Tottenham have been handed a timely lift over Dejan Kulusevski, with Roberto De Zerbi confirming the Swedish forward is very much part of his planning as the deadline for the Premier League squad list approaches. With the transfer window edging toward its close, focus at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium remains on whether more incomings can be completed before September 1, but De Zerbi may already have the equivalent of a fresh addition emerging from within his own ranks.
Kulusevski is back in training after an agonisingly long injury lay-off, having gone roughly 16 months without a competitive appearance, and his progress has caught the head coach’s eye. De Zerbi has made clear that if the 26-year-old keeps responding well to his rehab programme, he wants him named in Tottenham’s 25-man squad — a sign of genuine encouragement over his recovery. Speaking to Football.London, the Italian praised the player’s dedication throughout the process, and Spurs are said to be taking a cautious, methodical approach to his comeback rather than rushing him back into contention.
Less welcome was De Zerbi’s update on Xavi Simons, who isn’t expected back until as late as March or April next year — a lengthy absence that will force Tottenham to lean on other creative options for much of the campaign. It’s a reminder, in De Zerbi’s view, that squad depth matters given how injuries and fixture pile-ups can quickly thin out options.
For supporters, Kulusevski’s return to full training feels almost like landing a new signing given how long he’s been out. Before his injury issues he was a key attacking presence for Spurs thanks to his ball-carrying and creative instincts, but there’s a clear gap between training and being ready for full Premier League intensity. De Zerbi’s comments should be read as promising rather than a guarantee of an instant return to the starting XI.
Excitement will build once Kulusevski is included in the squad, but expectations need tempering — even top players need time to sharpen up after such a long spell out, and his reintroduction is likely to come through managed minutes, substitute cameos and a gradual rise in workload, with the odd setback possible along the way. James Maddison’s own return from injury may need similarly careful handling.
Overall, this is a boost for De Zerbi as Tottenham continue their business before the window shuts — Kulusevski’s return could strengthen the squad without another signing being needed, while the Simons news underlines why depth still matters. The priority now is simply getting him fully fit and confident again; manage that well, and his comeback could end up being one of the highlights of De Zerbi’s first season in charge.
