If missing the UEFA Europa League Final in May, 2025 due to injury wasn’t enough, the midfielder’s comeback trail took a heartbreaking turn for the worse during our pre-season tour of Korea, when he suffered an ACL injury against Newcastle in Seoul in August, 2025. That ruled him out until 18 April, 2026, when he was named on the bench against Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi said how important it was to have Madders around the squad and he finally returned off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Leeds on 11 May and then played his part off the bench in the defining win against Everton on 24 May.
Now up to 78 appearances since his arrival from Leicester in the summer of 2023, the England international has 16 goals to his name – none more important than in the semi-final of the UEL against Bodo/Glimt, where he was later injured - and his overall stats for us in the PL tell the story – 29 goal involvements in 59 PL appearances.
Spurs career
2025/26 – 3 appearances after ACL return, out August-April.
2024/25 – 45 appearances, 12 goals – nine goals in PL – goal in UEL semi-final against Bodo/Glimt.
2023/24 – 30 appearances, 4 goals - started 26 of 28 in PL.
Life before Spurs
James began his career at Coventry City, making his professional debut in August, 2014. He signed for Norwich City in January, 2016, staying on loan at Coventry before joining Canaries for 2016/17, when he also spent time on loan at Aberdeen. Maddison became a key part of Norwich’s side the following season, making 49 appearances in all competitions, top scorer with 15 goals, claiming City’s Player of the Season award. His reputation grew in 2017/18, when he was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season and named in both the Championship and PFA Team of the Year. He joined Leicester City in July, 2018 and made 203 appearances over a five-year spell with the Foxes, scoring 55 goals. He lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021. His most prolific campaign followed in 2021/22 with 30 goal contributions (18 goals, 12 assists) and then 19 goal contributions in 30 matches in 2022/23 before his switch to N17.
England
After representing England at Under-21 level, James received his first call-up to the senior squad in October, 2018. His first cap arrived against Montenegro in November, 2019. Part of England’s 2022 World Cup squad, he earned his first start against Ukraine in March, 2023. Capped four times so far during his time at Spurs, James was named in England’s provisional squad ahead of Euro 2024 but, sadly, didn't make the final cut for Germany. At the end of 2025/26, he had seven caps to his name.
England
England