Rio Ferdinand in no doubt over Premier League's 'best value for money' signing
Rio Ferdinand has hailed James Maddison after he assisted Tottenham’s goal in the 1-0 win over Luton on Saturday.
Spurs went top of the Premier League table thanks to Micky van de Ven’s goal after Yves Bissouma was sent off on the stroke of half-time. Ange Postecoglou’s side made it six wins from eight games – and Maddison moved top of the assists chart in the top flight.
Maddison made the most of a short corner, beating his man and getting to the byline to set up Van de Ven to score. He now has five assists in the Premier League for Spurs and earned some effusive praise from Ferdinand on TNT Sports.
“A lot of the Spurs fans would’ve been panicking and losing sleep over the fact Harry Kane had left,” he said. “And to think you’ve got Maddison as a replacement for £40million in the current market at that value. He has to be looking like one of the best value for money signings of the season so far. He’s been involved in everything – most chances created, most assists this season, phenomenal start from him.”
While it is his seven goal involvements in eight games that have caught the eye, Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was quick to highlight his team-mate’s under-the-radar quality. “He’s not like Harry because Harry plays higher, but Maddison I think brings so much to us attacking,” he said.
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“Also I think people see he’s creating so many chances, scoring, assisting – that is his quality. But I think off the ball he’s working so hard. He brings the team up even more because we want to play high up. If he doesn’t run like the others then we are not going to perform like that.”
Ferdinand added: “He’s doing what he’s being asked to do – nine times out of 10 when he gets the ball he makes the right decision, the right pass, he’s holding onto it and releasing it at the right time. His timing and feel for the game is first-class.”
James Maddison set up Micky van de Ven's winner (Henry Browne/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is James Maddison the best value summer signing in the Premier League? Comment below.
Former Spurs striker Peter Crouch said: “I think he is relishing being the main man. And I think he’s been allowed to be the man in this team. He’s an absolute class act – he surprises me every time I see him play, how good he is with his quality.
“And it’s not just the assists – I think he’ll walk the assists this season with [Kevin] De Bruyne being out [injured] – it’s the key passes as well. He’s constantly looking forward. His vision, his awareness and the ability to execute those passes is why he’s so good.”
Tottenham have now picked up 20 points from their opening eight Premier League games this season. It is their best start to a league season since 1960/61, when they won all eight of their opening matches.
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