With confirmation that James Maddison will miss most of the 2025/26 campaign due to a serious knee injury, Tottenham’s attacking outlook has taken another major hit. Just days before their UEFA Super Cup clash with PSG, Spurs find themselves short on creativity, and short on time.
Injury Woes and Departures
The news compounds an already worrying situation for new manager Thomas Frank. Maddison joins a growing list of absentees that includes former captain Son Heung-min, who recently completed a move to LAFC, and Dejan Kulusevski, still recovering from a long-term injury suffered last season.
Add to that fresh concerns over Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, and Bryan Gil — all currently out — and it’s clear Frank faces a serious selection crisis. Solomon and Gil’s long-term futures at the club are also uncertain.
Thomas Frank says he is “NOT worried” about Destiny Udogie’s injury, and #thfc will have to see whether he will be fit for the start of the season in the next few days.
— Spurs Army (@SpursArmyTweets) August 7, 2025
The same goes for Dominic Solanke, who Frank hopes “quite soon he will available.”
Dejan Kulusevski is “out… pic.twitter.com/rxkQyrMNka
Meanwhile, several young attacking prospects have been sent out on loan. Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, and Yang Min-hyeok have already departed, with Dane Scarlett and Alfie Devine expected to follow. Striker Alejo Véliz has also rejoined Rosario Central, leaving Spurs short on natural number nines.
As it stands, Tottenham are heading into the season without a recognised attacking midfielder and with a creative core decimated by injuries, goals could be hard to come by.
The Numbers Paint a Bleak Picture
The scale of the issue becomes clearer when looking at last season’s output. Despite a dismal 17th-place finish, Son, Maddison, Kulusevski, and Solanke were four of the five players to reach double figures for combined goals and assists in the Premier League — and all are currently unavailable. Of those fit and firing, only Brennan Johnson matched that level of contribution.
Johnson posted 25 G/A last term, while Maddison recorded 23, Kulusevski 21, and Son another 23. After that, the drop-off is steep: Wilson Odobert (3), Mathys Tel (5), and Richarlison (7) will need to quickly improve if Spurs are to compete, as will marquee arrival Mohammed Kudus, who managed just 9 G/A last season at West Ham.
With Son gone and Maddison and Kulusevski sidelined, Tottenham’s creative spine has been ripped out.
Searching for Solutions
Unless Spurs move decisively in the market, Frank will have to improvise. The club missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer — a ready-made attacking midfield option — and links to Rafael Leão, Rodrygo, Jack Grealish, and James McAtee remain speculative at best.
Recent reports have also mentioned Como’s Nico Paz, with reports in Italy linking Spurs to the Argentine midfielder.
🚨 Tottenham have had a £30M bid REJECTED by Como for Nico Paz.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 8, 2025
They value the 20-year-old attacking midfielder at £52M.
(Source: Sky Sports Italia) pic.twitter.com/DZZJvhvuMI
On the pitch, Frank has experimented with Pape Matar Sarr in a more advanced role. The Senegalese midfielder scored twice against Wycombe and produced a stunning strike against Arsenal in pre-season, but he is far from a natural #10. Lucas Bergvall has also been tested further forward, but is better suited to a slightly deeper role.
That leaves much of the attacking burden on Spurs’ wide players and full-backs. With Destiny Udogie injured, Djed Spence and Pedro Porro may be tasked with providing much-needed creativity from the flanks.
A Defining Few Weeks Ahead
With the Super Cup looming and the Premier League campaign just around the corner, Tottenham need swift answers. Whether Frank adjusts his tactical approach, or Spurs become active in the transfer market, the Dane faces an early examination of his managerial prowess.
Without decisive action, Spurs risk another underwhelming season, and perhaps more worryingly, the slow erosion of their renowned attacking identity.
