Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has spoken candidly about his lengthy road to recovery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, revealing how the past 12 months away from the pitch have reshaped his outlook both personally and professionally.
Speaking to Kelly Somers on BBC Radio 5 Live's The Football Interview, in the opening episode of the show's coverage for the 2026/27 Premier League season, Maddison reflected on the emotional and physical toll of his rehabilitation. The England international admitted there were difficult periods during his time out, but said becoming a father has given him fresh perspective and motivation throughout the process.
Maddison also touched on the hardest moment of his recovery, describing it as a particularly challenging point during the long rehabilitation journey, without shying away from the mental strain that comes with such a serious injury. To help process the experience, the midfielder chose to document parts of his rehab publicly, launching a YouTube channel where followers could track his progress from the sidelines back towards full fitness.
Watching from the stands or in front of the television was not always easy, and Maddison acknowledged the frustration of being unable to contribute when Tottenham endured spells of poor form last season. He explained how it felt to see the team struggle without being able to influence matters on the pitch, a feeling familiar to many long-term injury absentees who remain fully invested in their club's fortunes despite being unable to play a direct role.
With his recovery now progressing, attention has turned to the season ahead and the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham's new head coach. Maddison spoke about the changes he has noticed since De Zerbi's arrival, suggesting the Italian's methods and approach have already begun to make an impression on the squad. The 2026/27 campaign, he believes, will look different for Spurs, and he outlined his reasons for optimism under the new manager, pointing to shifts in style and mentality that could help the club push forward this season.
Beyond the football talk, the interview also gave Maddison a chance to address public perception of him as a player and person. Asked what people commonly get wrong about him, the midfielder offered his own perspective on the misconceptions that have followed him throughout his career, using the platform to set the record straight in his own words.
The conversation, which ran for around 13 minutes, covered a broad range of topics from the toughest personal moments of Maddison's rehabilitation to his hopes for a productive return to first-team action. Having missed a significant chunk of the previous campaign, the 27-year-old will be eager to reestablish himself as a key figure in Tottenham's midfield once he is fully match-fit.
With De Zerbi now at the helm and a new season underway, all eyes will be on how quickly Maddison can reintegrate into the side and what impact his return could have on Spurs' ambitions. For now, though, his focus remains on completing his recovery and drawing on the resilience built over the past year as he prepares for what he hopes will be a fresh chapter both for himself and the club.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport (Football Daily / Radio 5 Live).