Roberto De Zerbi may be forced into a creative reshuffle at Tottenham Hotspur following another damaging setback in their injury-hit season.
Spurs finally picked up their first Premier League win of 2026 last weekend, but any sense of relief has quickly been overshadowed by fresh concerns. Injuries to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke have further stretched an already thin squad, leaving De Zerbi with limited attacking options ahead of the trip to Aston Villa.
The North London side have been plagued by fitness issues all season. Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus are still battling to return, while Cristian Romero and Wilson Odobert remain sidelined. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also not yet ready to feature, although Destiny Udogie could be available.
With Simons ruled out long-term, attention has turned to how Spurs will replace his creativity. Richarlison is expected to step in for Solanke up front, while Mathys Tel could shift roles across the front line.
However, the most intriguing solution could involve James Maddison. The midfielder has recently returned to the bench after a lengthy absence and may now be ready for a bigger role.
De Zerbi has already hinted at Maddison’s importance, describing him as a “special” player capable of influencing games — even if his minutes must be managed carefully after such a long layoff.
If deployed, Maddison could operate in a more advanced or slightly wider role, similar to how Christian Eriksen once functioned during his time at Spurs. Eriksen was the creative heartbeat of the team under Mauricio Pochettino, known for his vision, passing range, and ability to unlock defences.
Maddison offers a comparable profile. When fully fit, he has consistently delivered assists, created chances, and dictated play in attacking areas. His ability to drift between lines and produce moments of quality could be exactly what Spurs need in Simons’ absence.
With survival still hanging in the balance, De Zerbi will be counting on someone to step up creatively — and Maddison, Spurs’ potential “new Eriksen,” may be the man to fill that void.
