James Maddison has been comparing himself to Premier League attackers, and there is one ‘top’ Everton player who he surprisingly backs himself over.
Maddison underwent ACL surgery over the summer after suffering a knee injury, which is set to keep him sidelined into the New Year.
Tottenham Hotspur will be devastated to have lost the midfielder for a sustained period of time, given his importance to Thomas Frank’s team.
The 28-year-old has now been ranking himself up against several former teammates, and there is an Everton star whom he thinks he’s still better than.
James Maddison backs himself ahead of Jack Grealish
James Maddison still believes that he is a better player than his close friend and England teammate, Jack Grealish.
Grealish has been brilliant since joining Everton on loan, and is currently one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.
The forward has one goal and four assists in his first seven Premier League games, including a crucial late winner against Crystal Palace.
But despite his impressive start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Maddison is confident in his ability over that of Grealish.
The Spurs star also picked himself ahead of Mason Mount, Youri Tielemans and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, before finally admitting Phil Foden was a superior player.
When playing a game of speak until you see a player better than himself, Maddison told EA Sports FC: “Yeah, I love Phil (Foden) as a player.
“I thought about it for Jack because he’s a top player and he’s my mate, but then I thought, actually, I’m not giving him that one.”
James Maddison’s Premier League stats compared to Jack Grealish
Maddison actually has more Premier League goals and assists than Grealish, with 56 goals and 51 assists in 222 appearances.
The Spurs star is averaging a Premier League goal contribution every 0.48 matches, meanwhile, Grealish is at 0.32 goal contributions per game.
The Toffees loan star does boast a superior trophy cabinet to Maddison, having played a role in three Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Both Grealish and Maddison have suffered the pain of being relegated from the top-flight, with Leicester City and Aston Villa, respectively.