ROY KEANE has claimed James Maddison isn’t a difference maker for Tottenham amid the north London club’s crisis season.
Keane, 53, passionately argued against Maddison’s impact on Spurs after Ian Wright suggested that the creative midfielder could help dig the club out of trouble when he returns from injury.
Spurs are facing the bleak reality of a relegation dogfight given their current form.
And manager Ange Postecoglou has had to use a makeshift squad littered with inexperienced teenagers due to an unprecedented injury list this term.
Maddison became the latest first team star to miss out on the action when he picked up a calf injury last month that has seen him sidelined for Spurs’ last five games in all competitions.
But Arsenal icon Ian Wright reckons Maddison’s return to the squad will help drag Spurs away from the drop and help them climb back up the table.
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Keane on the other hand, is adamant that Maddison’s not the right player to change Tottenham’s fortunes – citing his performance in Spurs’ narrow win over non-league Tamworth as a reason why.
Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, he slammed: “We saw Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off. Tamworth are non-league.
“People say Maddison’s the man. When is he going to step up to the plate? He got relegated with Leicester and he’ll get relegated with Spurs.”
Taking a swipe at Maddison’s mid-season trip to the World Darts Championship, Keane added: “Maddison isn’t bad, when he’s not at the darts, but let me tell you…
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“If you think he’s going to come back and get Spurs into the top six, you’re in cuckoo land.
“He’s good, he’s a talented player. But if you’re a player in the Spurs dressing room and Maddison’s back in the squad, you wouldn’t be looking and going ‘oh Jesus – he’s back today. We’re going to be fine’
“England have a squad of 300 and he can’t even get in that. You kid yourselves everybody.”
Maddison has been one of Spurs’ top performers this season and, with eight goals in 22 matches, he’s Tottenham’s top goal scorer in the Premier League this term.
On top of that, the 28-year-old has registered six assists across all competitions.
However, he hasn’t scored or provided an assist in the league since December last year and has often seen his game time cut short by manager Ange Postecoglou.
Ian Wright was quick to defend Maddison and use Keane’s passionate rant to light a fire under a player who could be bereft of confidence.
He said: “You’ve just killed Maddison. James, I’ve got your back. James, it’s up to you. You’ve got to silence this, James. You’re the only one who can do this.”
Maddison could return to action this weekend with Spurs facing fellow underachievers Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
