Tottenham’s “young Declan Rice” is now even more undroppable than Maddison

And so, Tottenham Hotspur have lift-off in 2026/27, following Monday’s vital win at home to newly-promoted Coventry City.

Heading into last night’s clash, Spurs remained the only team in England’s top five divisions not to have won a league game this season, a dismal record for Roberto De Zerbi‘s men.

Thankfully, inspired by the heroics of one-time Coventry star, James Maddison, that run came to an end, with the Lilywhites running out deserving 3-1 winners.

How Spurs saw off spirited Coventry

There were signs of life from the north Londoners away at Manchester United just over a week ago, yet, up until Dominic Solanke’s last-gasp header, they had been missing that finishing touch.

The forward line just hasn’t clicked into gear as yet this season, although the reintroduction of Maddison from the start had the desired effect, the Englishman sweeping home in almost trademark style to make it 1-0.

Coventry had certainly had their moments in the first half, however, while they went one better after the break, Jack Rudoni powering past Antonin Kinsky to draw the visitors level.

It looked briefly like it might be one of those days again for this creaky Tottenham team, yet up stepped Omar Marmoush to rifle in his first goal for the club, the Egyptian producing the type of finish that Eintracht Frankfurt supporters became accustomed to back in Germany.

A third from substitute Ben Davies in stoppage time marked a fine finale on a day in which Dejan Kulusevski also made his long-awaited return from injury, with the picture looking a little brighter now at N17 – not least due to Maddison.

Maddison’s game in numbers vs Coventry

A popular, high-profile figure in this Spurs dressing room, Maddison was finally able to let his feet do the talking on Monday night, following such a disrupted last year or so.

He hasn’t quite endured the injury hell of Kulusevski, but it’s not been far off, with the Lilywhites having not really seen the best of ‘Madders’ since Ange Postecoglou’s time at the helm. It was his first start in 536 days, after all.

This was more like it against Frank Lampard’s men, however, the 29-year-old serving a reminder of his quality with that delightful, curling effort from range.

In general, too, he was the man pulling the strings in the centre, the former Leicester City star supplying one key pass and boasting an 87% pass accuracy rate, having made 69 touches in total.

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Out of possession, he doesn’t offer the hustle and bustle of a Conor Gallagher, having only recorded two sprints, yet that’s not to say he wasn’t effective off the ball, as his tally of 100% duels won showcases.

Fitness permitting, Maddison should well remain a central part of this team moving forward, and he isn’t the only one.

Spurs’ “young Declan Rice” is now undroppable

De Zerbi, as he so often likes to do, kept everyone guessing with his starting lineup last night, with there having been real intrigue over how Spurs would shape up when the team sheet dropped.

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Was it a back three? Was it a back four? Who really knows, in truth, although what is clear is that such fluidity and flexibility did result in a much improved performance from the home side.

Central to that display, and De Zerbi’s tactical shake-up, was undoubtedly Archie Gray, the 20-year-old initially shining in an advanced midfield role, before shifting to right-back late on.

It does appear that no matter where the ex-Leeds United man is deployed, he does prove rather effective, so often seen driving forward to impact proceedings in the final third.

Speaking earlier this year after the win against Atletico Madrid, The Athletic’s Duncan Alexander was quick to hail Gray as being like a “young Declan Rice“, with Monday further corroborating that claim.

Like Rice, who lined up at centre-back or central midfield during his West Ham United days, the Spurs starlet is so impressively versatile, something of a veritable ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for De Zerbi to unleash.

Like Rice, however, he is undoubtedly at his best in his preferred midfield role, boasting the ability to drive forward at will, as he showed when completing two of his three attempted dribbles.

The £75k-per-week sensation also racked up 12 carries and supplied two key passes, one more than Maddison, having led the charge time and again for the hosts.

In true Rice fashion too, Gray was here, there and everywhere on the night, boasting a distance covered of 12.4km, while also winning six of his ten ground duels and completing 100% of his tackles.

Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Of course, he’s far from the finished article, but it says it all that Gray is currently getting the nod ahead of £85m man, Mateus Fernandes, with Spurs seemingly a better team with him in it.

Let’s hope both him and Maddison are again at the heart of things at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.