Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a massive setback as star midfielder James Maddison is confirmed to have sustained a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during pre-season.
The 28-year-old picked up the injury in a friendly clash against Newcastle United in South Korea, and after undergoing scans back in London, Spurs confirmed that Maddison will require surgery on his right knee — the same one that previously sidelined him during last season’s Europa League final win over Manchester United.
With recovery from ACL injuries typically taking six to nine months, Maddison is expected to miss the majority, if not the entirety, of the 2025/26 campaign. His absence creates a significant void in Tottenham’s midfield creativity, forcing new head coach Thomas Frank and the recruitment staff to urgently assess attacking reinforcements in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
Maddison had been a key figure in Spurs’ plans heading into the new season, and his injury poses a major tactical and psychological challenge for a squad aiming to return to Champions League football.
