Sky man claims ‘sharp’ player Newcastle wanted has ‘come to life’ after transfer to rivals

Follow us on Google Discover

Lee Hendrie has claimed that Newcastle United’s summer transfer target James Maddison has ‘come to life’ at Tottenham Hotspur.

Following Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship, it was obvious that James Maddison was going to get snapped up by a Premier League team.

Newcastle United’s name was mentioned, Ayoze Perez even claimed that a transfer to St James’ Park was ‘likely’, but instead, he secured a move to Tottenham Hotspur. 

So far, it’s proven to be a brilliant move for the England international because Hendrie thinks that Maddison is looking ‘sharp’ under Ange Postecoglou, as he told Sky Sports News (09/09/23 at 2:15 pm). 

From his four Premier League games, the 26-year-old has scored two and assisted the same amount, including helping a much-changed Spurs side put five past Burnley last time out.

Nonetheless, after a summer of speculation, this is what Hendrie has made of Maddison’s move to London. 

“I was a bit sceptical of Maddison, I am not going to lie,” said Hendrie. “I think he is a fantastic talent. I really do.

“I think he stood still. He maybe got a little bit too comfortable at Leicester. I feel he had to make that move.

“I think this season, it looks like he has got to that stage where I think the penny has dropped. He has looked at the Grealish and Foden’s of this world. And the attacking flair in that England squad.

“All of a sudden, he is back to life. He is enjoying his football. When you are enjoying your football, then things like this (goal v Bournemouth). They come off. It just seems to happen naturally. He looks fit. Sharp.”

Maddison is already a fan favourite at Tottenham

The goalscoring midfielder has been in the colours of Spurs for only a few months and he is already a fan favourite amongst the Tottenham faithful.

There’s no reason why, if Maddison had moved to Newcastle instead, why things wouldn’t be any different because they wouldn’t.

When Maddison is on song, he has an aura about his game, the ability to lift the team and the crowd. And Spurs are the ones benefiting from all of this now.