Tottenham Hotspur have had a poor start to the season and it’s really starting to feel like the team is on the verge of relegation for good.
Of course, Tottenham has enough strength to help the team out of trouble. Just five games into the season, Roberto De Zerbi’s summer spending spree has already surpassed £300m.
Even so, the team still lacks passion and innovation. Something needs to change—and soon.
The lack of creativity is concerning, and the 20th-place team needs to do something before the concerns turn into disaster. Maybe James Madison had the answer?
Maddison’s fitness concerns at Spurs
Not only are Tottenham Hotspur without a win in five games, they have failed to score in their first four games, missing out on their target in a 3-2 loss to Aston Villa at the start of the season.
Maddison would be the perfect player to inject fresh energy and creativity, but the 29-year-old has been unable to find and maintain the level of fitness required to perform at his best.
The playmaker was named Premier League Player of the Month after joining from relegated Leicester City in August 2023 for £40 million.
However, a knee injury sustained during pre-season has ruled him out for almost the entire 2025/26 campaign, while a minor shoulder fracture in July has limited his role so far this season.
James Maddison plays for Tottenham in the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* every 90) | Application (start) | Goals + assists |
26/27 | 3(0) | 0+0 |
25/26 | 3(0) | 0+0 |
24/25 | 31 (21) | 9+7 |
23/24 | 28 (26) | 4+9 |
There is no doubt that Maddison has the ability to add much-needed strength to Tottenham, but his time is running out, with repeated injuries threatening his chances of returning to the top in N17.
Why Maddison’s time is running out at Spurs
Maddison is entering the penultimate year of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur and if he fails to show huge improvements in fitness (and form) this year, there is no doubt that ENIC Group will consider selling him.
The Spurs can’t have freeloaders. The whole team must work together to get out of this never-ending dilemma.
Maddison has produced elite-level performances in the Premier League in the past, but it has been some time since he was fit and available for the Londoners. Ange Postecoglou has since been fired. And Thomas Frank. And Igor Tudor.
Let’s not forget: Harvey Simmons is currently recovering from an ACL injury he suffered late last season. When Dutch returns, he will be in direct competition with Maddison for a spot.
Moreover, policymakers appear to be already looking at alternatives.
Spurs in talks to upgrade Maddison
Tottenham need to get going quickly or they will collapse again and face a relegation battle for the second season running, although they also finished 17th last season but escaped danger by a considerable margin.
However, the team are still hoping to regain their dominance and TEAMtalk reports that they have held talks with Barcelona attacking midfielder Dani Olmo. In fact, all of the ‘big six’ have been contacted by relevant representatives over a deal for the £60million star.
Known as “football genius“For now legendary Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente, Olmo was never the star of Barcelona and his national team, but was undoubtedly one of the most underrated cogs in the machine.
At Tottenham, there is a feeling that may be changing. So far this season, he has only started twice in La Liga and made five substitute appearances, but he has created 7 excellent opportunities, with a passing success rate of 57% and a confrontation winning rate of 62%.
The 28-year-old Olmo is very flexible from a tactical perspective. He knows how to score goals, control games and provide that risk-taking spark that often helps his team win games. He made six starts for winning Spain at the World Cup, embodying many of the same qualities for his side.
It goes without saying that Maddison will be in a lot of trouble if Tottenham firm up their interest in Olmo, who is fitter, faster and sharper.
The Lilywhites are not getting anywhere at all this season. Madison could be an excellent addition in the coming months, but DeZerbi has yet to show he’s ready to start playing every week.
Furthermore, Maddison hasn’t played with enthusiasm in a long time, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back to peak form before the January transfer window, when Olmo will be there to accept a deal.