Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison will be out for most of the 2025-2026 new season due to a serious knee injury. The England international suffered a pre-season injury and was confirmed to have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, which required surgery.
Manchester City's Rodri has also been out for eight months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2024-2025 season. The Spaniard returned at the end of the season after having to leave the pitch early in the opening Premier League match against Arsenal.
Maddison was injured in the pre-season friendly between Tottenham and Newcastle, forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher. "We confirm that James Maddison will have to undergo surgery for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The 28-year-old midfielder was injured in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.
The surgery will be performed in the next few days, after which James will begin the rehabilitation process under the care of the club's medical team" - Tottenham announced.
Coach Thomas Frank confirmed that a knee injury that kept Maddison out at the end of last season. He described it as a serious injury and was extremely disappointing.
Speaking after the Newcastle game, Frank said: "We are quite sure it was a knee injury he had suffered before."
Maddison was seen leaving the pitch on a stretcher, and the Spurs coach shared more about the player's condition.
"Yes, like in life and football, sometimes things can be very brutal, but sometimes it's beautiful. So I think what happened to Maddison is really heartbreaking.
It appears to be a serious injury. Of course, we don't know the exact situation, but looking at it, it's not good at all," added the Tottenham captain.
This injury also raises doubts about Maddison's ability to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Maddison, who has played for England 7 times, has not been in demand since coach Thomas Tuchel took over the hot seat. However, he still hopes that a successful season will help him regain his position in the "Three Lions" squad.
Spurs will now have to consider whether to join the transfer market to find a replacement. Morgan Gibbs-White and Ebere Eze have both been linked with Tottenham in the past. They could also switch to Harvey Elliott, as RB Leipzig are chasing the Liverpool star.
The news of Maddison's injury was announced just one day after the "Roosters" confirmed the departure of captain Son Heung-min. The Korean striker has moved to Los Angeles FC with a record Major League Soccer (MLS) contract, worth about 19.5 million pounds.
