Credit: Imago

Carla Devine

Sat 19 April 2025 14:30, UK

James Maddison is one man who has come under criticism at Tottenham for not being up to the required standards throughout the season.

Tottenham have had a thoroughly disappointing season, and the more experienced heads in the team have not stepped up in the ways expected of them.

Nevertheless, victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday (17 April) to progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League certainly did the job of keeping some hope alive in north London.

Although he started the game, Maddison was forced off the pitch just before half-time after being on the end of a heavy challenge from Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Kaua Santos.

Maddison injury update at Tottenham

Maddison may not have consistently been at the levels he should be this season, but the last thing supporters would have wanted to see is him forced off through injury.

Given that the game was only at the half-way point and Spurs were also missing captain Son Heung-min through injury, it was a worry for those in White.

Ange Postecoglou’s side has some time until the first leg of their semi-final tie against Bodo/Glimt, which takes place on Thursday (1 May), giving some players time to recover.

If Tottenham can go into the clash with a fairly fit squad, they will surely be feeling good about their chances, especially with the first leg at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The good news for supporters is that Maddison seemed to escape from the game without a serious injury, and his withdrawal from the side thankfully did not affect the team.

Writing in the print edition of the Daily Mirror (19 April, page 67), Robbie Savage admitted: “I have no idea how the home side’s keeper Kaua Santos stayed on the pitch after wiping out James Maddison with a dreadful challenge.

“It was thoroughly dangerous, up there with West German keeper Harald Schumacher taking out France’s Patrick Battiston in a World Cup semi-final 43 years ago, or more recently, Millwall’s Liam Roberts on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

“Maddison was lucky to escape serious injury.”

Postecoglou needs Tottenham to step up

Postecoglou has been feeling the pressure at Tottenham throughout the season, with his side struggling to get going in the Premier League, sitting fifteenth in the table.

If there is one thing that would be enough to save his future in charge with Spurs, it would be winning the Europa League and bringing a trophy to north London, securing Champions League football too.

However, following reports of the Australian losing his Tottenham dressing room, there are doubts over whether a trophy would be enough or if his destiny is already set in stone, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Postecoglou will be under no illusions about the pressure he is under and while league form does need to see an improvement, he will surely be putting all of his efforts into European action.

The semi-finals will prove to be massive games, and the boss needs to rally his side, making sure everyone who pulls on a shirt is playing for his and their own futures.