Tottenham fans were left scratching their heads last night as James Maddison, fresh off a stellar performance against Manchester City, was left on the bench in Spurs’ Europa League clash against AS Roma.
James Maddison’s form this season has been somewhat inconsistent, with the midfielder being in and out of the starting eleven due to fluctuating performances.
However, in Spurs’ last Premier League outing against Manchester City, manager Ange Postecoglou decided to include Maddison in the starting lineup – a decision that paid off in spades.
Maddison, who had struggled for minutes in the Premier League up until that point, produced a standout performance, scoring twice and playing a pivotal role in their 4-0 victory over the champions.
Despite this impressive display, when Tottenham faced AS Roma in the Europa League, there was no place for Maddison in the starting eleven, although he was listed among the substitutes.
This decision, given his recent form, was a surprising one, especially considering that Spurs fielded a strong team that included the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Heung-min Son, Pape Matar Sarr, Brennan Johnson, and Dominic Solanke.
Speculation surrounding his absence quickly grew, with many fans concerned about a possible injury, especially considering Tottenham’s injury-riddled season.
The mystery surrounding Maddison’s omission was clarified shortly before the match. Paul O Keefe in a tweet on X, shared the reason for Maddison’s absence in the starting eleven.
He said: “James Maddison took a kick at the weekend to his ankle so not risked in the starting XI.”
This revelation shed light on Ange Postecoglou’s cautious approach, which, in hindsight, seems a prudent decision given the team’s mounting injury concerns.
I think the decision to rest Maddison highlights a pragmatic approach from Postecoglou, who understands the importance of having his key players available for the bigger battles ahead.
With a congested fixture list, I believe Spurs cannot afford to take unnecessary risks, and preserving Maddison’s fitness could be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge.
Ultimately, while fans may have been disappointed not to see Maddison start, the move could pay dividends as Tottenham navigate the challenges of a long and demanding season.
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