Tottenham Hotspur fans are starting to have no faith in star man James Maddison, because he just cannot get on the pitch healthy. He has been coming off the bench recently after a dislocated shoulder to start the Premier League season, but Maddison still has not started a game since his torn ACL at the end of the 2024/25 campaign despite having returned from the injury to make brief bench appearances late last season during the relegation battle.
It has been a slow recovery arch for Maddison and then one setback after another. Following the three week international break, Tottenham fans were hopeful that Madders would be able to return fully and start this weekend in a huge match against Big Six rivals Manchester United with everything on the line and Spurs currently winless, but from what Roberto De Zerbi is saying, it sounds like it will be back to Conor Gallagher again.
It looks like it's going to be Conor Gallagher again
De Zerbi told reporters about Maddison's status at the press conference ahead of the Man United clash, via Hotspur Lane, “He's available but he lost 3-4 days at the end of last week and start of this. James is a special player for us. Gallagher, as a 10, also he's playing well. We're both frustrated because he wants to be on the pitch. Not a big injury and tomorrow he can play but the Premier League is tough and you need to be fit and in the right condition to run and fight. He is working well and this is the way. The way is to complete 3/4/5 weeks in a row without feeling pain and problems and then he's a normal player.”
Now that sounds exactly like coach speak for: Look, this guy still isn't ready to start. And Roberto De Zerbi still loves Conor Gallagher, specifically mentioning him as the alternative. Tottenham Hotspur fans, at this point, would rather have Gallagher in at the 10 than shoe horning someone out of position like a Mohammed Kudus or Mateus Fernandes, both of whom are much better in other areas of the pitch. Plus, at least Gallagher has been scoring goals, and he's the only non-defender with a goal in the Premier League and actually has two of the team's only three goals against Premier League caliber opposition, having found the back of the net against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
It is frustrating, however, that James Maddison still can't make his way back to full strength, and, at this point, Tottenham fans just have to expect another 30 minutes or so off the bench vs. Man United. Hopefully, he can make an impact and get closer to a full return with Coventry and Chelsea next up.
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