"It's not down to ability, but mentality" - Carragher snubs Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland while choosing Premier League player of the season so far

Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has named Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison as his Premier League Player of the Season so far. Carragher chose the Englishman ahead of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

The former footballer's comments came after Maddison starred for Spurs against Fulham on Monday, October 23. The 26-year-old scored his side's second goal in the 54th minute after Son Heung-min, who assisted his goal, had struck nine minutes before half-time.

Maddison, who joined Tottenham from Leicester City for a fee of around £40 million this summer, also laid out four key passes and won nine of his 13 duels. He made three tackles and won four fouls as well.

The victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium lifted Ange Postecoglou's men back to the top of the Premier League table. They have picked up 23 points from nine matches, with seven wins and two draws, and are two clear of second-placed Manchester City.

Speaking on Sky Sports after Monday's match, Carragher named Maddison the standout player of the Premier League season so far. He said (as quoted by SPORTbible):

"I think he has been that influential in that change at Spurs. Credit has to go to the manager because it’s philosophy and his style of play, but he’s been a major part of that.

"He took the number 10, that was Harry Kane ’s shirt, probably the greatest player to play for Tottenham. I think at one stage he had the captain’s armband. He’s just that type of personality and you mention about taking that step up and going to a bigger club."

The former defender, who won the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups and three League Cups with Liverpool between 1996 and 2013, added:

"Sometimes it’s too much for players and they can’t handle it. It’s not down to ability, but mentality and he can. He’s embracing that and going to a bigger club."

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil, who was on Sky Sports alongside Carragher, agreed with the latter's assessment. O'Neil stated that Maddison had an "unbelievable belief in his ability" that was complemented by his work ethic.

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Looking at the 2023-24 Premier League stats of James Maddison, Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland

The goal on Monday was James Maddison's third of the Premier League season.

He is also the league's best playmaker after nine games with five assists. The Tottenham Hotspur star has averaged 3.3 key passes, 2.3 ball recoveries, 1.7 successful dribbles, 6.2 duels won and 3.0 fouls won per game as well.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has the most goal contributions in the league this season with 11 (seven goals, four assists). The Liverpool superstar has been his side's best player so far, averaging 2.2 key passes, 2.2 ball recoveries, 3.3 duels won and 1.1 fouls won per game.

Lastly, Erling Haaland leads the Premier League's scoring charts this season with nine goals in as many matches, as well as one assist. The Manchester City star has been criticized in recent weeks for missing chances - he has already missed nine big chances in the league - but is still averaging a goal a game.

Haaland has also recorded 1.1 key passes, 2.2 duels won and 0.6 fouls won per game.