Former Premier League owner Simon Jordan thinks James Maddison would be better off staying at Leicester City than joining a work-in-progress Arsenal side this summer, as he told talkSPORT (9 August, 11.25am).
Eyebrows were certainly raised last week when Sky Sports claimed that one of the Premier League’s finest attacking midfielders was open to the idea of swapping Leicester blue for the red-and-white of the Gunners.
Arsenal, after all, finished three places behind Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes in the table last season, missing out on European football for the first time since the turn of the century.
Look a little closer, however, and the gap between the two Premier League giants is not quite as cavernous as some would have you believe.
An Arsenal side apparently in crisis finished 2020/21 just five points adrift of Leicester come May and have attacked the transfer market with a renewed sense of ambition and vigour, snapping up three exciting, up-and-coming talents in Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga and Ben White.
Perhaps Maddison is intrigued by the prospect of taking on a major role as one of the biggest clubs in Europe look to reclaim what they see as their rightful place at the top of the tree.
Would James Maddison be making a mistake if he leaves Leicester for Arsenal?
Jordan, however, believes Maddison would be better served looking at the here and now, remembering that, while Arsenal are heading in the right direction, Leicester are far further along in their journey.
“I don’t think it’s a backwards move but I don’t think it’s an upward move either. Arsenal are a figment of our imagination, they are a rear-view mirror club right now,” said the former Crystal Palace owner.
“We don’t know whether (manager Mikel) Arteta is going to be anything other than theory.
“If I’m Maddison, I would probably sign for Arsenal for (these two) reasons; recognisability, the size and scale of this historic football club. But if I want to play for a manager that’s improving me and has proven to be an elite manager, then I stay at Leicester.
“I think Leicester can match Arsenal’s wage structure if they choose to. I think it’s a sideways move.
“I think James Maddison is better served playing in a better Leicester team than he is in an aspiring, rebuilding Arsenal side that will not get away from the fact that Stan Kroenke owns them – the silent billionaire that likes mediocrity.
“I still think Leicester are a better side than Arsenal.”
It is believed Maddison would cost somewhere in the region of £70 million.
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