Ange Postecoglou discusses why he was so eager to sign James Maddison.

Ange Postecoglou discusses why he was so eager to sign James Maddison.

Ange Postecoglou says it is crucial for his system to have a player like James Maddison who can be unpredictable and see things that others cannot.

Maddison has made an immediate impact at Tottenham and appears to be one of the season’s most important additions in the Premier League.

When compared to some of the other costs for midfielders in the Premier League this summer, Spurs’ acquisition of him for £40 million is very remarkable.

Ange Postecoglou discusses why he was so eager to sign James Maddison.

The 26-year-old was one of the first players to join at the club under Postecoglou’s tenure, and the Australian has now revealed why he was so eager to get the midfielder to the club.

Ange Postecoglou is a big James Maddison fan

“In terms of the way we want to play and the football team we want to be, we have to have creative players who can do things through their own imagination and ability,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said of Maddison.

“Because so much of today’s football is structured, having circuit-breakers in there [is important].” Sometimes it’s people with special powers, such as speed or strength, or it’s people like Madders [Maddison] who see things that others don’t.

“Having players like that on your team, in my opinion, can make you an effective attacking force.” His play is unpredictable, and he is always hunting for passes and runs that others may miss. He will always provoke rather than play it safe, as you have witnessed in our first few weeks together.

“Regardless of how our opposition sets up, he’s constantly looking for areas and ways to provoke and hurt the opposition.” He provides us that extra boost when we’re moving forward.”

Maddison is part of a fading breed of footballers, with the game shifting away from creative number tens and toward superior athleticism as demands on players out of possession increase.

Postecoglou, on the other hand, argued that there is still room for players of the former Leicester star’s calibre as long as they are willing to work hard for the squad.

“Football has become a lot more structured and organized,” he continued. When one aspect of the game is squeezed out, it is usually the creative side, where you need a little more freedom to make decisions. When sides are so regimented, those kind of players may not receive as much of an opportunity.

“I believe there is definitely room in every team for players who are circuit-breakers in the way you play and the way the opposition sets up, as well as players who are unpredictable in the way they play.” The days of having a luxury player who just plays one side of the game, possibly the offensive side, are over.

“We need Madders to work hard defensively, and he’s embraced that aspect of his role.” He understands that in order to continue playing and have an impact, he must play both sides of the ball. Very few teams will carry players who are only good on the offensive side of the game.”

The 57-year-old stated that some of his favourite players of all time are imaginative number tens, including a Tottenham icon.

“There are all different types,” he noted, “but you look at your classic players like Diego Maradona or [Johan] Cruyff.” Guys who would do things that would make others look at the game differently.

“The club had Paul Gascoigne, the players who get genuinely excited when the ball arrives at their feet because it’s in their players’ nature to look for something creative and hurt the opposition rather than the more basic elements of the game in terms of their reactions.” You need a balance of both, but I believe those are the guys who laid it out there.

“They’re the type of players [I like] for the most part, particularly in the midfield.” They’re fast on the ball and dynamic on their feet. They always said that player had something unique about them.”

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In many ways, Maddison is perfectly suited to operate as the most advanced number eight in Ange’s system. The England international is evidently at his best when he is central and close to the box with runners on either side and beyond him.