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Spurs Injury Crisis Shapes Frankfurt Selection

Tottenham head into a defining Champions League night in Germany with their resources stretched to the limit. As Spurs prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt, the conversation around the match has become less about tactical ambition and more about survival, adaptation and which players are physically available to step onto the pitch.

The context matters. A win in Frankfurt would secure automatic qualification for the last 16 and remove the uncertainty of a two-legged play-off. Yet Spurs travel knowing that their margin for error has been narrowed sharply by an expanding injury list.

Defensive Absences Force Tactical Adjustment

The most significant blow comes at right-back. Pedro Porro has been ruled out for at least a month after suffering a hamstring injury, an issue that surfaced during the 2-2 draw with Burnley. The Spaniard did not train at Hotspur Way on Tuesday and did not travel with the squad.

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“Pedro has a hamstring injury and will be out for four weeks,” Thomas Frank confirmed.

Porro’s absence is not minor. The 26-year-old had started Spurs’ previous 15 matches in all competitions and now faces a spell on the sidelines that will include games against Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Micky van de Ven will also miss the Frankfurt clash. Frank described the problem as minor, offering some optimism for the weekend. “Micky has something minor and hasn’t travelled, but could be available for City,” he said. For now, Spurs must reshuffle again at the back.

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Midfield Returns Offer Limited Relief

There is at least some encouragement in midfield. Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr both returned to training on Tuesday, easing concerns in an area already depleted by ineligibility rules. With Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma unavailable for European duty, options in the centre had been alarmingly thin.

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Palhinha’s return after missing three games is particularly timely, while Sarr’s presence following his Africa Cup of Nations triumph offers energy and balance. Their availability feels more like damage limitation than luxury, but it matters.

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Elsewhere, Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert are expected to be available despite travelling later than planned after a minor car accident. Both are in contention to feature in attacking roles.

Squad Constraints Define Predicted Lineup

Tottenham’s problems are compounded by further ineligible players. Radu Dragusin, Souza and Mathys Tel cannot feature, with Dominic Solanke replacing Tel in the Champions League squad last week. Injuries continue to sideline James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies and Richarlison.

In total, Spurs have 14 senior players unavailable. That reality shapes any Spurs predicted lineup as much as form or preference.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Palhinha, Gray; Odobert, Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke

Injured: Maddison, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Davies, Bergvall, Porro, Van de VenIneligible: Tel, Gallagher, Dragusin, Bissouma, Souza

Kick-off is at 8pm GMT on Wednesday January 28, 2026, at Deutsche Bank Park, live on TNT Sports.

Tottenham Hotspur Sound Out Experience as January Questions Deepen

Tottenham Hotspur’s January window is beginning to look less about dramatic change and more about revealing long-term intent. As reported by The Athletic, Spurs have explored the possibility of signing Andy Robertson from Liverpool, only to be told that a deal will not be sanctioned during this window. It is a development that says much about where Tottenham see their shortcomings, and how difficult they may be to fix mid-season.

Robertson is not merely a left-back, he represents authority, resilience and a winning culture, attributes Spurs have conspicuously lacked during an injury-ravaged campaign.

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Leadership Gap Shapes Recruitment Thinking

The appeal of Robertson lies less in his positional value and more in what he would bring to the dressing room. Tottenham’s most experienced figures have departed in recent seasons, while those who might naturally assume leadership roles have spent much of this campaign injured. The result has been a young, talented squad that too often looks emotionally brittle when momentum turns.

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In that sense, the interest in Robertson “made perfect sense”. Even if the move has been parked until the summer, it signals a recognition that technical upgrades alone will not suffice. As one internal view suggests, Spurs are “short on voices as much as bodies”, and that imbalance continues to shape results.

Midfield and Attack Remain Unsettled

Tottenham’s challenges are compounded by Lucas Bergvall undergoing surgery, which further thins midfield options. On the pitch, there remains a clear need for a midfielder capable of progressing the ball with authority. Yves Bissouma’s return could help address that, but it feels like a temporary easing rather than a definitive solution.

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There are also ongoing concerns further forward. Tottenham remain light in attacking areas, with an overreliance on Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for decisive moments that defenders should not routinely be responsible for.

Strategic Signals Beyond January

The Robertson enquiry also aligns with the message from CEO Vinai Venkatesham, who recently told supporters that Spurs “must add more quality, experience and leadership”. This was not rhetoric for a single window. It was a framing of a broader rebuild, one that may be easier to execute in the summer than under January’s constraints.

For now, Tottenham appear caught between acknowledgement and action.

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There is frustration that a move for someone like Robertson cannot be completed now, especially when leadership feels desperately absent on the pitch. At the same time, there is a sense of relief that the club finally appears to understand the nature of the problem.

For years, Spurs fans have watched talented squads unravel under pressure. The interest in Robertson suggests the club are no longer pretending that age profiles and resale value alone win matches. Experience matters, personality matters, and so does having players who have navigated title races and hostile environments.

