Dejan Kulusevski suffered a knee injury back in May 2025, and he's yet to return to action.
Dejan Kulusevski appears to have shaken off the ' small problem' that forced him to pull out of training. Earlier this month, the 26-year-old midfielder suffered an injury shortly after returning to the grass at Hotspur Way, delaying his return to action.
He sustained a complicated knee problem during Tottenham Hotspur 's defeat to Crystal Palace back in May 2025. The Sweden international, who wasn't called up by Graham Potter ahead of the upcoming break, required surgery, and he's yet to return to the pitch.
Kulusevski stepped up preparations in the summer, working with a coach, away from the first team. Then, at the start of September, he was eventually reintegrated into Roberto De Zerbi's side.
But unfortunately for the Swede, he encountered a ' small problem', which is not unusual for players following an extended spell on the sidelines, that required him to miss training. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Lilywhites' clash against Nottingham Forest, De Zerbi confirmed the setback.
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"Kulusevski started with us in the beginning of the week, and then the last two days, a small, small problem, stopped, but I think he’s in a good way. It’s going very well," said the Spurs boss. "I already said the medical staff is very high-level. So I think we can be positive with him. I’m looking forward to having Deki in the squad."
Kulusevski appears to have since overcome the 'small problem', having taken the time to work with psychology coach and NBA TV analyst Artin Hojat on the court during the international break. In a video uploaded to Instagram, the Tottenham midfielder showed off his basketball skills.
Interestingly, he no longer appeared to be carrying a knock of any kind, twisting and turning. The caption reads: "A maxed ambassador for our fine sport in Sweden, during an ordinary evening in September. S/O to my brother DK for always showing basketball love."
Kulusevski, who's an avid basketball fan, was on the same court in June 2026, though he moved a little gingerly back then. In April 2023, he also surprised students from the Haringey Hawks Basketball Club at Haringey Sixth Form College, which is across the road from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as part of a local initiative to help young people develop leadership skills while they study.
During an interview with club media a few years ago, Kulusevski said: "I would love to be better at basketball! You never know what will happen in the future, but I love playing basketball, and I’m a little bit sad that I didn’t play it when I was younger because I think it’s an amazing sport."
As it stands, it remains unclear when exactly Kulusevski, who was registered to play in the Premier League this season in place of Richarlison, will return to action. But, football.london understands that the Tottenham staff remain cautious about the Swede and his workload, having been ruled out for so long.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Spurs' clash against Aston Villa, De Zerbi said: "We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, but this is a great thing for us because he is a good player and a good guy.
"He deserves to play again, and we have to work day by day, and also for Deki, it is important the national break because when he is at top condition and over the injury, he will be like another new signing..."