Dejan Kulusevski could be back in the country soon after rehabilitation abroad, and Roberto De Zerbi said he may join Tottenham for the final match of the Premier League season. Kulusevski has not played for Tottenham this season and has been out for more than a year with a knee injury.
De Zerbi’s Kulusevski update
De Zerbi said he had a text exchange with Kulusevski and remains hopeful the 26-year-old will return soon. The update gives Tottenham a clearer picture of where the attacker stands after a long layoff that has stretched through the season.
Kulusevski underwent surgery on his patella, then had a small procedure in March to clean out his knee. He has been undergoing rehabilitation abroad, and De Zerbi said he could join his team-mates at the final match of the Premier League season.
More than a year out
The timing is delicate. De Zerbi said Kulusevski was unlikely to play for Tottenham this season, which means any appearance would come only after a recovery that has already gone on for more than a year. The attacker had hoped to play at the World Cup for Sweden this summer, but De Zerbi said he did not know whether that remained possible next month.
For Tottenham, the practical change is simple: the squad may get one more attacking option back before the season closes. For Kulusevski, the next step is the move from rehab abroad to being back in the country, then to whatever role he can handle at the end of the campaign.
Vicario and Spurs selection
De Zerbi also addressed Guglielmo Vicario’s place in the side, saying, “Vicario is still the first goalkeeper of Tottenham, because what Vicario showed this season is enough to consider him a top player for us.” He added of Antonin Kinsky, “Big character, big personality. Great guy, great professional, and great goalkeeper.”
Vicario had hernia surgery in March and has been out of action for Spurs since then. Ben Davies, Joao Palhinha and James Maddison were also named in the broader injury picture, but the clearest immediate development is Kulusevski’s possible return path after more than a year away.
