Roberto De Zerbi’s latest James Maddison injury news will have Tottenham fans conflicted

Roberto De Zerbi’s latest James Maddison injury news will have Tottenham fans conflicted

Roberto De Zerbi explains why James Maddison remains on the sidelines despite Spurs’ injury crisis

Tottenham Hotspur fans have been eagerly awaiting news on star attacking midfielder James Maddison, who has been training with the squad and appears close to a return. In a show of unity, manager Roberto De Zerbi has even included the former Leicester City playmaker in official matchday squads to keep him involved with his teammates.

Yet De Zerbi has not given Maddison any game time, even though the veteran midfielder has become even more crucial to Spurs following the devastating news that breakout star Xavi Simons is sidelined for the rest of the season with a cruel ACL tear.

While Tottenham enjoyed a morale-boosting win last weekend over Aston Villa — now Europa League finalists — the club could still use Maddison’s leadership and attacking output in their fight against Premier League relegation. Upcoming fixtures include a clash with Leeds United and a derby against Chelsea over the next two weeks.

De Zerbi explains cautious approach

In his latest press conference ahead of the Leeds match, De Zerbi elaborated on why he is resisting the urge to rush Maddison back, despite the desperate circumstances.

Speaking to Football.London reporter Alasdair Gold, the Spurs boss said: “I am thinking about James Maddison because I am watching a top, top player. Maybe he is not ready yet to play, not as a physical condition but for the rhythm or intensity of the game. You are playing in the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world for rhythm and intensity.”

Even Maddison’s biggest supporters, clamouring for his immediate return, would likely concede that De Zerbi has a fair point. Maddison is an experienced Premier League star, but he is recovering from an ACL tear and is at an age where caution is wise. Mentally, there is no doubt he will be ready — but physically, it may be a different story. And De Zerbi, a seasoned manager in Europe’s top five leagues, is better placed than most to make that call.

That said, Maddison remains a player of genuine class, capable of changing a game in an instant — whether through a set piece, a defence-splitting through ball, or a long-range strike. As De Zerbi himself acknowledges, Maddison is an absolute top talent, and Spurs could certainly use someone of his quality, especially with Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke all sidelined in attack.