Tottenham’s Maddison Set for Lengthy Spell Out with ACL Injury

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss a large portion of the upcoming season after sustaining a serious knee injury during pre-season, Sport360NG reports.

Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that the 28-year-old has suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage and is scheduled to undergo surgery. The setback will keep him sidelined for an extended period as he begins rehabilitation.

Maddison picked up the injury in Spurs’ recent friendly against Newcastle United in South Korea, a match that also served as Son Heung-min’s farewell on home soil. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank revealed after the game that the midfielder had injured the same knee that kept him out of last season’s Europa League final against Manchester United.

Following the team’s return from Asia on Monday, Maddison underwent a series of scans, which confirmed the club’s worst fears.

The England international, who joined Tottenham from Leicester City in 2023, made 45 appearances last season and netted 12 goals. He has earned seven senior England caps, with his most recent appearance coming in 2024.

A Major Blow for Frank

Thomas Frank, who is entering his first campaign at the helm of Spurs, now faces the tough challenge of reshaping his attacking options. While Son’s departure had been anticipated for some time, Maddison’s sudden and long-term absence represents a significant disruption to the club’s plans.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate. Tottenham had been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the summer, but failure to secure that transfer may now push the club back into the market for midfield reinforcements.

New signing Mohammed Kudus, who arrived from West Ham, has previously featured in a central role and could be considered as a temporary solution. However, replacing Maddison’s creative output will be no small task, and likely an expensive one.