Tottenham Hotspur star attacking midfielder James Maddison is the best player Spurs have at this point with how many key members of the squad have suffered significant, mostly season ending, injuries. And Madders himself is coming off a torn ACL last year that he is only two games back from, having played a mere five minutes against Leeds United last week and then about 20-25 minutes on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs are desperate for a difference maker, and though Maddison was unable to turn the tide in either of these two games, his inclusion on the pitch has been an uplifting sight for Spurs supporters that are still seeing dismal results. His technical quality, touch, vision, and passing are clearly light years ahead of his teammates, and so Spurs supporters have been hoping that with one game left in the 2025/26 Premier League season and everything to play for, that Maddison could possibly start.
Spurs have to get a point in order to guarantee survival in the Premier League on Sunday against Everton, otherwise they are putting faith in the hands of a Leeds United side with nothing to play for and a West Ham United side with everything to play for.
James Maddison is not ready
Anyone hoping for James Maddison to start, though, needs to realize that this isn't feasible. Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi himself confirmed after the 2-1 loss to Chelsea that his star No. 10 has not been cleared to play more than 20-25 minutes in a game yet.
De Zerbi said, via the official Tottenham web site, “Yes, but James Maddison can’t play more than 20 or 25. I have a medical staff behind me, I am not a doctor, I am not a physical coach and I have to follow what they say, no? But I think we can stay up with James and without James.”
It looks like Tottenham are going to have to continue to make do with Maddison as an impact substitute off the bench with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur forming the abse of the midfield and Conor Gallagher starting as the No. 10.
Gallagher had actually been vital to Tottenham and revived under Roberto De Zerbi in recent weeks, but he came crashing back down to earth with an awful performance against former employers Chelsea on Tuesday night. Spurs need him to do better against Everton - a lot better - if they want to eensure their Premier League survival.
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