Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has recently expressed his admiration for a particular player in the Tottenham Hotspur squad, drawing comparisons with one of the world's best footballers, Jude Bellingham.
At just 20 years old, Jude Bellingham has already established himself as a key player for both Real Madrid and England. His potential is immense, and it is exciting to consider the heights he could reach in his future career.
Souness believes that Tottenham possesses a player with similar qualities to Bellingham - none other than their summer signing, James Maddison. This comparison was made during an episode of Simon & Souness when discussing whether he appreciates Maddison as much as Spurs fans do.
Former Liverpool player, Graeme Souness, said:
“Enormously, I think if you look at his numbers, that number 10, getting on the ball on the half turns, slipping passes in, getting goals, his numbers are better than anyone else. For me, I’ve said they should use him in the England team,”
Maddison is yet to prove himself at international level
Maddison had a slow start to his international career with England; it’s easy to forget that he didn't play at all in last year’s World Cup. However, since joining Spurs from Leicester City over the summer transfer window, the 27-year-old midfielder has made significant strides.
Drawing parallels between Maddison and Bellingham might seem like an audacious claim given their age difference and different stages of their careers. However, Souness sees similarities in their playing styles and impact on games.
Since his move to Spurs last summer, Maddison has had an enormous influence on the team's performance. He was arguably one of Premier League’s best players during the opening weeks of this season which helped put Spurs at top position early on.
Maddison will need to recapture his form with Euro coming
His recent return from injury is another reason for optimism among fans; if he stays fit throughout this campaign then there are high hopes for Tottenham achieving something special this year.
Maddison's performance and potential will undoubtedly give England manager Gareth Southgate plenty to ponder ahead of Euro 2024 this summer. If he continues his current form, he could be a key player in England's campaign.
Souness' comparison of Maddison to Bellingham is not only a testament to the former's talent but also an indication of his potential impact on both Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team. Only time will tell if Maddison can live up to these high expectations.
