James Maddison claims he’s not on ‘same level’ as player Tottenham sold for £17m

James Maddison claims he’s not on ‘same level’ as player Tottenham sold for £17m

Tottenham Hotspur’s new maestro, James Maddison, believes he is the same type of player as Christian Eriksen but refuses to put himself ‘on the same level’ as the Dane.

Spurs paid £40m to sign the 26-year-old in June as boss Ange Postecoglou took advantage of Leicester City’s relegation. Despite Maddison continuing to impress, the Foxes returned to the Championship after finishing the Premier League season just two points behind Everton.

Maddison penned 10 goals and nine assists during his 30 appearances in the 2022/23 term. Only through the 2021/22 campaign when he scored 12 times in 35 games has the England midfielder scored more often. He had never assisted more than eight goals in the top-flight.

Can Maddison be Tottenham’s long-awaited Eriksen successor?

Life in north London has started as Maddison intends to go on, too, with two goals and two assists in four games. He laid on a pair of assists on his Tottenham debut away to Brentford. The three-cap star would then score one goal against both, AFC Bournemouth and Burnley.

Such a lively start to his career in the capital suggests Maddison can be Tottenham’s long-sought successor for Eriksen. The 31-year-old was a magician throughout his jaunt at White Hart Lane. He left Spurs after seven years in January 2020 to join Inter Milan in a £17m deal.

Tottenham paid AFC Ajax £11.5m to sign a 21-year-old Eriksen back in August 2013. The 121-cap Denmark hero would go on to score 51 goals and assist 67 through 226 Premier League games. He gave Spurs 69 goals and 90 assists in 305 appearances across all competitions.

What has Maddison just said about Eriksen and Spurs?

Maddison believes Tottenham have lacked a playmaker of Eriksen’s level since the maestro – now at Manchester United – left north London. But the Coventry-born creator believes he is the same type of player as the Dane. Even if Maddison refuses to say he is on Eriksen’s level.

“They’ve always had that type of player,” Maddison has told the Independent. “That sort of midfielder who wants to be creative and entertain the fans and be a personality.

“Christian Eriksen in more recent years but since him they probably haven’t had that type of player. I’d put myself in that category. I’m not putting myself on the same level. But I’m that type of player.”