James Maddison breaks his silence after being stretchered off with injury that made Spurs teammates look in horror
Following Tottenham Hotspur’s recent match, fans were left concerned after James Maddison was spotted leaving the stadium on crutches. The sight immediately sparked fears of another serious injury for the England international, especially given his troubling history with knee issues. The new Spurs manager, Thomas Frank, addressed the situation during his post-match press conference, describing the moment as “brutal” and confirming that the injury appeared to affect the same knee that had previously sidelined Maddison during the second half of last season.
Although Maddison has yet to publicly speak about the specifics of the injury or provide a medical update, he did break his silence in an emotional post on social media—not about his health, but to pay tribute to a close friend and teammate. Posting on Instagram, Maddison shared a heartfelt message dedicated to Son Heung-min, who is rumored to have played his final game for the club.
“Ten years ago you arrived here as a kid. Now you leave a legend and one of my best friends,” Maddison wrote, alongside a series of videos and photos celebrating their time together on and off the pitch. “You are Tottenham, Sonny. Love you always, brother.”
His message sparked an outpouring of support from Spurs fans, who flooded the comments not just to echo his sentiments about Son, but to wish Maddison a speedy recovery—even though he did not directly reference his injury. The emotional post has only deepened concerns over his fitness, with fans speculating on how long he might be out and what it could mean for Tottenham’s midfield going into the new season.
At present, the full extent of Maddison’s latest injury setback is unknown, but early indications suggest he is a major doubt for Spurs’ Premier League opener against newly-promoted Burnley on August 16. If the injury proves serious, Maddison could miss a significant chunk of the 2025/26 campaign, which would be a major blow to Thomas Frank’s plans as he looks to build momentum in his first season in charge.
Tottenham’s midfield is not without depth—recent loan signing João Palhinha from Bayern Munich offers defensive stability and experience—but Maddison is considered a key creative force and a central figure in the attacking midfield role. Without him, the team could lack the inventive spark needed to break down compact defences, especially in the early stages of the season.
This potential absence may prompt Spurs to re-enter the transfer market in search of a replacement, particularly someone capable of operating as a number 10. Earlier in the summer, Tottenham appeared to be on the verge of securing Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, a player seen as an ideal fit to complement the midfield. However, Forest surprised many by tying Gibbs-White down to a new long-term contract, effectively taking him off the market.
With that deal off the table, attention has turned elsewhere. Some supporters have floated Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott as a possible option, especially amid speculation about his future at Anfield. The 21-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in limited minutes for the Reds and could thrive with regular starts in a more central attacking role. While there’s been no official approach yet, the idea has gained traction among fans who see Elliott’s technical skills and versatility as a natural replacement for Maddison.
Injuries are always a cruel part of the game, but for Tottenham, this one comes at a particularly delicate time. Thomas Frank is still shaping the squad in his image, with a mix of new arrivals and holdovers from the previous regime. Losing one of the team’s key leaders and most technically gifted players just weeks before the new season begins could force a major rethink in terms of both tactics and transfers.
For now, all eyes remain on the club’s medical team for clarity on Maddison’s condition. But with the season just around the corner and Son’s departure already signaling the end of an era, Spurs may find themselves needing to act quickly to ensure they are not left short in one of their most important positions.