Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder James Maddison will be sidelined for most of the upcoming campaign after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
According to BBC Sport sources, the 28-year-old is scheduled for surgery and faces a lengthy spell away from the pitch as he begins his rehabilitation. Maddison was hurt during last weekend’s pre-season match against Newcastle United in South Korea.
Manager Thomas Frank stated after the game that the problem affects the same knee that kept the England international out of the Europa League final win over Manchester United in May. Following the team’s return from Asia on Monday, medical assessments over the past few days confirmed the seriousness of the injury. Initial suspicions of ligament damage have now been confirmed.
Since joining Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, Maddison has found the net 12 times in 45 appearances. He has also represented England on seven occasions, most recently in 2024.
Impact on Tottenham’s plans
Frank was already preparing for the departure of captain Son Heung-min, but Maddison’s absence represents a further blow in his first season in charge. Son’s farewell match in South Korea was overshadowed by his teammate’s latest setback, with Maddison’s visible distress reflecting the severity of the situation.
Losing both players leaves Tottenham with a significant gap in attacking options. The club may now have to reassess the transfer market for a creative midfielder. A move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the summer fell through, which could have reduced the urgency to find reinforcements.
Mohammed Kudus, recently signed from West Ham United, has experience playing in a central role and might be considered as a temporary solution. Nonetheless, replacing Maddison’s influence will be a major challenge for Spurs.
