James Maddison started Spurs’ clash with Everton on the bench but made his presence felt
James Maddison’s enthusiastic encouragement to his Spurs team-mates during Sunday’s vital win over Everton has been praised. Maddison has spent the majority of the season on the treatment table with an Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which he picked up in pre-season.
However, he returned against Leeds earlier this month. Spurs guaranteed their Premier League status for next season with a slim 1-0 win over the Toffees at the expense of West Ham, who beat Leeds 3-0.
Maddison had to settle for a place on Roberto De Zerbi’s bench as he continues his comeback from injury. While he didn’t enter the action until the 81st minute, the former Leicester player visibly demonstrated his support for his side by vociferously offering instructions and motivation.
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Maddison’s actions, something akin to a club coach, were honed in on by fans. One Spurs fan account said: “Maddison cheering the team up from the bench. That is outstanding.”
A PA reporter also noticed Maddison backing the team from the bench. They posted: “A water break here and Maddison, Solanke and Vicario all up off the bench to give instructions. Maddison now in conversation with referee Michael Oliver along with Van de Ven. De Zerbi speaking with the squad too. 0-0. 24′”
Just ahead of the game, a clip surfaced on X of Maddison leading the Spurs players to the pitch ahead of the Everton clash. In the short video he can be seen demanding “full focus” from his team-mates as he urges them to “take in the feeling of the stadium.”
In response, a Spurs fan even called for the midfielder to be given the captaincy for the 2026/2027 season. They posted: “Maddison has to be club captain next season. Absolute no-brainer.”
Speaking on his comeback from injury, and his deployment to the bench under De Zerbi since the Italian came into the club, the England star told Sky Sports that he’s taking his return to the pitch on a step-by-step basis.
“Anyone who has worked in football or has been through this injury, it is not as easy just to drop back in,” he said “It would be catastrophic for my career if something was to happen and we weren’t safe or if we didn’t follow the protocols from the specialist, but obviously I want to help the team as much as I can so let’s see where we get to.
“Obviously I’ve been out for a long time so I’m not going to be at my fluid and fluent best, but I feel good and I’ve just got to try and help the team with whatever minutes I can,” said Maddison. “I’ve obviously had a massive injury, so it’s one of those where you have to respect the injury a little bit and that’s probably why I am not starting games”
Elaborating on Spurs’ struggles ahead of the Everton game, he added: “We probably haven’t been good enough going forward this season, that’s the reality. It’s a bit of a lack of quality in the final moments. I think that is something I can bring, so hopefully when I’m on the pitch and whatever minutes I can get, I have just got to try and help the team with that.
“We’ve got to give everything for this club, for the badge and for our fans. It is unacceptable and a little bit embarrassing that we’re in this position as Tottenham Hotspur but it’s the reality unfortunately and it’s up to us to get out of it.”
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