James Maddison faced another cruel twist of fate during Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in South Korea, as the England midfielder was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after a recurrence of his problematic left knee injury. The incident occurred just nine minutes after his 75th-minute substitution, leaving the 27-year-old visibly distraught. Later seen exiting the stadium on crutches, Maddison's setback echoes his absence from Spurs' Europa League final victory last season, a match he missed due to the same issue. New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank described the injury as a "brutal" blow, dampening what was meant to be a celebratory send-off for club captain Heung-Min Son. The South Korean star received a guard of honor from both teams during his emotional substitution in his homeland, widely expected to be his final appearance before a summer exit. "Football can be both beautiful and brutal," Frank reflected. "Today, we experienced both moments—Sonny's incredible farewell and a worrying injury for Maddison."
The injury raises immediate concerns about Tottenham's summer transfer strategy. Sky Sports' Sam Blitz noted that Spurs were already targeting an attacking midfielder before the incident, but a serious recurrence for Maddison could intensify urgency. Their failed £60m bid for Morgan Gibbs-White—blocked by Nottingham Forest after threats of legal action—highlighted gaps in the squad, with Dejan Kulusevski also sidelined until October following knee surgery. While £55m signing Mohammed Kudus and Pape Sarr offer versatility in central roles, Tottenham's injury crisis worsens with Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke also unavailable. Frank, aiming to strengthen Spurs' depth for multiple competitions, now faces a rocky start to his tenure amid li
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