The key facts
- Kulusevski has not played since May 2025 due to a serious knee injury — more than 500 days
- Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said the medical staff gave clearance and the player will start from the bench
- Tottenham sit last in the Premier League after six rounds and are searching for their first win of the season
A return after a year and a half
Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has been included in Tottenham's squad for the home match against Coventry — for the first time in more than 500 days. His last match was a game in May 2025, after which he suffered a serious knee injury. During this time, the 26-year-old player missed the team's Europa League triumph in 2025, the entire last season and this year's World Cup.
The coach's words
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said at a press conference on Sunday that after a meeting with the medical staff, clearance was granted, and Kulusevski will start the match on the bench. 'Deki has suffered too much. He deserves to feel the emotions on the pitch,' the coach said. According to him, when he told the player the news, the player smiled broadly. De Zerbi stressed that it is not only about football: 'He has suffered a lot, and his reaction was magnificent.'
Match context
Tottenham, who sit bottom of the Premier League after six rounds, are searching for their first win of the season. The team spent most of the past week at a training camp in Marbella in southern Spain. The opponent will be Frank Lampard's Coventry. In addition, the injured Savio and Lucas Bergvall will not be able to play for the hosts, nor will the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur.
