Former Tottenham scout Bryan King is not convinced by some of the players at Ange Postecoglou’s disposal and has a particularly harsh message to one player.
How good is Spurs’ squad?
Tottenham‘s starting eleven on paper is full of quality and many will feel that it is good enough to challenge the best sides in the division.
However, we have not really seen much evidence that these players can perform consistently for a sustained period of time.
This was the point that was made recently by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, who pointed out last week that even Tottenham’s best players are yet to show they can deliver the goods week-in, week-out.
Pitt-Brooke said on The View From The Lane podcast: “I think there’s a big problem, which is that the players are so inconsistent. Even the good players are not capable of doing it week in, week out. And I know this is a problem which, they’re certainly aware of inside the club.
“All the guys who you need to be at their best week in, week out, they’re not really, you know, Son is not having a good season, I don’t think. Admittedly, he’s had injuries, obviously, I think he has credit in the bank for being so good for the last nine years, but he’s not having a good season.
“Romero is not having a good season. Maddison is so inconsistent, he’s no longer in the team. Kulusevski is the one who is having a good season, but, you know, he can’t win games all by himself every single week. And so I think overall, there are big, big questions about the consistency of the players.”
MORE SPURS STORIES
Bryan King says one Spurs man needs to pull up his socks
King too is not convinced that the current Tottenham squad is as good as it appears on paper. When asked about the club’s recent struggles, the former Spurs scout told Tottenham News: “You need your players, and you need a good squad.
“However, I’m not sure Spurs’ squad is as good as people think it is. They haven’t exactly set the world alight this season. Five or six of the midfielders are international players.”
The pundit was particularly critical of Maddison for failing to maintain a high standard of performance, insisting that the England international needs to start doing what he is paid to do.
King added: “Maddison has got to start improving and get a hold of himself. One week he’s playing like an England international and the next week he doesn’t even get a mention. I’d say to Maddison that you’re a highly paid professional, so start doing your job.”
Criticism of James Maddison is harsh
Maddison did not lose his place in Tottenham’ starting eleven because of his poor performances. He was dropped by Postecoglou for the sake of team balance, with the midfield being much better rounded with Pape Sarr’s running power, now that Dejan Kulusevski is playing as the advanced eight.
Tottenham are simply too vulnerable at the back if both Kulusevski and Maddison play together in the middle of the park. The England international started the season impressively and he cannot prove his critics wrong from the bench.