The last month has been transformational for Spurs. Three wins on the bounce have already allayed most lingering relegation fears, and even the most ardent cynics have their eyes set on European football in 2027.
Spurs’ resurgence has coincided with the return to fitness of a number of key players – most noticeably fan favourites Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. The latter’s return represents a step change in the composition of this Spurs side. He is as close to irreplaceable as anyone in De Zerbi’s setup, and his absence coincided with one of the worst periods of football in the club’s recent history. Maddison’s availability will likely determine Spurs’ trajectory over the coming months.
De Zerbi has been equally clear about the importance of Maddison. Speaking ahead of the Crystal Palace game, he described him as a “special player” with “unique characteristics, different than everyone”. He went on to identify the qualities that make him so difficult to replace, pointing to his experience and personality as well as his ability on the ball. It is an assessment that reflects just how much Maddison brings to this Spurs side beyond his technical ability.
While the other returnees will provide De Zerbi with depth, Maddison delivers Spurs much-needed final-third creativity and, most importantly, output. De Zerbi’s Spurs have been characterised by control and plenty of territory, without generating an abundance of goalscoring threat from open play. It was noticeable that both of Spurs’ goals against Crystal Palace came from set pieces.
Beyond the obvious eye test, Spurs with or without James Maddison are two starkly different teams. In the 2023/24 season, Spurs’ xG differential slipped from +0.32 to -0.33 during the 13 games he missed through injury. His lack of availability in recent seasons, alongside managerial changes, has made meaningful comparisons more difficult, but it is clear that Spurs are a better team with Maddison in it than out of it.
Spurs, though, have a dependency problem. There is currently no close equivalent to Maddison in the available playing squad. This has been less of an issue away from home, where Spurs have naturally looked to counter-attack and press opponents high, with the energy of Conor Gallagher regularly employed. The challenge comes at home, when faced with low-possession, low-block sides. Who is the replacement capable of unlocking a team content to sit back and defend?
Omar Marmoush was potentially that answer, but in reality he is far more of a second striker, occupying the inside-left position, than the advanced creative force Maddison represents. Mateus Fernandes, while clearly versatile, has looked far more comfortable in a deeper role than he has when deputising as a number ten in De Zerbi’s system.
The answer does, though, lie in the existing squad, and this is why Spurs needn’t panic and rush back into the transfer market for cover. Xavi Simons is the closest equivalent to James Maddison, and it is their combined absences that have been the real dagger to Spurs’ creative development.
Indeed, De Zerbi has already made that comparison himself. Asked about Maddison’s importance ahead of the Palace game, he suggested that “maybe just Xavi Simons is very close with him”. It is a significant endorsement of Simons, but also an indication of how much Spurs have missed having either player available. De Zerbi can find alternative solutions in Marmoush, Gallagher or Fernandes, but none offers quite the same combination of qualities.
Simons offers a different route to much of what Maddison provides. He is comfortable receiving between the lines, carrying the ball into dangerous areas and creating opportunities for those ahead of him. He may not replicate Maddison’s precise profile, but he has the technical quality and attacking instincts to operate in the same spaces and give Spurs a much-needed creative outlet.
The priority for Spurs is getting them both fit and available. Spurs have spent much of the season trying to establish an attacking identity, and the return of two players capable of making things happen in the final third could be just as important as any tactical adjustment.
Maddison’s return may be the catalyst for Spurs’ resurgence, but Simons could be the player who prevents that resurgence from depending on one man.
If De Zerbi can get both into his side and build a reliable attacking structure around them, Spurs will have a far better chance of turning their recent run of form into something more sustainable – and perhaps making that push towards European football a realistic one.
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