Mudryk Blow Deepens Tottenham’s Everton Crisis as Maddison Returns

LONDON — Tottenham Hotspur will host Everton at the 62,850-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi facing a severe selection crunch in wide attacking positions. Winger Mykhailo Mudryk is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a left ankle injury in training, while James Maddison has been cleared to return.

Mudryk’s setback came shortly after the Ukrainian international resumed competitive action as a second-half substitute against Nottingham Forest last weekend following an extended layoff. De Zerbi described the incident as “stupid” because of its innocuous nature. Medical assessments indicate that Mudryk will remain out until after the upcoming international break.

Tottenham’s attacking options are also limited by the continued absences of Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, who have long-term injuries. Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski is unavailable as well after another recovery setback. He had returned to full training last week before suffering what De Zerbi called a minor issue, extending his absence from first-team action to nearly 18 months.

Maddison’s return gives Tottenham an option in central midfield, although the club intends to manage his workload carefully. The 29-year-old England international has completed his recovery from a shoulder fracture suffered on the opening weekend of the season against Brentford.

“Maddison, yes, he will be back,” De Zerbi said during his pre-match press conference. “I’m happy when all my players are available. It is maybe a problem for me because my decisions are not easy. But I want to manage all players together.”

Tottenham’s medical staff are maintaining a cautious approach with Maddison after he missed most of the previous season while recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. He then followed a reduced pre-season program. Maddison joined Tottenham from Leicester City in June 2023 in a £40 million transfer and serves as the primary playmaker in De Zerbi’s central setup.

Full-back Destiny Udogie and winger Savio are available for the Everton match. Both were substituted around the 60th minute against Nottingham Forest, but De Zerbi said the withdrawals had been planned as precautionary measures for minor fitness concerns. Udogie joined Spurs from Italian side Udinese, while Savio is Brazilian.

Tottenham are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation. Goalkeeper Kinsky is slated to start behind Pedro Porro at right-back, center-backs Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven, and Udogie at left-back. Rodrigo Bentancur, the Uruguayan international, and Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali are projected to form the defensive pivot.

Savio, Fernandes, and French forward Mathys Tel are expected to operate behind center-forward Omar Marmoush. Kickoff between Tottenham and Everton is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. BST on Saturday, September 12, 2026.