Kulusevski Returns After 18 Months as De Zerbi Explains Emotional Tottenham Comeback
Tottenham Hotspur finally secured their first Premier League victory of the season, but the result was not the only reason for celebration. Dejan Kulusevski also made his long-awaited return to action after spending almost 18 months on the sidelines with a serious injury, prompting head coach Roberto De Zerbi to explain why he brought the Swedish international back onto the pitch.
Spurs defeated Coventry City 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the early hours of Tuesday, October 20, WIB. James Maddison, Omar Marmoush and Ben Davies found the net for the hosts, while Jack Rudoni scored Coventry’s only goal. The victory lifted Tottenham to 16th in the Premier League table, one place above Coventry.
The evening marked a significant milestone for Kulusevski, who had been absent since suffering a knee injury during Tottenham’s final match of the 2024/25 campaign against Crystal Palace. The Swede collided with Marc Guehi in an incident that left him facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His condition proved serious enough to require a series of operations, extending his recovery far beyond the initial setback.
His prolonged absence was a major blow for Tottenham, given the importance he had established within the team since joining from Juventus during the 2022/23 season. Kulusevski’s recovery also meant he missed the 2026 World Cup with Sweden over the summer, depriving him of the opportunity to represent his country on football’s biggest international stage.
Much changed at Tottenham while the winger worked his way back to fitness. The club parted company with three managers during that period: Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. Now, with De Zerbi in charge, Kulusevski has finally begun the process of returning to competitive football.
The Italian coach introduced the 26-year-old in the 87th minute against Coventry, giving him a brief opportunity to reconnect with the supporters and experience the atmosphere inside the stadium once again. De Zerbi’s decision was about more than simply managing the player’s return to action; he also wanted the moment to be shared with fans who had endured a difficult period alongside the club.
“In those final five to 10 minutes, plus stoppage time, we needed the support of our wonderful fans, with Kulusevski back with us. Both the player and the supporters have suffered over the past few seasons. I think they deserve plenty of celebrations and plenty of victories,” De Zerbi said, as reported by ESPN.
Kulusevski’s return may have lasted only a few minutes, but it offered Tottenham a welcome source of encouragement amid their struggles. With their first league win finally secured, Spurs will hope that his gradual reintegration can provide another boost as they look to build momentum for the rest of the campaign.
