Tottenham Hotspur still are not at a point in James Maddison's return from an ACL tear where they can count on him for a start, much less a full 90 minutes, but he has been consistently playing more and more bit by bit to the point where Spurs can think strongly about returning him to the starting XI this weekend in the crucial final game of the season vs. Everton.
Spurs need a draw desperately to stay alive in the Premier League vs. the Toffees after getting trounced by Chelsea 2-1, shredded by a bitter rival for the fourth and final time in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
In truth, Maddison did not do a whole lot in his approximately 20-25 minutes on the pitch against the Blues at Stamford Bridge, creating no chances nor drawing any fouls or completing any dribbles. He was about as effective as any of the other attacking players on Tottenham, which is to say he did a whole lot of nothing.
Tottenham need a James Maddison start
However, when watching him receive the ball, turn, his first touch, and his passing, it's clear and obvious to every single Tottenham Hotspur supporter that James Maddison is several levels of class above his teammates.
Spurs are sorely lacking in attacking quality. None of their attackers would be a starting player for Spurs under normal circumstances, as the season ending injuries to crucial summer transfers Mohammed Kudus and Xavi SImons have been felt badly - as have the lingering injuries from last season to Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.
But even then, it is no excuse how Tottenham have mismanaged the striker position. Maddison might actually be the one guy Spurs can count on the most for a goal this weekend against Everton, and that's truy terrible on the rest of the forwards, especially with Richarlison quietly sliding back down to another poor patch of form.
The technical level and lack of creativity or ability to do the fundamentals well off the dribble or even with simple passes is also a major issue. Tottenham have forwards who are not able to get the ball to open players for goals, and Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have made first touches that have fans vomiting in their seats.
Watching Maddison play really shows you how low the level is at Spurs, because, compared to the others, he looks like Lionel Messi or Raul Gonzalez in the technical department.
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