EXCLUSIVE: James Maddison brutally told he has 'perfect hair but no killer mentality' by Tottenham cult hero Rafael van der Vaart as Dutchman urges him to 'do more' ahead of north London derby with Arsenal

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Former Tottenham No.10 Rafael van der Vaart has claimed that James Maddison lacks a “killer mentality” ahead of Spurs’ huge clash with rivals Arsenal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Maddison has endured an up-and-down spell at Spurs since arriving from Leicester City in the summer of 2023. Having opened last season in brilliant form, he sustained an injury and struggled to recover. This season, he has provided two assists, but Van der Vaart, who became a legend in the same position at White Hart Lane, has urged him to do more and insists he simply does not possess a “killer” mentality.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Maddison provided 13 goal contributions last season but just five of those came after his comeback from injury, and Van der Vaart thinks that while he has all the tools to succeed as a top player, there is something holding him back. Indeed, his downturn in form towards the end of the season saw him left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.
- WHAT VAN DER VAART SAID
  
  Van der Vaart told GOAL: “I think it’s a difficult one. I think that he has everything, the ability, he’s quick with and without the ball so he can score, can give assists but somehow I have the feeling that the real killer mentality… that he doesn’t have that. It looks everything nice and the hair is perfect and everything, but that’s what I miss when I see him playing.”
  
  Asked if Maddison had that instinct at Leicester, Van der Vaart added: “I think it’s not his character. He’s just a player who I will come to the stadium for, because I really like him, but to make an even bigger impact than that, really that passion and that killer mentality that needs to be there (he doesn’t have). Maybe I’m wrong. There are too many games where I’ve thought ‘okay, he can do more’ because he is good, he scores and he has a big impact on the team. That’s my feeling when I see him play.”
  
  Rafael van der Vaart was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by correctly predicting Premier League scores. BeGambleAware 18+
- (C) Getty Images
  
  WHAT NEXT?
  
  Maddison has a huge opportunity to prove his worth this weekend when Spurs host Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday. Ange Postecoglou’s men have the opportunity to climb above their bitter rivals in the Premier League table, and put a dent in the Gunners’ title bid.