Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major blow ahead of the new season with confirmation that midfielder James Maddison has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will miss the majority of the 2025/26 campaign.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Spurs’ pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in South Korea last weekend. Manager Thomas Frank had initially confirmed Maddison had damaged the same knee that kept him out of last season’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United — and further tests upon the team’s return to London have now confirmed the worst.
Maddison is set to undergo surgery in the coming days and begin a lengthy rehabilitation process. The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for at least six to nine months, making him a long-term absentee for the upcoming campaign.
The England international had established himself as a key figure at Spurs since joining from Leicester City in 2023 for £40 million. Last season, he registered 12 goals and several assists in 45 appearances, providing the creative spark in a Spurs side that secured European silverware and a top-four Premier League finish.
Maddison’s injury leaves a significant gap in Tottenham’s midfield, both in terms of creativity and leadership. Manager Thomas Frank, who is preparing for his first full season in charge after replacing Ange Postecoglou earlier this summer, now faces the dual challenge of replacing two of his most influential attackers — with club icon Son Heung-min also having departed this summer.
The timing of the injury could not be worse for Frank, who was using pre-season to fine-tune his attacking setup. Maddison had looked sharp and was expected to play a pivotal role again this season. Instead, Spurs now find themselves forced into the transfer market for a suitable replacement — a task that is as urgent as it is difficult.
Tottenham had previously shown interest in Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, but a deal failed to materialise. That pursuit may now be reignited, though Forest are under no pressure to sell and are likely to demand a significant fee.
Another option could be new signing Mohammed Kudus. The Ghana international, signed from West Ham earlier this summer, is a versatile attacking player who has experience playing centrally. Though primarily used on the wing, Kudus may now be asked to fill Maddison’s shoes in the No.10 role — at least temporarily.
Despite these internal options, it is expected that Spurs will explore the transfer market for additional reinforcements. Finding a player who can match Maddison’s vision, set-piece quality, and goal threat will be a tall order. And with the season fast approaching, time is running out.
Maddison’s absence also complicates England manager Gareth Southgate’s plans. While not a guaranteed starter for the Three Lions, Maddison has earned seven international caps and was viewed as a valuable squad member heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His long-term injury will almost certainly rule him out of those fixtures, with Southgate now having to look elsewhere for midfield depth.
For Maddison, it’s another frustrating setback in a career that has seen its fair share of injury disruptions. The midfielder had worked hard to return from previous knee issues and was widely expected to be one of Spurs’ standout players this season.
As the football world sends its best wishes for a speedy recovery, attention now turns to how Spurs will respond. With Maddison out and Son gone, the burden of creativity and leadership shifts — and Frank’s ability to adapt could define Tottenham’s season.
