Chris Waddle thinks he has the solution to Tottenham’s creativity problems in relegation scrap

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Legendary Tottenham winger Chris Waddle has hinted that Roberto De Zerbi may have to take a risk to solve Spurs’ creativity problems.

With only four games left to play and still two points behind West Ham in 17^th, Tottenham find themselves on the brink of relegation but still with everything to play for. Yet, in this crucial moment they have no fully fit creative midfielder.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
16	Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest	34	10	9	15	41	45	-4	39
17	West HamWest Ham	34	9	9	16	42	58	-16	36
18	TottenhamTottenham	34	8	10	16	43	53	-10	34
19	BurnleyBurnley	35	4	8	23	35	71	-36	20
20	WolvesWolves	34	3	8	23	24	62	-38	17

Spurs have been wrecked by injuries all season long, with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison yet to kick a ball this campaign. Even Xavi Simons is now out until 2027 with an ACL injury.

Tottenham’s midfield woes continue

Spurs were of course robbed of Xavi Simons’ services last week by a cruel ACL injury which prematurely ended his season.

James Maddison’s return to first team training and inclusion in the last two matchday squads is a glimmer of light in these otherwise dark times for the club, as he could be the ideal player to deputise for Xavi.

Maddison also suffered an ACL injury in August of last year and has been working his way back into fitness ever since.

However, De Zerbi confirmed that the English midfielder has been struggling with some knee pain which so far prevented him from getting first team minutes.

Is James Maddison the solution to Spurs’ creativity issues?

In an interview for the Evening Standard, Waddle said that now is the time for Maddison to make an impact.

“I just wonder if he [De Zerbi] can get Maddison in the team. I think he’s a good player. We know the lad can create. And when he gets a 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.”

Long term injuries to creative players like Maddison, Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus or Xavi Simons meant that Spurs had struggled with creating chances and ball progression all season.

During his press conference, however, De Zerbi refused to give any indication whether Maddison could make his first appearance in Tottenham’s crucial visit to Villa Park on Sunday by saying “I would like to play with him, because he is a special player, a different player. But we have to consider the physical condition, a lot of things. But I think he can be important in the next three games.”

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