Despite often flying under the radar, Kulusevski has been a key figure for Tottenham this season, consistently working to make an impact wherever Ange Postecoglou positions him. Known for his versatility, Kulusevski has been deployed in various roles, even resembling a number 10 at times, and has adapted seamlessly. Like Maddison, he has shown a willingness to drop deeper to contribute to the team’s build-up play, sacrificing some of his attacking instincts for the good of the squad.
Kulusevski’s determination to influence every game, whether in attack or defense, makes him one of Spurs’ unsung heroes. If Tottenham can maintain this level of attacking performance, the dynamic duo of Maddison and Kulusevski could be instrumental in pushing the club toward a top-four finish this season.
That said, Maddison and another standout player, Destiny Udogie, were quick to highlight the efforts of one of their teammates after their 3-1 victory last weekend. Their recognition shows that Tottenham are building a squad with multiple players stepping up and contributing to their promising start under Postecoglou. If this continues, Spurs might just surprise many this season.