That said, supporters will question whether identifying the issue is enough. Bergvall’s injury exposes how thin the margins remain, while reliance on returning players like Bissouma feels risky. Fans would like to see at least one senior addition this window, even if Robertson himself must wait until the summer.

There is also concern about attacking depth. Expecting defenders to provide goals is not sustainable, and it underlines how incomplete this squad still is.

Ultimately, Spurs fans may accept a quiet January, but only if it genuinely lays the groundwork for decisive action later. Recognition without follow-through will wear thin quickly.

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Tottenham Injuries Pile Up as Spurs Juggle Short-Term Relief and Long-Term Concern

Tottenham’s season continues to be shaped as much by the treatment room as by events on the pitch. A 2-2 draw at Burnley offered brief emotional lift through a late Cristian Romero equaliser, but it also added two more names to an already crowded injury list. For Thomas Frank, the task is no longer simply about improving performances, it is about navigating a squad whose availability changes week by week.

With key fixtures approaching and Tottenham injuries continuing to disrupt continuity, Spurs are being forced into constant recalibration. The margin for error is thin, particularly in defence and midfield, where absences are now defining selection and structure.

Romero and Porro offer cautious optimism

Cristian Romero once again proved decisive, scoring deep into stoppage time to rescue a point at Turf Moor. Yet even that moment came with a sting. The Argentine was later seen crouched in discomfort and was substituted late on, raising fears of another defensive setback.

Frank, however, attempted to calm concerns afterwards, saying, “Romero was cramping in the end.” That assessment points towards fatigue rather than structural damage, and with Romero having scored in three consecutive matches, his availability remains critical to Spurs’ stability at the back.

Pedro Porro followed a similar pattern. Withdrawn at half-time, the right-back’s absence initially appeared worrying, especially given the volume of football he has played. Frank again framed it as load management rather than injury, explaining, “Pedro was physical, [having] played a lot of minutes.”

Porro has started 14 straight games in all competitions, and with Eintracht Frankfurt, Manchester City and Manchester United ahead, rotation may be as much about preservation as necessity. Both Romero and Porro are currently pencilled in for potential returns against Frankfurt, a fixture that could define Spurs’ short-term momentum.

Midfield depth tested by persistent absences

If defence carries uncertainty, midfield is where Tottenham injuries are most deeply felt. Rodrigo Bentancur’s hamstring surgery has removed one of Spurs’ most reliable performers for three months. His absence strips experience and balance from the centre of the pitch, and it leaves Frank short of players capable of controlling tempo.

Joao Palhinha is another unresolved case. The Portuguese midfielder has missed multiple matches after picking up a knock in training, with Frank previously describing his availability as “tight.” That tightness has translated into continued absence, and his return date remains tentative, again pointing towards Frankfurt as a possible target.

Lucas Bergvall’s situation is more severe. The teenager suffered an ankle sprain in the Champions League and is expected to be sidelined for two to three months. Frank confirmed it was a “contact injury,” a setback that will likely rule Bergvall out of a significant portion of the season, including potential European knockout matches.

Together, these Tottenham injuries have thinned options in a department that thrives on rotation and intensity, forcing Frank to lean heavily on those still fit.

Defensive reshuffle after Ben Davies blow

Ben Davies’ injury may prove one of the most disruptive. The Welshman broke his ankle against West Ham and required surgery, with no clear return timeline. The early indications suggest a lengthy layoff, potentially season-ending, which leaves Spurs short at left-back.

Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie are now sharing responsibilities in that area, while the club has also explored market options, including interest in Andy Robertson and the signing of Brazilian Souza. Davies’ contract situation adds further uncertainty, raising the possibility that his final appearance for Tottenham has already passed.

Attacking options stretched thin

Further forward, Tottenham injuries have stripped Frank of several key attacking outlets. Richarlison is sidelined for up to seven weeks with a hamstring issue sustained in the FA Cup, with Frank confirming, “Richy unfortunately got a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to seven weeks.”

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Mohammed Kudus is another major loss. The Ghanaian winger suffered a quad tendon problem, with Frank explaining, “Mohammed, unfortunately, is a bigger one to the tendon in the quad. That is one where we expect him back after the March international break.” His absence leaves Spurs without a natural right winger, especially after Brennan Johnson’s January departure.

Dejan Kulusevski remains out with a complex patella issue, and Frank has stressed caution, noting, “We know it is a complicated injury.” James Maddison’s ACL injury, suffered in pre-season, is likely to keep him out for the rest of the campaign.

For Tottenham, injuries are no longer isolated incidents. They are shaping tactics, squad balance and long-term planning. Each update brings small relief or fresh concern, but the broader picture remains one of a squad forced to adapt, week after week, to an ever-changing availability list.

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The north London club have put in a good showing on the European stage thus far this season, while domestically, the picture is a lot less rosy. We take a deep dive into Tottenham’s form.

