Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has come under scrutiny for his recent performances, with former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood offering a critical take on the 27-year-old’s form.
Following Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat in the North London derby last week, Sherwood voiced concerns that Maddison might be playing too conservatively, particularly in midfield, where his risk-averse approach has hindered his ability to create scoring opportunities.
Sherwood, speaking on Premier League Productions, highlighted that while Maddison has shown flashes of brilliance, his tendency to make safer passes has limited his impact in the final third.
The former Spurs boss believes Maddison needs more support from his teammates to regain his confidence and play a more decisive role in Tottenham’s attack.
He said:
“You don’t see boring games with Tottenham anymore, but they need to start winning. You need that clinical edge. I like James Maddison, but he needs some help in there. He’s the only one who has a bit of guile. I’d like to see him pick up the ball behind the midfield in tight areas. He gets a lot of the ball, but he always plays it safe.”
Maddison made a decent start to the Premier League season, contributing two assists in Tottenham’s first two games. However, his form has dipped over the last couple of matches, which coincided with consecutive league defeats for Spurs.
Despite this recent slump, Maddison’s creativity remains crucial to Tottenham’s success, and Sherwood believes that, with the right support, the midfielder can return to being a pivotal figure.
Maddison made an immediate impact when he joined Spurs in 2023, winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August after registering three goals and five assists in his first nine matches, however his form derailed after suffering an injury against Chelsea. He has struggled to return to his best form since then.
As Tottenham look to regain momentum, Maddison’s ability to unlock defences will be key, and the club will be hoping he can rediscover the form that made him such a vital player early in the season.