James Maddison says Tottenham have “a lot to give” after marking their first start in almost 18 months with a stunning goal that helped Spurs to their first Premier League win of the season.
The playmaker was impressive in the 3-1 win over Coventry in north London, opening the scoring with a curling strike from distance to put Roberto De Zerbi’s side on their way to a much-needed victory that lifted them off the foot of the table.
With two years left on his Spurs contract, the 29-year-old returned for the first time since recovering from an ACL injury towards the end of last season, but has been plagued by numerous setbacks that have delayed his full return until now.
“I have a lot to give for this club,” Maddison told Sky Sports. “I’m 29 years old and I still have a lot of years left. I have confidence and a lot of qualities that can help us in this league.”
Spurs spent £334m on new signings in the summer after narrowly escaping the Premier League, but have struggled to have the desired effect. Given the chance, Maddison wanted to show that she was the missing piece of the puzzle.
Asked if he thought he might have had that kind of impact, Maddison added: “I was hoping. I spoke out of the blue. [Roberto De Zerbi] About this week and I feel it was the right time to get back into the starting 11 after a stop-start start to the season.
“I just wanted to play well, show my qualities and what the team has been missing in the last 18 months. The gaffer wanted me to play and enjoy watching me from the sidelines, so I hope I did that. A goal like that is always nice.”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher backed Maddison to be a huge influence on Spurs’ season when asked if he could be the glue that holds the team together.
“I think he looks like that kind of player,” Carragher said. “He’s naturally one of those people in the game who’s always laughing and joking and trying to lift people up in the dressing room. I think he’s going to have a big impact. He’s captained the club in the past.
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Jamie Carragher roasts James Maddison for saying Tottenham forward Roy Keane is his favorite pundit!
“Even if they bring in a lot of attacking talent, he’ll still think nobody’s better than him because he’s got that character. He’s got that footballing arrogance that I like in players.
“It will be interesting to see where he eventually fits in because Tottenham have a lot of players in attacking positions, especially with Kulusevski.”
Maddison found the top corner with a precise curling effort from Mohamed Qudus after just 14 minutes to give Spurs the start they needed after a dreadful start to the season on a tense night in north London.
“It was a joy to see [his goal]said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football. “He’s one of the real characters of the game and you want him in Premier League football.
“It was just a great moment. When you have a player with an injury like that, the fear is: are you ever going to come back or are you going to be the same player? There’s still a long way to go, but there’s still some magic in his boots!”
Maddison’s last competitive start before the win over Coventry came in May 2025, when Ange Postecoglou was still in charge of Spurs, who had suffered badly in the midfielder’s absence and suffered relegation last season.
Speaking about his goal, Maddison said: “They’re the people you dream about. You dream about those dark days, those moments and those goals coming off the ACL. It’s always the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Maddison wasn’t the only feel-good story for Spurs on Monday night. Dejan Kulusevski came off the bench to make his first competitive appearance since 526 days out injured in an emotional return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Dejan Kulusevski also made an emotional return to the pitch for Spurs late on
“I felt really emotional and proud of Dejan Kulusevski today because I knew for sure that he was back on the pitch after so long,” said Maddison. “Those moments and those goals make everything worth it.”
Could Maddison be the glue for Spurs?
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
“James Maddison was the star of the show and a big reason why Spurs were able to secure a much-needed win. His goal speaks for itself.
“But the rest of his game was also picked up a little more modestly.
“He was dropping deep, finding space, setting up passes for Dominic Solanke’s runs and threatening from half-spaces with his passing ability.
“Spurs have looked disjointed and uninspiring in their first six games after all their investment in the summer.
“Maddison looks like the piece that could fit together the £300million pieces of this Spurs puzzle, whether it’s his finishing or his ability to bring other players into play.
“Keeping him fit and firing is essential to building a club in this game now.”