Player Watch Player Watch: James Maddison

[dontcallme]

He has several red flags:

1. Extremely injury prone

2. He is quite lazy and coasts through games. Doesn't fit the mould of super high pressing and hard working player.

3. His open play creativity isn't actually standout. A significant chunk of his xA comes from set pieces which creates this illusion that he's super creative. His open play goal creating actions (gca) is 0.36 (69th percentile), shot creating actions (sca) 2.76 (62nd percentile) compared to:
De Bruyne sca 4.27 (99th percentile), gca 0.84 (99th percentile)
Odegaard sca 3.66 (99th percentile), gca 0.43 (97th percentile)

4. His early and middle build up play isn't amazing and he isn't significantly press resistant.

For the money he would cost, we should look elsewhere especially as I really don't think he suits Ange's pressing and hard working system.


For those saying he will go to Newcastle, I'm not sure they will go for him. They are prioritising a move for Szoboszlai in that position instead and he's a far superior player.

I don't agree that he is lazy. It's a tag a lot of playmakers often get left with.

He really stepped up this season.

 

[rossdapep]

Sign an upcomer instead.

I think we are being linked to a lot of players that probably don't fit the way we are moving forward.

We need to spend big on GK and CB before we touch the attack

 

[Albertbarich]

Yeah I'm another who would prefer a couple of younger players we could mould.

Madison is ok but doesn't work particularly hard and isn't particularly great at beating a man.

 

[dontcallme]

Yeah I'm another who would prefer a couple of younger players we could mould.

Madison is ok but doesn't work particularly hard and isn't particularly great at beating a man.

I think we do lack a playmaker though.

Unfortunately, when looking for quality, exactly what you want isn't always available.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Great player. Who I think would thrive under Ange.

However his injury record and his age do concern me. It would make more sense to target a younger player considering we already have a fairly old squad.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Think Levy lost interest in the article when he read " in excess of 50 million"

 

[fecka]

I'd much rather sign Alex Scott to build for the future with money to spare on other positions. I've never really rated Maddison even if he's a good goalscorer.

 

[HildoSpur]

I think he is quite overrated to be brutally honest and there is no way I'd be happy at us throwing over £50 million on him.

 

[HotspurResi]

£50m is too high a price, £35-£40m is more realistic, he’s a great player and is the playmaker style we need, but we will need another player like him as he is so injury prone.

Do we need Alex Scott whilst we have Alfie Devine ? Surely makes better financial sense to develop the young uns we have than spend £20m + on someone else, who may or may not cut it in the prem league.

 

[spursfan77]

I'd much rather sign Alex Scott to build for the future with money to spare on other positions. I've never really rated Maddison even if he's a good goalscorer.

Scott and Harvey Barnes would be my choice (rather than Maddison).

Matt Law said we like Barnes too fwiw.

 

[SDogg]

I'd much rather sign Alex Scott to build for the future with money to spare on other positions. I've never really rated Maddison even if he's a good goalscorer.

i dont think she will want to come given the arsenal connection

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Don't want to spoil everybody's fun on transfers but heed the words of our beloved chairman in his welcome to Ange.

“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our Club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."

 

[dontcallme]

We had the price discussions with Richarlison last year. Many said they were ok if the fee was around £40m. We were never getting the Brazil number 9 for that.

If we want Maddison then I’d be very surprised if the fee was less than £45m. The club simply have to decide if they want him or not. He ain’t coming cheap.

 

[fecka]

£50m is too high a price, £35-£40m is more realistic, he’s a great player and is the playmaker style we need, but we will need another player like him as he is so injury prone.

Do we need Alex Scott whilst we have Alfie Devine ? Surely makes better financial sense to develop the young uns we have than spend £20m + on someone else, who may or may not cut it in the prem league.

Devine is barely League One quality right now. He's highly rated by all accounts, but Scott could be a genuinely special player IMO, and I wouldn't be all surprised if he did a Dele by contributing instantly in the prem. He's head and shoulders above others in the championship IMO.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

He has several red flags:

1. Extremely injury prone

2. He is quite lazy and coasts through games. Doesn't fit the mould of super high pressing and hard working player.

3. His open play creativity isn't actually standout. A significant chunk of his xA comes from set pieces which creates this illusion that he's super creative. His open play goal creating actions (gca) is 0.36 (69th percentile), shot creating actions (sca) 2.76 (62nd percentile) compared to:
De Bruyne sca 4.27 (99th percentile), gca 0.84 (99th percentile)
Odegaard sca 3.66 (99th percentile), gca 0.43 (97th percentile)

4. His early and middle build up play isn't amazing and he isn't significantly press resistant.

For the money he would cost, we should look elsewhere especially as I really don't think he suits Ange's pressing and hard working system.


For those saying he will go to Newcastle, I'm not sure they will go for him. They are prioritising a move for Szoboszlai in that position instead and he's a far superior player.

Just re Newcastle, I think this is were the HG thing comes into it and there have been many reports since winter that they have been in close contact with him and his team all season with the intention of brining him in this summer. Obv time will tell and obv there is the Szoboszlai thing but Maddison will be cheaper. Ether way I doubt it's just us and them who are interested, Chelsea have been linked a lot as well. Ether way personally I hope we don't get him especially for that price.

 

[wrd]

I'd much rather sign Alex Scott to build for the future with money to spare on other positions. I've never really rated Maddison even if he's a good goalscorer.

Have we been linked?

 

[roy@SC]

Agree with many who think there is better value and options elsewhere.

 

[bbunc]

I don’t think he’s the right player for us at this point and at that price. If we’re going to spend 50M on a homegrown AM, go get Olise from Palace. 5 years younger. More athletic. Hungry with room to grow.

 

[fecka]

Have we been linked?

There's been some paper talk and old ITK (by now) the last few months, but nothing substantial so who knows really? It may just be wishful thinking on my part as I don't really rate Maddison.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Don't want to spoil everybody's fun on transfers but heed the words of our beloved chairman in his welcome to Ange.

“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our Club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."

I'd normally agree with you but I can actually see us being very interested in Maddison because of the CAA Base connection. Im sure this is one we will be pursuing for and I can actually see Levy paying larger fee for him. Personally I think it would be a bad idea considering who else is available for less, but Base do seem to be very "involved" with us and im sure we have already talked about him a few times. Personally I just hope someone like Newcastle get him.