Dejan Kulusevski's return to action has been a much-welcomed boost for Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham team.

The Swedish interntaional has featured in each of Spurs' last three Premier League matches, coming off the bench.

There remains some way to go before he can start matches for Tottenham, but even having him come off the bench is big.

Kulusevski is a hugely talented attacker, and he could actually be the answer to one of the squad's biggest weaknesses.

Kulusevski could be Tottenham's answer to Barcelona's successful experiment with Raphinha in the false-nine role.

The 26-year-old has all the attributes to play centrally, and he could benefit from being moved off the wing following his long injury.

Kulusevski is brilliant at combining with teammates in tight spaces; his ball striking is also top, whilst also having the intelligence and physicality to play in the nine role.

Many fans might remember that the Swedish international has played there previously for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, netting a brace against Sheffield United at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Over recent seasons, the most successful teams like Barca, PSG and Arsenal have all played with a false nine.

Right now, there is also a real lack of available number nines, which means that Spurs might need to be creative when it comes to filling that role.

With Richarlison out of the squad and Dominic Solanke struggling to regain his best form, De Zerbi needs to find an alternative.

Omar Marmoush has also been unable to fill that role yet, and perhaps a move for Eli Junior Kroupi could be revisited in January.

But in the meantime, De Zerbi should be looking to utilise Kulusevski as his new number nine as the Swede continues to regain full fitness.

Kulusevski came so close to scoring his first goal since returning against Crystal Palace after his curling effort was saved by Dean Henderson.

But most notably, he completed 17 minutes, and that number should continue to increase over the coming weeks.

Suddenly, De Zerbi has a plethora of attacking options, with Luca Williams-Barnett also emerging from the academy.

He also has Savinho, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhailo Mudryk all to return from injury fairly soon.

The Lilywhites are still struggling to be lethal in front of goal; however, Kulusevski's return gives the manager food for thought in terms of a new number nine.