Tottenham Midfielder James Maddison Injury Update Ahead of New Season

Tottenham’s pre-season tour in South Korea has left more than jet lag in its wake. In a pre-season friendly, which was meant to build rhythm and chemistry ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, Spurs instead returned home with troubling news: midfielder James Maddison is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a serious knee injury.

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Setback for Spurs, Surgery for Maddison

The 28-year-old playmaker is now preparing for surgery after scans confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee, an injury severe enough to likely rule him out for most of the upcoming campaign.

The setback occurred during Tottenham’s friendly against Newcastle, a game that will now be remembered not for tactics or scorelines, but for the moment Maddison crumpled to the turf, clutching the same knee that had disrupted his end to last season.

Maddison, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, had enjoyed a bright first year in North London, registering 12 goals in 45 appearances and becoming an influential voice in the dressing room.

Maddison joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023

His ability to unlock defences and dictate tempo was central to Spurs' attacking rhythm under Ange Postecoglou.

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A Double Blow for Thomas Frank

For new manager Thomas Frank, the news could hardly be worse timed. Still adjusting to life at Tottenham Hotspur and planning for a fresh start without Son Heung-min, who bid farewell to the club this summer, Frank now faces the challenge of replacing two cornerstones of Spurs’ attack before the season even begins.

The expression on Maddison’s face as he was helped off the pitch told its own story, one of frustration, disbelief, and perhaps a sense of déjà vu. It was, after all, the same knee that had ruled him out of the Europa League final against Manchester United only a few months ago. What began as caution in South Korea has now turned into a cold reality.

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Behind the scenes, medical staff moved swiftly to conduct thorough assessments following the squad’s return to London. Unfortunately, early suspicions were confirmed: the ligament damage is substantial, and a careful recovery process must now begin.