Puel compares Maddison to Hoddle after brilliant volley

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2018 by PA

Leicester boss Claude Puel compared James Maddison to Glenn Hoddle after the midfielder’s superb strike put him on the road to redemption.

England Under-21 star Maddison scored a brilliant volley in the 2-0 win over Watford to cap a turnaround following last week’s red card against Brighton.

Jamie Vardy’s early penalty put the hosts in charge and Watford never recovered, with Etienne Capoue sent off a minute from time after a two-footed tackle on Kelechi Iheanacho.

Maddison’s strike marked his comeback after he was dismissed for diving in the 1-1 draw on the south coast.

And Puel – who played with Hoddle at Monaco – believes he has seen flashes of the former England manager, who is recovering from a heart attack, in Maddison.

He said: “Yes (I have seen a goal like that) with Glenn Hoddle and I would like to wish Glenn all the best in this moment. There’s a comparison there because he (Maddison) can invent some different moves.

“After his sending off he wanted to give a good reward for his team mates, to come back.

“He was very upset with himself last week. He is improving and he is an intelligent player.

“He’s only played here since the start of the season. He can improve, to give more, but since the beginning he has improved.

“Before the talent there is the work and he worked for the team.”

Vardy scored just his fifth goal of the season when he was fouled by Ben Foster in the area and scored from the spot after 12 minutes.

Maddison then completed a sweeping move – which he started – when he brilliantly controlled Marc Albrighton’s cross, juggled past Adrian Mariappa and volleyed into the bottom corner.

Demarai Gray also hit the post in the second half but the Foxes’ early salvo was enough.

Puel added: “We know we played a tough game and a strong team. It was important to have a good response and to have the possibility to adapt. This direct style meant they prevented good pressing.”

Watford have now won just two of their last 11 games and missed fine chances through Isaac Success and Andre Gray.

Their misery was underlined when Capoue was shown a straight red card when he went in two-footed on Iheanacho a minute from the end.

Boss Javi Gracia said: “Yes (we will appeal). It was in front of me but I prefer not to say anything apart from what Iheanacho said. He said Capoue didn’t touch him and it’s more important than what I say.

“We dominated the possession, we had 62 per cent, but it wasn’t enough to finish the action. We created the chances but we didn’t shoot on target.

“We need to improve these situations. We are losing points because we are not efficient.

“When you score goals you feel more confident and maybe you finish better but when you don’t score you lose the confidence you need.”