Roberto De Zerbi has reflected on James Maddison’s performance in Tottenham’s 3-1 loss at Anfield and has provided an update on his fitness.
Maddison is still waiting for his first start of the season, having come on as a substitute for the third occasion this campaign at Anfield.
Spurs looked far more fluid going forward after the introduction of the experienced attacking midfielder, who demanded the ball and always looked to play forward.
The 29-year-old showed what the Lilywhites have been missing in the number 10 role this season, with Mateus Fernandes and Conor Gallagher being used in that position so far.
Roberto De Zerbi hints James Maddison is not ready to start for Tottenham yet
The Tottenham boss reserved special praise for Maddison, labelling him a ‘special’ player and admitting he offers something different to his side.
However, he hinted that the former Leicester man is still not in the right physical condition to start a game in the Premier League.
When asked if Maddison’s through balls from midfield showed what the team is missing, De Zerbi responded (via Football.London): “Maddison is for sure a different player, a special player. But he has to be fit, he has to be in the right physical condition. Because the Premier League intensity, even tonight, is incredible. And then we can play with eight attackers.”
De Zerbi insists luck has not been favouring Spurs over recent weeks
Pundits have directed extremely harsh criticism towards Tottenham for their recent performances, but De Zerbi sees it differently.
While the Italian acknowledged that his side have to improve in finishing opportunities, he feels that the last few results could have been completely different had some luck gone the way of the Lilywhites.
The 46-year-old added: “We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, we have to finish better the clear situations, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result. I think, unfair.
“But we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment, because I’m honest, I’m honest with myself and I’m honest with you, I think in these five, six games, we have been for sure not lucky with Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham and tonight as well.”
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