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Football Insider

Tottenham's crisis deepens as key player faces lengthy spell on the sidelines

Tottenham’s season takes a turn for the worse as Rodrigo Bentancur undergoes surgery for a hamstring injury, ruling him out for three months. Manager Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure from an unsettled fanbase and a depleted squad.

Tottenham's crisis deepens as key player faces lengthy spell on the sidelines

Tottenham’s nightmare season has gone from bad to worse with the confirmation that midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has undergone surgery on a hamstring injury and is set to miss at least three months of action. The news comes as a devastating blow to under-fire manager Thomas Frank, who is already grappling with a squad depleted by sales and injuries, whilst facing open revolt from a fanbase furious at the club's perceived lack of ambition and slide down the Premier League table.The clouds gathering over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have darkened significantly this week. The club have officially confirmed that Bentancur, a linchpin of their midfield, has undergone successful surgery on his right hamstring but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Uruguay international sustained the damage during last week’s dispiriting Premier League defeat away at Bournemouth, a result that left Spurs languishing in 14th place and piled further pressure on head coach Frank.With the 28-year-old not expected to return until late April at the earliest, according to BBC Sport, his season is effectively over for all meaningful purposes. The timing could not be worse for Frank, whose midfield options are already stretched to the breaking point. The loss of Bentancur deprives the side of their most composed ball-player in the engine room, a calmness they sorely lacked during the chaotic FA Cup exit to Aston Villa on Saturday.Bentancur’s absence is merely the latest chapter in a catalogue of medical misfortunes that have plagued Tottenham’s campaign. He joins fellow key star Mohammed Kudus in the treatment room, with the Ghana winger ruled out until after the March international break due to a severe thigh injury. To lose two of the squad's most dynamic creative outlets simultaneously has left the team looking toothless and devoid of ideas in the final third.A statement on the club's website read: "We can confirm that Rodrigo Bentancur has undergone surgery on his right hamstring. The Uruguay international midfielder suffered the injury during our Premier League fixture at Bournemouth last week and will now commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff." Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The atmosphere in north London has turned toxic. The FA Cup third-round defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend served as a flashpoint for supporter anger. Fans booed the team off the pitch at half-time with the scoreline reading 2-0 to the visitors, a stark illustration of the disconnect between the stands and the squad. But the frustration runs far deeper than just results on the pitch; it is directed squarely at the governance of the club.Supporters are now mobilising. The fan group Change for Tottenham has organised a major protest scheduled for Saturday’s home fixture against West Ham United. They have issued a rallying cry for fans to bring yellow banners, flags, and scarves to create a visual "wall of yellow" inside the stadium before kick-off, symbolising a warning to the owners that their patience has evaporated.In a statement released this week, the group said: "There is growing frustration within the fanbase surrounding the board's transfer strategy, clarity on the director of football role, our continuous injury crises season after season, recent results/performances on the pitch and extortionate ticket prices. We believe acting now will hopefully mean our voices are heard at such a pivotal time during the January transfer window."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingCaught in the crossfire is Frank. The manager arrived with a reputation for smart, tactical football, but his tenure is threatening to unravel under the weight of institutional instability. The sale of Brennan Johnson to London rivals Crystal Palace mid-season was viewed by many as a surrender, a signal that balancing the books has taken precedence over competitive ambition.The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) has publicly accused the club of a "dramatic fall in ambition" following a tense meeting with senior figures. The narrative of a fresh start post-Daniel Levy has quickly soured. When Levy stood down, the new leadership triumvirate, comprising representatives from The Lewis Family Trust, Vinai Venkatesham and Fabio Paratici, promised a renewed focus on winning trophies. Those promises now ring hollow to a fanbase watching their team drift into obscurity.The coming days represent a critical juncture for Tottenham Hotspur. On the pitch, they must navigate a London derby against West Ham without their best midfielder and their most dangerous winger. A defeat against the Hammers, set against the backdrop of a stadium filled with protest banners, could make Frank’s position untenable.

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Injury Blow for Tottenham

Tottenham's nightmare season worsens as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur undergoes surgery for a hamstring injury sustained in a recent match. With a recovery period of at least three months, Bentancur's absence is a significant setback for a struggling Spurs side.

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Mourning the Midfield Maestro

Bentancur's surgery leaves a void in Tottenham's midfield, robbing them of a vital playmaker in a critical phase of the season. The loss exacerbates the team's existing injury woes and compounds their struggles in key areas of the pitch.

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Fan Frustration Boils Over

The news of Bentancur's extended absence sparks further discord among Tottenham supporters already disillusioned by the club's performances and lack of ambition. The upcoming protest against ownership reflects growing discontent and calls for change at all levels of the club.

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Manager in the Spotlight

Thomas Frank finds himself under increasing scrutiny as results falter and unrest mounts both on and off the pitch. With key players sidelined and fan protests looming, Frank's ability to navigate the turbulent waters at Tottenham will be severely tested in the coming weeks.

Published on Jan 13, 2026