“We need to control it” – Pochettino on how Chelsea stop James Maddison | OneFootball

James Maddison was a great player for years at Leicester, and he’s gone up a gear this year with a Spurs team that are battling for the league title – at least up to this point.

He’s dominating most creative stats, picking up assists and proving to be the creative hub of Ange Postecoglou’s team, and stopping him will be vital for Chelsea tonight.

In his pre-match chat with the cameras tonight, Mauricio Pochettino was more than willing to admit it. It seems like it’s one of the things which the coach has focused on in the buildup to this game:

“Maddison is doing really well, he’s had a great impact for Tottenham. It’s a challenge for us, we’re still evolving and we need time because the team is young,” the coach said, getting his excuses in early once again.

“The key today is to stop Maddison because we need to dominate the midfield area. They are strong with Bissouma and Sarr, they recover the ball as soon as possible. We need to control it with Enzo, Gallagher and Moises Caicedo.”

That is certainly a dynamic midfield 3, and they can without doubt dominate the game if they are all in form. But in front of a boiling White Hart Lane, that’s going to be easier said than done.