Spurs expert John Wenham has questioned Roberto De Zerbi’s reported decision to appoint James Maddison as Tottenham’s new club captain.

Tottenham Boss Urged to Rethink Maddison Captaincy Choice

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is facing mounting calls to overturn his reported decision to install James Maddison as the club’s permanent captain.

John Wenham, a prominent Spurs pundit and owner of The Lilywhite Rose, has publicly questioned the wisdom of handing the armband to the 29-year-old midfielder on a full-time basis.

With current skipper Cristian Romero widely expected to exit following a fresh wave of interest from Atletico Madrid, De Zerbi is on the lookout for a new on-field leader to drive his vision forward in North London.

Central to the criticism is Maddison’s troubling injury record. The England international endured a stop-start campaign last season, managing only three appearances and logging between just 34 and 71 minutes of action as recurring fitness issues kept him sidelined for long stretches.

Compounding those worries is Maddison’s complete absence from Tottenham’s pre-season schedule under De Zerbi so far.

In an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Wenham stressed that a captain must be a reliable on-pitch presence—especially when the team faces adversity—and pointed to Maddison’s lack of match minutes in warm-up fixtures as a glaring cause for concern.

“Maddison is yet to start or feature at all in a pre-season game, so there is the issue of how much he is actually going to be on the pitch,” Wenham remarked.

Beyond physical durability, doubts have also been raised about whether it is wise to retain leaders associated with back-to-back 17th-place Premier League finishes.

Many observers believe a full reset of the senior core is essential to elevate standards and shift the club’s mindset after two dismal domestic campaigns.

Wenham argued that figures who formed the heart of the old leadership group should not be entrusted with guiding De Zerbi’s revamped outfit.

Given that the Italian coach is rolling out a distinct tactical system, installing fresh authority figures in the dressing room is viewed as a prerequisite for reigniting the team’s competitive edge.

New Recruits Tipped as Captaincy Alternatives

Rather than looking inward for a successor, some pundits are advocating for De Zerbi to hand the captaincy to one of Tottenham’s recent arrivals.

The club has moved decisively in the transfer market, adding several seasoned campaigners who could immediately command respect in the dressing room.

Among those touted for the role are defensive reinforcements Jan Paul van Hecke and Andrew Robertson, as well as Italian midfield stalwart Sandro Tonali.

All three have been singled out as natural leaders with the character to set a fresh tone.

Tonali, in particular, is viewed as an ideal fit—not only for De Zerbi’s tactical philosophy but also for the relentless durability required to steer Tottenham through the rigours of the upcoming Premier League season.