The James Maddison error Roberto De Zerbi simply can't afford to make in Tottenham vs Coventry
James Maddison is in line to make his first Premier League start for Tottenham Hotspur in 18 months against Coventry City on Monday.
The 29-year-old has struggled with injury issues and has played just 75 minutes in the top flight this season.
Only Richarlison (68 minutes), who is very much out of the picture under Roberto De Zerbi, Mykhailo Mudryk (16), who is out injured, and Tosin Adarabioyo (five) have played fewer minutes among the senior players.
De Zerbi brought Maddison on for the final 15 minutes of Tottenham's 1-1 draw at Manchester United last weekend.
That was the fifth time Maddison has been introduced from the substitutes' bench this campaign.
But it may well be that he is now primed to start against his former side Coventry on Monday.
Why James Maddison has to start vs Coventry
In a surprise to absolutely nobody, Tottenham have injury and suspension issues to contend with against Coventry.
Savio and Lucas Bergvall are out of contention, while Rodrigo Bentancur is also absent through suspension.
Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons and Mudryk are also out, while Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski and Andy Robertson are considered doubts.
De Zerbi may wonder whether the time is right to hand Maddison his first league start since April 2025, and it absolutely is.
Despite being on the field for just 15 minutes at Old Trafford, no Tottenham player registered more tackles (three) than Maddison.
The England international - hailed "outstanding" by Ange Postecoglou in the past - was also composed on the ball, completing 11 of his 13 passes for an 85 per cent pass-completion rate.
He also won four out of four duels in what was an impactful display, with Spurs down to 10 men at that stage and going on to find a late leveller.
Maddison looks ideally suited to come into the side from the off against Coventry, where he started his career, with Mohammed Kudus and Omar Marmoush either side.
Dominic Solanke would then get the nod up top after his morale-boosting goal at Old Trafford last time out.
The bad omen Dominic Solanke needs to change
Solanke now has two goals for the season in all competitions, with the other coming against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
However, when the Englishman scores in the Premier League, it does not necessarily equate to success for Spurs.
That is because Solanke has won none of the last eight Premier League matches in which he has scored, losing six of those.
Only three players - Steven Fletcher (10), Abdoulaye Doucoure and Zian Flemming (both nine) have ever had a longer run.
It goes without saying that is something Solanke will be eager to put right, ideally starting against Coventry on Monday.