The key facts
- Kulusevski returned after 17 months, coming on in the 87th minute of the winning match against Coventry (3:1)
- After knee surgery in May 2025 there were multiple setbacks; a second operation in March allowed recovery to begin
- Tottenham earned their first Premier League win of the season and left last place in the table
An emotional return
Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski came on as a substitute in the 87th minute of the home match against Coventry (3:1) to a deafening roar from the stands. It was his first game after 17 months out of football due to injury. The 26-year-old Swede said after the match that he feels like 'a different person'.
A long rehabilitation
Kulusevski underwent knee surgery in May 2025, after which he faced several complications. A second operation in March finally allowed him to begin his recovery. 'The path seemed impossible. It was as hard as it could be, but I had a feeling that I would come back and play,' AFP quoted him as saying.
The player's words
'Everything is great. I worked harder than you can imagine,' Kulusevski said. He added that he trained 10 hours a day, 'when nobody is watching', and did not give up when 'everyone had thrown in the towel'. 'I am grateful that the fans missed my play. It means a lot, and I am here to show them the best version of myself.'
Context for Tottenham
During Kulusevski's absence, Tottenham recorded only three home league wins and avoided relegation on the final day of the 2025/26 season. The match against Coventry became the club's first win in the current Premier League season and allowed the team to leave last place in the table. Kulusevski also missed the team's 2025 Europa League triumph and the World Cup with Sweden. 'Now I am ready to play. I have become a bit smarter,' he concluded.
