Tottenham Hotspur’s key playmaker, James Maddison, is cleared to start against Crystal Palace on Saturday, manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed after a brief injury concern last week. The 29‑year‑old England international had limped off in the 51st minute of Tottenham’s 2‑0 win over Chelsea, raising doubts about his fitness following a season‑long absence due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Maddison’s return to the squad last season was hampered by a fractured shoulder sustained in the club’s opening defeat to Brentford. He made a strong comeback earlier this month, scoring a spectacular goal in a 3‑1 victory over Coventry City. De Zerbi noted that while Maddison did not train at full intensity this week, he is ready for the upcoming match. “He is a special player for us,” the coach said. “Players coming from long injuries have to work harder, but he has already been training for four or five weeks and is working very hard and consistently. It’s not a problem if he misses a couple of days of training, but we will analyse whether to take the risk.”
Spurs have won their last two games since Maddison’s return, beating Coventry and Chelsea, and sit 14th in the Premier League after climbing out of the relegation zone. Maddison, who joined Tottenham from Leicester City in 2023 on a five‑year contract for £40 million, has made 85 appearances for the north London club, scoring 17 goals and providing 21 assists.
The announcement comes as Tottenham look to strengthen their midfield options ahead of the Palace fixture. With Maddison back in the lineup, the team will aim to improve on their recent form and climb higher in the standings. The next match will test whether the midfielder’s fitness and contribution can help the club maintain momentum in the league.