Michael Owen has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur transfer target and Leicester City midfielder James Maddison is ‘one of the best free-kick’ takers in England.
The former striker added that the Leicester City midfielder can put his name alongside perhaps the best in the world right now in Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
On Monday night, winless Leicester City, who were thrashed 6-2 by Spurs before the International break, went into the game trying to move out of the bottom of the table.
That’s where you need your top players and fearless characters to step up – well, step forward James Maddison.
The England World Cup hopeful netted a brilliant brace, including a superb hat-trick as Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Nottingham Forest 4-0 on home soil.
Owen was impressed by what he saw from the sought-after star and how he is ‘at the heart’ of what the Foxes do, as he told Premier League Productions.
“It was James Maddison at the heart of the things,” said Owen. “He is one of the best free-kick takers in the country – but I would be disappointed with (Dean Henderson) my goalkeeper.
“But It’s a great free kick don’t take anything away from him. He practises this all the time and he is one of the best in the business at it – he’s one of those players who can bring a rabbit out of a hat.”
Owen then asked Maddison during an interview: “You and James Ward-Prowse are regarded as two of the best free-kick takers in the league, how much emphasis and how much work do you put on the training ground to master that skill?
Maddison responded: “I practise all the time. I am normally getting called off the pitch by the Sports Science, to watch my groins because I get carried away. But it’s something watching your era as a young boy, the David Beckhams, they were the ones to watch. He was so good.”
TOTTENHAM NEED A MADDISON
During the 2022 summer transfer window, there was talk of Spurs possibly signing the attacking midfielder.
Antonio Conte has a pretty defensive-minded midfield at his disposal. The starting duo – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur to the back-up options Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma.
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison did question Hojbjerg and Bentacur’s inability to pass forward during their goalless draw against Frankfurt last night – so, perhaps they are missing a Maddison in the middle of the park?
Well, even though the summer transfer window has slammed shut, there is still talk of the likes of Spurs and Newcastle being keen on his £60 million talents.
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