Dejan Kulusevski's Tottenham future uncertain after year-long injury absence
Midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has missed over a year of action due to a knee injury. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is cautious about his return.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Rolandhino1
The future of Dejan Kulusevski at Tottenham remains uncertain after the midfielder spent a full year on the sidelines due to a severe injury. The Swedish international last appeared on May 11, 2025, against Crystal Palace, suffering a right patella injury just 19 minutes into the match.
Since then, Kulusevski has not played a single minute, missing 55 games for his club and the 2026 World Cup. Despite undergoing surgery and a lengthy recovery process, the player has provided minimal updates on his progress, showing only occasional glimpses of his gym work on social media.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi emphasized the need for a measured approach regarding the player's reintegration:
"He is an important player for us, but after a whole season without playing a single match, we have to analyze the situation very carefully. We must not take risks, first for his sake and then for ours." Roberto De Zerbi
Kulusevski arrived at Tottenham in 2022 and has since made 146 appearances, contributing 25 goals and 30 assists. His extended absence has been a significant blow for both the London club and the Swedish national team, with the midfielder watching the 2026 World Cup from home.