James Maddison has acknowledged Tottenham Hotspur’s ongoing struggle to secure Premier League survival following their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, which has left the season’s final day crucial. The England midfielder, who is still recovering from a significant knee injury, made only his second appearance of the campaign as a substitute at Stamford Bridge, contributing a spark to an otherwise subdued Spurs performance.

Maddison has been sidelined for nine months after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament surgery, limiting his involvement to brief cameos as he gradually returns to full fitness. With Tottenham facing a decisive home match against Everton on Sunday, where a single point would guarantee their top-flight status, supporters are urging the club to increase Maddison’s playing time. However, the 29-year-old emphasized the importance of caution to avoid jeopardizing his career, citing medical advice and recovery protocols.

“Anyone who has worked in football or has been through this injury knows it is not easy just to drop back in,” Maddison said. “It would be catastrophic for my career if something was to happen and we weren’t safe or if we didn’t follow the protocols from the specialist. But I want to help the team as much as I can, so let’s see where we get to.”

Maddison’s vulnerability is underscored by a history of injuries this season, including a medial ligament issue sustained just three months before the ACL tear, which prevented him from participating in the Europa League final. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi echoed the player’s cautious stance, stating that Maddison would be limited to 20 to 25 minutes on the pitch according to medical guidance. Nonetheless, De Zerbi expressed confidence in the team’s survival chances with or without Maddison’s extended involvement.

Tottenham currently sit two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United, holding a superior goal difference heading into the last matchday. Despite this advantage, Maddison called the club’s precarious position “unacceptable” and “embarrassing,” reflecting on the team’s offensive shortcomings throughout the season, which were evident in their recent home struggles.

“We probably haven’t been good enough going forward this season,” Maddison noted, referencing difficulties in creating and converting scoring opportunities. “It’s a lack of quality in the final moments and that showed against Chelsea. That is something I can bring.”

As Spurs prepare to face Everton, Maddison stressed the importance of stepping up and delivering a positive result to appease supporters and ensure the club’s Premier League status. “It’s in our hands. We’ve got a massive game on Sunday, so we need to be ready. We need to repay the fans to avoid a disastrous situation and come out of this relegation battle on the right side of the line and rebuild,” he said.