James Maddison Injury Update: De Zerbi Faces Early Setback
Roberto De Zerbi has been dealt an early-season setback with James Maddison picking up a fresh injury just as he returned to competitive action for Tottenham.
The midfielder, who spent most of last season recovering from surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, was handled cautiously through pre-season as De Zerbi resisted any temptation to rush him back. His minutes were tightly managed, his workload monitored. Spurs wanted their playmaker back, but not at any cost.
He finally made it onto the pitch on the opening weekend of the Premier League, coming off the bench for the last 22 minutes of a bruising 3-0 defeat at Brentford, replacing Mikey Moore. It was supposed to be a gentle reintroduction. Instead, it brought another scare.
Maddison landed awkwardly on his shoulder during that late cameo and needed assessment in the days that followed. Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup second-round tie against Charlton in north London, De Zerbi moved to calm any panic but confirmed the setback.
“Maddison suffered a small injury in his shoulder,” he said, describing the issue as minor.
While Maddison faces a short spell of care and caution, another attacking option remains off the radar for now. Mohammed Kudus is still “not yet ready” to feature as he continues his recovery from a long-term quad injury that has ruled him out since early January. Spurs will wait a little longer for his return to the front line.
There is better news at the other end of the pitch. New captain Micky van de Ven is set to take a place on the bench against Charlton, a significant boost for De Zerbi. The Dutch defender did not play a single minute in pre-season after his World Cup campaign with the Netherlands and then missed the loss at Brentford with a minor, unspecified issue. His presence, even among the substitutes, restores some authority to a back line that badly needs it.
Pedro Porro, Van de Ven’s vice-captain, is on a similar path. The right-back will also be among the substitutes on Wednesday after sitting out pre-season and the Brentford defeat while he worked back to full fitness following his role in Spain’s World Cup triumph in North America earlier in the summer.
At the other end of the pitch, the focus turns to new faces. Savio is in line to make his Tottenham debut after completing an £85million move from Manchester City on Tuesday, a statement signing who could light up a cup tie under the lights if given the chance.
Up front, Dominic Solanke is expected to lead the line from the start, with De Zerbi confirming the striker is set to be in the XI. On the bench, teenager Luca Williams-Barnett will be involved, another glimpse of the next generation being ushered into a squad that is already juggling injuries, returns, and big-money arrivals.
Maddison’s shoulder is a reminder of how fragile the balance is. The Carabao Cup may come early, but for De Zerbi and Spurs, it already feels like a test of depth, timing, and nerve.
