Tottenham: How major problem returned to bite Spurs as fears grow over only solution

Tottenham had scored in all nine of their previous meetings with Leeds, but they could have no complaints about failing to find the back of the net at Elland Road on Saturday.

Tottenham weathered an early Leeds onslaught and began to piece together some fluid, attacking moves towards the end of the opening 45 minutes, but it was abundantly clear that something was missing.

Despite having 62 per cent of the ball, Spurs managed just seven shots in total, with a combined xG (expected goals) of 0.72. Leeds, by contrast, had 16 shots from just 38 per cent possession and generated an xG figure of 1.96.

In essence, Leeds should have scored more than once, while Tottenham would hardly have been deserving of an equaliser.

Results have seen an upturn over the last month, but Spurs’ inability to create consistent clear-cut chances from open play was an issue that was always likely to come back and bite them eventually.

Unused substitute: James Maddison did not get off the bench as Tottenham lost to Leeds

PA

In-swinging crosses from the left flank have been a productive route to goal this season, with Dominic Solanke (away at Manchester United) and Jan Paul van Hecke (at home to Crystal Palace) both scoring from such situations, but De Zerbi’s side are ultimately still too reliant on set-pieces to generate chances.

The fix for Spurs on paper is simple. The reality less so. They need James Maddison fit and ready to start.

Maddison is the only player in Spurs’ squad with the poise and precision to play between the lines and connect a functional midfield with a frenetic frontline.

The problem is his availability. Maddison has started just twice this season and has not featured since coming off with a suspected groin issue during Spurs’ 2-0 victory away to Chelsea last month.

At the time, De Zerbi downplayed any fears of a serious injury, and he has since named him in the last two matchday squads.

Maddison is the only player in Spurs’ squad with the ability to connect a functional midfield with a frenetic frontline

However, in neglecting to bring him off the bench against both Palace and Leeds, there is growing concern that Spurs are back to square one with Maddison’s fitness.

The 29-year-old has been unable to train consistently in the last few weeks, and while fit enough to be made available for selection, De Zerbi clearly has reservations about his sharpness.

So much so that Dejan Kulusevski, who only recently returned after nearly a year-and-a-half out with a serious kneecap injury, has jumped ahead of him in the pecking order.

Kulusevski was one of three ineffectual changes De Zerbi made just past the hour mark against Leeds to try to wrestle back control. In reality, Tottenham needed Maddison’s ability to find space and dictate the tempo.

The international break has come at a good time for Spurs and Maddison, who will surely be targeting minutes at home to Ipswich in their first game back.

The longer they continue to struggle to create chances, though, the less patience there will be for Maddison and his patchy fitness record.