Claude Puel likens James Maddison to Glenn Hoddle and thanks Watford supporters for donations and banner

The Watford supporters displayed a banner that read: “Thank you Vichai for allowing us all to dream. Rest in peace.”

Saturday 01 December 2018 21:50 GMT
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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.

James Maddison and Jamie Vardy were on target in Leicester’s win against Watford
James Maddison and Jamie Vardy were on target in Leicester’s win against Watford (Getty)

“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.”

Elsewhere, Leicester gave free food and drink to Watford fans at the King Power Stadium after they unveiled banners praising the Foxes’ late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

One banner read: “Thank you Vichai for allowing us all to dream. Rest in peace.” The second listed the names of the four other people killed in the helicopter crash just over a month ago.

Watford fans displayed a banner thanking Leicester’s late owner
Watford fans displayed a banner thanking Leicester’s late owner (Getty)

The game was the second Premier League game played at the King Power since Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter came down just outside the ground moments after taking off.

Watford fans’ group The 1881 Movement raised money for the banners, with the excess of £1,712 to be donated to a Leicester foundation supported by Srivaddhanaprabha.

The fans’ group then announced that Leicester’s vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, son of Vichai, had offered complimentary food and drink at Saturday’s match as a thank you gesture.

Foxes manager Claude Puel also voiced his appreciation over the banners.

“I would like to thank the Watford fans about the banner. It’s a fantastic feeling and fantastic support for our chairman,” the Frenchman said after the match, which Leicester won 2-0.

PA

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