Tottenham Handed Kulusevski Boost For Coventry Game

Tottenham Hotspur have received a significant boost ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Coventry City, with Roberto De Zerbi confirming that Dejan Kulusevski will return to the matchday squad after more than 17 months on the sidelines.

The Swedish international has been cleared to feature following his lengthy recovery from a serious knee injury. However, his return comes amid fresh injury concerns, with Savio and Lucas Bergvall both ruled out of Monday night’s fixture.

The former Juventus attacking midfielder has gradually increased his training involvement in recent weeks, and the club’s medical staff have now cleared him to return to the squad.

Speaking during Sunday’s pre-match press conference, De Zerbi confirmed the news.

“Yes, Kulusevski on the bench. We had a meeting with the medical staff, they gave the okay and it’s great news.”

Kulusevski's long absence began on 11 May 2025, when he injured his right patella during Tottenham's Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace. Initial assessments suggested the damage might be minor, but further examinations led to surgery three days later. The operation ruled him out of Spurs' Europa League final against Manchester United and began a rehabilitation process that proved far longer than expected.

Although there was hope of a return the following season, complications and further procedures delayed his recovery. In March 2026, Kulusevski confirmed he had undergone another intervention to remove material from his knee, explaining why he was seen limping while visiting Sweden's national squad. The prolonged absence meant he missed the entire 2025/26 campaign and Sweden's World Cup campaign.

Born in Stockholm, Dejan Kulusevski began his career at Brommapojkarna before joining Atalanta's academy at age 16. He made his Serie A debut in 2019 and enjoyed a breakthrough loan spell at Parma, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 39 appearances during the 2019/20 season.

His performances earned him Serie A's Best Young Player award and a move to Juventus, where he won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup. Kulusevski joined Tottenham on loan in January 2022, contributing five goals and eight assists in his first 18 Premier League appearances as Spurs qualified for the Champions League.

Tottenham made his transfer permanent in 2023. He scored eight league goals in 2023/24 and registered 10 goals across all competitions in 2024/25 before injury interrupted his season. The Sweden international, named national team captain in 2025, also part of Tottenham’s squad that won the 2025 Europa League in Bilbao.

Tottenham host newly promoted Coventry City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, with kick-off at 8pm. Roberto De Zerbi’s side remain without a Premier League win after six matches, while Frank Lampard’s visitors arrive following consecutive victories, including a 4-1 win over Newcastle. Spurs badly need all three points tonight.