James Maddison is out. Tottenham confirmed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will need surgery soon. They shared the news on social media but didn’t say when he might be back. What’s clear is that the team is heading into the new season already without one of its key midfielders.
This isn’t the kind of absence you just adjust to. It’s a big blow, on the field and in the locker room, and it’s coming before the season even kicks off. The injury happened last Sunday, during a friendly against Newcastle in Seoul. The match ended 1–1. Maddison didn’t look right when he came off, and now we know why. ACL tears are serious. It takes a long time to heal and even longer to feel like yourself again. Physically, mentally, it’s a long road.
The recovery? Could be six, maybe nine months. That’s most of the season gone. And it’s not just time. It can mess with a player’s rhythm, shake his confidence, and maybe even hurt his chances of making the next World Cup if things don’t go smoothly.
Maddison could miss nearly the whole season
Same game, same moment. A draw with Newcastle in South Korea. Maddison left the field clearly bothered. The club waited a bit but then confirmed what people feared. A torn ACL isn’t just another injury. It means surgery. Rehab. Time away from the game. And even when he’s cleared, it’ll still take more time to get back to match fitness and full confidence.
Realistically, he’ll be out for a while. Could be until spring. That puts Tottenham in a tough spot early on. They’ve lost someone important before the season even got going. And it could have a ripple effect on everything else the team planned.
He’d already missed time earlier in the year. In 2024, he dealt with calf problems that sidelined him for a few weeks. Then, in May, he injured that same right knee. It already seemed like a weak spot. He did play 45 games last season, which isn’t bad, but for someone meant to run the show in midfield, it wasn’t quite enough.
Tottenham’s plans are already under pressure
So far, the club hasn’t said if they’ll bring someone in to cover for him. They’ve got time, the window’s still open, but it’s closing fast. And as each matchday gets closer, the need for answers gets louder.
Signing a replacement might be an option. But that depends on more than just need. There’s the budget. The market. And whatever the coach sees as the top priority. Right now, it’s clear they’ve got a hole to fill. Whether they act or not, that’s the question.