John Wenham reveals how late-season cameos masked the midfielder’s ongoing recovery as James Maddison targets full sharpness during the international break.
Tottenham Hotspur supporters may have misinterpreted the nature of James Maddison’s late-season return during the closing weeks of the 2025/26 campaign. The 29-year-old playmaker made late substitute appearances against Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton in May, leading many to believe he was fully recovered and primed for a comprehensive pre-season program.
However, Spurs expert John Wenham has revealed that Maddison was nowhere near full fitness during those brief cameos. Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the owner of The Lilywhite Rose account explained that the midfielder was thrown into action out of sheer team desperation rather than complete physical readiness.
Wenham explained:
“Basically what’s transpired is, I thought by him having those couple of cameos at the end of last season, that he’d have a full pre-season this time round and then he’d be ready to go for match week one. But that hasn’t happened at all, it has come out that effectively those cameos, we were just absolutely shot and desperate for anything to lift us towards the end of last season. He was coming on when he wasn’t fully fit whatsoever, giving those cameos to try and lift the fans or lift the squad, and he’s still finding his way back to fitness now.”
Misdiagnosis and Subsequent Injury Setbacks
Maddison’s long-term fitness struggles originated in May 2025 when he suffered a partial ACL tear during the Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt. An external specialist initially advised that surgery was unnecessary, steering the player toward a rehabilitation route instead. Unfortunately, the knee failed to recover properly, and Maddison exacerbated the injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in South Korea, forcing him to undergo full surgery.
That ordeal sidelined the midfielder for 375 days. His extended rehabilitation path was further complicated at the start of the current 2026/27 season when he suffered a fractured shoulder against Brentford on the opening weekend.
As a result of these recurring physical hurdles, Maddison has been restricted to just four appearances this season, comprising three in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup. Because he was not called up for international duty, he has remained at Hotspur Way to undertake a critical two-week training program.
With Tottenham sitting 20th in the Premier League table after five winless matches, head coach Roberto De Zerbi urgently needs Maddison’s creative authority in midfield. The current training period offers the playmaker his best opportunity yet to build foundational sharpness, rebuild his physical condition, and finally put his long injury nightmare behind him ahead of vital upcoming fixtures against Manchester United and Coventry City.
