While obviously any time is a great time for a player and leader of the caliber of James Maddison to return to the fold, Tottenham Hotspur are especially desperate for the English attacking midfielder to make his return to the starting lineup after Xavi Simons tore his ACL at the worst possible time - as if there were ever an opportune time for a player to tear an ACL.
Maddison tore his ACL at the end of the 2024/25 season, unable to participate in the Europa League Final triumph over Manchester United. But the playmaker extraordinaire was very much a part of that historic triumph, fulfilling a successful season in a Spurs shirt after years of credibility in the English top flight with darlings Leicester City.
Now, Maddison is working his way back from injury and very close to formally returning. He was in the squad as early on as the Brighton fixture, and it may only be a game or two until Roberto De Zerbi reintegrates Maddison into the action.
James Maddison is a 10 only
Even with Simons leaving the lineup, how Maddison fits become an interesting point of discussion. Before the injury to Xavi Simons, the Dutchman was actually playing as a left winger with Conor Gallagher in somewhat of a defensive 10 role, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur lined up behind him in midfield.
James Maddison is obviously, then, not a like for like change for Simons. He does not have the same explosiveness or agility to play on the wings. So the 10 position is his. Then, does Mathys Tel become the new left winger? Does Roberto De Zerbi go for a more formal two striker system again with Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani in light of Dominic Solanke's own injury?
How about two No. 10's? Conor Gallagher and Maddison next to each other with Maddison playing off the left so he can cut inside and score? Now, four midfielders woud narrow the formation too much, so coud Spurs instead roll with three and have a solitary deep mid? Rodrigo Bentancur to build the play up? Or is that skimping too much on defense? But then if Joao Palhinha is the solitary defensive midfielder, then Spurs are screwed when building it out of the back.
The best bet for Spurs may, then, be a diamond. Maddison in the 10, Gallagher and Bissouma staying as 8's with Bentancur as a deep lying "playmaker" and then Richy and Kolo Muani up top. Or how about Tel on the left and Richy on the right? Tel is the better of the two Frenchmen, after all, and will actually fight for the team.
See, Roberto De Zerbi has to juggle with the impressive but less versatile Maddison comign back to pull the strings in the attacking midfield. And it's anyone's guess as to which of these decisions and pushes and pulls he chooses.
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