? 20 Posted January 14, 2018 I don''t think it''s too much of a stretch to say James ranks as the best player in this division. He''s certainly one of the best, and clearly he''ll head on to bigger clubs than Norwich at some point. And, although he''s not truly ''young'' for a footballer, he''s got years of development ahead of him.The question is, how far do you guys think Maddison can go, in his career?For me, he''s clearly amongst the best young talents i''ve seen in a Norwich shirt - right up there with the likes of Eadie, Bellamy, and Ashton. But i''ve only been going since 91, so would be interesting to hear how he rates along side City players from earlier times.Those three all looked, almost from their debuts, that they were too good for ''our level'' and would move on to better things. The first two obviously had huge injury setbacks and never met their full potential - both would have become England regulars, as far as i''m concerned, and played for top sides, with European football. Ashton looked the best English striker i''d seen since Shearer.Bellamy had a good career, but never seemed to meet his potential either - presumably because he was a bit of a, er.... questionable character, to put it charitably.Does Maddison achieve more than the three of them?My old man says he''s the best young talent he''s seen at Norwich, and he''s been going since the 60s. But he''s also prone to exaggerate!Anyone got any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duncan Edwards 2,229 Posted January 14, 2018 Bellamy was the best I’ve seen; such pace, confidence, ability and of course goals. When he joined Coventry I felt much like I do about Pritchard joining Huddersfield. It’s nothing more than a stepping stone. Maddison is an enormous talent. I’ve rated him as the best footballer on the field of play more often than I have t this season and he clearly has a huge future that sadly won’t involve a great deal more of Norwich City. He has the cocky assurance that Bellamy had and he shows huge faith in his own ability. Two-footed, vision, goals....he promises much. His next move will be key and I hope it’s the right one for him. Will he play for England? Dunno. But worse players have already. If he has a career as good as Craig Bellamy did then he’ll have done very well indeed. For now I’ll just enjoy watching him in a proper shirt while I can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,745 Posted January 14, 2018 The only doubt I have is his physicality to play in the premier league...does seem still a little lightweight and you wonder which sort of premier league side would accommodate and entrust him with a no.10 role...Might he toughen up with age?....I''m not sure ...think he''d always be slight of build....can just see the physical nature of the top league in English football being a barrier to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted January 14, 2018 Best young outfield player I’ve ever seen at Norwich bar none. Simple as that. He will go to the very top I have absolutely zero doubt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr footy 36 Posted January 14, 2018 Very good at this level but will find it harder against prem teams.Needs to get stronger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yorkshire Canary 118 Posted January 14, 2018 A wonderful player who has come on leaps and bounds this season. For me the best non wide playing midfielder i have seen here in nearly 30 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ec-p 90 Posted January 14, 2018 Tony Cascarino bigging him up on Talksport just now. Says Maddison has the highest assist rate in Europe. Not sue that''s true though, is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wcorkcanary 4,334 Posted January 14, 2018 Madders to Barca then, with maybe cash and Messi to City. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted January 14, 2018 You sure he’s not on about Marcus Maddison at Peterborough who has 20 assists already? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ec-p 90 Posted January 14, 2018 He was definitely talking about our Maddison, as Georgie Bingham slagged us off after. Think he must have got them mixed up then. Quality broadcasting as usual! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coneys Knee 952 Posted January 14, 2018 Let''s just hope we get the right price for him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellow and Green 334 Posted January 14, 2018 Here''s a question: Who would you prefer, a 21 year old James Maddison or a 21 year old Wes Hoolahan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whoareyou? 0 Posted January 14, 2018 Up there with the internationals Wolves have signed. Less than £25 million would be giving him away but if we can keep him for another 18 months i reckon the price will be higher still.England international in the making. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted January 14, 2018 Don''t know if this has been put on here before, but a good insight into the lad. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/norwich-james-maddison-exclusive-interview-coventry-chelsea-fa-cup-a8143656.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 9,653 Posted January 14, 2018 He has everything going for him and on top of that, is a really nice, down to earth guy. Not cocky or arrogant at all off the football pitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted January 14, 2018 Just realised that finish yesterday was with his left leg as well. Presuming he’s right footed as he usually hits free kicks with that one, makes him even more impressive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingsway 94 Posted January 14, 2018 Definitely very talented, the end product stats back that up!I think he needs to see the season out with us at least cause I suspect he''ll improve more staying with us and in the team rather than being in and out of a Prem team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DDD In The Fine City 1 Posted January 14, 2018 There''s a great YouTube video of him from a young age, shows how much hard work he''s put in to get to where he is now, the fact he stays late after training most days to practice free kicks says a lot, if he bulks up a bit there''s no reason he can''t go to the very top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Essjayess 307 Posted January 14, 2018 As to rate him as player in a City shirt, always hard to compare against former players, but hes up there with the best of them. As to the physicality of Madders, my opinion is that if he can come thru a 46 game season in the Champs pretty much unscathed, thats testament enough.Hes targeted and clogged regularly in this division, as he was in the Chelsea game, and im sure after most matches his shins and ankles will be burning red, but so far seems to have that knack of escaping any serious injury to his person.His future potential is sky high, its honestly that good. Financially, when the time comes to sell him, his transfer could well single handedly complete the process of the club going thru and beyond the 2 season parachute stage and survive intact pretty much debt free. Its all conjecture of course, but realistically City could at least double his sell fee compared to the 10-13 million region we have gotten with the Pritchard, Redmond, Brady and Jacob Murphy sales. In a bidding war between some of the top 6 clubs who knows... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites