Dejan Kulusevski has returned to full team training with Tottenham Hotspur, ending a 477-day absence caused by a serious knee injury — a timely boost for new head coach Roberto De Zerbi as the club navigates an uncertain start to the 2026/27 season.

The 26-year-old Swedish international last played a competitive match in May 2025, when a challenge during a Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace left him with patella cartilage damage in his right knee. What initially appeared to be a minor setback was revealed by subsequent scans to be far more serious, requiring surgery.

A long road back

Kulusevski's recovery was derailed repeatedly. Because cartilage does not benefit from a direct blood supply, the knee struggled to heal naturally as training loads increased, ultimately forcing him to undergo a second surgical procedure to clear the damaged tissue.

Across his 15-month ordeal, the Swede missed more than 60 matches for both club and country. He sat out Tottenham's 2025 UEFA Europa League triumph, watched an entire turbulent domestic campaign — which ended in a 17th-place Premier League finish — from the sidelines, and was unable to represent Sweden at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

During his absence, Spurs cycled through multiple managers: Ange Postecoglou departed, Thomas Frank came and went, and so did Igor Tudor. It was De Zerbi who eventually took charge, inheriting a squad Kulusevski has yet to properly be part of.

What his return means for De Zerbi

For De Zerbi, the news arrives at a difficult moment. Tottenham have lost consecutive Premier League matches — against Brentford and Newcastle — and the Italian coach has been searching for greater creativity and flexibility in attack.

Kulusevski's versatility makes him a valuable option. He can operate as a direct right-winger or drop into a central playmaker role, providing De Zerbi with combinations that the squad has lacked in recent weeks.

That said, realistic expectations must be set. Returning to the intensity of Premier League football after two operations and more than a year away from first-team action will take time. Supporters should not expect an instant return to his best form — rebuilding match sharpness and rhythm after such a prolonged absence is a gradual process.

Still, stepping back onto the training pitch with his teammates is a milestone worth celebrating. Kulusevski marked the occasion himself on social media.