Ange Postecoglou promise of 'new Tottenham' is why James Maddison joined from Leicester

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James Maddison has revealed a conversation with Ange Postecoglou over seeing a "different Tottenham team" convinced him to move to the club. </p>

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Maddison completed a £40 million transfer to Spurs from Leicester on Wednesday, agreeing a five-year deal. </p>

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England international Maddison has gained plenty of admirers since joining Leicester in 2018 and Newcastle were among the clubs interested in his signature this summer, but it was a promise from new Tottenham manager Postecoglou which left a mark on the 26-year-old. </p>

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"I'm absolutely thrilled," Maddison said in his first interview with club media. </p>

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"I feel I have a good understanding of Tottenham and now I'm a part of it, have this lovely white shirt on, and it feels brilliant. I am ready to go. </p>

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"Being a Spurs player now is something I'm very excited about. You come here and get a feel for the club, for the people. </p>

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"Speaking to the manager is very important. To have a decent chat with him and get his thoughts on how he sees Spurs going this season. </p>

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"He said, 'whether you come or not, you'll see a completely different Spurs team under me', and it kind of stuck with me that he said that. It made me think that is the self belief I have in myself. </p>

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"I spoke to Daniel (Levy) as well and they both spoke very highly of everything about the club, about me and things like that are so important. Building a good relationship with him, with Daniel, speaking to other players. </p>

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"Obviously I know a lot of the lads anyway and have played against them for many years. Myself, my agent, my family, we're all really happy with the decision and I can't wait to get going." </p>

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Spurs have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old. </p>

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Ex-Tottenham boss David Pleat recommended Maddison to chairman Levy when the playmaker was still a teenager at Coventry, but no move was able to materialise and he instead joined Norwich. </p>

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Spurs' interest and desire to eventually sign Maddison never waned with his time at Leicester only serving to highlight he was one of the most creative players in England. </p>

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During five largely successful years with the Foxes, who won the 2021 FA Cup, Maddison made 203 appearances, scored 55 goals and produced 41 assists. </p>

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Maddison's creativity and versatility will boost a Spurs squad that has lacked a player in his mould since Christian Eriksen left in 2020. </p>

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He added: "Christian was one of my favourite players when I was growing up, especially in the lower-leagues. </p>

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"When he was in hot form for Tottenham, wearing the iconic number 23, Eriksen was someone who would produce quality moments for this football club. To swap shirts with a player like that, of his ilk, was very special." </p>

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While Maddison has made the move from the King Power Stadium to Tottenham, Harry Winks is set to go the other way, the PA news agency understands. </p>

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Spurs have agreed a £10 million deal with Leicester for Winks, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Sampdoria. </p>

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Winks, 27, had been a regular at Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino, but fell out of favour during the tenures of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte. </p>

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Academy graduate Winks headed to Italy last summer in search of first-team football and his transfer to Leicester will not be announced until later this week, with his loan spell at Sampdoria not officially ending until Friday. </p>

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New boss Postecoglou is set to cast his eye over the rest of the squad - with Tottenham's non-internationals reporting to Hotspur Way on Saturday - before any further decisions are made on outgoings. </p>

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Spurs' focus has turned to bringing in reinforcements in central defence. </p>

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Tottenham have an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven, but no approach has been made for either yet, according to media reports. </p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/ange-postecoglou-promise-of-new-tottenham-is-why-james-maddison-joined-from-leicester">Ange Postecoglou promise of 'new Tottenham' is why James Maddison joined from Leicester </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>