“Silence and Suspense at Spurs: Kulusevski’s Injury Status Sparks New Concerns”
Silence and Suspense at Spurs: Dejan Kulusevski’s Injury Status Sparks New Concerns
The corridors at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground are unusually quiet these days — not because the work has stopped, but because one of the club’s most influential attacking forces remains sidelined, and his absence is increasingly casting a shadow over Spurs’ ambitions this season.
The injury that changed everything
Kulusevski sustained a serious knee issue towards the end of last season, one that required surgery on his right patella. The procedure, announced in mid-May 2025, ruled him out of the rest of the campaign and derailed the momentum he’d built. At the time, optimism prevailed — Spurs’ management believed they could count on his return by the turn of the year.
Weeks of recovery … with little clarity
Fast-forward several months, and the picture remains uncertain. He has yet to feature in a competitive fixture under new boss Thomas Frank, and is still awaiting full grass training. As of late October, the club confirmed: “He’s still not on the grass.” On 23 September, Frank admitted there’s a “good chance” of a return before year-end — but stopped short of putting a date on it.
A spark of hope in Dubai
In early November, footage emerged of Kulusevski in a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, completing individual drills alongside a Spurs coach and, tellingly, fellow injured teammate Destiny Udogie. Udogie even posted a clip on social media showing Kulusevski moving without visible discomfort — a positive sign in an otherwise murky recovery process. Yet, no definitive timeline has been provided, and the “end of year” return remains an optimistic target rather than a guarantee.
Why Spurs are watching this closely
Kulusevski’s absence presents several practical and psychological problems for Tottenham:
Creativity vacuum: His capacity to unlock defences, link play and deliver assists has been sorely missed. With both him and James Maddison out long-term, Spurs’ attacking rhythm has been disrupted.
Squad strain: The club’s injury list is already bloated. Kulusevski’s delayed return adds pressure on Frank to deploy makeshift solutions.
Tactical uncertainty: When a key piece is missing, plans have to adapt, sometimes less fluidly. Spurs’ pressing, transition dynamics and offensive structure centre in part on players like him.
Expectations vs reality: Coming off European success last season, there is pressure to deliver — yet without one of your stars, maintaining momentum becomes more difficult.
What the next few weeks hold
Several scenarios could play out in the short term:
If Kulusevski returns to full-team training and then to matchday squads by December, it would validate the “end of year” optimism.
If not, the club may have to revise their timeframe openly, which could impact morale and fan expectations.
Meanwhile, tactical reshuffling remains likely: Frank might persist with different formations, younger players will be given chances, and recruitment (or loan options) may be revisited during transfer windows.
Final thought
The waiting game around Kulusevski underscores a broader truth in football: sometimes the most unsettling chapters happen not on the pitch, but in the silence of the treatment room. As Tottenham prepare for the demands of the Champions League and Premier League ahead, the return of their recovering star could prove to be a turning point — but until the ball rolls again for him, the suspense remains.
