On the Mend: Assessing Spurs’ Injuries Ahead of the 26-27 Season
Written By Dustin Gentile https://x.com/White_Hart_Live
It has been quite the ride over the past two seasons for Tottenham Hotspur FC and the injury bug. The ever-growing injury list over the past two seasons has featured talented players suffering horrific knee injuries, costing multiple players significant time away from the pitch. With the first game of the season less than two weeks away, let’s take a look at how these players are progressing.
There has been a lot of positive news for multiple players dealing with long-term injuries. Attackers Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert have all been pictured at Hotspur Way working on their rehabilitation. Dejan Kulusevski was reported by @Szyexcl on X to have returned to full training on July 29, which would be a massive boost for the club on the right wing as well as in midfield. The Swede has been out of action since May 2025, when he suffered a knee injury against Crystal Palace ahead of the Europa League final. Deki was joined in training by Mohammed Kudus on Aug. 5, as depicted in a video shared by the club on social media. In light of this clip, Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi has mentioned that the club is considering playing Kudus in a central role when he returns. The Ghanaian is primarily deployed on the right wing but has played in midfield while on international duty for Ghana.
Xavi Simons is also back training at Hotspur Way, but the Dutch attacker is still working through his individual rehabilitation plan. Reports claim that Simons is expected to return from his injury in “early 2027.” If “early 2027” means early January, that would be a huge boost to the club during a busy time of the season, as Spurs will be coming out of the festive fixture period and beginning their run in the FA Cup third round during the first few weekends of that month.
Similarly, Wilson Odobert is expected back with the first team around a similar time after suffering a ruptured ACL last season. All reports indicate that the club is expecting a “late 2026” return. Premier Injuries offered a more exact estimate, with their prognosis being “late Autumn/November” for the French winger. That would be a significant boost for the club, as it seems he is expected to be available during the congested festive fixture period of the season.
On the short-term side of things, James Maddison himself was the harbinger of good news courtesy of Instagram when he responded to speculation about a flare-up of an old hip injury. Maddison posted, “Feeling good after another good session today with the team. Working so hard to be healthy and have a great year. Definitely haven't had any recurrence of any injury I've had before. Your itk isn't itk. COYS." Maddison was able to make a few cameo appearances at the end of last season after suffering a knee injury during last summer’s preseason tour of Asia.
Alasdair Gold reported today, Aug. 11, that preseason starlet Luca Williams-Barnett is also currently dealing with a knock that could prevent him from featuring in the final friendly of the preseason against Hoffenheim this weekend. He joins the likes of Dominic Solanke, who is also dealing with a minor injury heading into the preseason finale. Solanke has been reported to have an ankle injury that the club is monitoring. While his absence from training has been described as a precaution, Spurs can ill afford another injury in attack, as Solanke is just one of three recognized strikers in the squad, along with Richarlison and Dane Scarlett.
Slow and steady. That seems to be the theme surrounding the deep injury concerns at this club. While there are still some key pieces working their way back into full fitness, it seems as if Spurs may have a chance to be fully healthy at a critical juncture of the season. With Spurs not battling it out in Europe this season, a lighter schedule may serve them well as they acclimate a myriad of players back into the first team after significant time off. That being said, I expect the club to have domestic ambitions this season across both the League and FA Cup. A fully healthy squad would be a significant boost against the top teams in England, all of whom will be stretched across multiple fronts.
