The star even underwent surgery following his injury.
Wilson Odobert has been pictured training at Hotspur Way during Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season preparations, with a photo shared by @Lilywhite_Rose on Monday showing the 21-year-old going through gym work in a Spurs training kit. The official club gallery from day four of pre-season, published on 13 July, also captured his involvement as Roberto De Zerbi oversaw the squad’s fitness and conditioning work.
It is a striking image given the context. Odobert tore the ACL in his left knee on 11 February during a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, coming off after just 35 minutes. The injury ended what had been a difficult season — he had managed only two goals across 33 appearances in all competitions, disrupted first by a right hamstring problem in October 2024 that required surgery in mid-November, and then by the ACL in February. Soccerway lists his estimated return date as 30 November 2026, which would put him well into the 2026/27 season before a competitive return was anticipated.
Wilson Odobert spotted during pre-season training – Why does this matter for De Zerbi’s squad
Seeing Odobert in the gym and on the grass during pre-season, even in a limited capacity, is meaningfully ahead of schedule. It does not mean he is close to match fitness, and Spurs will manage him carefully given the injury history. But his presence at Hotspur Way in week one of pre-season rather than in a rehabilitation facility is an encouraging sign.
Odobert joined Spurs from Burnley in August 2024 for £25 million and is contracted until June 2029. De Zerbi will be acutely aware of what the winger can offer when fit. The first pre-season game against MK Dons on 22 July will come too soon, but the direction of travel looks positive.