It took James Maddison nearly 18 months to start a game for Tottenham Hotspur after a torn ACL near the end of the 2024/25 season. Maddison had actually returned about a year after the injury, which is the most common time line, at the end of the 2025/26 season to help Spurs stay up in the Premier League, though he was only getting cameo appearances off the bench.
Even in just 10-15 minutes of action, you could see that Madders was the best player on the pitch for Spurs. That was the case again this past Monday against childhood club Coventry, with Madders finally starting after a dislocated shoulder on Matchday 1 against Brentford. He scored an amazing opener and was world class with his creation throughout in the No. 10 role.
But just before Spurs faced rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, word broke out that Maddison may not be able to play due to three missed training sessions in the build up to the match. It was news that came out of nowhere, and while De Zerbi seemed worried about his status when talking to the press, he later appeared to be more optimistic - and Maddison was in the starting lineup vs. Chelsea after all.
James Maddison is hurt again
You could tell, though, watching him and Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday that he was not at his best. There had to have been something to the concerns making him a potential injury doubt before the game. And then, lo and behold, James Maddison had to leave the game early for Conor Gallagher again, coming off in the 50th minute in pain and clear frustration. Fans were worried about the knee again, but, thankfully, the Sky Sports broadcast clarified that the former Leicester City man had suffered a groin injury.
Still, groin injuries are nasty business and quite tricky for footballers to deal with. These types of soft tissue injuries can cost players weeks and weeks, especially shifty players like Maddison - and especially veteran Premier Leaguers with past injuries and frequent aggravations.
Tottenham already shut Maddison down a couple of times this year in order to manage his recovery, and they may have to do so again after this latest issue. But since Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0 without him and got great performances from the likes of Mathys Tel and Mateus Fernandes, there should be less worry about shutting Maddison down and less pressure to play him.
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