James Maddison give verdict to why he has to pinch myself over teenage talent
As Tottenham Hotspur prepare for their Europa League clash against Ferencvaros, James Maddison has shed light on the rising talent of Mikey Moore.
The teenager, widely regarded as one of Spurs’ brightest prospects, has caught the attention of both his teammates and the fans.
Tottenham’s current injury situation has been relatively manageable, but manager Ange Postecoglou will be cautious, especially after witnessing how last season’s injuries affected the team’s momentum.
In the past week, key players like Heung-min Son and Destiny Udogie have shown signs of injury, casting doubt on their availability for the upcoming match.
With these concerns, and considering Ferencvaros is one of the weaker opponents in the competition, many expect Postecoglou to make lineup changes. This would allow key players to rest and avoid further injury risks, giving opportunities to younger talent like Moore.
At the pre-match press conference, Maddison praised Moore’s maturity and potential. Speaking to Football.London, Maddison highlighted how impressed he is by Moore, despite his young age.
“Mikey is one of those players you have to remind yourself is only 17. He’s been part of the group since he was 16, and you’d think he’s older based on how he carries himself,”
Maddison said. “He’s powerful and only getting stronger as he develops physically. He’s also a great kid—polite, well-mannered, and that reflects on how he’s been brought up.”
Maddison also reflected on how he approaches mentoring younger players like Moore, explaining that he tries to offer the same advice he would have appreciated as a 17-year-old.
“I try to give him advice while treating him like a man because he’s already showing the qualities of a senior player. The ability he shows in training is something the fans are eager to witness more of,” he added.
Ange Postecoglou, though not a fan of heavy rotation, may have to balance his lineup for the Europa League fixtures.
While rotation can be essential, Postecoglou has previously mentioned he prefers not to make too many changes at once, as keeping the core team consistent helps maintain momentum.
In an earlier interview with Football.London, he said, “You don’t expect players to feature in every game. We’re looking at around 35 games for each player in a season, but I don’t see the need for massive rotation every time.”
Given this stance, Postecoglou might still opt for a few changes to the lineup for the Ferencvaros match. Younger talents like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are expected to feature, especially in these kinds of Europa League games.
Fans are also eager to see Mikey Moore get more playing time, particularly if Son is unavailable for the match. Handing Moore a start could provide the youngster with valuable experience while allowing key players to recover.
Additionally, another player who might benefit from squad rotation is Will Lankshear. Though Dominic Solanke is likely to continue his good run of form and feature in the starting lineup, Lankshear should get a chance to make an impact later in the match.
With Postecoglou’s cautious approach to injuries and the depth of talent in the squad, Tottenham’s Europa League campaign offers an opportunity to nurture their younger players while keeping the team competitive across all fronts.
As anticipation builds for Tottenham’s next Europa League outing, all eyes will be on how Postecoglou manages his squad.
Moore’s rising star status makes him a key player to watch, and fans will be excited to see how the young talent develops as he gains more experience on the European stage.
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