The Tottenham Hotspur faithful have been eagerly waiting the latest injury news on star attacking midfielder James Maddison, who has been practicing with the squad and appears ready to get into some action. In the spirit of togetherness, Roberto De Zerbi has even been naming the former Leicester City star into his official matchday squads so that the No. 10 can be around his teammates.
Yet De Zerbi hasn't given Maddison a lick of action, even though the veteran midfielder has become even more important to Spurs since the announcement that breakout star Xavi Simons is done for the rest of the season with a brutal ACL tear at the worst possible moment.
Even though Spurs let the good times roll last weekend with a massive win over now Europa League Finalists Aston Villa, they could still use Maddison's leadership and end product for the remainder of the Premier League relegation battle, which includes upcoming fixtures against Leeds United and rivals Chelsea these next two weeks.
Tottenham are holding off on James Maddison
In the latest press conference before the Leeds tilt, Roberto De Zerbi explained a little bit more about why he isn't rushing James Maddison back and is taking it extra slow despite these being desperate times for Spurs. RDZ said, via Football.London reporter Alasdair Gold, âI am thinking about James Maddison because I am watching a top, top player. Maybe he is not ready yet to play, not as a physical condition but for the rhythm or intensity of the game. You are playing in Premier League, most difficult league in the world for rhythm and intensity.â
Honestly, even the biggest proponents of Maddison getting immediate game time and his biggest fans can only look at that De Zerbi quote and think, "Yeah, fair," to themselves. Maddison is an experienced star in the Premier League, but he is coming off an ACL tear and is a bit older. Mentally, nobody can question he will be ready, but, physically, it is likely a different story - and De Zerbi is going to know that better than those of us who are not professional managers with years of experience in a top five league.
At the same time, Maddison is a class player who can change games in an instant with one set piece, through ball, or bomb from the blue. As De Zerbi says, Maddison is an absolute top player, and you'd think Spurs could use someone like that, especially with Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke all out of commission in the attack.