Roberto De Zerbi may have made a decision against Crystal Palace that proves crucial when Tottenham travel to Leeds United this weekend.

Spurs beat Palace 2-0, making it three wins in a row for the North London club.

James Maddison was named among the substitutes but was not called upon, meaning the playmaker should be fresh and ready to return to the starting XI at Elland Road.

That is an encouraging position for Spurs to be in. Maddison has the creativity and vision to make a difference in the final third, and having him available from the beginning could give Tottenham another dimension as they look to maintain their momentum.

There was no need for De Zerbi to turn to the England international against Palace.

Tottenham were able to see out the contest without making use of him, allowing Maddison to get valuable recovery time rather than asking him to contribute minutes in a demanding game.

That should benefit both the player and the team.

Maddison is at his best when he can find pockets of space between the opposition’s midfield and defence, receive the ball on the half-turn and pick out runners.

His ability to unlock a stubborn defence could be particularly useful against a Leeds side playing in front of their own supporters.

Tottenham have enjoyed an impressive run of results, with the midfield combination of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes providing energy and control.

Maddison’s return does not have to come at the expense of that balance. Instead, De Zerbi can use the midfielder’s creative qualities further forward, giving Spurs another reliable route to goal.

It is also a reminder of the value of having depth. De Zerbi was able to get through the Palace game without needing Maddison, and that could leave a key player better prepared for the next challenge.

Managing minutes carefully over a busy schedule can be just as important as choosing the strongest possible team for one match.

Maddison should now be in contention to start at Leeds. His ability to create chances and dictate the tempo in advanced areas could prove vital, particularly if Tottenham need patience and precision to break their opponents down.

De Zerbi’s decision not to introduce him against Palace may therefore have a welcome consequence.

Spurs got the result they wanted, while keeping one of their most influential creative players fresh for the trip to Leeds.