Before Tottenham's match against Coventry, manager Roberto De Zerbi said James Maddison is ready to start and confirmed Dejan Kulusevski will be on the bench. He also explained the arrangements during the club's Marbella training camp.
Maddison in contention to start
De Zerbi said: "Yes, I think of course you need to play many games to reach the best physical condition. But there are players able to be important even if they play 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes and James is one player like this. I think this season, right now, he’s ready to start the game. I don’t know if we start with him, but I’m waiting for that moment."
Football365 reported that Maddison's last start for Spurs came in their 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals in May 2025. Football365 also reported that Maddison has played a total of 90 minutes from the bench in five substitute appearances so far this season.
Kulusevski and squad availability
De Zerbi confirmed Kulusevski will be on the bench against Coventry.
Football365 reported that Kulusevski had not featured for Tottenham in 526 days because of a serious knee issue. Football365 also reported that Savio and Lucas Bergvall are both expected to be out for a short spell, while Rodrigo Bentancur starts the first of his three-match ban for his red card at Manchester United.
What happened in Marbella
Football365 reported that Tottenham went to Marbella for a warm-weather training camp during the nine-day difference between the Manchester United and Coventry games.
De Zerbi said: "We worked on the pitch, we stayed together – we removed phones from breakfast, lunch and dinner to stay together because now it is like all the time. We had two or three important meetings speaking about football, our situation and how everyone has to take responsibility. And nothing more. There were some dinners just for the players, some dinners just for the staff."
How the camp decision was made
De Zerbi said: "As a coach you understand you have to improve, you have to change the situation and you try to find all solutions."
He added: "I already did this type of training camp two times with Marseille and it was a good solution. I spoke with the club, with Vinai (Venkatesham), with Johan (Lange), with the owner and together we took the decision, but it’s nothing special."
Asked if players were able to go out independently in Marbella, De Zerbi said: "Yes, with freedom. With no military rules. I love freedom."