Mauricio Pochettino still has a shot at his first silverware with Tottenham Hotspur this season but is already planning for the future to help compete with the best in the next season.
The Argentine has a keen eye for youth and has turned some raw talent into superstars in his time in the top flight. And it does not come as a surprise that Norwich City’s James Maddison is the latest exciting youngster on Pochettino’s radar.
Spurs Ready To Bid For Maddison:
One of the most exciting players currently in the Championship, Maddison has been in superb form for Norwich City but the Canaries are cash-strapped at the moment and are expected to sell two of their prized assets in Maddison and Josh Murphy.
Reports from The Mirror claim that City have placed a £30m price tag on his services as the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are all credited with an interest in the player. So is he the right man for Spurs?
What Will He Bring To London?
At just 21, the Coventry City academy graduate spent a part of last season on loan at Aberdeen and returned as a rejuvenated star, who was ready for the biggest stage. He established himself in the first team right from the start of the current season and has managed 14 goals and 8 assists in 38 Championship starts to date.
Playing in a no.10 role for most of the season under Daniel Farke, Maddison has shown a keen eye for goal and great maturity even under severe pressure. He has learnt the art of hold up play well and is constantly looking for path-breaking passes, making him a dangerous player in the final third.
He is adept at making late runs into the box and is also effective over a dead ball and though needs to improve his aerial ability, is a player tailor-made for the English game and belongs in the top flight.
Why Spurs Is His Best Bet:
Maddison has just three appearances for the English U21 side and to break into Gareth Southgate’s squad, he needs to prove himself regularly at the highest level. The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea only see him as a squad player making Liverpool and Spurs his best options.
Jurgen Klopp is as good a coach as Mauricio Pochettino but the German mastermind is in search of a more established star to have an immediate impact in the squad next season while Pochettino is happy to stick with youngsters and give them the confidence to turn into world beaters.
The likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane are prime examples of how Maddison can cement his place in the first team under the Argentine and definitely, Spurs should be the Norwich City midfielder’s next destination.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored