Tottenham lost two key players until the end of the year

Midfielder James Maddison and centre-back Micky van de Ven are both out for the next few months with injuries sustained in the Premier League defeat to Chelsea.

Coach Ange Postecoglou said at a press conference on November 10 that Van de Ven's thigh injury was "quite serious", so the Dutch midfielder would "be absent for two months, until the new year".

Maddison's injury was more serious than expected, as he left the pitch with a sore ankle. "The next day, Maddison didn't feel well, so we took him for a scan," the Australian added. "It's not good, so he probably won't be back until next year."

James Maddison injured his left ankle in the match against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, round 11 of the Premier League on the evening of November 6, 2023. Photo: Reuters — James Maddison injured his left ankle in the match against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, round 11 of the Premier League on the evening of November 6, 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

Both players suffered injuries within minutes of each other against Chelsea, without contact. Maddison had been struggling with an ankle problem for the previous few games, aggravated by a change of direction against Chelsea. The 27-year-old midfielder went down, then was treated to continue playing. But a few minutes later, Postecoglou withdrew him to avoid further injury.

Van de Ven also suffered an injury in a sprint with striker Nicolas Jackson. While at high speed, the Dutch midfielder held his hamstring and limped before lying down. The scene suggested he had torn his hamstring, and this is not the first time the 22-year-old has been injured in a similar position.

Maddison and Van de Ven have started all 11 of Tottenham's Premier League games this season, despite joining in the summer of 2023. According to Whoscored , Maddison has averaged 7.58 points out of 10 per game this season, the highest in the team. The former Leicester midfielder has scored three goals, assisted five and was named Premier League Player of the Month for August.

Van de Ven is 1.93m tall, second in the team behind goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The centre-back is not only strong in the air, but is also a good passer, helping Tottenham play Postecoglou's possession-based style. Tottenham have nine more games to play before the end of the year and they could be in big trouble without these two key players.

Tottenham's other mainstay, centre-back Cristian Romero, will be suspended for the next three games after receiving a straight red card against Chelsea. Rising left-back Destiny Udogie will also miss one game after receiving an indirect red card. Midfielder Yves Bissouma will be suspended for one game if he receives another yellow card in one of the next games.

If Maddison and Van de Ven do not return until January 2024, Tottenham will face even more difficulties. Because in that month, captain Son Heung-min will be absent due to playing with South Korea at the Asian Cup, while the central midfielder pair Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr can also play in the African championship.

Hoang An

Source link