Coventry City Academy boss Richard Stevens has said that James Maddison has a hunger for the ball.
Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph's Andy Turner, Maddison said: “He’s got such a hunger to take the ball, whether he’s training with the Under-16s or playing at the Ricoh with the first team. He believes he can unlock a game or make something happen.
“He moved Jim O’Brien off the ball for a free-kick – a 17-year-old shifting a senior pro – so he’s a great character and personality.
“He’s a creator of goal-scoring opportunities, he scores goals and can take penalties, so he really has got a range of attributes and is one of those boys you can drop into different areas of the pitch and he can pull out different skill sets and adapt to a position.
“He’s just finding his feet in first team set-up but I’m sure James has the ability to be a really good footballer,” said Stevens who revealed the lad’s idol is Ronaldo.“You need opportunities, which is what he’s getting. He’s been broken in early and earned his first professional contract which is great for the age groups underneath him who know of him.
“He represents everything we’ve done here at the Academy, the culture and gives boys the belief that they can be next as that wall of fame at the Academy gets bigger and bigger as more players appear on it.”
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