Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has spoken candidly about the most difficult year of his career, revealing how he navigated 12 months on the sidelines following a torn anterior cruciate ligament — and why he believes Spurs are ready to push forward under Roberto De Zerbi.

In the opening episode of The Football Interview for the 2026/27 Premier League season, Maddison sat down with presenter Kelly Somers to reflect on a period that tested him both physically and mentally.

Family, purpose, and the toughest moments

Maddison described how his children became a crucial source of motivation during his lengthy rehabilitation. Amid the isolation that serious injuries can bring, he credited his family with giving him a sense of purpose when football felt out of reach.

He also identified the single hardest moment of those 12 months — a period he admitted was far more demanding than he had anticipated. Watching his Tottenham teammates struggle for results while he remained absent added another layer of frustration to an already painful experience.

Documenting the journey

Rather than suffer in silence, Maddison chose to share his rehabilitation process publicly through his YouTube channel, offering fans a rare, unfiltered look at the grind of recovering from one of football's most serious injuries. The project became both a personal outlet and a way to stay connected to the game he was missing.

A new era under De Zerbi

With Roberto De Zerbi now at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, Maddison expressed optimism about what the new managerial appointment means for the club. He outlined what has changed since De Zerbi's arrival and explained why he expects this season to feel different — both for himself and for the team as a whole.

Maddison also addressed what he believes people consistently misunderstand about him as a player and a person, using the interview to set the record straight on his character and his ambitions heading into the new campaign.