Tottenham fans have real reason for optimism this week, with fresh signs suggesting Dejan Kulusevski’s long-awaited comeback could arrive even before Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons, both of whom are now expected to be sidelined until 2027 following ACL injuries suffered late in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Kulusevski’s own journey back has been anything but straightforward. The Swedish winger picked up a severe knee injury towards the back end of the 2024/25 campaign — reportedly worse than a typical ACL tear — which at one stage sparked genuine fears over the long-term future of his career. Those worries only deepened when he was ruled out for the entirety of 2025/26, with the club offering little in the way of concrete updates on his progress.
The mood, though, has shifted noticeably. Kulusevski is back out on the training pitch, posting upbeat messages on social media, and appears to be hinting that a return to competitive action isn’t far off.
His comeback would be a major lift for the squad. Tottenham have clearly felt the absence of his leadership, creativity, ball-carrying, technical quality and work rate — qualities that, at his best, give the team a blend of physical presence and inventiveness few others can replicate.
Simons remains out as the club waits to get its No. 10 back, while James Maddison offers Roberto De Zerbi another potential boost once he’s over his current setback — a dislocated shoulder picked up on the opening weekend against Brentford, following his own ACL injury the previous season. With Maddison expected to slot into attacking midfield, Kulusevski could end up being one of Tottenham’s most intriguing options through the middle. His track record as a playmaker suggests he could adapt well to a more central creative role once fully fit.
None of this means Spurs should rush him. Given the severity of the injury and the length of time out, careful management of his return will be essential to avoid any setback.
Still, there are clear indications that De Zerbi is looking forward to having him back — the Italian has repeatedly called Kulusevski a “special player,” language he’s also used for Simons. That parallel may not be accidental: it hints De Zerbi sees Kulusevski as capable of offering something similar in that creative, No. 10-adjacent role.
