Mohammed Kudus setback leaves Spurs without a recognised right winger for relegation run-in while Ghana sweats on star's fitness for England clash
Mohammed Kudus faces potential season-ending surgery that would leave Tottenham without a single fit right winger for their desperate relegation battle. The £55 million Ghana international suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad tendon injury, throwing both club and country into crisis with just seven games separating Spurs from the Championship.
Tottenham sit one point above the relegation zone after their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break. The timing couldn't be worse for new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who inherited a squad already missing Dejan Kulusevski for the entire season and stripped of Brennan Johnson after his January sale to Crystal Palace.
The north London club's catastrophic season has been defined by an unprecedented injury list that shows no signs of improving. Kudus had emerged as their most reliable attacking outlet before suffering his quad tendon problem during January's 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
Dejan Kulusevski hasn't kicked a ball all season, leaving Tottenham without their primary creative force. The Swedish international's absence has forced multiple tactical reshuffles and contributed directly to Spurs' shocking league position.
Former interim manager Igor Tudor had expressed optimism about Kudus's recovery just weeks ago.
We have this big three weeks after the game on Sunday. He will probably do some part of the things with the squad maybe 10 days [after the break]. I don't know I'm not sure. We need to check but he is progressing very well. Already a little bit with the ball.
That optimism has evaporated. Football.London reports the setback could require surgery, which would rule Kudus out for the remainder of the campaign and potentially impact his World Cup participation with Ghana.
Before his injury, Kudus had contributed:
Without him, Tottenham have won just two of their last 11 league matches. Their attacking options on the right flank are now limited to converted midfielders and academy products with minimal Premier League experience.
Roberto De Zerbi arrived at Tottenham with a reputation for transforming Brighton into a possession-based powerhouse. He now faces the ultimate test: keeping a decimated squad in the Premier League with seven matches remaining.
The Italian coach's preferred 4-2-3-1 system relies heavily on pace and width from the flanks. Without Kudus, Kulusevski, or Johnson, De Zerbi must either abandon his tactical principles or gamble on untested youngsters in must-win matches.
Tottenham's upcoming fixtures offer little respite. They face Sunderland on Sunday, a side fighting for European qualification and unbeaten in their last six home matches. The Black Cats hammered Spurs 3-0 in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane in December.
Championship football would cost Tottenham an estimated £150 million in lost revenue. The club's wage bill, still bloated from their Champions League days, would become unsustainable in the second tier. Key players like Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero have relegation release clauses that would see them leave for nominal fees.
The January sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35 million now looks increasingly short-sighted. Johnson has scored four goals in 10 appearances for Palace, while Tottenham have managed just eight goals total in the same period.
Kudus's potential absence extends beyond club football. Ghana face England in Boston on 23 June in their World Cup opener, with the winger central to their tactical plans against the Three Lions.
The Black Stars drew one of the toughest groups in North America:
Without Kudus, Ghana's attacking options look significantly weaker. The 25-year-old has been their most consistent performer in recent years, contributing crucial goals in World Cup qualifying.
Antoine Semenyo offers Ghana some consolation. The Manchester City forward was directly involved in two goals during their 4-0 FA Cup demolition of Liverpool last weekend. However, Semenyo operates primarily on the left, leaving Ghana without natural width on the opposite flank if Kudus misses out.
Ghana's preparation has already been disrupted by their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. Losing Kudus would compound their problems as they attempt to progress from the group stage for the first time since 2010.
Tottenham must decide whether to risk Kudus's long-term fitness or accept their fate without him. Surgery would guarantee his absence for the remaining seven matches but could ensure his World Cup participation. Delaying the procedure risks further damage and a longer recovery period.
For De Zerbi, the immediate concern is Sunday's clash with Sunderland. West Ham face Wolves on Friday night and could drop Tottenham into the relegation zone before they even kick a ball. The Hammers have won just once in their last six league outings, offering Spurs a glimmer of hope in the survival race.
Ghana's technical team will monitor the situation closely. Their World Cup preparations begin in earnest next month, with friendlies against Morocco and Mexico scheduled before the tournament. Coach Chris Hughton must now consider alternative tactical approaches without his star winger.
Kudus's World Cup participation depends on whether he requires surgery for his quad tendon injury. If he undergoes an operation now, he would miss Tottenham's remaining seven matches but could recover in time for Ghana's opener against England on 23 June. Without surgery, he risks aggravating the injury and missing the tournament entirely.
Tottenham sit one point above the relegation zone with seven games remaining and face an uphill battle without their only fit right winger. They've won just two of their last 11 league matches and must improve dramatically under Roberto De Zerbi. Their survival chances have dropped from 65% to 45% according to bookmakers following news of Kudus's setback.
With Kudus potentially out for the season, Kulusevski absent all year, and Brennan Johnson sold to Crystal Palace in January, Tottenham have no natural right wingers available. De Zerbi must either play converted midfielders out of position or promote untested academy players for crucial relegation battles.
Ghana face England on 23 June 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts. This Group L opener kicks off at 8pm local time (1am BST on 24 June). Ghana then play Croatia on 27 June before concluding their group campaign against Panama on 1 July.
Tottenham signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55 million in summer 2025. The Ghana international has scored twice and provided five assists in 18 Premier League appearances before his January injury. His potential season-ending absence makes him the latest expensive signing to suffer long-term injury problems at Spurs.
Relegation would cost Tottenham an estimated £150 million in lost revenue and trigger release clauses for key players like Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero. The club's wage bill would become unsustainable in the Championship, forcing a fire sale of assets. They haven't played outside the top flight since 1978.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute betting advice.
Mohammed Kudus suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad tendon injury that may require season-ending surgery. The Ghana international has been out since January's draw with Sunderland.
Tottenham currently sit one point above the relegation zone with just seven games remaining in the season. They are in serious danger of being relegated to the Championship.
If Kudus requires surgery as reported, it could impact his World Cup participation with Ghana. The timing would be particularly problematic ahead of Ghana's Group L opener against England.
Dejan Kulusevski has missed the entire season with injury, while Brennan Johnson was sold to Crystal Palace in January. This leaves Tottenham without any fit recognized right wingers.
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