Dejan Kulusevski, His Role, Playing Style, and Impact at Tottenham Hotspur

Quick Answer

Dejan Kulusevski remains one of Tottenham Hotspur's most valuable attacking assets, but his 2025–26 season has been defined by a complex knee injury sustained in May 2025. He is expected to return before the end of 2025, with head coach Thomas Frank stating there is a "good chance" of that timeline.

His absence from the UEFA Europa League Final and the start of the new season has left a significant creative void in Spurs' attack, and questions about his long-term future at the club have begun to surface amid reported transfer interest.

Key Facts

Kulusevski suffered a complex knee injury in May 2025 during a loss to Crystal Palace and underwent surgery shortly afterward.
The injury also involved his right patella, according to reports ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final.
He featured in 50 of Tottenham's 60 matches in all competitions during 2024–25, scoring 10 goals.
In the 2024–25 Premier League season, he recorded 7 goals and 4 assists in 32 matches with a 6.81 rating.
Across his career in Europe's top five leagues, Kulusevski has accumulated 37 goals and 36 assists in 210 appearances.
He has 45 caps for Sweden and has served as national team captain, scoring five international goals.
Kulusevski scored a notable delicate chip against Everton at Goodison Park during the 2024–25 campaign.
He was left out of Tottenham's pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia to focus on recovery.
Reports from The Athletic list him among 15 Tottenham first-team players considered certain or highly likely to leave the club.
Head coach Thomas Frank has said Kulusevski will need time to return to top form after such a long spell on the sidelines.

The Injury That Changed His Trajectory

Dejan Kulusevski's career at Tottenham Hotspur took an unexpected turn in May 2025. During a loss to Crystal Palace, the Swedish international sustained what was described as a complex knee injury.

The damage was severe enough to require surgery and rule him out of the remainder of the 2024–25 season — including the UEFA Europa League Final, a match Tottenham had fought hard to reach. The injury was later clarified as an issue involving his right patella.

This level of specificity matters because patellar injuries can be unpredictable. Recovery timelines vary based on the exact nature of the damage — whether it involved the tendon, the bone, or the surrounding soft tissue.

For a player whose game depends on explosive acceleration, sharp changes of direction, and the ability to drive past defenders, a patellar injury carries added concern. What makes this injury particularly significant is the timing.

Kulusevski had been in exceptional form during the first half of the 2024–25 season. Tottenham's official club website described him as "an absolute revelation" during that period.

His creativity, work rate, and ability to influence matches from multiple positions had made him one of the first names on the team sheet. The injury also disrupted his momentum on the international stage.

At the end of the 2024–25 season, Kulusevski had reached 45 caps for Sweden and had been named captain of his national team. His leadership role with Sweden reflected his growing stature in European football.

A prolonged absence from club football naturally impacts international consistency as well.

The Recovery Process

Kulusevski has been out of action since May 2025. His recovery has been managed carefully, with the club prioritizing long-term fitness over rushed returns.

He was omitted from Tottenham's pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia, with the club citing his ongoing recovery from the long-term injury. By late September 2025, head coach Thomas Frank provided a more concrete update.

Frank stated that there was a "good chance" Kulusevski would return before the end of 2025. However, he was careful to manage expectations, noting that it would take time for Kulusevski to return to top form after spending such a long period on the sidelines.

This is a realistic assessment. Even when a player is cleared to return to match action, regaining match sharpness, confidence in physical challenges, and the subtle timing required for attacking play takes weeks — sometimes months.

For a player who relies heavily on his physical attributes, the psychological aspect of recovery from a knee injury can be just as challenging as the physical rehabilitation.

Kulusevski's Role in Tottenham's Attack

Understanding Kulusevski's importance to Tottenham requires examining how he was deployed and what he contributed during the 2024–25 season. Kulusevski is nominally listed as a midfielder, but his role at Tottenham has been far more fluid.

He has operated on the right wing, as an attacking midfielder, and at times in central areas where his ability to carry the ball forward and link play becomes most valuable. His left-footed profile means he naturally drifts inside from the right flank, creating overloads in central areas and allowing the right-back to provide width.

This tactical flexibility made him essential to Tottenham's system. His 50 appearances out of 60 matches in all competitions during 2024–25 demonstrate his durability and the coaching staff's trust in him.

When he was unavailable, Tottenham lacked a like-for-like replacement capable of replicating his unique combination of physical strength, technical security, and creative output.

Statistical Contribution Breakdown

The numbers from the 2024–25 Premier League season illustrate his value:

Goals: 7 in the Premier League, part of 10 across all competitions
Assists: 4 in the Premier League
Expected Goals (xG): 4.32
Expected Assists (xA): 4.10
Conversion Rate: 14.9%
Matches: 32 in the Premier League

The relationship between his actual goals (7) and his xG (4.32) is worth noting. Kulusevski outperformed his expected goals by a meaningful margin, which suggests he was finishing chances of lower quality than average — a sign of composure and technical quality in front of goal.

Similarly, his 4 assists against an xA of 4.10 indicates his creative output was sustainable and not reliant on unsustainable variance. His career Premier League numbers paint a picture of consistent production.

Across 116 career appearances in England's top flight, he has 22 goals and 22 assists. His career rating of 6.89 per game reflects steady, reliable contributions rather than explosive peaks followed by dips.

The Role of the "Deki" Factor

Beyond statistics, Kulusevski brings something less quantifiable to Tottenham's attack. His ability to receive the ball under pressure and retain possession while advancing play gives his team a release valve against high-pressing opponents.

His physical robustness allows him to shield the ball effectively, drawing fouls and winning free kicks in advanced areas. His highlight moment of the 2024–25 season came against Everton at Goodison Park, where he produced a delicate chip that was widely praised.

