Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has opened up about the criticism he’s faced this season, admitting he feels like a “scapegoat” but is willing to take the heat for the team. The 28-year-old, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in the summer for around £40 million, has been a consistent performer in terms of goals and assists. Despite contributing 17 goal involvements in 36 appearances this season, Maddison has faced some negative attention, particularly for his perceived underwhelming performances in certain matches.
The England international recently came under fire from pundit Roy Keane, who questioned whether Maddison could push Spurs into the top six, while former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker speculated about a possible fallout between Maddison and manager Ange Postecoglou after the player was again substituted late in a recent game.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Maddison addressed the media’s perception of him. He explained, “I don’t mind taking the heat a little bit. I’m big enough and ugly enough now to take the hits and take the criticism because I know what I’m capable of.” Maddison added that while external criticism can be tough, he prefers it over having younger players like Archie Gray or Lucas Bergvall take the brunt of the blame.
He also emphasized that the hard work behind the scenes often goes unnoticed. “What people don’t see is what we do behind the scenes and how much we’re trying to improve,” Maddison said, acknowledging the pain players feel when results don’t go their way. “Training today, the standard was unbelievable, and lads are working really hard because we drew at home to Bournemouth. Lads are not happy, so they don’t see that it hurts us as well.”
Maddison remains focused on the remainder of the season, expressing confidence in his own form and aiming to help Tottenham finish the campaign strongly. “I feel good, I actually feel pretty sharp, really looking forward to Thursday and beyond,” he said, referring to the upcoming matches. “I’m trying to finish the season strong personally, still have a really good season in terms of goals and assists.”
