James Maddison admits players must look in the mirror and questions club's injury record after final day survival
James Maddison insists workaholic Roberto De Zerbi can lead the club back to where it belongs.
Maddison says Tottenham would be facing the “disaster” of relegation without De Zerbi but predicts they can emulate Manchester United next season without the added pressure of European football.
Tottenham midfielder Maddison painted the picture of De Zerbi working at the training ground until at least 9pm every night while going through tactics with his coaching staff. Maddison, who revealed he stays in the training ground accommodation the night before games to get a good night’s sleep, says De Zerbi’s infectious attitude is the reason why they beat the drop.
England star Maddison said: “Without that appointment, disaster could have maybe struck, but it didn’t and he takes a lot of credit for that because of the work he's done. Behind the scenes, training pitch.
“He’s the last one to leave the training ground. He’s so passionate. He's been living at the training ground with the guys, with his team. I go and stay at the training ground the night before, every home game, and I turn up just to get a good night's sleep. He's there. He's there at 9pm, with all his staff, they’ve got the tactics board, there's like six of them.
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“He's just obsessed with football. He's passionate, and when you feel the authenticity of someone who's passionate for Tottenham… Because I am, I love this club and I want this club to be successful so bad. And when you see the man who's steering the ship, it means everything.
“When he's genuine and not just saying it for the sake of a motivational meeting, you can tell he means that. That's why he says: ‘I have blood inside me, not water.’ That’s what he always says - and he means it.”
Maddison only returned for the run-in because of injury but he says there must be soul searching this summer and he pointed to the overcrowded treatment table as a major factor. But Maddison was honest enough to say that the players must also look at themselves in the mirror to look for the reasons why they only survived by the skin of their teeth after finishing 17th for a second season running.
Maddison said: “We hold ourselves to the highest standards and we have to look for reasons and look in the mirror as to what went wrong.
“I am trying to give you the answers you are looking for without being fully in it. I’ve been injured but the reality is, we haven't been good enough. That's why we're in the position we are in.
“Now, we have to really figure out over the summer why that was the case. Europa League last year but the Premier League again was not good enough.
“Part of it is if you go all through all the clubs and you rip out some of the biggest names… our situation with the injuries has been worse than any other club.
“People try and say: ‘Oh, but we've got this…’ But ours is ours is astronomical and we need to look at why that is. Sometimes it can just be a coincidence.”
Maddison insists that Tottenham can get back up the table next season as he insists they owe it to the fans who gave them an incredible reception after they beat Everton to stay up. He also believes they can take a leaf out of Manchester United’s book.
United have got back into the Champions League after a season without European football and now Spurs have the same scenario next year and Maddison says they must turn that into a positive.
Maddison added: “We’ve got no Europe which is not what this club should be at, but it is the reality and it helped United this year so I’m excited…
“Our fans deserve it. Our fans are unbelievable. I think they are the best in the world. Best in the league, traveling and at home. We didn't deserve that, what they gave us after the game.
“And then, it honestly gives me goosebumps even just talking about because they are a powerful tool for us. It’s unbelievable.”