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Maddison rise shows why Farke is so hard on his City youngsters
James Maddison faces Norwich City for the first time at Carrow Road since his club record Leicester City move Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Emi Buendia and the rest of Norwich City’s starlets should take a leaf out of James Maddison’s book ahead of the Leicester City midfielder’s Carrow Road homecoming.
Daniel Farke has pointed out Buendia's flaws as well as his fantastic potential in recent days, but Maddison had to endure the same growing pains under Farke before his club record move.
The England international returns to Carrow Road tonight touted as one of the best young players in the country.
"I can remember a scene from our first pre-season camp, when we were doing running drills and he was lying there on the pitch with cramp and wanted to stop but I had to tell him to go further on," said Farke. "It was not about me punishing him, but he had to work a lot on his tactical behaviour and several other things.
"We are living in a society and a football business where young players are praised so much and so early.
"It is not about posing to be the best player in the world. It is about what you can do to help the team and then if the team is successful you can shine. It's not all about them.
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"I love Emi's capability to provide assists and key passes and hopefully one day he will be on the level of (Lionel) Messi, but like James or any of the other younger players here now he has to work and he has to improve.
"I am sure he will do. His reaction earlier in the season was what I wanted. He is humble and emotional and he wants to play but he knows exactly what he has to do."
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Farke is out to ensure Maddison is not the star of the show, with City desperate for points at the bottom of the Premier League.
"He deserves a great reception," he said. "He developed fantastically well here at Norwich and his behaviour was always top class. For such a young player he was always humble and showed his pride to wear the yellow shirt.
"We don't have to speak about the quality. I believe he will also play an important role for the Three Lions because he has so many skills. I would prefer to still see him in the yellow shirt but it will be important to control him if he we want to stop Leicester's attacking play.
"It's always great to see James because I love this guy.
"One thing is for sure though, we won't be giving him a warm reception on the pitch. We want to make his life as difficult as possible."
