Tottenham idol baffled by journalist’s James Maddison transfer update
Paul Robinson is baffled by the idea of Tottenham splashing out on Leicester City midfielder James Maddison this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former White Hart Lane number one said the 25-year-old does not fit into Antonio Conte’s system.
Tottenham have already made six signings in this window – Richarlison, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Clement Lenglet.
Journalist Dean Jones told Give Me Sport (20 July) that Spurs have “touched base” with Leicester over a potential deal for James Maddison.
However, a deal for the attacking midfielder is expected to be expensive.
Maddison has two years remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of Maddison’s credentials, Robinson said: “I really like him.
“I think he is a top attacking midfielder. He gets goals, is creative, has an eye for a pass and would improve with better players around him. No disrespect to Leicester but in a top-four team I think he would offer more.
“I just don’t see where he fits in at Spurs though. When you look at the system Conte plays and the signings they have made. There is not really a slot for him.
“Conte plays a rigid system – a back three, wing-backs, two midfielders and a front three. For me, Maddison doesn’t fit into that system.
“He is a midfielder who likes to sit in behind the forwards. I cannot see him coming off the wide. That is not where he’s at his best.
“I like him, he’s a top, top player. But I cannot see how he fits into the starting XI at Spurs.
“He would not want to be a bit-part player either.”
In other news, Robinson has told Tottenham to reject a £12million Japhet Tanganga proposal after a report from Italy.