Dejan Kulusevski’s long and complicated road to recovery has become one of Tottenham Hotspur’s biggest frustrations of the season, and now Sweden manager Graham Potter has finally given a clearer picture of what is really going on behind the scenes.
His latest comments provide a rare glimpse into the truth about the winger’s condition and offer a hint at when supporters might finally see him back in action.
Tottenham have been without Kulusevski since May, when he was forced off early in a match against Crystal Palace. At the time, the injury looked relatively harmless, and there was little suggestion that it would grow into a months-long saga.
He left the pitch after only nineteen minutes with pain in his right knee, and initial relief spread through the medical team when they believed there was no major structural damage.
That optimism faded quickly. Further scans revealed a more serious issue with the patella, one that required surgery. Kulusevski went under the knife on May 14th, and that procedure immediately ruled him out of the Europa League final.
While Spurs went on to lift the trophy in his absence, he watched from the sidelines, devastated that he could not take part in such a defining moment.
Ange Postecoglou, who was in charge at the time, admitted he was disappointed and concerned. He told reporters that the early signs suggested the injury would not be long-term, but as soon as the swelling and deeper scans told a different story, the mood changed. Postecoglou expected him to miss “at least a few months,” but he could not give a clear date for his return.
He even hinted that there was a chance the winger might not be ready for the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
Seven months later, Kulusevski still has not played a single minute under new manager Thomas Frank. For a player who contributed ten goals and eleven assists last season, his absence has created a huge hole in Tottenham’s creativity.
Losing James Maddison to an ACL injury at the same time made matters worse. Tottenham have been forced to experiment in attacking midfield roles, and although Xavi Simons offers quality, he is the only natural number ten Frank has available.
Spurs supporters were given a glimmer of hope recently when footage emerged from Dubai showing Kulusevski training individually with members of the coaching staff during a warm-weather rehab camp.
He appeared sharp and comfortable, raising optimism that his comeback might be closer than people thought. But Thomas Frank remained cautious, telling the media that he would only provide an update when the winger was “really close” to joining full-squad sessions again.
Now Graham Potter has shed more light on the situation. Speaking on the Fotbollskanalen podcast, he revealed that he recently met with Kulusevski and discussed his recovery at length.
His comments painted a clearer picture of what the winger has been going through and why the process has been so slow.
According to Potter, the injury has been “really complicated,” and that is the simple truth behind the long delay. Kulusevski is progressing, but the nature of the injury means setbacks are possible even when things seem to be improving.
Potter said the 25-year-old has remained positive, even on difficult days when his knee does not respond the way he wants. Despite the challenges, the Sweden manager described him as being in good spirits and very eager to return.
Potter went a step further and shared his belief that Kulusevski could be ready for Sweden’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine in March. He said he is convinced the winger will be available by then, explaining that he has a clear sense of where Kulusevski is both mentally and physically.
He also acknowledged that long-term injuries rarely follow a perfect path, and that players often experience ups and downs in the final stages of rehabilitation.
Even with Potter’s confidence, he admitted that predicting exact return dates is impossible, especially in football, where progress can change quickly. Still, his tone was optimistic, and he stressed the importance of patience and support during this final stretch of recovery.
Few would have imagined that Kulusevski would miss this much football. Tottenham have deeply felt his absence, especially without Maddison pulling the strings behind the striker.
Spurs are at their best when Kulusevski is available, because he brings energy, creativity, and an unpredictable edge in the final third. Losing both of their primary creators has undeniably weakened the team.
Yet the end of this long wait finally seems to be in sight. If Kulusevski continues progressing and avoids further setbacks, Tottenham supporters may not have to wait much longer to see him back on the pitch.
His return will be a major boost for Thomas Frank, and once he is fully fit again, Spurs will instantly become a more dangerous and balanced side.
