Less than a week after Tottenham Hotspur fans rejoiced James Maddison returning to the starting 11 and putting on a masterclass in the No. 10 role with a world class goal and a few chances created in the team's first win of the season vs. his childhood club Coventry on Monday Night Football, the former Leicester City star has gone down injured yet again.
It had been nearly 18 months since his last start after tearing his ACL in the 2025/26 season, as Maddison suffered a dislocated shoulder on Matchday 1 vs. Brentford that slowed his return further. And as if to only double down on the injury prone label, Maddison came into the Chelsea game with surprising injury doubts after missing multiple practice sessions. He started but looked hobbled during the game and pulled up in the 50th minute with a groin injury, having to be taken off in frustration by Conor Gallagher.
Tottenham won 2-0 over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge anyway, and knowing how important Maddison is but also how delicate he has become, it is highly likely Spurs shut the No. 10 down for a little bit rather than risk further injury to the groin.
For the most part, Spurs have struggled to find a 10 to replace Maddison, and the usual suspect was the very player Spurs put into the game against Chelsea, Conor Gallagher. Once again, Gallagher didn't really do much in that role, and while his work rate makes him a useful rotational player to the team, he has no creativity and is far from the profile to replace James Maddison.
Other options are underwhelming, too. Dejan Kulusevski is not yet ready to start after his major injury. Luca Williams-Barnett is very intriguing but raw. And Mohammed Kudus is so much better on the right wing than he is in the middle, as is the case for Savio.
Omar Marmoush, however, is worth pondering as a major position change to try out in the 10, perhaps in a more advanced role behind Dominic Solanke. Roberto De Zerbi chose Marmoush as the 9 over Solanke against Chelsea, but he struggled in that game alone, whereas he played much better against Coventry with Solanke in the lineup with him.
Mathys Tel had a great goal and overall performance against Chelsea to all but confirm he will continue to start, which will make Marmoush's path to playing time harder if De Zerbi wants Solanke at striker again. Getting Marmoush in as a Maddison replacement in the 10 role is a way to potentially play all of Tel, Kudus/Savio, Solanke, and Marmoush in the attack, see what can be done without Madders, and trial a new attacking setup against Crystal Palace next weekend. It's worth a shot. After all, Marmoush can't be worse than Conor Gallagher.
This article was originally published on www.hotspurhq.com as Tottenham's best option for replacing James Maddison involves a major position change .
