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LATEST TRANSFER UPDATE: Maddison upgrade: Spurs could land “world-class” January signing for £50m
Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of Ange Postecoglou just over a year ago, and a lot has changed since then.
The North London club has transformed from playing dull, uninspiring football to one of Europe’s most entertaining sides. Perhaps equally significant, they also sold their iconic striker, Harry Kane.
While there have been some high-profile departures since Postecoglou’s arrival, there have also been impressive signings, including Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, and James Maddison.
Maddison’s tenure at Spurs has been somewhat inconsistent. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, it might be worth considering a rival or even an upgrade. Fortunately, the club has already been linked to a potential replacement.
Maddison’s Time at Spurs
Tottenham signed Maddison from Leicester City, who had just been relegated, for around £40m in the summer of 2023. Despite Leicester’s relegation, Maddison’s individual performances justified the move, as he had accumulated 10 goals and 9 assists in his final Premier League season.
He made an immediate impact in North London, contributing 3 goals and 5 assists in his first 10 league appearances, playing a key role in Postecoglou’s strong start. However, an injury in the 11th game against Chelsea kept him out until late January, and upon his return, he wasn’t as effective.
In his final 17 league appearances last season, Maddison scored just one goal and provided four assists, which coincided with Spurs’ decline in the table.
This season has been a mixed bag for Maddison. While he has delivered some standout performances with 8 goals and 5 assists, his sporadic absence from the starting XI indicates his spot in the team isn’t guaranteed. With this in mind, it may be prudent for Spurs to seek an upgrade, and recent reports suggest they are already exploring options.
The Serie A Star Who Could Replace Maddison
The player in question is AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, who has been linked with a potential £50m move to Spurs. While this is a significant sum, it could prove to be a worthwhile investment.
Though Reijnders currently plays a slightly deeper role than Maddison, his statistics are impressive. This season, he has scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists in 25 games. If deployed further forward, these numbers could potentially improve.
Reijnders’ underlying stats reveal why he is considered one of the top midfielders this season. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders for carries into the final third and passes blocked, top 3% for successful dribbles, top 4% for non-penalty goals and shots on target, and top 5% for carries into the penalty area, among other metrics.
Beyond his club form, the 26-year-old has also earned 20 caps for the Netherlands and reached the semi-finals of the European Championship, where they were eliminated by England.
While Maddison is undoubtedly a talented player, his form tailed off at the end of last season, and this year, his place in the team has been less secure. It would make sense for Spurs to consider an upgrade, and Reijnders could be the perfect fit. Despite the hefty price tag, he could prove to be a brilliant addition.
