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, he 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
Both players suffered injuries within minutes of each other against Chelsea, without any contact. Maddison had been struggling with an ankle problem for a few games, and it was aggravated after a change of direction against Chelsea. The 27-year-old midfielder went down, then was treated and allowed to continue. But a few minutes later, Postecoglou withdrew him to avoid further injury.
Van de Ven was also injured in a high-speed race with striker Nicolas Jackson. While at high speed, the Dutch centre-back held his hamstring and limped before lying on the ground. The scene showed that 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 a rating of 7.58 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 hit hard 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 be in even more trouble. That month, captain Son Heung-min will be absent due to playing with South Korea at the Asian Cup, while central midfielders Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr could also play in the African Championship.
Hoang An
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