Danish coach Thomas Frank has been in charge since July 2025. Previously at Brentford for over seven years, he took over when Ange Postecoglou was relieved of his duties.

Frank tends to play a 4-2-3-1, regardless of which competition his side is playing in. While 29-year-old Guglielmo Vicario is a regular between the sticks, there is plenty of rotation among the outfield players.

Spurs have been looking strong thus far in Europe this season. In seven UEFA Champions League matches, they have racked up four wins and two draws, losing just once and picking up 14 points to leave them fifth of the 36 teams involved. As such, they are currently looking good to qualify directly for the round of 16. What stands out is their defensive consistency, with five clean sheets across those seven matches. They currently average one goal conceded per Champions League game, with a 71 per cent clean-sheet record.

Most recently, the north London club defeated Slavia Praha and Dortmund without conceding a goal, with their only defeat being a 5-3 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Other wins and clean sheets came against Copenhagen, Monaco and Villarreal, alongside a draw with Bodø/Glimt.

In the Premier League however, it is a different tale altogether. Spurs currently sit 14th after a 2-2 draw against second-bottom Burnley last weekend. This poor domestic form stands in real contrast with their excellent Champions League progress to date.

Eintracht Frankfurt and Tottenham first met in the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1982. After going down 2-0 in London, Eintracht won the return leg 2-1 which saw them go out on aggregate.

The 2022/23 Champions League group stage saw a 0-0 draw in Frankfurt and a narrow 3-2 defeat in north London. The teams last crossed swords in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League early last year, with a 1-1 draw away and a 1-0 loss at home for Eintracht.

That means that Tottenham are unbeaten in four against the Eagles. Incidentally, Feyenoord are the only club that Spurs have met more often in Europe.

Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Arnaud Kalimuendo, meanwhile, have featured for France’s U21s with Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, and Randal Kolo Muani is of course a former Eintracht player.

Liverpool are ready to sell Andy Robertson to Tottenham Hotspur in a £5 million deal if they can bring in a replacement, according to journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The terms of a deal, including add-ons, have been agreed in principle for the Reds hero to join the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club. Spurs manager Thomas Frank is convinced Robertson would be a solid addition to his defence, but Liverpool and the player have yet to give the green light.

Liverpool want to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his AS Roma loan, but getting it done has been tricky as such a clause was not included in the deal. The Serie A club are not ready to let the Greek international return to the Anfield club without a replacement available. They want Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back David Moller Wolfe but have had a £7m bid rejected and are still looking at other options. Spurs will have to wait and see what happens with Roma as signing Robertson will depend on the future of Tsimikas.

The Premier League winner is not in a rush to leave Liverpool as he is out of contract at the end of the season and will not be short of suitors as a free agent in the summer. Tottenham could have a plan B in place, but they have very little time left in the window as the deadline is next Monday.

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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Ho said that his side deserved to go down 2-0 to Liverpool at BrewDog Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs looked set to claim a point on Merseyside but Mia Enderby struck twice in second half injury-time for the hosts.

When speaking to the media after the game, Ho admitted that his side got what they deserved.

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“We didn’t deserve anything,” Ho said. “We had moments with the ball where we moved it well, but we found them too much and when we got between the lines, it wasn’t as efficient as we usually are, maybe the control and little part of efficiencies technically, we weren’t executing enough.

“Defensively, we were going isolated. Second half was better when we just allowed them to maybe have that first phase which sometimes you do. They’re a good team, they play football, but we just didn’t go to the level at all. When you get back into the game, when you’re that far into [it], at the time, we have to defend those situations better.”

Liverpool went into the game winless and bottom of the Barclays Women’s Super League table but Ho admitted that he wasn’t surprised by The Reds’ quality.

He said “I’m not surprised in terms of what they can produce. You definitely know that with the added players they put into that team today, from who they brought in. It definitely gave them something different to the previous game, they are more dynamic. The quality doesn’t shock me because they have quality players in the team. They’ve just been unfortunate with the games they’ve had and the results that have gone against them.”

Spurs have exceeded expectations so far this season, but Ho issued a reminder of the journey that his side are on.

He said “You don’t become a bad team overnight because of one performance and realistically, we’re not a Champions League team [yet]. We’re building towards that and that’s the truth, I said that since I got here. You can’t just change things in five months and expect to be in that competition. What we can do is make sure that we put in performances that are consistent and performances that actually warrant the badge of the club.

“There were a lot of moments today that we didn’t like. We can make mistakes and I can be frustrated with giving them all away really easily or where we’re not defending properly in certain moments. There are lapses in concentration, you can accept some of them. What you then do with their behaviour and attitude is try and fix it.

“I thought too many times we were apprehensive today. To do things on the front-line, we were a little bit hesitant and that’s not usually been like us because we’ve been very aggressive.

Tottenham Hotspur are next in Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday when they travel to West Ham United.

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