Danny Murphy has said that he is ‘disappointed’ by James Maddison’s move to Tottenham Hotspur because the former Leicester City star belongs in the Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur will not even compete in the UEFA Conference League in 2023/24, let alone Europe’s main club competition, after finishing ninth last season.
And Murphy can’t help but question if James Maddison should have chosen a club that finished last season a little higher up the table; Newcastle United were among those highly connected before the England international clinched his £40 million move to North London.
Tottenham win the race for James Maddison
“I’m actually disappointed for him in some ways. I think he’s a Champions League player,” Murphy, who himself had a brief spell at Spurs, tells talkSPORT (2 August, 12.40pm).
“He might (become one) but he’s not now. I thought he would get a club in the Champions League.”
There can be no doubting Maddison’s elite ability with the ball at his feet. One of Europe’s most gifted playmakers scored 10 times and set up nine more even as Leicester suffered relegation last season.
Murphy believes that it is Maddison’s qualities out of possession which may have cost him a move to the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Man United or Newcastle, however. Eddie Howe, in particular, demands remarkable levels of work-rate and discipline from his midfielders, with Joelinton, Chris Willock and Sean Longstaff chosen as much for their energy and tenacity as much as anything else.
“That’s probably why some of the other big boys didn’t come out for Maddison.” It’s not that he’s sluggish! “He is reactive in his defending, not proactive,” Murphy claims.
“It’s a sensitive situation. There’s a big difference between someone who’s running about and someone who’s attempting to defend themselves, but if you’re proactive and smart, you won’t have to run around as much.
“(But) he will make them (Tottenham better).”
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