Darren Bent feels it is still too early to name Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison as the signing of the summer with James Ward-Prowse also shining at West Ham United.
The England midfielders both moved to London clubs from relegated sides in the off-season in Leicester City and Southampton. Tottenham spent £40m to make Maddison their new star playmaker. While West Ham spent £30m to get Ward-Prowse and help fill Declan Rice’s void.
Spurs nor the Hammers are looking back at their fees paid with any regrets as both deals are proving bargains. Maddison added fresh impetus to Tottenham’s attack with the 26-year-old pulling the strings. Ward-Prowse has also gone a long way to ensure Rice is not that missed.
Maddison or Ward-Prowse can be the Premier League’s signing of the summer
West Ham have been in dreamland with what Ward-Prowse has offered under David Moyes at London Stadium. His presence in their centre has almost been transformative for how the Irons play. The 28-year-old has also given a goal threat besides his clinical creative abilities.
Ward-Prowse has registered three assists and two goals through five Premier League games with West Ham. Maddison, meanwhile, has four assists and two goals through six games for Tottenham. But Bent feels it is too early to view the Spurs star as the signing of the summer.
“Yeah, maybe a little bit early,” he said on talkSPORT. “Ward-Prowse has been phenomenal for West Ham when you’re talking about his set plays and his assists.
“It’s early but I think you can say all of them, Maddison, [Liverpool’s Dominik] Szoboszlai and Ward-Prowse, are all doing what they were brought in to do.”
Tottenham and West Ham are loving their raids on relegated teams
Maddison has helped Postecoglou transform Tottenham from the defensive mould adopted from Antonio Conte’s era. The Coventry-born creator has slotted in seamlessly at Spurs and appear as Christian Eriksen’s long-sought successor from a superb debut against Brentford.
His ability to steal possession and distribute the ball has proven central to how Postecoglou wants Spurs to play. But Ward-Prowse has also been vital to how Moyes wants West Ham to play this season. So, either could stake their claim to be the division’s signing of the summer.
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