Injury blow for Thomas Frank as Tottenham star is set to be out for longer than expected

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Pranav Ravindrannair | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 7:43 PM ET

Dejan Kulusevski will miss more than just the Premier League opener for Tottenham Hotspur next season

Tottenham Hotspur’s preparations for the new season have hit a snag, with Dejan Kulusevski expected to miss multiple weeks of action at the start of the 2025/26 campaign. The Swedish international, who underwent patella surgery in May, is still a long way from making his return, according to Alasdair Gold of football.london.

Kulusevski’s absence for the Premier League opener against Burnley on August 16 had already been anticipated. However, the latest update suggests fans might have to wait considerably longer to see the winger back in a Spurs shirt.

“Kulusevski is nowhere near returning following his patella surgery in mid-May. Frank warned not to expect the 25-year-old back for the first Premier League game of the season against Burnley next month. The Swede is expected to miss far more than that as he continues his rehabilitation work on his right knee.”

Major blow to Spurs’ attacking options

The news will come as a blow to Thomas Frank, who had been hoping to count on Kulusevski as a key creative force this season. With the Gibbs-White deal collapsing and no clear successor brought in yet, the pressure will now mount on the likes of James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus to step up early.

Maddison, now back from his own injury issues, will likely shoulder the creative burden during Kulusevski’s absence, while Kudus, a high-profile summer signing from West Ham, is expected to provide dynamism in the final third.

Spurs must be proactive in the market

Spurs are returning to Champions League football this season, and with expectations significantly higher following last season’s disappointing 17th-place finish, the margin for error is thin.

Chairman Daniel Levy must ensure the squad has the depth to cope with both domestic and European challenges. Kulusevski’s prolonged absence only reinforces the need to act decisively in the transfer market.

With Frank already showing ambition in pre-season, Tottenham simply can’t afford to let a thin squad derail their ambitions again. If Kulusevski’s recovery takes longer than hoped, the club must consider bringing in another wide option before the window shuts.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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