Tottenham Hotspur, riding high after another victory, found themselves facing a crisis after a tumultuous game against Chelsea. As they attempted to extend their lead at the top of the table, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Initially fielding a near full-strength XI, the team faced a sudden downturn with Destiny Udogie’s 20th-minute tackle on Raheem Sterling setting off a chain of events that would haunt them. The match against Chelsea, initially within their control, started slipping away, and by Monday night, the team was scrambling to field a cohesive squad.
The aftermath of the Chelsea game saw Tottenham losing key players to suspensions. Udogie and Romero faced suspensions, forcing them to miss the upcoming clash with Wolves. However, they would be available shortly after the international break. Rodrigo Bentancur’s return from the bench provided a glimmer of positivity, but it was overshadowed by the losses of Micky van de Ven and James Maddison. The team, once on the brink of full strength, now faced the challenge of regrouping with nearly 11 players unavailable.
Maddison’s Setback Raises Concerns
The injury crisis deepened as James Maddison, initially hoped to have a minor knock, turned out to be a significant setback. Despite being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for upcoming qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, Maddison was withdrawn less than 24 hours later. Spurs confirmed that he would undergo rehabilitation at Hotspur Way with club staff, sidelining him for crucial fixtures. Southgate, cautious about the fitness of his players, revealed that the possibility of losing a player after a scan loomed, creating uncertainty among the squad.
Maddison’s exclusion from the Euro 2024 qualifiers squad signals troubling times for Tottenham and manager Ange Postecoglou. What initially seemed like a manageable ankle knock has escalated into a more serious concern, leaving the Australian manager with a depleted squad and mounting challenges ahead of the Wolves clash.
Anxiety Ahead of Wolves Clash and Fantasy Premier League Impact
With a trip to Wolves on the horizon, anxiety pervades not only among Tottenham fans but also neutrals and Fantasy Premier League managers. The Telegraph reports that James Maddison’s situation is far from promising, adding to the existing woes of the team. As the Wolves fixture approaches, there is a palpable nervousness surrounding the potential lineup and strategy, with the team facing a daunting task of navigating through injuries and suspensions. The uncertainty has also left Fantasy Premier League managers on edge, contemplating their strategies amid the unpredictable nature of Tottenham’s current predicament.
