James Maddison And Dejan Kulusevski Return Offers Tottenham Fresh Hope Under Roberto De Zerbi

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has received a major boost to his Spurs squad with the return of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, both of whom featured in Monday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Coventry City.

The result ended Tottenham’s wait for a first league victory of the season, moving Spurs off the bottom of the table and into 16th position after seven matches.

For De Zerbi, the return of two experienced attacking midfielders could be key as Tottenham try to recover from a disappointing start to the campaign.

Maddison marked his first Premier League start since May 2025 with an outstanding opening goal against his former club. The England international struck in the 14th minute, giving Tottenham an early advantage after weeks of difficulty in front of goal. His performance demonstrated the creativity and attacking quality Spurs have missed during his lengthy absence.

Maddison has endured his own difficult rehabilitation, admitting afterwards that there had been dark periods during his recovery. His return gives De Zerbi another option in central attacking areas, particularly against opponents who defend deep and restrict space.

Tottenham had scored just three league goals before facing Coventry, highlighting the attacking problems the manager has been attempting to address.

The evening also marked a significant milestone for Kulusevski, who made his first competitive appearance in 526 days. The Swedish international replaced Mohammad Kudus in the 87th minute and received a standing ovation from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd.

Kulusevski had undergone two operations following a serious knee injury sustained in May 2025. His return gives De Zerbi more attacking flexibility, particularly on the right side or centrally.

However, Tottenham are expected to manage his playing time carefully following such an extended absence. After the victory, De Zerbi said he was happy to have both players available again.

The Italian also acknowledged that Tottenham’s overall performance against Coventry had not been their strongest of the season. He highlighted the difficulty of moving the ball quickly against Coventry’s compact defensive shape, admitting his side became predictable in the first half.

Those concerns underline why Maddison and Kulusevski could become important figures in the coming weeks. Both players possess the technical ability to operate in tight spaces, create chances and offer different attacking solutions.

Monday’s victory was only Tottenham’s first league win of the campaign, and one result will not resolve the problems that have affected their performances. However, the return of Maddison and Kulusevski gives De Zerbi more options at a crucial stage of the season.

Tottenham face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their next Premier League fixture, providing an immediate test of whether their improved result can develop into sustained progress.