Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has spoken about how his large young family served as a crucial distraction during his recovery from a significant knee injury last season. Maddison, who has five children aged four and under, including a second set of twins, found solace in his home life while sidelined.
Last season, Tottenham struggled to maintain form, ultimately securing their Premier League survival on the final day of the season, finishing just two points above the relegation zone. Maddison expressed his frustration at being unable to contribute on the field during these challenging matches. "We probably struggled a little bit for creativity and I'm watching the games thinking, 'what would I be doing there?'" he stated.
Upon his return to management in March, Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi worked to lift the team's morale. Maddison described De Zerbi as a "clever" and "tactical" coach, deeply passionate about football. Initially, De Zerbi focused on re-igniting the players' enjoyment of the game rather than complex tactical overhauls. "He just wanted us to get the love back for playing football," Maddison explained.
One of De Zerbi's early initiatives was to foster team unity through social means, including organizing a team meal where alcohol was permitted. "He wanted us to have a night where we all just relax," Maddison said, noting that this created a more cohesive atmosphere within the squad.
De Zerbi also demonstrated his unique approach to player management by placing Maddison on the bench for his return, even when the player felt he wasn't fully match-fit. "I was almost like, 'I'm not ready to play yet, boss'," Maddison recalled. De Zerbi's rationale was to keep Maddison integrated with the group, a gesture Maddison viewed as a significant compliment. "He just wanted me around the group and he thought that would benefit the group," Maddison added.
Maddison made his return to play against Leeds on May 11 but has not yet featured in pre-season matches. He remains optimistic about the upcoming season, emphasizing his dedication to achieving full fitness. "I'm working so hard to try and be fully fit and available for the majority of the season," he said. "I want just a fully fit, healthy season where I can just enjoy football. Because if I'm fully fit and I'm healthy, then I know what I'm capable of. And I know that I can affect games more than a lot of players in this league."