DEJAN KULUSEVSKI MOVES CLOSER TO TOTTENHAM COMEBACK AFTER 513-DAY ABSENCE
Dejan Kulusevski has moved another step closer to making his long-awaited Tottenham return after featuring in an 11-a-side training game at the club’s Hotspur Way base.
The Sweden international has been out of competitive action for 513 days since suffering a serious right-knee injury during Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on May 11, 2025. His appearance in the behind-closed-doors match represents a significant milestone in what has been an almost 17-month rehabilitation process.
Reports indicate that Kulusevski played alongside Tottenham’s senior players against a side made up of Under-21 and Under-18 academy players. There are also reports that the 26-year-old managed to score, although the exact number of minutes he played has not been confirmed.
His original injury appeared less serious at first, with then-Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou describing it as a knock. Further examinations, however, revealed a more complicated problem involving the cartilage around his right kneecap.
Kulusevski underwent surgery in May 2025 and subsequently required another procedure in early 2026. The lengthy recovery ruled him out for the whole of the 2025/26 season and also prevented him from representing Sweden at the 2026 World Cup.
The midfielder eventually returned to first-team training in September but suffered another minor setback that briefly interrupted his progress. He has since returned to work and is gradually increasing his workload under Tottenham’s medical team.
The club is continuing to take a cautious approach and has not set a specific date for his competitive comeback. Tottenham are keen to avoid rushing him after such an extended period away from top-level football.
His eventual return could be particularly valuable for Roberto De Zerbi. Spurs have endured a difficult opening to the Premier League campaign, collecting only two points from their first five matches and scoring just twice.
Before his injury, Kulusevski was one of Tottenham’s key attacking players. During the 2024/25 season, he produced 10 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances in all competitions. In the Premier League alone, he registered seven goals and four assists from 32 matches.
The versatile Swede can play as a central attacking midfielder or from the right side, giving De Zerbi another creative player capable of progressing the ball, creating chances and contributing goals.
For now, Tottenham will continue to manage his comeback carefully, but his participation in a full 11-a-side training match is an encouraging sign that Kulusevski’s long-awaited return to competitive football is getting closer.
