Tottenham star James Maddison returned from a shoulder injury and featured off the bench vs. Everton.
There was a massive feeling of excitement among Tottenham Hotspur fans coming into the campaign, but some of that optimism has evaporated after the reality check their side has received in the first few weeks of the campaign.
No goals and just two points taken from four matches is not encouraging at all, particularly after Roberto De Zerbi has been overwhelmingly backed in the transfer market by the club’s owners. Spurs have now gone over 350 minutes without scoring in the Premier League, with new recruits yet to bring any improvement in attack.
Tottenham players were full of energy and intensity but lacked genuine quality to carve open Everton’s low block on Saturday evening. The home side mustered just two shots on target against the Toffees, prompting some boos at the final whistle.
James Maddison returns from injury
Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed earlier this week that James Maddison will be included in the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury. The playmaker suffered a shoulder problem against Brentford on the opening weekend of the season after falling awkwardly. He missed the games against Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, but returned to action on Saturday.
James Maddison was introduced as a second-half substitute to unlock Everton’s rigid rearguard. The England international enjoyed a free role that saw him pick up various positions to try and create openings for the forwards. Unfortunately, he couldn’t come up with a killer pass during his 14-minute cameo.
After the game, De Zerbi was asked about Maddison’s fitness and his role in the team. To which our gaffer responded to BBC Match of the Day (h/t BBC Sport):
“He is a great player – maybe the biggest talent in the squad. But he is not in the right physical condition to play. Hopefully he can work with the more in a couple of weeks. He will be important like he has done in his career.”
Tottenham have to get James Maddison fully fit
There are no question marks over Maddison’s quality on the ball. He is the club’s creator-in-chief; no wonder Manchester United great Paul Scholes named the Englishman as the player who helps Tottenham tick. The problem has been the 29-year-old’s lack of availability in recent years.
Maddison spent over nine months on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL in August 2025. Before his ACL injury, he was also on the periphery for almost two months with a knee problem. Persistent fitness issues have had a major impact on the creative midfielder’s availability and consistency in performance levels.
Now back in the fold, De Zerbi and his coaching staff must gradually build up Maddison’s fitness levels before he is deemed ready to start games for Tottenham. Truly, his importance to the squad cannot be described when fully fit.