Tottenham Receive Huge Boost as Dejan Kulusevski Makes Emotional Return After 477-Day Nightmare
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a potentially massive boost at a crucial moment of the season, with Dejan Kulusevski finally making his long-awaited return to full first-team training after an extraordinary 477-day injury nightmare.
The 26-year-old Sweden international has endured one of the most frustrating periods of his career, spending more than 15 months away from competitive football after suffering a serious knee problem.
Kulusevski’s last competitive appearance came way back in May 2025 during Tottenham’s Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace. What initially appeared to be a relatively minor injury quickly turned into a devastating setback when further examinations revealed significant cartilage damage to his right knee.
The problem eventually required surgery, but his road back to full fitness proved anything but straightforward.
As Kulusevski attempted to increase his workload during rehabilitation, further complications emerged. Because cartilage does not have a direct blood supply, the damaged area struggled to recover naturally under the demands of an intensive return-to-play programme.
That ultimately forced the Swedish star to undergo a second surgical procedure, with the affected area needing further treatment.
The consequences have been enormous.
Kulusevski has missed well over 60 matches for club and country, watching from the sidelines as Tottenham experienced one of the most chaotic periods in their recent history.
During his absence, Spurs went through a remarkable managerial carousel. Ange Postecoglou departed, Thomas Frank took charge and subsequently left, while Igor Tudor also came and went.
Now, Roberto De Zerbi is attempting to establish his own era in north London — and the Italian manager could suddenly have one of Tottenham’s most important attacking weapons available to him.
Kulusevski’s absence has meant he has missed some extraordinary moments. He was unable to play a role in Tottenham’s 2025 Europa League triumph and watched helplessly as the club battled through an extremely difficult domestic campaign.
Spurs ultimately finished 17th in the Premier League, while Kulusevski was also forced to watch Sweden’s 2026 World Cup campaign from afar.
For a player who had established himself as an important figure at Tottenham, the situation has undoubtedly been incredibly difficult.
But now, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.
De Zerbi’s Tottenham have endured a difficult beginning to the 2026/27 campaign, suffering consecutive defeats against Brentford and Newcastle. With pressure already beginning to build, the return of Kulusevski could hardly have arrived at a more interesting time.
His versatility could prove particularly valuable.
The Swedish attacker can operate as a direct right-winger, but he is also capable of moving into central areas and functioning as a creative playmaker. That flexibility could give De Zerbi another dimension in attack and provide Tottenham with an option they have been missing for more than a year.
However, supporters will have to be patient.
After 477 days away from first-team football, it would be unrealistic to expect Kulusevski to immediately return to his best level. Two surgical procedures, a lengthy rehabilitation and more than a year without competitive football mean that his comeback will almost certainly have to be carefully managed.
His first appearances may be limited, and rebuilding his match fitness, confidence and rhythm could take considerable time.
Nevertheless, simply seeing him back training alongside his teammates represents a huge personal victory.
Kulusevski himself perfectly captured the emotion of the moment in a social-media message celebrating his return.
“After 477 days I came back to full team training,” he wrote.
He then added a powerful message of determination:
“Everything is impossible until is not. Want to see a miracle. Be one. See u soon.”
Those words underline just how difficult the journey has been.
For Tottenham, Kulusevski’s return is more than just another player becoming available. It represents the potential return of creativity, versatility and experience to an attack desperately looking for inspiration.
After 477 days of waiting, Spurs supporters finally have reason to dream again.
The next step is now clear: get Kulusevski back onto the pitch, rebuild his fitness carefully and hope the Swedish star can finally put his nightmare injury chapter behind him.
If he can rediscover anything close to his previous level, Tottenham may have gained a major attacking weapon at exactly the moment Roberto De Zerbi needs one most.
