Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has made a surprising admission ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League clash at Wolves, revealing that James Maddison will be on the bench despite not being fully fit. The midfielder, who has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, is still in the final stages of rehabilitation and experienced pain during the week. However, De Zerbi believes Maddison's presence alone can boost the team's morale as they fight to avoid relegation.
Maddison's role as a 'vibes man'
De Zerbi explained that Maddison's inclusion in the matchday squad is not about playing but about his positive influence. "He will come with us on the bench because he is important. If he plays or not, it doesn't matter. It's better if he plays, for sure, but, as a guy, as a leader, he is positive. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people, and this is important also for his teammates," De Zerbi said.
The same tactic was used last Saturday against Brighton, where Maddison was named among the substitutes despite having no chance of playing. He did not even warm up, but his mere presence was intended to lift the spirits of a team that has not won in 15 league matches. A failure to win at Wolves would equal the club's all-time record of 16 winless games, set between 1934 and 1935.
Injury crisis forces creative solutions
De Zerbi is without eight other players due to injuries, including Destiny Udogie (muscle problem), Guglielmo Vicario (hernia), and Pape Matar Sarr (shoulder). With limited options, he chose Maddison over an academy youngster who would likely not get on the pitch. This decision reflects De Zerbi's determination to try anything to boost confidence.
During his press conference, De Zerbi recalled a heavy defeat to Wolves manager Rob Edwards' Luton side in January 2024, calling it "a very bad game." But he remains focused on positivity, reminding his players of their qualities and urging them to play "without too many problems in their head."
De Zerbi's motivational methods
De Zerbi uses various methods to reach his players, including videos, words, and even social gatherings. "If you speak every day about the faults, the head of the players stay on the faults and it's not good. We have to be positive and to be positive we have to remember what we are good at," he said.
He also studies YouTube clips of players from their previous clubs to find the best positions for them. For example, he played Randal Kolo Muani as a right-winger after seeing his performances at Eintracht Frankfurt. "When I don't work in my office, I go to find something to be important for me to give more information about the players because we have no time and we have to consider everything to stay up," De Zerbi added.
Belief in one win turning the tide
De Zerbi remains confident that a single victory can spark a turnaround, drawing on his experience at Brighton. After a poor start in September 2022, his team beat Chelsea 4-1, which changed everything. "We changed everything," he recalled. He hopes for a similar catalyst at Tottenham, and quickly.
