“Blow for Spurs: Star Defender Out for 6-10 Weeks”
“Spurs Rocked: Key Defender Sidelined for 6-10 Weeks”
According to the highly reliable Paul O’Keefe, Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie is expected to be sidelined for “six to ten weeks” as he recovers from his injury. This only worsens Spurs’ already dire injury crisis, particularly in defense.
Tottenham suffer yet another defensive setback
The Italian international was forced off early in the second half against Wolves, paving the way for Sergio Reguilon to make his first significant appearance for the club since April 2022, during Antonio Conte’s tenure against Brighton & Hove Albion.
In the best-case scenario of a six-week absence, Destiny Udogie would miss a daunting stretch of games, including Newcastle United (home), Liverpool (home, Carabao Cup), Tamworth (away, FA Cup), Arsenal and Everton (away), Hoffenheim (away, Europa League), Leicester City (home), Elfsborg (home, Europa League), Brentford (away), Liverpool (away, Carabao Cup), and potentially an FA Cup fourth-round tie.
And that’s being optimistic. Considering a ten-week timeline is almost unbearable. Just when it feels like Spurs’ injury crisis couldn’t possibly deepen, it somehow does. You either laugh or cry at this point. While Djed Spence has performed admirably out of position at left-back, a January move in the transfer market feels unavoidable. Failure to act would be nothing short of gross negligence—though, sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time.
Right now, Spurs’ only fully fit first-team defenders are Spence and Pedro Porro, and even Porro is running on fumes. Radu Dragusin made a brave effort in the draw against Wolves, but it was clear he was far from match fit. The club is hanging on by a thread defensively, and reinforcements are desperately needed.
If Spurs fail to sign a left-back this window, they’re risking a scenario where Sergio Reguilon must play a significant role in the team. While Djed Spence is likely to be the first-choice left-back for now, over-reliance on him is a gamble. Transitioning from barely playing to featuring in nearly every game could take a toll on his body, potentially leading to yet another injury in an already depleted squad.
Additionally, Spence will inevitably be needed in his natural position at right-back, where cover is also thin. Bringing in a left-back would ease the strain, allowing Spurs to rotate between Spence, Pedro Porro, and a new signing. This would provide just enough defensive depth to get through until Destiny Udogie returns.
To make matters worse, Spence is not registered for the Europa League, leaving Reguilon as the only option for crucial fixtures against Hoffenheim and Elfsborg unless reinforcements arrive before then. Tottenham hasn’t even played a game in 2025, and the year has already started with frustrating complications. When it rains, it pours at Spurs.