Tottenham Hotspur faced a significant setback during their pre-season match against Newcastle as James Maddison was stretchered off the pitch in distress. The incident occurred with only four minutes left in the game when Maddison appeared to stumble and limped towards the sidelines. Moments later, he collapsed, requiring immediate medical attention before being carried off by the team doctors.
The injury raises concerns for Spurs’ new head coach Thomas Frank, especially with the team set to kick off the Premier League season against Burnley in less than two weeks. Prior to that, they will play Bayern Munich in their final friendly ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Since joining Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, Maddison has made an impressive impact, with 75 appearances, 16 goals, and 21 assists to his name, contributing to the club’s success in clinching the Europa League title last season.
The match against Newcastle ended in a 1-1 draw after goals from Brennan Johnson and Harvey Barnes. This game also marked a poignant farewell for Son Heung-min, who confirmed his departure from the club in a tearful press conference. He expressed gratitude to the fans, stating, “Thank you for having us again here in Korea for the second year in a row. Everybody really appreciates it.”
Son is widely expected to join LAFC in Major League Soccer, but Tottenham has been proactive in preparation for his exit, securing new signings such as Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and Mathys Tel permanently from Bayern Munich. Additionally, they are close to completing a loan deal for midfielder Joao Palhinha.
This situation poses both challenges and opportunities for Spurs as they navigate the upcoming season. The addition of new talent could help mitigate the impact of injuries while aiming for a strong performance in both domestic and European competitions.