cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/2915745
Maddisons involvement in Tottenhams chance creation is spectacular! Also is 99th percentile in shot creating actions and 93rd in progressive passes despite playing so high up the pitch.
Bellingham in certainly the more talented amd well rounded player, bjt Maddison has had just as impressive a start to the season which should not be overlooked.
I would absolutely not make any of those comparisons. And this isnt a comparison bw the two players but showing how differently they’ve been the best ‘10s’ in the world. Two English players who play in a similar zone of the pitch in attacking teams and dominating in such unique ways.
Why would you not make those comparisons?
Bellingham is more physical, athletic and takes more risks than Gundogan both while carrying the ball and with his passes the way de bruyne does. De bruyne is less free in his movement than Maddison (especially Maddison this season). De Bruyne is also less central and so the angles he recieves the ball and the profile of players be takes on is different. Also thr crossing and long range passing de bruyne has noone else does.
What other player(s) are in your view most like Maddison, past and present?
I’m not sure, maybe bruno fernandes but player roles change so much under different managers and as they evolve physically and tactically that it’s tough to have direct equivalents.
I meant in terms of profile “shape”. Here are three comparisons:
Bellingham v Maddison
Bellingham v Gündogan
Maddison v de Bruyne
See what I mean? Of course, different managers will have these players perform their role in different ways depending on their squad and tactics, so they will inevitably look different “on the eye”. E.g. look at the way Maddison is free to drop really deep in some games to act as a pivot and playmaker, which is something KDB doesn’t really do (Maddison’s season heatmap is building a deep left MF hotspot as a result). But I was talking more about their skills profiles and fit for certain roles. Of course, they’re not the same - I was just pointing out similarities in profile shape.
But agree that the Maddison and Bellingham comparison is very interesting. I wonder if Southgate can find a way for them to work together in the England squad? When they played together against Ukraine, they just got in each others’ way.