‘Bit of a loss’: Gary Lineker wonders if one Tottenham player might have fallen out with Postecoglou now

Tottenham Hotspur may count themselves somewhat fortunate to have walked away with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday, a result that arguably flattered the North London side.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth executed a high-pressing game plan to perfection, causing significant problems for Ange Postecoglou’s defense throughout the match. Cristian Romero, returning from injury, looked particularly off the pace, misplacing several passes in the first half and struggling to find his rhythm.

Jamie Redknapp, analyzing the game, expressed frustration with Tottenham’s refusal to adapt their approach, urging them to go long with the ball to bypass Bournemouth’s press. However, Postecoglou’s unwavering commitment to his principles, while admirable, continues to leave Spurs fans questioning whether flexibility might serve the team better in certain situations.

One of the more puzzling decisions from Postecoglou during the match was his choice to bench James Maddison, opting instead for a flat midfield trio of Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Yves Bissouma.

This setup left no room for a traditional number ten, with Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson occupying the wide positions. Maddison, who has been a key creative force for Tottenham this season, was introduced only in the 61st minute, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.

Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, even speculated whether there might have been a fallout between Maddison and Postecoglou to explain the midfielder’s reduced role.

Lineker initially floated the idea of a potential rift, noting Maddison’s impactful performances whenever he comes off the bench. “Maddison, late coming off the bench again. And when he comes on, he always looks the part and plays some really good football,” Lineker remarked.

“I’m at a bit of a loss at what’s happened there this season. I wonder whether there’s been a bit of a fallout or…” Richards and Shearer quickly dismissed the theory, suggesting that Postecoglou might simply be managing Maddison’s minutes ahead of Tottenham’s upcoming Europa League fixture against AZ Alkmaar. While Lineker conceded the point, the discussion highlighted the ongoing curiosity surrounding Maddison’s limited involvement in recent matches.

Despite his reduced playing time, Maddison’s statistics this season remain impressive, underscoring his importance to the team. In 26 appearances across all competitions, he has contributed nine goals and five assists, outperforming several of his teammates in terms of goal contributions.

For comparison, Brennan Johnson has nine goals and two assists in 25 games, Dejan Kulusevski has seven goals and four assists in 27 matches, and even Son Heung-min, while providing nine assists, has only seven goals to his name. These numbers make Maddison’s frequent exclusion from the starting lineup all the more perplexing.

Dejan Kulusevski recently voiced his support for Maddison, calling for the Englishman to feature more prominently in the team. This endorsement from a teammate speaks volumes about Maddison’s standing within the squad and the respect he commands.

His creativity, vision, and ability to dictate play have been instrumental for Tottenham, particularly during the early stages of the season when Spurs appeared to be genuine title contenders under Postecoglou.

Maddison’s influence was so significant that new signing Mathys Tel has already expressed admiration for his quality, further emphasizing the midfielder’s value to the team.

The decision to bench Maddison could be attributed to Postecoglou’s desire to manage his workload, especially with the Europa League knockout stages on the horizon. Tottenham’s upcoming clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday is a crucial fixture, and resting key players like Maddison for such high-stakes matches is a common tactical approach.

However, the frequency with which Maddison has been left out of the starting lineup raises questions about whether Postecoglou is fully utilizing one of his most talented assets.

Tottenham’s draw with Bournemouth highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of Postecoglou’s philosophy. While his commitment to an attacking, possession-based style is commendable, the lack of adaptability in certain situations has cost the team valuable points.

Maddison’s absence from the starting lineup only adds to the growing list of concerns for Spurs fans, who are eager to see their team return to the form that once had them dreaming of silverware.

As Tottenham prepare for their Europa League showdown, the spotlight will remain on Postecoglou’s team selection and tactical decisions. James Maddison’s role, in particular, will be a topic of intense scrutiny.

Whether his recent bench appearances are part of a broader strategy or a sign of deeper issues within the squad, one thing is clear: Maddison’s talent is too valuable to be underutilized. For Tottenham to achieve their ambitions this season, they will need their creative maestro firing on all cylinders, both in the Premier League and on the European stage.