Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has expressed serious doubts about whether Dejan Kulusevski will be fit enough to feature for Sweden at this summer’s World Cup.
The winger has been out of action since May 2025 due to a serious patella injury, with no clear indication that he is nearing a return to full training. His absence has hurt Spurs significantly, leaving the team short on creativity, while also casting a shadow over his international prospects ahead of the tournament.
Kulusevski himself has remained defiant, declaring he is fully committed to getting fit after Sweden booked their World Cup place with a narrow play-off win over Poland. But his recovery has shown little visible progress. He went under the knife for a second time on his knee during the March international break and has not been in contention for any playing time as the Premier League season winds down.
De Zerbi acknowledged he lacks clarity on the player’s status, saying it is hard for him to picture Kulusevski featuring at the World Cup having not played a single minute this season. He did note, however, that the winger messaged him to say he hopes to return to Hotspur Way the following week to continue his rehabilitation, and De Zerbi expressed hope that he could at least be available for the club’s final match.
Spurs meanwhile picked up a vital 2-1 win over Aston Villa, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone. Concerns briefly surfaced over Richarlison after he missed a training session midweek, but De Zerbi dismissed any alarm, confirming the Brazilian simply needed rest after putting in a strong shift at Villa Park.
