Mikey Moore: James Maddison compares Tottenham youngster to Neymar after ‘fearless’ performance in AZ Alkmaar win
Updated 25/10/2024 at 18:48 GMT+1
James Maddison compared Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore to Brazil icon Neymar after the North London side's 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar. Ange Postecoglou’s men continued their perfect start to their Europa League campaign, making it three wins from three after Richarlison dispatched a second half penalty. Moore stood out for the hosts and earned high praise from his team-mate.
'I thought we had Neymar on the wing' - Maddison hails 'fearless' Moore after Alkmaar win
Video credit: TNT Sports
James Maddison compared Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore to Neymar after a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou’s men continued their perfect start to the UEFA Europa League campaign courtesy of a second half penalty, dispatched by Richarlison after Lucas Bergvall was fouled in the box.
But among the game’s most notable talking points was 17-year-old Moore’s stellar second-half performance on the left flank.
At full-time, Spurs midfielder Maddison told TNT Sports: “From minute 45 to 65 I thought we had Neymar on the left wing. He was brilliant. Just demanding the ball and fearless.
“[He has] that young, fearless mentality and you never want to take that away from him. He’s a young kid, a brilliant lad, a lovely boy. He takes in information, and he’s got bags of ability, so I’ll be there as an older player, hopefully with some wise words to help along the way.
“He’s got all the ability. It’s just about knuckling down and working hard, which he does to be fair to him.”
Spurs boss Postecoglou was also quick to praise Moore's second half display after the game, labeling the "teenager" as outstanding.
“[In the second half] we put Mikey on the left," the Australian explained. "I think he’s more comfortable, as you saw, playing on the left-hand side. I thought he was outstanding in the second half.
“It’s exciting. Every challenge we throw at him he thrives on. He’s a great kid and working hard every day. It's exciting for us and the football club.”
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Meanwhile, TNT Sports pundit and Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle was equally complimentary of Moore. “What I like about him is his end product," Hoddle said.
"He can beat people, but there's an end product. He gets in behind players, he gets to the by-line.
"He could have made three goals in about ten minutes. Incredible.
"But I really like his positivity. He's aggressive with the ball. He runs at people, instantly wants to take them on, wants to get them on the back foot, and I think what he'll do as well is draw other players across to him.
"He's a very, very intelligent player in the position."
Ahead of Spurs' return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Postecoglou said he does not expect Moore to be affected by the immense praise heaped upon him.
"I think we all understand with young players, you have to be careful but after the game, I don't get the sense that that's going to affect Mikey at all," Postecoglou said.
"There's no denying he was great last night. I thought he was great the whole game. It's exciting for us."
Maddison explains Richarlison penalty disagreement
Another of the games' significant moments was a brief disagreement between Richarlison and Maddison over who would take Spurs' spot-kick.
Ultimately, Maddison, Spurs' stand-in skipper, passed on the responsibility to striker Richarlison, who duly converted to net his first goal of the season.
On the matter, Maddison said: "Initially we both wanted to take it. I'm a senior player. I was the captain today and I was going to take it.
"I had a little thought in my head and just thought Richy's come back from an injury, it can be difficult coming back, especially as a striker - I knew that last year, it took me a while to get my first goal.
"That really gives you confidence. It was a split-second to let him take it and it'll do him the world of good.
"It's about leadership. I wore the armband tonight, but even if I wasn't [wearing it], I'd still like to think I'd make decisions which were best for the team.
"Richy's a good penalty taker and hopefully it gives him a big boost."
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Watch: Richarlison and Maddison argue over penalty before Brazilian tucks home for Spurs
Video credit: TNT Sports
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