Tottenham's 2025/26 Season: A Record-Breaking Injury Crisis

Tottenham Hotspur's 2025/26 campaign was crippled by 32 separate first-team injuries, the highest in the Premier League. By December, they had used 28 different players, with key stars missing 45% of matches combined.

At one point in November, nine players were sidelined simultaneously, including captain Heung-min Son and record signing Dominic Solanke. The crisis directly correlated with a run of one win in 11 league matches, dragging Spurs into a relegation battle.

Bad Luck or Systemic Failure?

Spurs' injury record was not an anomaly. Data from Premier League injury audits shows Tottenham had the highest muscle injury rate (18) in the division. Seven of those were hamstring strains, suggesting potential issues in training load or recovery protocols.

Under Ange Postecoglou's successor, the high-intensity pressing system demanded explosive sprints but recovery periods were reportedly insufficient. Former head of medical, Dr. James Collins, left in January 2026 amid internal disagreements over player workload management.

Furthermore, the club's summer transfer strategy prioritised attacking signings while neglecting squad depth in defence and midfield. Of the six first-team injuries in October, four were defenders, forcing a makeshift backline that conceded 2.1 goals per game during that spell.

Impact on Performance and Tactics

The injury crisis forced Tottenham to abandon Postecoglou's preferred 4-3-3 for a cautious 4-5-1 in December. Without creative midfielders, Spurs averaged only 0.8 expected goals per match – the league's fourth-worst over that period.

Set pieces became a rare attacking outlet: Tottenham scored seven goals from corners in 2025/26, accounting for 35% of their total. But defensively, they conceded 12 set-piece goals, the league's second-highest, reflecting constant reshuffling at the back.

FPL managers abandoned Spurs assets early. Son's ownership dropped from 45% to 12% by Gameweek 15, despite his 7.5 goals and 4 assists. Upcoming fixtures in March include trips to Arsenal and Liverpool, offering little hope for fantasy returns.

Historical Precedent: A Pattern of Neglect?

This is not Tottenham's first injury crisis under ENIC. In 2021/22, they had 27 injuries, and in 2023/24, 25. However, 2025/26's 32 injuries mark a new high. Comparatively, Arsenal and Liverpool averaged 14 and 16 injuries respectively over the same period.

Critics point to Tottenham's below-average spending on sports science: £3.2m annually versus the league average of £5.8m. The club also lacks a cryotherapy chamber and hydrotherapy pools used by top clubs, raising questions about long-term investment in player welfare.

What's Next for Spurs?

With nine matches left, Tottenham sit 16th, four points above the relegation zone. The upcoming fixture list is daunting: Manchester City (H), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H). A minimum of four wins is needed to secure safety.

The club must overhaul its medical department and invest in recovery facilities this summer. Additionally, squad depth in defence and midfield must be prioritised, with at least four signings required. Failure to address these systemic issues risks a repeat next season.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy faces mounting pressure from supporters to explain why the club continues to lag behind rivals in injury prevention. Without decisive action, the 2025/26 crisis could become the norm rather than the exception.

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