Roberto De Zerbi reveals fresh Dejan Kulusevski injury update

That said, the 47-year-old still has a list of long-term absentees he’ll have to deal with. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are unlikely to return to action this year following ACL setbacks, but Tottenham fans received good news earlier this month when Dejan Kulusevski was spotted on grass.

Roberto De Zerbi provides fresh Dejan Kulusevski injury update

Dejan Kulusevski has been out since May 2025 after suffering a serious knee injury against Crystal Palace. Despite being pictured in training of late, the creative midfielder is not ready to re-join the squad after such a long spell out.

However, De Zerbi says he wants to select the Sweden international in his Premier League squad this season. Premier League clubs must confirm their 25-man squad lists for the 2026/27 campaign shortly after the September 1 transfer deadline. They can’t resubmit their list until after the January transfer window closes, leaving De Zerbi with a decision to make about the player’s fitness.

The Tottenham boss is positive about Kulusevski re-joining the team at some point this season. He states that the 26-year-old is “improving day by day” in a bid to return to full fitness after more than 18 months on the periphery.

“I hope, and I will be very, very happy to see Kulusevski inside (the squad list), and I want to put Kulusevski inside of the list because he is working very well, very hard,” De Zerbi said in his press conference (h/t Football London).

“If he feels good like now, he’s improving day by day. It’s great watching him during the season and also because he deserves it because he suffered too much for his career for his age, for his level of human. I’m not speaking of him as a player but as a human. He deserves to stay inside of the list.”

Kulusevski making progress

Securing Kulusevski’s full recovery remains a massive priority for De Zerbi and his coaching staff. The talented Swede has faced a lengthy road back to full fitness. This is because of the setbacks he has suffered after various surgeries.

The midfielder has worked tirelessly during his demanding recovery programme for well over a year. The patience, hard work, commitment and resilience he has shown are commendable. Returning to the training pitches after missing the entire 2025/26 season is momentous in his journey. The eventual integration of Kulusevski will provide a key tactical dimension to De Zerbi’s philosophy, whilst giving the feel of a brand-new signing for Tottenham and our fans.