has revealed how ’s promise of a ‘completely different team’ convinced him to move to Tottenham.
The north Londoners moved quickly to for the England international this week, with Harry Winks heading in the other direction to Leicester City in a separate £10m deal.
Maddison had interest from Newcastle United and other Premier League clubs but picked a move to Spurs despite the absence of European football on offer.
The 26-year-old has now spoken about the role new manager Postecoglou played in his decision, with the Australian leaving a lasting impression on the midfielder when they spoke.
‘Being a Spurs player now is something I’m very excited about. I feel a hunger about the place,’ Maddison told the club’s official website.
‘You come here and get a feel for the club, for the people.
‘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.
‘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.
‘I spoke to Daniel [Levy, the chairman] 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.’
Tottenham have had three successive managers over the past four years who have all played more pragmatic, counter-attacking football in the shape of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
But Postecoglou has an attacking, possession-based philosophy that is far more in tandem with what Tottenham fans want to see – and which they played under managers like Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Redknapp.
Maddison, who Spurs have been interested in for the best part of a decade, will provide a much-needed creative spark, while the north Londoners have already moved quickly to secure .
, . , and .
