Simon Jordan believes the loss of James Maddison to a long-term injury is a major reason behind Tottenham Hotspur’s sudden dip in form with the former Premier League pacesetters now down to fifth.
Tottenham’s record with and without the former Leicester City playmaker certainly makes for interesting reading.
With James Maddison starting, Spurs made their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign. Eight wins in 10 games, Maddison scoring three times and assisting five more goals along the way.
Since picking up an injury in that disastrous, season-changing 4-1 defeat by Chelsea, however, Tottenham have slipped from first to fifth, losing four out of their last five.
And, as far as one-time Crystal Palace chairman Jordan is concerned, that Tottenham have declined in Maddison’s absence is no coincidence.
Tottenham Hotspur’s dream start ended
“The key component which has gone from their game is Maddison,” Jordan tells talkSPORT (8 December, 10am).
“And that tells you Spurs are not strong enough to maintain a proper tilt at doing anything meaningful because, if you lose Maddison, then the wheels come off.”
To frame Maddison’s ankle ligament issue as the only reason behind Tottenham’s sudden loss of form, however, ignores a litany of other factors. Cristian Romero missed three games through suspension with Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr also enduring spells on the sidelines, the Premier League’s most watertight backline broken up.
There is, meanwhile, the simple manner of fortune – or wastefulness – to consider here too. Tottenham could and should have beaten Aston Villa and created more than enough chances to see off West Ham before a pair of calamitous defensive mix-ups gifted David Moyes’ side a shock win on Thursday night.
West Ham the latest team to stun Spurs
“(Maddison’s injury issues are) also compounded by the loss of centre-halves,” Jordan adds.
“The only game Tottenham have been outfought and outmanoeuvred was the Wolves game. Spurs battered Villa, they competed with Man City and, last night, they (grabbed) defeat from the jaws of victory.”
The unexpected resurgence of Gio Lo Celso, at least, means Tottenham still have a number ten capable of replicating Maddison’s impact in the final third. Lo Celso scored brilliant edge-of-the-box goals against both City and Villa.
The post 'Wheels come off': Simon Jordan pinpoints £40m man as main reason for Tottenham struggles appeared first on HITC.
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