James Maddison Cleared to Face Crystal Palace

James Maddison has been cleared to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, easing fears of another setback for a player who has already spent too long in treatment rooms.

The Tottenham playmaker limped off early in the second half of last weekend’s 2-0 win at Chelsea, a worrying sight given his recent history. He missed most of last season with a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, then fractured his shoulder on the opening weekend of this campaign at Brentford.

This time, though, the alarm has faded quickly.

Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that his 29-year-old midfielder will be in the squad for Palace’s visit.

“This week he didn't work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us,” the Spurs manager said. The message was clear: handled carefully, but central to the plan.

Maddison only returned to the starting XI earlier this month, announcing himself again with a spectacular strike in a 3-1 win over Coventry. Since his comeback, Tottenham have beaten Coventry and Chelsea, and have dragged themselves out of the relegation zone and up to 14th in the Premier League. His influence has been immediate, and obvious.

De Zerbi knows the balance he has to strike with a player of Maddison’s quality and medical file.

“For James Maddison or the players who are coming from a long injury, they have to work more than the other players, but he has already four or five weeks – he is working very hard and consistently,” he said. “So, I think it's not a problem if he loses two days [training], but then we have to analyse if we take the risk or not.”

That last line is where the tension lies for Tottenham. Maddison is fit enough to feature, but every minute he plays is weighed against the risk of losing him again.

Since joining from Leicester City in 2023 on a five-year deal worth £40m, Maddison has delivered 17 goals and 21 assists in 85 appearances for the north London club. Those numbers, and the way Spurs have sharpened with him back in the side, explain why De Zerbi is prepared to bend the training rules for his No. 10.

Palace arrive with Tottenham still closer to the bottom than they would like. Maddison is available. How much De Zerbi dares to lean on him could shape more than just one afternoon.