James Maddison must start for Tottenham Hotspur if he is fit enough, according to former Spurs winger Chris Waddle.
With Tottenham locked in a desperate Premier League survival fight and only four games remaining, Waddle believes head coach Roberto De Zerbi has to take the risk.
Spurs remain in the relegation zone despite ending a 118-day wait for an away league win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
But they are still two points from safety and now facing a major creative problem.
Maddison now the obvious answer after Simons injury
Tottenham’s attacking plans have been hit hard by the loss of Xavi Simons.
The Dutch midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season, leaving De Zerbi without one of his most creative players.
That has immediately reopened the door for Maddison.
The England international has not played competitively for nearly a year after his own ACL injury last August, but he has now been named on the bench in Tottenham’s last two fixtures.
Waddle believes that is enough to justify a return.
“And when he gets the ball and if he’s feeling fit and he’s confident about his knee, then he’s got to be put into the team because he is a creative player.” — Chris Waddle
That is the core of Tottenham’s problem.
Without Simons, there is no obvious creative replacement.
Spurs’ attacking numbers explain the urgency
Tottenham have lacked invention all season.
They rank among the Premier League’s lowest teams for completed through balls, underlining their struggle to break defensive lines.
Simons had offered a solution by drifting inside from wide areas and connecting midfield to attack.
Now that option is gone.
Having followed Tottenham’s attacking structure under De Zerbi, the issue has been clear: possession often lacks penetration without a true playmaker.
That is where Maddison could change everything.
Mathys Tel could also offer spark
Waddle also pointed to Mathys Tel as another option.
The French attacker made a strong impact off the bench against Wolves, helping force the decisive moment that led to João Palhinha’s winning goal.
That performance may have strengthened his case for a start against Aston Villa.
| Tottenham situation | Status |
|---|---|
| League position | 18th |
| Points from safety | 2 |
| Games remaining | 4 |
| Key injury | Xavi Simons (ACL) |
Source: Premier League standings – 2 May 2026
The numbers highlight the urgency.
Every decision now carries enormous weight.
Key insights
- Waddle believes Maddison must start if fit
- Tottenham are still in the relegation zone
- Xavi Simons’ ACL injury has changed De Zerbi’s options
- Maddison has not played competitively for almost a year
- Mathys Tel could also earn a bigger role
What’s next?
Tottenham travel to Aston Villa knowing their survival hopes may depend on finding attacking solutions quickly.
De Zerbi must now decide whether Maddison’s creativity outweighs the risk of reintroducing him too soon.
With just four matches left, there is little room for caution.
For Spurs, the final weeks are no longer about long-term planning — they are about survival.
Should De Zerbi gamble on Maddison to save Tottenham’s season?
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