sport news James Maddison endures chastening day on trip to club he could have joined... ... trends now

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James Maddison could have signed for Newcastle. There were multiple offers rejected in the summer of 2022 and, last year, their interest cooled when they were told the Leicester playmaker was hot on Tottenham.

‘There’s only one greedy b….’ chorused the home fans here. That is not entirely fair. He was motivated by reasons beyond money. On Saturday, however, there was every reason to doubt his rationale.

After all, those supporters only targeted Maddison because they wanted to see him in their colours. They aren’t short of crowd favourites at St James’ Park - Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon were outstanding in the 4-0 win - but Maddison has the skill and swagger they like.

It did not appear so during this game, but Newcastle have missed a playmaker of his ilk this season, and Maddison must have wondered if he’d made the right choice as his body language betrayed frustration with team-mates and a game-plan picked apart by Eddie Howe.

At one point, Maddison appeared to plead with Timo Werner to do more - blood and stones spring to mind - and the harder he tried himself, the worse it got. He was substituted in the 81st minute, much to the delight of the Toon Army.