Dejan Kulusevski has not played for Tottenham since 11 May 2025, and what first appeared to be a small setback has turned into one of the strangest injury stories around the club. In the time he has been away, Spurs have gone through a dramatic period that has included a European trophy, a slide down the table and major changes on the bench, yet the Swedish forward still has not returned.
What makes the situation stand out even more is that the original issue was not viewed as serious. Early on, there was little indication that the problem would keep him out for such a long stretch.
A minor issue became a long running problem
When Kulusevski first went down, the expectation inside Tottenham was that the injury would not be a major one. It was initially described in simple terms, more like a routine knock than the start of a long absence.
Instead, the recovery dragged on and eventually led to further surgery earlier in March. Kulusevski later said the procedure was needed to remove something that should not have been there, while also insisting that his knee now feels in good condition.
The exact nature of damage around the kneecap can vary a lot, and that can completely change the timeline for a player’s return. That uncertainty seems to have played a big role in why the process became so lengthy.
Updates have been limited while Spurs wait
Communication around his recovery has been sparse. Kulusevski has spent time between England and Barcelona as part of his rehabilitation, but Tottenham have offered little detailed explanation along the way.
Even when he was recently seen limping during a visit to the Sweden camp before a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, he tried to ease concerns by saying he felt better than ever. He also made clear that he still hopes to play again for Spurs this season and stay in the picture internationally this summer.
Tottenham have badly missed what he brings
His absence has been hugely damaging for Tottenham. At his best, Kulusevski was a major part of the team’s attacking output, not only through direct goal contributions but also through chance creation and delivery into the box.
Last season he was one of the most heavily used players in the squad and one of the most productive. Without him, Tottenham’s attacking numbers have dropped sharply, with fewer expected goals, fewer goals per game and far less consistent creativity in the final third.
He was responsible for a notable share of the team’s best chances, and his absence has left a gap nobody else in the current attack has really filled.
His injury came at the worst possible time
Tottenham’s struggles cannot be pinned on one player being missing, especially given the long list of injuries they have had to handle. Even so, Kulusevski’s absence has been one of the most costly because of the role he plays in linking midfield and attack.
That blow has also arrived alongside other serious problems in forward areas. James Maddison has missed the entire campaign with an ACL injury, while several other attacking options have also spent long periods unavailable. That has left the squad thin and badly exposed during a season that has become far more difficult than expected.
A return could still matter a lot
Kulusevski had not previously been a player with a major injury history, which makes this long layoff even more unusual. Before this, his fitness record was relatively solid aside from a few setbacks a couple of seasons ago.
If he can make it back before the end of the campaign, Tottenham would gain an important boost for the final run of matches. With survival in the Premier League still hanging in the balance, even a late return from one of their most important forwards could make a real difference.