Moments like these illustrate his technical ceiling — the ability to produce match-winning quality in tight situations. His nickname, "Deki," has become familiar to Tottenham supporters who appreciate his wholehearted commitment.

Even in matches where his end product was lacking, his work rate and willingness to press opponents set the tone for Tottenham's defensive approach from the front.

Transfer Speculation and Future at Tottenham

The injury has coincided with growing uncertainty about Kulusevski's future at Tottenham Hotspur. Several credible outlets have reported that he is among a group of first-team players who could leave the club.

The Athletic reported that Kulusevski is one of 15 Tottenham first-team players who are considered certain or highly likely to leave. This is a substantial list, reflecting a period of significant squad transition at the club.

For a player of Kulusevski's profile — established, valuable, but not necessarily irreplaceable — such reports inevitably generate speculation.

The Kudus Factor

Complicating matters is Tottenham's reported interest in Mohammed Kudus. Reports indicate that Tottenham see Kudus as a main starting option, which could potentially impact Kulusevski's role if both players were to compete for similar positions.

Kudus was himself left out of Tottenham's pre-season tour alongside Kulusevski, with the club citing recovery from long-term issues. The parallel treatment of both players suggests the club is managing their fitness carefully, but it also raises questions about how they would fit into the same starting lineup.

If Tottenham were to sign Kudus — or if they have already done so in the current transfer window — the competition for attacking positions would intensify. Kulusevski's versatility means he could still find minutes across multiple roles, but his status as an automatic starter might no longer be guaranteed.

The Transfer Market Context

Transfermarkt's rumour section has tracked ongoing speculation regarding Kulusevski's future, with the last update recorded on June 3, 2026. Goal.com has also reported on his transfer situation, noting his exclusion from the pre-season tour in the context of recovery.

The summer 2026 transfer window is currently active, and the situation remains fluid. Clubs interested in Kulusevski would need to weigh his injury history against his proven quality in the Premier League.

At 26 years old (as of 2026), he is entering what should be the peak years of his career. A club acquiring him would be betting on his ability to return to full fitness and rediscover his best form.

For Tottenham, the decision is equally complex. Selling a player of Kulusevski's quality while his market value may be depressed by injury concerns would be a difficult call.

Conversely, keeping a player who may be seeking a new challenge — or who may not fit the head coach's long-term plans — carries its own risks.

What a Return Looks Like Expectations and Realism

As of August 29, 2026, Kulusevski has yet to appear in a competitive match this season. His Premier League statistics for the 2025–26 season remain blank — zero appearances, zero goals, zero assists.

The expectation, based on Thomas Frank's statements, is that Kulusevski will return before the end of 2025. That timeline gives him roughly four months to complete his rehabilitation and begin integrating back into first-team action.

Immediate Impact vs. Long-Term Form

There is an important distinction between Kulusevski returning to the squad and Kulusevski returning to his best level. Frank's comments acknowledged this directly — returning to top form will take time.

The typical progression involves:

Return to full training: Participating in team sessions, gradually increasing intensity and contact work.
Reintroduction to match squads: Initially as a substitute, with managed minutes to protect the recovering knee.
Progressive match involvement: Increasing starts and minutes as confidence and fitness build.
Full sharpness: Reaching the point where performances match pre-injury levels.

Each stage carries its own risks. A premature return to full intensity could trigger a setback.

The club's careful handling of his recovery — including leaving him out of the pre-season tour — suggests they are determined to avoid that scenario.

What Tottenham Loses Without Him

The impact of Kulusevski's absence has been significant. Tottenham's attacking options have been reduced, and the team has lacked his particular profile — a left-footed ball carrier capable of operating in tight spaces and creating chances from wide or central positions.

His absence has also been felt in terms of squad depth. Tottenham's reported interest in additional attacking players, including the links to Kudus, may partly reflect the need to cover Kulusevski's absence and reduce reliance on any single player.

The Best-Case Scenario

If Kulusevski returns as planned and regains his previous form, Tottenham gain back a proven Premier League performer who already knows the club's system and the demands of English football. His experience — seven seasons across top-five European leagues with clubs including Tottenham and Juventus — makes him a valuable contributor in high-pressure matches.

His career totals of 37 goals and 36 assists in 210 top-five league appearances, plus a goal and an assist in 15 UEFA Champions League appearances, demonstrate production at the highest level. These are not numbers built on a single purple patch; they represent sustained output over multiple seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Dejan Kulusevski return from his knee injury?

Based on statements from Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank, there is a "good chance" Kulusevski will return before the end of 2025. He has been out since May 2025 after undergoing surgery for a complex knee injury sustained against Crystal Palace.

What type of injury did Kulusevski suffer?

Kulusevski sustained a complex knee injury during Tottenham's loss to Crystal Palace in May 2025. Reports ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final clarified that the injury involved his right patella.

He underwent surgery and has been in recovery since.

How many goals did Kulusevski score for Tottenham in 2024–25?

Kulusevski scored 10 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions during the 2024–25 season. In the Premier League specifically, he scored 7 goals and added 4 assists in 32 matches.

Is Dejan Kulusevski leaving Tottenham?

There is significant transfer speculation. The Athletic has reported that Kulusevski is among 15 Tottenham first-team players considered certain or highly likely to leave the club.

However, no definitive transfer has been confirmed, and his injury recovery adds complexity to any potential move.

What is Kulusevski's role for the Swedish national team?

Kulusevski has 45 caps for Sweden and has served as the national team captain. He has scored five goals for his country.

He made his senior debut for Sweden in November 2019.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.

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