Roy Keane has expressed reservations regarding the widely perceived quality of James Maddison, just as the Tottenham Hotspur star nears his return from injury.

Maddison’s injury setback in November appeared to pose a significant setback, considering his impressive start at North London. The 27-year-old had established himself as one of the standout players in the Premier League, contributing three goals and five assists under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou.

Keane’s perspective, however, diverges from the general acclaim for Maddison. On the “Stick to Football” show, he indicated that he does not share the widespread enthusiasm about Maddison’s abilities, tempering expectations by stating, “I think he is a good player. Not as good as everyone is making out. I like him, I think he’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s like De Bruyne coming back for them.”

Notably, Tottenham’s performance in Maddison’s absence speaks to Keane’s point, as the team continued to score in every league game despite his absence. This might indicate that the club has coped adequately in Maddison’s absence, particularly considering the absence of players like Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero during that period.

Nevertheless, Maddison’s imminent return is anticipated to significantly bolster the team’s attacking prowess, with the former Leicester City player expected to slot straight back into the starting lineup upon regaining full fitness. His ability to unify and elevate the quality of Tottenham’s attacking unit has been underscored, further emphasizing the anxiety he is likely to induce in opposing teams once reintegrated into Postecoglou’s lineup.