Sheringham: Maddison’s Hunger to Prove Doubters Wrong Could Ignite Tottenham’s Season
Teddy Sheringham, a legendary figure at Tottenham Hotspur, has expressed confidence that James Maddison will start the season with a burning desire to silence his critics. Maddison, who was a pivotal figure for Spurs early last season, experienced a dip in form after returning from an injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the campaign. Despite his early promise, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder struggled to regain his best form, leading to a challenging end to the season.
Maddison’s troubles didn’t end there. This summer, he faced the crushing disappointment of being left out of England’s squad for the Euros, despite having been an integral part of the Three Lions’ setup throughout the qualification stages. The omission was a bitter pill to swallow for Maddison, who had hoped to make his mark on the international stage.
However, Sheringham believes that this setback could serve as a powerful motivator for Maddison as he looks to bounce back and prove his worth. Speaking to OnlinePoker, as relayed by FourFourTwo, Sheringham said, “I think for James Maddison, he will definitely be playing with a point to prove this season after missing out on a place in the England squad.”
Maddison’s Drive to Reclaim His Place
Sheringham, who knows all about the pressures and expectations of playing for Tottenham, expects Maddison to be determined to catch the eye of the new England manager. “I have no doubt that he will be looking at a new managerial change at England and thinking that he wants to be part of that future,” Sheringham continued. “Of course, to do that, he needs to get back to his best playing for Tottenham.”
The former Spurs striker emphasized that Maddison’s hunger to make a statement could be a blessing in disguise for both the player and the club. “I think he will have a massive amount of hunger to show what he’s all about as a player this season, so maybe missing out on the Euros will be a blessing in disguise for him and for Tottenham.”
Maddison’s first opportunity to prove his doubters wrong will come in the opening game of the season, where Spurs will face his former club, Leicester City. Sheringham is eager to see how the midfielder responds to the challenge. “I’m looking forward to seeing the response he shows in the opening game against his old club Leicester,” he remarked.
The Potential Impact of Solanke’s Arrival
Sheringham also highlighted the potential impact of Tottenham’s recent acquisition, Dominic Solanke, on Maddison’s game. He believes that the arrival of the former Bournemouth striker could be instrumental in bringing out the best in the playmaker.
“They’re obviously good mates, they’ve played together with the England youth teams, and I think that’s a key relationship for Tottenham this season,” Sheringham noted. “Solanke could be the perfect foil for Maddison. I can see Maddison creating a lot of things for Solanke, and he would have been waiting for the club to sign a top striker to finish off all the cute little balls that he can play.”
Sheringham, who himself was part of a dynamic duo with Jurgen Klinsmann during his playing days at Spurs, drew parallels between his own experiences and the potential partnership between Maddison and Solanke. “The signing of Solanke is a bit like when the club signed Jurgen Klinsmann to replace me. It was a big one, and I hope that it gives everyone a massive lift at the football club.”
The 58-year-old is confident that if Solanke can start finishing the chances created by Maddison, it will not only boost Tottenham’s prospects but also thrust Maddison back into the national team conversation. “If Solanke starts finishing all the chances that Maddison can create for him, then all of a sudden everyone is talking about Maddison and England again.”
Maddison’s Competitive Edge
Maddison has always been known for his competitive spirit and mental toughness, traits that have served him well throughout his career. Sheringham is optimistic that these qualities will help the midfielder overcome the disappointment of missing out on the Euros and inspire him to reach new heights this season.
“We know that Maddison is a real competitor and has a fabulous mentality, which is why I am quite excited to see how he responds after the heartbreak of the summer,” Sheringham concluded.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Maddison to see if he can channel his frustration into performances that will not only help Tottenham challenge for silverware but also remind the England selectors of his undeniable talent. With the added incentive of proving his worth to a new England manager, Maddison could be set for a season to remember. And with a player like Solanke alongside him, the stage is set for Maddison to make his mark once again.
