Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder, James Maddison, has had a challenging year. After transferring from Leicester City to Tottenham last summer, Maddison started his career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with notable success. His early performances were impressive, showing promise and skill on the field. However, in November, he suffered an injury that kept him out of action for a couple of months. Since his return in January, Maddison has struggled to recapture the form he displayed in his initial months at Tottenham. This decline in performance has also affected his international standing.
Maddison’s absence from Gareth Southgate’s squad, which reached the final of the 2024 UEFA European Championship, was significant. He would have hoped to make a return to the England team for the new season, but his expectations were not met. Interim England manager Lee Carsley announced his squad on August 29 for the upcoming Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Maddison was left out once again, just as he was during the Euros. This repeated exclusion will undoubtedly be a cause for concern for Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou.
Despite these setbacks, Maddison’s start to the 2024/25 Premier League season has not been entirely negative. In Tottenham’s opening match against his former team Leicester City, which ended in a 1-1 draw on August 19, Maddison contributed an assist, completed all of his dribbles, and made three key passes. In the subsequent game, a 4-0 victory over Everton on August 24, he provided another assist and made two key passes. However, his performance had its flaws; he missed a significant chance and won only three of his nine ground duels.
On September 1, Tottenham faced Newcastle United, and Maddison struggled significantly. His passing accuracy was only 80 percent, and out of six crosses, only one was accurate. He was unsuccessful in both of his dribble attempts and was dribbled past once. Additionally, his behavior off the ball led to negative reactions from the crowd, with him being booed as he left the field.
The repeated exclusion from the England squad and his inconsistent performances at the club level may impact Maddison’s confidence. Tottenham fans and management alike will be hoping that he can rediscover his top form soon. Postecoglou, in particular, will be concerned about how these issues might affect his playmaker’s confidence and overall performance.
Furthermore, there are additional concerns for Tottenham as they await further updates on other key players, following announcements made on September 1. Fans can stay updated on Tottenham’s latest news and developments through various platforms, including social media channels and instant messaging services.
Overall, the year has been tough for James Maddison. The combination of injury setbacks, fluctuating form, and international exclusion has presented significant challenges. The hope is that with time, he will regain his previous form and return to being a pivotal player for both Tottenham and the England national team.
