Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed an emphatic win over West Ham at White Hart Lane on Saturday as the Lilywhites returned to winning ways in a thunderous fashion. That second half had everything—goals, cards, fights—everything that a London derby is all about.
However, that second half didn’t have James Maddison, who was substituted at halftime with Pape Sarr coming on for the former Leicester City midfielder.
Injury concern for Maddison?
Many insisted that it be a tactical sub as the latter brings more stability into the midfield; however, ex-Lilywhites coach Bryan King insists that the England international might have picked up an injury.
Tottenham head coach did explain how it was a tactical decision to sub out Maddison; King wouldn’t be very sure about the Greece-born tactician’s comments.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, King said:
“Was it really a tactical change, or was he injured?
“If it was a tactical change, then well done Ange Postecoglou. However, I can’t imagine it would’ve been, I don’t think Pape Matar Sarr replacing Maddison would’ve been the move, Maddison set up a goal.
“For me, he didn’t look 100 per cent, maybe there is an underlying injury issue. There shouldn’t be, he has been off for the past couple of weeks, he should’ve been raring to go.”
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James Maddison had an underwhelming performance in the first half; he couldn’t control the tempo of the game from the middle of the park. That being said, he did set up the Lilywhites first goal, and hence he would be disappointed if that was a tactical sub from Ange Postecoglou.
We will have to see if that was an injury concern or not.
Moreover, even if that doesn’t turn out to be an injury problem, the Australian head coach made a bold decision if he tactically brought on Sarr for the 27-year-old. And Pape Sarr did brilliantly when he came on; he provided a physical presence in the middle of the park while containing West Ham attacks, so that was a brilliant chain of thoughts from Ange if he tactically subbed off the English international.
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Do you think Maddison was subbed off for injury concerns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.