James Maddison to return to Coventry City? 'If Spurs go down' claim made | OneFootball

James Maddison could be in line for a return to Coventry City in the summer transfer window

Coventry City are now planning for life in the Premier League following their Championship title triumph.

Frank Lampard led the team to a first place finish with multiple games to spare, with the club set to return to the top flight after a 25 year absence.

The Sky Blues occupied a top two spot for the majority of the campaign, and have gone one step further in their promotion bid than last season when they suffered a play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland.

It promises to be a busy summer transfer window at the CBS Arena, with owner Doug King hoping that the team can survive in the top flight long-term.

Speculation has surrounded Lampard’s future following this promotion success, with former club Chelsea, as well as Crystal Palace, linked with a move for the 47-year-old.

The former England international took charge of Coventry in November 2024, and he’s earned a lot of credit for his role in their rise back to the Premier League.

Coventry City tipped to pursue James Maddison reunion

Coventry have been tipped to lead a transfer pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur playmaker James Maddison this summer following their promotion.

Former scout Mick Brown believes that the Sky Blues could offer him a route back to the club this summer, suggesting that a return to the CBS Arena could tempt the 29-year-old.

He’s also claimed that the midfielder’s fitness issues could leave Coventry in the best position to win his signature, should he become available this summer, as other clubs may have reservations over his ability to get back to his old form.

“James Maddison to Coventry City has got legs,” said Brown, via Football Insider.

“He’s made no secret about the fact he’s a fan of the club, he came through the ranks there, so it’s a deal that could pull at his heart strings.

“First thing’s first, he has to get his fitness back and that will be his priority.

“Once he does that, then a decision can be made about his future.

“If Tottenham go down, he might not be interested in playing in the Championship.

“Coventry could take that opportunity to bring him back to the Premier League, I think they’re more likely to take that gamble than anybody else would be.

“It’s going to be a concern for a few clubs, he has to prove his fitness and that he can stay playing at the top level, because it can take a while to recover.

“But Coventry would be able to give him the time and be patient with him, and it’s an environment where he would feel comfortable.

“So, like I say, he will have to prove he can get over the knee problem but if he can be ready for pre-season, a move to Coventry would make a lot of sense.”

Maddison suffered an ACL injury last year, and has only made his return to the Spurs first team squad last weekend for their 1-0 win against Wolves.

The 29-year-old’s last appearance came against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi final first leg on 1 May 2025.

He was capable of making the bench on Saturday, but he did not feature for Roberto de Zerbi’s side, as they claimed their first league victory of the calendar year.

Maddison made his Coventry debut at the age of 17, coming off the bench in an EFL Cup clash against Cardiff City.

The midfielder made a total of 35 league appearances for the Sky Blues before signing for Norwich city in the 2016 January transfer window.

Next up for Coventry is a final Championship clash away to Watford on 2 May in a 12.30pm kick-off.

James Maddison reunion would be very welcome at Coventry

Maddison has essentially missed a whole season of his career, and there will be some fitness concerns regarding his return.

But if Spurs are relegated, with the team currently in the bottom three, then a move to the CBS Arena could well be on the cards.

Maddison was massively influential in the London outfit’s Europa League win, even if he missed the final, and he’s earned bags of Premier League experience since leaving Coventry in 2016.

It's hard to imagine Spurs being in the bottom three of the Premier League this year if Maddison had been available at all before now.

He could be a great addition to Lampard’s side, and provide the kind of attacking threat that the Sky Blues will need in the top flight to survive.