Maddison starts for Tottenham as Van de Ven and Udogie miss pre-season

Tottenham Hotspur fielded a changed squad for their second pre-season friendly against Hoffenheim in 24 hours, with James Maddison starting at their Hotspur Way training ground on Sunday. The match, played behind closed doors, followed a 3-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the previous day.

Maddison’s appearance marked his first pre-season outing since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for most of last season. The midfielder was joined by Mateus Fernandes, who returned after missing the club’s tour of New Zealand and Australia due to a calf problem.

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Key defenders still absent

Despite the returns of Maddison and Fernandes, Tottenham remain without two first-team defenders. Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie have not played a single minute of pre-season, raising concerns ahead of the Premier League opener at Brentford on 17 August 2025. The club has not provided an update on their fitness.

Other absentees included striker Dominic Solanke, who last played 45 minutes against Chelsea on 1 August, and Mohammed Kudus, who is still recovering from a quad injury. Dejan Kulusevski has resumed training after a knee problem but is not expected to return soon. Pedro Porro, who joined late after Spain’s World Cup campaign, also did not feature.

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Squad changes for Hoffenheim match

Roberto De Zerbi’s team for the Hoffenheim friendly included several players who missed the previous day’s match. Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr started, alongside January signing Pedro Henrique Souza, who has been linked with a move away from the club.

Brandon Austin was in goal, with Ben Davies and Kevin Danso in defence. Danso, who was sent off against Chelsea earlier this month, played the full match. The bench featured 15-year-old goalkeeper Mikel Jack, one of several young players given opportunities during pre-season.

Guglielmo Vicario set to leave

Guglielmo Vicario did not feature in the friendly, with reports suggesting the goalkeeper is expected to leave Tottenham before the transfer deadline. Cristian Romero and Djed Spence have already departed this summer, as the club continues to reshape its squad.

What happens next

Tottenham’s focus now turns to their Premier League opener at Brentford on 17 August 2025. The club has not confirmed whether Van de Ven or Udogie will be available for the match. Fans will also monitor the transfer window, which closes on 31 August, for potential departures and new signings.