Former Manchester United star has raved about a midfielder who makes Tottenham play good football.
Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison barely managed 90 minutes of football last season, playing just 34 minutes after returning at the business end of the campaign following an ACL rupture. It cost him a potential place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
The 29-year-old would have been hoping to make up for lost time this campaign, but he missed the entire pre-season campaign with a hip issue. The midfielder overcame the issue in time to be declared fit for Tottenham’s season-opener against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. With Spurs losing 3-0, James Maddison was introduced off the bench by Roberto De Zerbi. Unfortunately, the England international suffered another setback.
The England international fell awkwardly on his shoulder during the cameo appearance and suffered a minor injury, consequently ruling him out for the next three games in all competitions. Maddison has missed games against Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest as he continues to recover from a shoulder issue.
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes raves about James Maddison
With Xavi Simons and Dejan Kulusevski on the sidelines, losing Maddison was far from ideal for the Lilywhites. In the trio’s absence, De Zerbi has been forced to use Conor Gallagher and Mateus Fernandes in a No.10 role, yet the creativity issue hasn’t been solved, with Tottenham failing to score in their opening three Premier League games.
Now, former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has raved about Maddison, claiming that when he is fully fit and available, he makes Tottenham play “good football”. The English pundit has urged De Zerbi to include the playmaker in his first XI as quickly as possible.
“I like him,” Paul Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.
“He is a good footballer. He makes the team play good football, you know what I mean.
“They need to get him involved somehow.”
Tottenham get Maddison injury boost ahead of Everton game
In a positive latest update, Maddison is set to return from injury for the clash against Everton on Saturday. The creative midfielder has been training since last week and is expected to be included in the matchday squad on Saturday.
Spurs have picked up a solitary point from opening three games. They registered the first point following a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. De Zerbi has been left frustrated with a poor start to the campaign, and after being backed heavily in the transfer market, the onus is on the Italian to get the team playing an attractive brand of football and winning games.
Everton head to N17 with a spring in their steps, having pinched a point at the death against Manchester United following a wonder strike from Ainsley Maitland-Niles. So, Spurs have to be at their best to beat the Toffees, and De Zerbi will be hoping that Maddison is available for the home game on Saturday.