Tottenham‘s Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Tottenham’s recent Europa League victory over Elfsborg, dealing a major blow to both the player and the club. Tottenham have confirmed that Dragusin will undergo surgery, with initial assessments suggesting he could be sidelined for at least six months. However, ACL injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from, and in some cases, players are out for up to a year.
A statement from Tottenham revealed that Dragusin “will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.” The Romanian center-back has been a key figure in Ange Postecoglou’s squad, having started 21 of the team’s last 23 matches. His absence will leave a significant gap in Tottenham’s defensive setup as they continue their push for European qualification.
Tottenham’s Injury Crisis Deepens
Dragusin’s injury further exacerbates Tottenham’s ongoing fitness concerns, with several key players already sidelined. The Romanian international joins a growing injury list that includes Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke. Meanwhile, defenders Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies have only recently returned to action, meaning Spurs’ defensive depth remains stretched thin.
Reacting to his injury on Instagram, Dragusin expressed determination to make a strong comeback, stating, “Football doesn’t just teach you how to win—it teaches you how to fight when things get tough.” His positive mindset will be crucial as he begins his rehabilitation process, but his long-term absence poses a serious challenge for Tottenham as they navigate the crucial final months of the season.
Tottenham Growing Injury List Raises Concerns
Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis shows no signs of easing, with manager Ange Postecoglou facing an ever-growing list of sidelined players. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Spurs have suffered 27 separate injuries, significantly disrupting the squad’s consistency and form. The relentless wave of injuries has left Postecoglou struggling to field a stable starting XI, further complicating the team’s pursuit of a top-four Premier League finish.
Of the 24 players to have started a league match for Tottenham this season, only five—Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, Brandon Austin, and Sergio Reguilón—have managed to avoid injury-related absences. This alarming statistic highlights the extent of Tottenham’s struggles, as the squad’s depth continues to be tested. Meanwhile, new arrival Antonin Kinsky remains an exception, yet to make his league debut.
Key Players Sidelined, Form Impacted
The injury crisis has had a direct impact on Tottenham’s performances, with several key players missing substantial portions of the season. Among the worst-hit are forward Wilson Odobert, who has missed 30 games following hamstring surgery in November, as well as striker Richarlison and centre-back Micky van de Ven, who have been sidelined for 24 and 21 matches, respectively. In total, five players have been unavailable for more than half of the club’s 37 matches across all competitions, while seven have missed at least 10 games.
Postecoglou has openly expressed his frustration at the team’s injury misfortunes, especially during a challenging seven-match winless run in the Premier League. However, Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Brentford provided some relief, halting their poor streak. Reflecting on the situation, Postecoglou wryly remarked, “Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train.” Despite this brief respite, Tottenham injury crisis remains a pressing concern, with squad depth and fitness management becoming critical factors in their season’s outcome.
