Tottenham's injury crisis deepens as Pedro Porro suffers hamstring setback against Aston Villa
Tottenham face a growing fitness crisis after Pedro Porro broke down with a suspected hamstring injury just 15 minutes into his return against Aston Villa. Spurs sit in the relegation zone with no league win, and Roberto De Zerbi is now without several key players for the foreseeable future.
- Main setback: Pedro Porro suffered a hamstring injury after 15 minutes against Aston Villa.
- Also out: Dejan Kulusevski (kneecap), Mykhailo Mudryk (ankle), Xavi Simons (ACL), Wilson Odobert (ACL).
- Quickest return: Porro could be back for Manchester United (A) on Saturday 10 October.
- Longest absence: Xavi Simons is not expected back before January 2027.
- At stake: Tottenham remain in the relegation zone with no league win this season.
Injury and availability
Tottenham's medical room is overflowing, with five first-team players currently unavailable or facing spells on the sidelines. Here is the full breakdown of every injury concern, as confirmed by the source article.
- Pedro Porro — Hamstring injury sustained against Aston Villa. De Zerbi confirmed: "It's a hamstring, I think. Hopefully, it's not a big problem." Potential return: Saturday 10 October, vs Manchester United (A).
- Dejan Kulusevski — Serious kneecap injury that wiped out his entire 2025-26 season. Back in training with team-mates but not yet available. No confirmed return date.
- Mykhailo Mudryk — Ankle injury in training, expected six to eight weeks out. Likely return late October or early November. Potential return: Saturday 31 October, vs Crystal Palace (H).
- Xavi Simons — Recovering from an ACL injury suffered at Wolves last season. Not expected back before the turn of the year. Potential return: January 2027.
- Wilson Odobert — ACL injury suffered in February against Newcastle. Timetable points towards late autumn. Potential return: Saturday 28 November, vs Sunderland (A).
What was said
"I said after the World Cup, I said the management of Pedro should be different. Because after the World Cup, [there are] many games. I don't know what the problem is. It's a hamstring, I think. Hopefully, it's not a big problem."
"He [Kulusevski] is taking it step by step. First he has to be involved with Tottenham, and they are the ones who ultimately decide. They see him every day and can best make the decision. When he is not involved there it is difficult for us to take him out – even if we want to."
De Zerbi's words reveal a manager who is frustrated with the situation but powerless to change it. His comment about managing Porro differently after the World Cup suggests he believes the full-back was overworked, and that extra caution should have been applied earlier.
Potter's assessment of Kulusevski is equally telling. The Sweden manager admits his hands are tied until Tottenham give the midfielder minutes, which underlines just how far away the player still is from full match fitness.
The numbers
- 15 — minutes Pedro Porro lasted against Aston Villa before breaking down.
- 3 — club matches Porro has started since returning from the World Cup.
- 6–8 — weeks expected out for Mykhailo Mudryk with his ankle injury.
- January 2027 — earliest expected return for Xavi Simons from his ACL injury.
Why De Zerbi's squad management is now as much a problem as the injuries
Tottenham are not simply dealing with a medical crisis; they are dealing with a squad management crisis. Losing senior players like Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski is one thing, but getting only fragments of them back — as happened with Porro against Aston Villa — leaves De Zerbi patching holes every single week. That is no way to build rhythm or momentum in the Premier League.
The creativity and pace in the final third has been stripped away. Mykhailo Mudryk had only just returned from a doping ban and made his first competitive appearance since November 2024 against Nottingham Forest before suffering his ankle injury in training. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are both recovering from ACL injuries, with Simons not expected back before January 2027. Odobert could offer a wide option before the year closes if his rehab stays on track.
Until Porro, Kulusevski and Mudryk are available, De Zerbi must find attacking coherence from a depleted group. The international break gives him time, but time only helps if players come back fit. Tottenham are short of rhythm, short of bodies and short of certainty — and the table will keep telling the truth.
Talking points
- Should De Zerbi have been more cautious with Porro after the World Cup? His own comments suggest he wanted different management all along.
- Is Kulusevski's kneecap injury being handled well enough, or are Tottenham rushing him back too quickly?
- With Mudryk out for six to eight weeks, do Spurs have enough width to survive without him?
- Xavi Simons not returning until January 2027 raises questions about whether Spurs planned adequately for his absence.
What happens next
Tottenham travel to Manchester United on Saturday 10 October, the potential return date for Pedro Porro if his hamstring scan brings good news. After that, Mykhailo Mudryk is pencilled in for a comeback against Crystal Palace on Saturday 31 October, before Wilson Odobert hopes to feature at Sunderland on Saturday 28 November. Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons remain without confirmed return dates. Every dropped point between now and those fixtures keeps Spurs in the relegation zone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pedro Porro injured for Tottenham?
Yes. Porro suffered a suspected hamstring injury 15 minutes into his return against Aston Villa. His potential return date is Saturday 10 October against Manchester United (A).
When will Dejan Kulusevski return for Tottenham?
There is no confirmed date. Kulusevski is back in training with team-mates but is not yet available for selection and remains sidelined by a serious kneecap injury.
How long is Mykhailo Mudryk out for?
Mudryk is expected to be out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury suffered in training, placing his likely return in late October or early November, with 31 October against Crystal Palace a potential target.
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