The Uruguayan will be out for at least three months, joining Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison on the sidelines
Tottenham’s season goes from bad to worse. After a week that saw them lose in the last minute to Bournemouth in the Premier League, followed by defeat in the FA Cup 3rd round at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday, Spurs have been dealt the unfortunate news that Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the next three months of action.
Bentancur sustained a hamstring injury in the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth on January 7, and scans have revealed that the Uruguayan international will have to undergo surgery that will see him miss a significant part of the season.
Initial assessments suggested a muscular issue, but further tests have since confirmed the extent of the injury, with surgery deemed the best course of action to avoid long-term complications.
Bentancur’s absence is another major blow for head coach Thomas Frank, who has already been dealing with an extensive injury list since taking charge earlier this season. Spurs have regularly been without several senior players, particularly in midfield, where options have been stretched to their limit.
While the 27-year-old divides opinion among Spurs fans, his experience and intensity in the centre of the pitch have largely been a great asset for the side since arriving from Juventus in 2022. Bentancur has established himself as a key figure, and his influence has been evident whenever he has returned from previous injury setbacks.
Frank facing midfield shortage
Bentancur’s injury leaves Tottenham short of established midfielders at a crucial point in the campaign. Frank has rotated between Archie Gray, João Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Bentancur in recent weeks, but the Uruguayan’s experience and defensive awareness made him a vital option in high-pressure matches.
Speaking after the Bournemouth defeat, Frank admitted the situation was concerning, acknowledging that injuries were having a clear impact on performances. While the club have not yet confirmed whether Bentancur will return before the end of the season, the projected three-month recovery timeline places his comeback in late April at the earliest.
The setback also raises questions about Tottenham’s plans for the remainder of the transfer window. With Bentancur sidelined and squad depth already thin, the club may be forced to consider reinforcements if they are to remain competitive in the Premier League and push for European qualification.
Bentancur’s injury history is an added concern. The midfielder has previously endured long spells out, including a serious knee injury that disrupted his momentum last season. Tottenham’s medical staff are expected to take a cautious approach this time, prioritising full recovery over a rushed return.
Incomings complicated by Paratici departure
Spurs are said to have money to spend in the January transfer window and are keen to dip into the market to supplement the injuries to the likes of Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison.
However that task has become more complicated due to the announcement that co-sporting director Fabio Paratici is set to leave the club at the end of the month.
Paratici was the man who brought Bentancur to the club but the movements in the backroom team at the Tottenham Hotspur adds a further layer of complexity to the situation, raising further eyebrows about the director of the team as a whole.