Tottenham's Thomas Frank suspects Richarlison hamstring injury, bemoans fixture congestion
The head coach said the calendar was "something for the football authorities to look into" as his team have played four games in ten days.
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Thomas Frank has cited fixture congestion as a reason behind Richarlison’s suspected hamstring injury after the forward was forced off during their FA Cup third round loss to Aston Villa.
Tottenham’s top scorer in the Premier League this season was taken off after half an hour with the score 1-0 to Villa, holding the back of his left leg.
The north London side have played four games in 2026 already, with only two full rest days between each. The Brazil international has featured in every match this season, scoring seven in the Premier League and once in the Champions League.
Richarlison has been Tottenham’s top scorer in the league this season (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“It could look like that,” the head coach said when asked if it was a hamstring injury after the game. “I think there (are) a few injuries across the Premier League.
“I think it’s something for the football authorities to look into as well. We played five games in 13 days. Four in 10, one of the few clubs who did that. And it’s our third time this season. That’s just the most tricky thing. With two days between. We are dealing with it. We’re doing everything we can to compete in it, but that’s a tough schedule.”
Earlier on Saturday, Tino Livramento was forced off with what Eddie Howe said he thought was a hamstring injury, as Newcastle United are facing a similarly relentless schedule.
After going 2-0 down in the first half, Tottenham pulled one back via Wilson Odobert but could not equalise and the game finished 2-1. Their FA Cup third round exit capped off a disappointing week in which they lost to Bournemouth and drew to Sunderland despite going ahead in both games.
The loss of Richarlison has been the fourth injury in this time, as Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur have also been sidelined.
Tottenham have Dominic Solanke back, however, after an ankle issue that has limited him to only three appearances this season and forced him to undergo surgery. The forward was substituted on in the 83rd minute of Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
They are next in action against 18th-placed West Ham on January 17 before facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League three days later.