James Maddison says he couldn’t believe one Postecoglou decision earlier this season

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James Maddison has admitted that he was very surprised when Ange Postecoglou announced that he was Tottenham Hotspur’s new vice-captain alongside Cristian Romero.

Maddison was speaking in a Q&A posted on Spurs’ official account as he was asked what it was like to be handed the role so soon after his move from Leicester City.

James Maddison admits being made vice-captain by Ange Postecoglou surprised him

Few were probably surprised when James Maddison quickly established himself as Tottenham’s talisman following Harry Kane’s departure. He has previously been absolutely outstanding with Leicester.

But what did perhaps come as a shock was the decision to make him vice-captain alongside Cristian Romero, with Son Heung-min named as the skipper.

Son has suggested that he was so nervous when he was named captain by Ange Postecoglou. And it seems that Maddison was just as shocked by the announcement ahead of the campaign.

“Well, I was taken aback. Obviously, I was very surprised,” he told the Q&A. “The gaffer hadn’t said anything to me previous. He announced that Sonny was the captain, and me and Cuti were the vice-captains to the group. I was a little bit taken aback.

“Obviously honoured, a great honour. Just because I’m a new player. I always like to think that I’ve got good leadership skills and will carry myself in the way of a leader. But to get that recognition from the manager, and for him to put that trust in me in that role to be captain, me or Cuti whenever Son is absent, or even just be a leader around the group that he feels that I’m capable of doing that, yeah, was very honoured.”

Tottenham boss vindicated for leadership group decision

Maddison has certainly delivered. And he most definitely looks like a real leader on the pitch. The 27-year-old has scored three goals and provided five assists so far. There are many, many more to come.

Maddison has arguably been the best player in the Premier League so far this season. And it is a massive blow for Tottenham that Maddison looks set to miss the rest of the calendar year due to injury.

In fact, the entire leadership group have largely stepped up. Son has looked to be back to his best, with eight goals so far. Meanwhile, Cristian Romero was superb alongside Micky van de Ven.

Romero did slip back into old habits with the red card against Chelsea. But that challenge was the anomaly for him this season. The Argentinian looked transformed. And you would imagine that he will feel like he has point to prove when he returns from suspension.

Certainly, Tottenham are a serious force when they have Son, Romero and Maddison all on the pitch at the same time.