SHOCKING! Frank provides ‘brutal’ Maddison injury update after Tottenham setback
Thomas Frank labels Maddison injury “brutal” as Spurs dealt major setback ahead of season opener
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a major blow just days before the start of the new Premier League season, as James Maddison was forced off with what appears to be a serious knee injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in South Korea.
The England international was stretchered off the field in visible distress, holding his head in his hands after collapsing to the ground shortly after being introduced as a second-half substitute. The concerning moment cast a shadow over the match, which had already been emotionally charged due to Heung-min Son’s farewell appearance for the club.
Spurs head coach Thomas Frank, who is overseeing a transitional summer for the North London side, described the incident as “brutal,” expressing sympathy for Maddison, who only recently returned from a previous knee problem that ruled him out of the closing stages of last season.
“We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before,” Frank confirmed after the match. “I think sometimes in life and football, things can be both beautiful and brutal. Today was a perfect example of that. It was heartbreaking to see Madders go down like that, just when he was getting back to full fitness.”
Frank continued: “At the same time, there were incredibly emotional scenes as Son said goodbye to the club. The respect shown by his teammates and even the Newcastle players was special. That contrast – one player possibly facing another long road to recovery, another getting the farewell he deserves – that’s the nature of football.”
The timing of Maddison’s injury is particularly troubling for Spurs. With Dejan Kulusevski already ruled out for the start of the campaign and the club failing in their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White—who instead signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest—Frank is now left with a thinning pool of creative options in midfield.
Maddison, who was expected to play a key role in Tottenham’s attacking setup this season, had been building momentum in training after a frustrating end to the previous campaign. The latest setback not only disrupts his personal preparations but also threatens to derail the club’s early-season rhythm.
Tottenham are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup next Wednesday in their final pre-season fixture before hosting Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their Premier League opener next Saturday. With their squad already stretched and uncertainty surrounding Maddison’s recovery timeline, Frank and his coaching staff will be under pressure to explore urgent reinforcements or tactical adjustments in the coming days.