James Maddison has shared exactly what kind of player he wants to be at Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine, the midfielder admitted that he wants to ‘entertain’ and compared himself to Paul Gascoigne.
After bagging 19 goal contributions in the Premier League last season as Leicester City were relegated, Tottenham snapped Maddison up for only £40 million this summer.
The 26-year-old’s price tag is already beginning to look like a bargain after a stellar start to life in North London. Maddison has already netted twice and provided two assists in only four matches in the Premier League.
The Coventry City academy graduate has quickly become a fan favourite at his new club and has now admitted that there is plenty to look forward to from him.
“I could just see myself playing for Tottenham,” he said. “I’m not even 100% sure what I mean by that so don’t ask me!
“But I could just see myself in that team, in that kit, in that stadium. It just fitted well for me. And they’ve always had that type of player.
“My dad’s favourite player when I was growing up was Gazza. 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’m not putting myself on the same level but I’m in that category.”
While Maddison quite clearly brings a lot of talent and attacking threat to a side that were expected to struggle without Harry Kane, the midfielder is also eager to put on a show for his new set of fans.
James Maddison enjoys being the ‘villain’
The England international most recently went viral for deliberately spotting the ball outside the corner quadrant to wind Bournemouth fans up after they were singing songs about him – something he says he really enjoys the ‘theatre element’ of.
“Before you become a professional, you are a fan of the game and I loved players who had personality, who had a little bit of cheekiness about them,” Maddison said. “Gazza was a perfect example.
“For example, something silly. I remember a clip where the cameras are going down the national anthem and it gets to him and he sticks his tongue out and starts messing around with the camera and going all bog-eyed. I just love that. That’s why I like interacting with fans. I don’t know if you saw the clip of me with the Bournemouth fans.
“It’s just little stuff like that which I enjoy doing, that keeps me hungry,” Maddison says. “I like the theatre element of almost being the villain. That’s how I enjoyed watching football and that’s how I enjoy playing it.
“I’m not trying to be the showman, that’s just how I am as a person. I go for a roast dinner with my family … I like to be the main man, you know.”
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