Roberto De Zerbi reveals why James Maddison was left on the bench against Crystal Palace
James Maddison’s fitness was a major talking point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s meeting with Crystal Palace after the midfielder picked up a knock during the 2-0 victory over Chelsea, which forced him off in the 51st minute.
Although Roberto De Zerbi initially played down concerns surrounding the injury, the Tottenham manager confirmed before the Palace fixture that Maddison was fit and available for selection.
The England international was subsequently named in the matchday squad but surprisingly failed to make an appearance, spending the entire game on the substitutes’ bench.
De Zerbi instead handed Omar Marmoush the starting role behind Dominic Solanke before introducing Conor Gallagher later in the contest.
De Zerbi explains why Maddison did not feature
Following Tottenham’s victory, De Zerbi was asked by Sky Sports why Maddison had not been brought into the action despite being available.
The Italian explained that the decision was based on the midfielder’s physical condition, insisting that Maddison remains an important part of his plans.
He said: “Just for the physical condition. To be clear, James is very important for us. When he feels good, he plays.”
The Spurs manager also defended his decision to deploy Marmoush in the number 10 position, explaining that the Egyptian is capable of operating alongside another striker.
De Zerbi added that what matters most is how players find and exploit spaces during matches rather than being restricted to particular positions or formations.
De Zerbi makes the right call with Maddison
Keeping Maddison on the bench against Crystal Palace could prove to be a sensible decision, particularly given the midfielder’s recent fitness concerns.
Tottenham controlled large portions of the contest and managed to secure the victory without needing to risk one of their most creative players.
With a demanding schedule ahead, De Zerbi will be keen to avoid any unnecessary setbacks that could keep Maddison out for a longer period.
The expectation will be that the former Leicester City playmaker returns to contention for Tottenham’s trip to Leeds United on November 7, provided he makes sufficient progress physically.
Having Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski available to compete for the attacking midfield position would also give De Zerbi greater flexibility to rotate his squad and manage their workloads.
Furthermore, Xavi Simons could provide another attacking option once he completes his recovery, potentially giving Tottenham even more depth in that position.
