James Maddison’s injury requires a medical check, Roberto De Zerbi says, after the midfielder was forced off in Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Chelsea. The Spurs head coach hopes the problem is not serious, but the club’s published update does not give a diagnosis or a return date.
That is the distinction in Tottenham’s post-match update: encouragement from the manager, with an examination still needed. It is not confirmation that Maddison has avoided an injury.
James Maddison injury: what De Zerbi confirmed
“I hope he didn’t feel a big problem, but we have to make a medical check,” De Zerbi said. Maddison had started at Stamford Bridge and impressed in the first half before signalling towards the bench after the interval. Conor Gallagher replaced him.
Asked again in his post-match press conference, De Zerbi said: “We need to do the medical check tomorrow, after tomorrow, I don’t know. I hope it’s not a big problem because he’s a special player for us. We need him.”
Those remarks were made on Saturday. They leave Sunday or Monday as possible timing for the check, not a confirmed appointment on either day. A recovery estimate would go beyond what the club has published.
James Maddison injury follows return to the starting side
Maddison had scored against Coventry City on Monday in his first start in 18 months, according to the club. He retained his place at Chelsea after De Zerbi’s cautious pre-match assessment of his readiness.
The manager paired Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski in his explanation of how carefully their returns need to be handled. “We have to manage them like two diamonds,” he said, describing both as special players with different personalities.
A medical question separate from the derby win
Spurs won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge through a Mike Penders own goal and a late Mathys Tel finish. The result is settled; Maddison’s condition is a separate question awaiting clearer information.
The earlier Spurs team-news report sets out the wider fitness backdrop. For Maddison, the current official position remains a planned medical assessment and De Zerbi’s hope, rather than a named injury or a confirmed absence period.
Source: Tottenham Hotspur, Roberto’s latest on Maddison from Stamford Bridge, 24 October 2026. No newer official medical outcome was found in the morning check on 25 October.
