Tottenham launches deep audit after another season derailed by injuries
Tottenham Hotspur has launched an internal audit into its alarming injury crisis after key players including James Maddison and Xavi Simons suffered anterior cruciate ligament tears. The club is examining pitch conditions, medical protocols and squad management as it seeks to halt the pattern that has cost them dearly over the past 12 months.
Tottenham Hotspur has begun an exhaustive review after another season blighted by injuries that derailed any hope of a sustained push for European football. The audit, led by performance director Dan Lewindon, aims to uncover why the club’s availability dropped to an average of 77% last season, with players absent for over 2,000 combined days—nearly double the tally Spurs deem acceptable.
James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons all suffered long-term ACL injuries, while Dejan Kulusevski missed the entire campaign after surgery for a serious knee injury sustained in May 2025. The cluster of severe knee trauma has raised concerns within the club’s medical department, with insiders acknowledging the frequency exceeds expected norms for a top-flight side.
Key Findings
- ⚠️ ACL injuries affected three first-team players in 2024-25
- 📊 Squad availability fell short of Spurs’ 90% target
- 💡 Audit examines pitch, medical care, and managerial changes
The review extends beyond medical records to scrutinize environmental factors, including the bounce and hardness of Tottenham’s home pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium compared with rivals and the club’s Enfield training ground. Initial testing has found no significant variance, but further biomechanical analysis is underway. “We need to understand if there are hidden variables,” said a club insider familiar with the audit.
| Injury Factor | Current Status | Audit Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch Hardness | Within league average | Long-term wear and seasonal changes |
| Medical Protocols | Standardized treatment | Individualized rehabilitation pathways |
| Managerial Turnover | Three coaches in 12 months | Impact on player workload and recovery |
Lewindon’s recommendations include a shift toward hyper-personalized medical care, with bespoke profiles created for each player based on strength, fatigue markers and psychological resilience. “One-size-fits-all recovery is no longer viable,” said a senior medical staff member. “We need to treat players as individuals, not just athletes.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 3 — First-team players who suffered ACL tears in 2024-25
- 2,047 days — Total missed training and match days due to injuries
- 90% — Club target for player availability
Criticism has mounted over medical decisions, including footage showing Xavi Simons allowed to bear weight on his injured knee during initial assessment, sparking fan backlash. The club has defended its on-field treatment, asserting that early loading did not worsen the injury. However, the incident underscored broader concerns about decision-making under pressure. “Moments like that are symptoms of a larger systemic issue,” said a former Spurs physiotherapist.
💡 Pro Tip
Clubs must integrate medical, technical and psychological teams into every return-to-play decision to prevent rushed or inconsistent judgments.
Tottenham is also preparing to employ its first full-time head of psychology to address mental resilience, a dimension often overlooked in recovery timelines. “Injury isn’t just physical—it’s mental, too,” said a club executive. “We need to support players through the fear of re-injury and the pressure to return.”
The audit will run parallel to manager Roberto de Zerbi’s summer preparations, with a new integrated structure ensuring medical staff, coaching team and player collaborate on every rehabilitation milestone. “We’re building a system where no one makes a call in isolation,” added the executive.
- Immediate — Introduce individualized recovery plans by mid-July
- Short-term — Pilot external rehabilitation options for select players
- Long-term — Establish a dedicated injury prevention research unit
The club has conceded that reversing the trend will be difficult before the 2025-26 season, but insists the audit is a critical step toward rebuilding both squad depth and fan confidence. “We’re not just reviewing injuries,” said a board member. “We’re reviewing the future of how we train, treat and trust our players.”