The rollercoaster ride of 2024/25 was encapsulated by James Maddison.

Outstanding in the latter stages of our triumphant UEFA Europa League campaign, the midfielder scored in our Round of 16 second leg against AZ Alkmaar, won the crucial penalty to see us home in the quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt and then scored in the first half of our semi-final, first leg win against Bodo/Glimt - only to then suffer a knee injury in the second half that agonisingly ruled him out of the final.

Typically, 'Madders', one of our vice-captains, focused his leadership skills elsewhere and played a key support role for the squad in Bilbao - and few will forget the emotional scenes with skipper Heung-Min Son on the final whistle after our 1-0 win against Manchester United.

Madders' numbers were impressive in 24/25 - 12 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals in 31 in the Premier League and three in 11 in the UEL.

Signed from Leicester City in the summer of 2023, and named vice-captain to Heung-Min Son alongside Cuti Romero in August, 2023, Madders was a driving force into our Club record start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign under Ange Postecoglou.

Lining-up alongside Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr in midfield, James forged an immediate connection with Heung-Min Son, seen at its best against Arsenal at the Emirates in September, 2023, when he provided both assists for Sonny's double in the derby. His performances earned the Premier League's Player of the Month accolade for August, 2023.

Madders scored three times as we won eight of our first unbeaten 10 games to top the table in October before disaster struck on that key night against Chelsea in November, when he was forced off with an ankle injury on the same night we lost Micky van de Ven to injury and Cuti Romero and Destiny Udogie to red cards.

The playmaker spent the next 10 weeks sidelined until returning off the bench against City in the FA Cup on 26 January, 2024. He started 15 of our final 17 matches and made it into the Gareth Southgate's provisional squad ahead of Euro 2024 but, sadly, didn't make the final cut for Germany. In total, James made 30 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in N17, including starting 26 of his 28 appearances in the Premier League.

James began his career with Coventry City where he progressed through the youth ranks to make his professional debut in August, 2014, before joining Norwich City in January, 2016. Remaining with the Sky Blues on loan for the rest of 2015/16 campaign, he finished with 42 appearances in total for his home town club, scoring five goals.

An exciting creative midfielder, he made his debut for the Canaries in August, 2016, in an EFL Cup tie against his former side, before joining Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on loan for the first half of the season, making 17 appearances and netting twice.

Maddison became a key part of Norwich’s side the following season, making 49 appearances in all competitions, and ended the campaign as the club’s top scorer with 15 goals, claiming City’s Player of the Season award.

Earning recognition for his outstanding performances, James claimed numerous personal accolades throughout 2017/18, including the Championship Young Player of the Month award for January, 2018, and the Championship Goal of the Month award for September, 2017, and January, 2018. In addition to being nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season, he was also named in both the Championship and PFA Team of the Year.

In July, 2018, James signed for Leicester City, making his Premier League debut the following month in a season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Enjoying an excellent first season, in which he made 38 appearances, he collected City’s Young Player of the Season award as he ended the campaign with 14 goal involvements.

The playmaker made 203 appearances over a five-year spell with Leicester, scoring 55 goals and, in 2020/21, claimed the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award for September, 2020, with a stunning curling finish at Manchester City, while also helping the Foxes to lift the FA Cup in May, 2021.

The 2021/22 season began with a Community Shield victory over Manchester City and was ultimately another impressive campaign for the midfielder, claiming the club’s Player of the Season award after netting 18 goals and registering 12 assists - his most prolific campaign to date. He then followed that up with a further 19 goal contributions in just 30 outings for the Foxes in 2022/23.

After representing England at Under-21 level, James received his first call-up to the senior squad in October, 2018, making his debut in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro in November, 2019. He was then named in Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad and, after his impressive club form, earned his first start for the Three Lions in March, 2023, in a Euro 2024 qualifying match with Ukraine at Wembley Stadium. James was named in the provisional England squad ahead of Euro 2024, and earned his seventh cap against Bosnia & Herzegovina in early June, but unfortunately wasn't selected for the final 26 for the tournament.