Jacob can aim to fulfil potential in spell here, says JFH
JACOB Maddox can begin to fulfil his huge potential with Burton Albion, manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes.
Maddox became the 10th new arrival of the summer for the Brewers when he signed on a season-long loan from Portuguese club Vitoria SC.
The Bristol-born attacking midfielder has returned to England looking to kick-start his career after making only three appearances, starting only once, in his first season in Portugal.
Prior to that, he was with Chelsea and had a loan spell with Cheltenham Town in League Two in 201819, making 44 appearances and scoring four goals.
It was in training with Chelsea where Hasselbaink first saw Maddox, as the Burton boss set out on his coaching career.
“I knew him from Chelsea, when I was coaching the younger ones in my early coaching years,” said Hasselbaink.
“He was a big prospect. It hasn’t worked out for him yet. His agent got him a big move to Portugal and that didn’t work out.
“Hopefully, he can get his career kick-started here with some big performances, some assists and goals.
“He’s still young. I don’t know if he was really homesick but he went from Chelsea to Vitorial and didn’t play that much with the team.
“He was in a different country by himself and that’s sometimes difficult for a young boy.
“He wanted to come back and we took the opportunity. We were lucky that he was available and wanted to come on loan.
“We wanted to do it on a permanent but his club didn’t want to let him go.”
Maddox was 16 when he started with Chelsea’s academy and is 22 now.
Hasselbaink has assembled a wealth of talent and competition in the Brewers’ midfield for the new season but players like Terry Taylor, Bryn Morris, Tom O’connor and Conor Shaughnessy will be among those whose main task is to keep things solid.
Maddox and Joe Powell will be seen as the potentially more attacking midfielders and Hasselbaink thinks Maddox can fulfil several roles.
“He’s a very exciting young player who can play in four positions,” said the Dutchman.
“He can play central midfield, on the right or the left, or as a number 10, so he’s very versatile.
“Jacob is a more attacking midfielder. Joe Powell is also one who can play wide.
“I’ve got four central midfielders. We’ve been playing with three, one
attacking.
“There has to be competition there, you have to fight for that shirt.
“I think, when we came in last year, there was not enough, people were comfortable and knowing they had a place.
“With some players, you have to put an arm around the shoulder and tell them that it’s their place and their place to lose.
“With others, you need to have a stick and say ‘your place is not guaranteed.’ They need to see there is someone on the bench or in training that wants their place.”