Jamie Carragher believes that James Maddison could become a pivotal figure if Tottenham Hotspur are to avoid the drop and secure their place in the Premier League. The north London side have been plagued by a cascade of injuries, and the recent 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers – their first win of the 2026 campaign – was achieved despite the loss of key attacking options.
Xavi Simons, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, represents a £52 million setback, adding to a growing list of absences that have left Spurs teetering just two points shy of safety with four matches remaining. The injury list is long and includes summer signing Mohammed Kudus and captain Cristian Romero, both sidelined for the rest of the term early in De Zerbi’s tenure. Dejan Kulusevski has also been missing, and Maddison has not featured since sustaining a torn ACL in August. Although he has been named in the squad for the last two matchdays, the former England midfielder has not been deemed fit enough to make a full‑time comeback.
Nevertheless, Carragher argued on Monday Night Football that Maddison possesses the kind of creativity and instinct that could provide the "magic" Tottenham need to steer clear of relegation. "Spurs have been extraordinarily unlucky with injuries," Carragher told Sky Sports. "If they hadn't suffered this injury curse, they wouldn't be in the position they're in now. The fact that three players in the same attacking role – Kulusevski, Maddison and now Simons – have all suffered ACL ruptures is unprecedented." He went on to say that Maddison, once he returns to full fitness, may have to step up and help keep the club up.
"He's the only player I can think of who could do something special," Carragher added, drawing a parallel with the flair of Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Gibbs‑White. "He might only get 15‑20 minutes off the bench, but those minutes could be decisive, especially in the away fixtures at Aston Villa and Chelsea." Carragher emphasized Maddison's willingness to take responsibility: "Even after the win at Wolves, there is still a lingering fear of relegation. Maddison would still want to take the ball, regardless of the situation. For Spurs to stay up, I feel he has a role to play." Everton forward Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall echoed this sentiment on the same programme, calling Maddison "probably the most creative player in the Spurs squad".
He noted that Maddison would not relish being in a position where the team depends on him, but his ability to influence a game in the final 15‑20 minutes – whether by creating a chance or scoring – could be vital. "Spurs haven't really got a hat at the moment," he said, referring to the lack of a reliable goal‑scoring outlet. The relegation battle remains intense. Tottenham, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest all matched Forest's win on Friday, each desperate to avoid joining Burnley and Wolves in the Championship next season.
Spurs have 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, Tottenham could still struggle due to a paucity of goals compared with Forest and West Ham, who boast the attacking talents of Gibbs‑White and Bowen. "It's going to be really tough for Spurs," he said.
"The fans might think they've finally won a game, but they haven't won a league game all year. Meanwhile, their rivals West Ham and Forest have also secured victories. Adding the weekend injuries to the mix, Spurs are actually in a worse position than last week because they've already cleared the easiest game on paper." Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood weighed in on Sky Sports FC, blaming injuries for derailing Tottenham's season.
"They need to review what's happening to their players," he argued, noting that many of the injuries are non‑contact soft‑tissue issues rather than the result of tackles. "If you keep losing your best players to injury, the ultimate price could be relegation." Sherwood highlighted the lack of a forward capable of matching the output of Gibbs‑White or Bowen, stating that Spurs currently lack an attacker who can even come close to those players' quality. He expressed doubt about Tottenham's ability to score against Villa and Chelsea, suggesting that even if they manage a goal, they would need to keep a clean sheet to win, placing enormous pressure on the remaining home games against Leeds and Everton. In summary, the consensus among pundits is clear: Tottenham's survival hinges on a combination of improved fitness, tactical adjustments, and perhaps a spark of brilliance from James Maddison.
If he can return to full fitness and deliver those crucial moments of creativity, he may indeed provide the "magic" that Carragher believes Spurs need to stay in the Premier League.