'When you see the things he was doing...' - ex-Spurs scout amazed by one Tottenham player

The returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are key for Tottenham Hotspur and Roberto De Zerbi.

That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The England international made his first start for the Lilywhites in well over a year, scoring the opener in Monday's 3-1 win over Coventry City.

Kulusevski came off the bench at the end of the game, making his first appearance since the end of the 2024-25 campaign which saw him suffer a complicated knee injury.

The return of both players combined with victory has seen the mood in North London transformed in recent days, and De Zerbi will hope he can use that good feeling.

Tottenham will travel to Chelsea on Saturday for a clash at Stamford Bridge, where they have won just once in 36 years.

Dejan Kulusevski 'gives you another option'

Injuries have piled up for Tottenham this season so far, with the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk, Conor Gallagher and Maddison joining long-term absences Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, among others.

Yet the returns of Kulusevski and Maddison once more, will be a huge boost for De Zerbi if they can get back to full fitness.

"When you see the things that Maddison was doing against Coventry, you start thinking, wow, if he continues in that vein, he certainly can't do his England international chances any harm," King told Football Insider.

"That'd be a big boost for him and for Tottenham if he got back in the international set-up, and of course, the other thing was that Kulusevski came back on Monday.

"He gives you another option. He can get balls into wide areas and he attacks down those wings. Things get created when balls get played in behind fullbacks and he gets on the end of it.

"It's been well over a year, getting himself back. Maddison, both of them had horrific knee injuries, which they've both done well to come back from. I know people have criticised the medical team at Tottenham, but to get these two back will be a big plus for the manager, that's for sure."

What Roberto De Zerbi said about Tottenham returns

Speaking after Monday's win over Coventry, De Zerbi was happy to talk about his returning players.

"Very happy for the result, very happy for Maddison, very happy for Deki Kulusevski," the Italian said.

He added: "Different players. They are different players. Different talent, different experience, different personality. With them in the dressing room, there is another atmosphere.

Tottenham will hope to carry that atmosphere all the way to Stamford Bridge, where they will face a massive test.