/https://sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net/uploads/2025/08/imago1061582746-1-688f70925f7b7200358465.jpg "How Spurs can replace Maddison internally and externally as - Sports Mole")
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that James Maddison is set to undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, which could rule him out for the entire 2025-26 season.
The 28-year-old sustained the devastating problem in the weekend's 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, a few months after recovering from another injury to the same knee.
Maddison awkwardly jarred his knee just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute and quickly went down, signalling to the bench that he needed to come off as he grimaced in pain on the Seoul World Cup Stadium turf.
Spurs fans and players - including the departing Son Heung-min - expressed serious concern for the former Leicester City man, who was stretchered off the field soon after.
Sports Mole exclusively reported at the time that Maddison had hurt his ACL, potentially putting him out of contention for the whole of this season, and Spurs' worst fears have now come true.
Maddison ACL injury confirmed as Tottenham release statement
In a club statement on Thursday, the Lilywhites announced that the playmaker would go under the knife in the coming days, although they did not put a timeframe on his recovery.
"We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee," a statement read. "The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.
"His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way."
Head coach Thomas Frank confirmed at his post-game press conference that Maddison had injured the same knee he damaged last season, which ruled him out of the Europa League final triumph against Manchester United, although he could not give more details at the time.
The England international's lengthy absence is a hammer blow for Tottenham, whom Maddison scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists for in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, including nine Premier League goals.
How can Spurs replace Maddison after ACL injury?
Losing two influential attackers in the space of one week, Maddison's ACL issue happened the day after Son announced he was leaving, and the South Korean's switch to Los Angeles FC was announced on Wednesday evening.
The Lilywhites will almost certainly have to look to the transfer market to address their attacking deficiencies, and Sports Mole understands that they put in an immediate enquiry for Manchester City's Jack Grealish over the weekend.
The England international would be an alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White following the Nottingham Forest man's contract extension, but Everton are also vying for his signature.
As Arsenal's move for Eberechi Eze appears to have stalled, Spurs could do worse than reignite their interest in the Crystal Palace man too, and Frank may well consider keeping Alfie Devine, who was originally expected to go out on loan this summer.