James Maddison: Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has ‘no problem’ with darts visit
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he has “no problem” with James Maddison going to watch darts despite being unable to start the match due to illness.
The England midfielder was due to start last Sunday’s home game against Wolves at 15:00 GMT, but was deemed well enough to sit on the bench.
He came on in the 64th minute of a 2–2 draw.
A few hours later he was pictured with teammate Brennan Johnson at the World Darts Championship tie between Luke Humphreys and Peter Wright at London’s Alexandra Palace.
“I have no problem with players saving their lives,” Postecoglou said. “Playing the game of football and living a life are very different. I don’t see any problem with it and I don’t think it has harmed him.”
“He wasn’t 100% and it was a game where we needed someone who was 100%. He was still good enough to play.
“If he was in bed, didn’t come to the game and still went to darts, there might be an issue. But I had no problem with it.”
Maddison, who celebrates goals by pretending to throw a dart, has scored eight and provided five assists in 26 games this season.
Postecoglou said, “I still think the key with Madders is to keep him fit, keep him healthy, keep him sharp and not play every game, especially with the schedule we’ve got.”
“When he has played this year his goal numbers have been strong, he has always affected the game and we need him to keep doing that.”
