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Football

25th Nov 2020

James Maddison explains reason behind popular ‘A’ celebration

Reuben Pinder

A number of Premier League stars have used the celebration

You might have seen a few Premier League players celebrating goals this season by making an ‘A’ gesture with their hands. James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and Ben Chilwell have all done it, for reasons unknown – until now.

Leicester star Maddison has revealed that the inspiration behind the gesture is that they’re all part of a Whatsapp group named ‘The Avengers’. Yeah, a bit sad but who are we to criticise other people’s in-jokes?

“We have a little group chat called The Avengers,” Maddison told former Hull midfielder David Meyler in a video for EA Sports.

Maddison revealed that fellow England internationals Ben Chilwell, Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley, Dele Alli and Scotland midfielder John McGinn are in the group.

Maddison also spoke about his friendship with Chilwell, who he calls his best friend during their time at Leicester together. Chilwell has now moved to Chelsea, but the pair remain close.

“Obviously he was my best friend here and welcomed me into the club, I knew him through the England Under-21s and the England set-up anyway,” Maddison said.

“You just have that one guy [at clubs] who’s like your best friend who you’ll have a coffee with, you’ll see outside of football and stuff and that was Chilly [Chilwell] for me…

“We built up a great relationship on and off the pitch.”