Rodgers: Arsenal-linked Maddison and £100m Grealish are ‘the same’

Joe Williams
Jack Grealish James Maddison

Brendan Rodgers thinks Leicester City midfielder James Maddison and new Manchester City signing Jack Grealish have “the same” creative style of play.

Grealish completed a transfer from Aston Villa to City last week for £100m after two brilliant seasons in the Premier League for Dean Smith’s side.

The England international has contributed 14 goals and 16 assists in the last two Premier League campaigns, winning his first England caps in the process.


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In the same period, Maddison has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists for his Leicester team-mates.

And Rodgers has compared Grealish and Maddison with rumours the latter could be sold to Arsenal, the Leicester boss said: “I think they are both close. They are both very talented players.

“Stylistically, I think they’re the same. They are both creators. But I would say they are both totally different. One is a dribbler – one commits people down the sides.

“James is more central and he’s more of a passer. So yes, they are both creative players but stylistically they are both very different.

“Everyone could see today how hard James works for the team, his quality and how he takes the ball. His eye for the last pass.

“He is a wonderful talent and I thought he was excellent tactically because they really challenge you in that respect. I thought he was brilliant.”

Rodgers added: “James was unfortunate in that he suffered from a number of injuries which curtailed his progress last season.

“This will be a big year for him, trying to maintain that fitness – you need a little bit of luck with that as well.

“All he can do is play to the highest possible level for Leicester and see where it takes him.”

Arsenal are understood to be unwilling to meet Leicester’s £60m valuation of Maddison this summer with the Gunners preferring a player-plus-cash deal.

The Foxes reportedly turned down an offer last week including Joe Willock – who is now set to join Newcastle United – for Maddison with Leicester insisting on a cash-only deal for Maddison.