Maddison reveals one Arsenal star he wishes played for Tottenham

Cameron Smith

• 5 Dec 2023 09:32 CST
• 3 min read

Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison has admitted that he “hates” the fact that Declan Rice plays for their north London rivals Arsenal.

Maddison, 27, joined Spurs on a five-year deal from Leicester City during the summer after the Foxes were relegated to the Championship.

Tottenham paid €46.3 million to sign the England international and he won the Premier League’s August Player of the Month after a fantastic start to life under Ange Postecoglou.

However, after three goals and five assists in 11 league games for his new club, Maddison suffered an ankle injury during a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November and he is expected to be sidelined until January.

In his absence, Tottenham have looked a far inferior side, but they remain in fifth place in the Premier League table, and are only six points behind league-leaders Arsenal.

Their north London arch-enemies have begun the new campaign in excellent fashion, with Rice playing a key role in their form since the 2023-24 season started.

Maddison’s England team-mate also moved clubs during the summer window - switching West Ham United for Arsenal after a €116.6m fee was agreed between the two teams.

However, Maddison is frustrated that Rice decided to join Arsenal.

What has Maddison said?

The Tottenham attacking midfielder spoke to former Manchester United, Watford and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster on TalkSPORT and admitted: “He’s [Rice] got everything. He’s technically really good.

“He is a joke when it comes to low-cut passes. I think he’s a top, top player, I hate that he plays for Arsenal.”

Rice has two goals and two assists in 21 appearances for his new club, while he has tasted defeat on just one occasion in the Premier League this campaign (versus Newcastle).

The Arsenal midfielder wasn’t the only England star praised by Maddison during his interview with Foster. The ex-Leicester man also spoke about Jude Bellingham, who won the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award in 2023.

“I think I’m his biggest fan, he just loves footy,” Maddison said. “I just had no doubt (that he’d be a success at Real Madrid), because of his mentality.

“He’s got a 30-year-old mentality of a Premier League veteran who’s played 600 league games. The way he carries himself and the way he speaks, it’s of the highest order.”

Bellingham joined Real Madrid for €103 during the summer and has 15 goals in just 17 games for his new club.

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