POTM (Premier League) – August 2023

Few players have announced themselves at a new club quite like James Maddison did in August 2023. Arriving at Tottenham Hotspur with a reputation for creativity, personality, and elite set-piece quality, Maddison wasted no time in becoming the heartbeat of Ange Postecoglou’s new-look Spurs.
Across the opening month of the 2023/24 Premier League season, Maddison blended flair with authority, shouldering creative responsibility and lifting those around him. Goals, assists, and relentless influence followed, making his Player of the Month award feel not just deserved, but inevitable.
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Match By Match
August 13th: Brentford 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur – Maddison’s Premier League debut in a Spurs shirt came away at Brentford, and while the result was mixed, his performance was anything but. Operating as the central creative force, Maddison immediately showcased why Tottenham had invested in him. He played with freedom between the lines, constantly demanding the ball and dictating tempo. His first goal contribution arrived via a perfectly delivered set piece, assisting Cristian Romero with a pinpoint corner that underlined his dead-ball excellence. Beyond the assist, Maddison’s movement and vision repeatedly unsettled Brentford’s midfield. Spurs may not have taken all three points, but it was clear from day one that Maddison was going to be central to everything they did.
August 19th: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester United – If there were any doubts about Maddison’s ability to shine on the biggest stage, they were emphatically erased against Manchester United. In a statement performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Maddison opened his Spurs goal account by reacting quickest in the box, finishing calmly to give Spurs the lead. It was a goal born from intelligence and anticipation rather than flash, an example of his growing all-round game. He wasn’t finished there. Maddison also provided the assist for Pape Matar Sarr’s strike, cleverly finding space and threading the pass that set the move in motion. Throughout the match, he led Spurs’ pressing, orchestrated attacks, and looked every inch a talisman. This was the night Maddison truly announced himself as Spurs’ new conductor.
August 26th: Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur – Maddison saved his most clinical performance of the month for the south coast. Against Bournemouth, he delivered a masterclass in timing and composure, scoring both goals in a controlled 2–0 victory. The first saw him arrive late into the box to finish confidently, while the second demonstrated his ability to find space under pressure and punish defensive lapses. Beyond the goals, Maddison’s control of the game stood out. He linked play effortlessly, helped Spurs manage the tempo, and consistently made the right decisions in the final third. It was the performance of a player completely at ease in his new surroundings.
