Jamie Carragher believes that James Maddison may become a decisive factor if Tottenham Hotspur hopes to stay in the Premier League. The north London club secured a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, their first win of the 2026 calendar year, but the triumph was shadowed by a fresh wave of injuries to key attacking players.
Xavi Simons, the £52 million signing, suffered a season‑ending setback, adding to a growing list of absences that have left Spurs precariously positioned just two points behind safety with four matches remaining. The injury list has swelled dramatically since De Zerbi took charge. In addition to Simons, summer recruit Mohammed Kudus and captain Cristian Romero have both been ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Dejan Kulusevski, who has been a creative outlet on the wing, is also sidelined, and James Maddison has not featured since August after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Although Maddison was named in the last two matchday squads, the medical staff deemed him not fit enough for a full return. Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, argued that Maddison’s skill set could provide the "magic" Tottenham need as they battle to avoid a drop into the Championship.
"Spurs have been unbelievably unlucky with injuries," Carragher told the network. "If they hadn't suffered this spate of knocks, they wouldn't be in this dire situation." He highlighted the unusual concentration of ACL injuries among players occupying similar roles – Kulusevski, Maddison and now Simons – and suggested that Maddison’s eventual comeback could be pivotal. "He is the only player I can think of who might deliver something special," Carragher said, drawing a parallel to the creative instincts of Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Gibbs‑White.
Even if Maddison’s involvement is limited to a brief 15‑20 minute cameo off the bench, Carragher believes his presence could spark the kind of moment that turns a game. He specifically mentioned the upcoming away fixtures at Aston Villa and Chelsea as matches where a flash of brilliance could be decisive.
"When I picture the squad and the fear of relegation, I see Maddison taking the ball, refusing to give up, and possibly creating a chance or scoring a goal," Carragher added. Everton forward Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall echoed this sentiment on the same programme, describing Maddison as "probably the most creative player in the Spurs squad." He acknowledged that Maddison would not have wanted to be placed in a situation where the club relies on him, but emphasized that a late‑game substitution could produce a crucial opportunity. "Spurs haven't really got a hat-trick of goals at the moment," Dewsbury‑Hall noted, underscoring the team's scoring woes. The relegation battle remains fierce.
After the weekend, Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all matched each other's results, each desperately trying to stay clear of Burnley and Wolves, who are already destined for the Championship. Tottenham now has four games left: home fixtures against Leeds United and Everton, and away trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea. Carragher warned that despite the recent win, Spurs could still struggle because of their lack of firepower compared with Forest and West Ham, both of which boast players of the calibre of Bowen and Gibbs‑White. "It's going to be really tough for Spurs," he said.
"The fans might think a single win is enough, but they haven't won a game all season. Meanwhile, their rivals have also secured victories, so the gap hasn't closed – it may have even widened because Tottenham's easiest match on paper is now behind them." Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood weighed in on Sky Sports FC, blaming the injury crisis for Tottenham's season-long decline. "Injuries have derailed Tottenham all season, and it can't just be bad luck," he argued.
Sherwood called for a thorough review of the club's medical protocols, noting that many of the injuries were non‑contact soft‑tissue problems. "If your best players keep getting injured and you can't get them back to fitness, the ultimate price could be relegation," he warned. He specifically mentioned Kulusevski and Maddison, pointing out that both have been out for an extended period and will need careful management over the summer.
Sherwood also compared Spurs' attacking options with those of West Ham and Nottingham Forest, noting that both rivals field a front four and have multiple players capable of producing goals and assists. "Spurs lack a forward who can even come close to the quality of Bowen or Gibbs‑White," he said.
"That is what worries me for Spurs." Looking ahead to the crucial fixtures at Villa and Chelsea, Sherwood expressed doubt about Tottenham's ability to find the net. "After watching the Wolves game and seeing the injuries in attack, who is going to score for Spurs? Who will create? I can only see them possibly scoring a single goal and then having to keep a clean sheet.
It's a very fragile proposition," he explained. This uncertainty places even greater pressure on the remaining home games against Leeds and Everton, where Spurs will need to secure points to stay afloat.
In summary, both Carragher and Sherwood agree that Tottenham's survival hinges on a combination of improved fitness, tactical adjustments, and perhaps a touch of individual brilliance. James Maddison, returning from a serious ACL injury, could provide that spark – whether through a decisive pass, a set‑piece delivery, or a late‑game goal.
While the odds appear steep, the final stretch of the season will test the club's depth, resilience, and ability to adapt under pressure. If Maddison can deliver even a brief moment of magic, it might be enough to tip the balance and keep Tottenham in the Premier League.