Maddison's Return to the King Power: A Frosty Welcome Awaits Former Leicester Star

James Maddison is set to make his first appearance at the King Power Stadium since his move to Tottenham Hotspur tonight, facing his former side Leicester City. The midfielder departed the Foxes following their relegation from the Premier League in 2023, joining Spurs in a deal worth over £40 million.

Maddison's time at Leicester was a fruitful one, featuring in over 200 appearances, playing a pivotal role in their FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, as well as their European campaigns. Despite his significant contribution, a frosty reception awaits him from the Leicester faithful.

So, what has caused the souring of the relationship between Maddison and the Leicester fanbase?

Maddison enjoyed a period of immense popularity at the King Power during his five seasons at the club, but his final year saw his relationship with supporters deteriorate rapidly.

As Leicester struggled with a declining form following the World Cup in Qatar, a growing sense of worry enveloped the fanbase. The team's lacklustre performances, particularly in a crucial defeat against Southampton in March 2023, fuelled the discontent.

A critical article suggesting that Leicester had "buckled under the pressure" proved to be the tipping point for Maddison, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration. His response, refuting the article and urging fans to "stop writing headlines like that", was met with hostility. The fanbase perceived his comments as a sign of arrogance, suggesting a lack of concern for the team's precarious situation.

This perception was exacerbated by two costly mistakes Maddison made in the final weeks of the season. A backpass against Bournemouth that led to a crucial goal for the Cherries and a missed penalty in a relegation six-pointer against Everton, further cemented the negative feelings towards him.

Despite his subsequent apologies and the passage of time, the memories of his controversial social media post and those pivotal errors remain fresh in the minds of many Leicester fans. While some supporters acknowledge his positive contributions to the club, the weight of those events may overshadow any warm welcome he might have received.

Marc Albrighton, a former Leicester winger, hopes that the positive memories of Maddison's time at the club will prevail, but he remains uncertain. "I think if we can remember the things that he's done for the club, obviously the FA Cup win was crucial," Albrighton told talkSPORT. "He was brilliant that season and he scored some really important goals for the club. When he was there, he'd give everything for the shirt. So I think it's important that the club and the fans remember those times and hopefully he'll get a warm reception, but I'm not too sure."

Whether Maddison receives a chorus of boos or a muted reception, one thing is certain – his return to the King Power will be a moment of intense scrutiny and mixed emotions.