Injury no bar as Tottenham star joins up with international squad

Dejan Kulusevski teams up with Sweden squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers

Thomas Frank has not been able to count on Kulusevski as a key creative force in his side so far this season. The Swede’s prolonged absence, coupled with Maddison’s devasting injury, ensured the Hotspur Way chiefs bring in creative players Kudus and Simons to the club in the recently concluded transfer window.

Regardless of being injured, Kulusevski has teamed up with the Sweden national team in this international break. Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed on Monday that the Spurs star has joined the group ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo. The coach hailed the 25-year-old’s actions for asking to be present with his Swedish teammates, whilst claiming he cannot count on him on the pitch.

“Dejan Kulusevski will be part of the group. He will not be able to play but he will be there anyway,” Tomasson was quoted by Fotbollskanalen.

“That says something about his character. He will do everything to make sure we get to the World Cup. He wants to help the team. He will be with the team throughout the training camp.

“We have talked many times, and he asked me if he could be there.

“I replied: ‘Of course you can!’. Everyone in the team thought: ‘Wow, he has the right character’ when they heard about it. This says something about his personality.”

Kulusevski shows he is a leader

Kulusevski’s eagerness to join the national team camp for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo highlights his leadership skills. Due to injury, he will not be able to participate and help the team on the pitch, but off it, he will do his bit to motivate and guide his teammates.

As the team’s captain and one of the experienced members of Tomasson’s group, the midfielder’s actions will be received well by both the Sweden and Spurs fans. Having served the Scandinavian national team well in skipper Victor Lindelof’s absence due to injury last year, Kulusevski’s influence in the dressing room, as reflected in Tomasson’s words, remains huge.

Tottenham fans will be hoping to see Kulusevski heal fully and return to action quickly. Having the Stockholm-born talent back from injury should help Frank’s side massively.