Dejan Kulusevski is edging closer to his long-awaited competitive comeback after 16 months sidelined by a severe knee injury. The Tottenham Hotspur winger has not featured since May 2025, but Sweden manager Graham Potter is keen to bring him into his Nations League squad during the upcoming international break, subject to medical clearance from Spurs.
Kulusevski's injury nightmare began at the end of the 2024-25 campaign when he underwent surgery on a right patella problem, initially expected to keep him out for just a few months. The 26-year-old's recovery proved far more complicated than anticipated. A second operation in March followed recurring setbacks, forcing him to miss the entirety of Tottenham's last season and the summer World Cup. His absence represented a significant blow to both club and country, as the Swedish international is considered integral to Potter's tactical framework.
Return to Training Signals Progress
The forward finally rejoined Spurs' first-team training in early September, marking a critical milestone in his rehabilitation. While he remains unavailable for Roberto De Zerbi's matchday squads, Potter sees genuine cause for optimism. The Sweden boss expressed his admiration for how Kulusevski has mentally handled the prolonged absence, telling SVT: "He's very close. I'm so impressed with him, how he's handled his injury. Of course, we have to be careful with him. I hope he comes with us, but we have to talk to Dejan and Tottenham first."
Potter is eager to accelerate Kulusevski's return to international action, viewing him as a world-class asset to Sweden's setup. He emphasized the player's irreplaceable value: "The importance of getting Dejan Kulusevski into the national team cannot be emphasised enough. He is incredibly important to the team."
Sweden's Demanding International Schedule
Sweden face an unusually packed international window running from September 21 to October 6, featuring four Nations League fixtures. Potter hopes Kulusevski will feature across some of these matches:
- Home clash against Romania
- Home match versus Poland
- Away trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Away fixture in Romania
De Zerbi will monitor developments closely from north London. Tottenham's rehabilitation approach prioritizes careful reintegration, meaning Kulusevski is unlikely to feature in domestic Premier League action immediately. Once the winger demonstrates sustained fitness through international football, Spurs will gradually introduce him back into their competitive plans for what promises to be a crucial period of the season.
