Team news | Roberto’s positive update on ‘special’ Maddison
Roberto De Zerbi reports that James Maddison is available for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (5.30pm UK).
Having played a key role as we asserted our dominance in the first half, the playmaker was forced off early in the second half of our 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
However, Roberto has allayed fears he might miss out this weekend at he pre-match press conference on Friday.
Asked about Madders, Roberto explained: “This week, Maddison didn't work like the other players, but, for tomorrow, he is available.
“He is a special player for us - a special player because he has unique characteristics, different than everyone. Maybe just Xavi Simons is very close with him, but he is injured, or Deki Kulusevski can play as a 10, similar to James.
“He special for the characteristics, for the experience, for the personality, but we can play with Marmoush as a 10 or with Conor Gallagher as a 10. We played already with Mateus Fernandes, even he is better as a playmaker, but it is not important I think the characteristics of the players, the most important is to put the players in the right position for them.
"I think for James or anyway for the players who are coming from injury, long injury, you have to work more than the other players, but he is already four or five weeks working very hard and consistently. So, I think it is not a problem if you lose two days.”