Graham Potter reveals how he plans to use Dejan Kulusevski during Sweden’s international break after recalling the Tottenham man.
Kulusevski has shown tremendous strength of character to battle back from a serious patella injury, which required multiple surgeries.
The Tottenham man even admitted that he had doubts over whether he would be able to play football again, but he has successfully returned to the pitch over recent weeks.
After missing a year and a half of football, Kulusevski has managed to play 46 minutes of Premier League football over the last four games.
For the first time in two years, the Spurs star has been named in Sweden’s squad for their upcoming Nations League clashes against Bosnia and Poland.
Graham Potter hints Tottenham will have a big say in Dejan Kulusevski’s international minutes
While Spurs fans will be happy for the 26-year-old that he has managed to fight his way back into the international setup, there are also some concerns over his usage.
Tottenham have been gradually managing his minutes since his return, with the attacking midfielder yet to start a game for the club this season.
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Graham Potter has now confirmed that Sweden are in close contact with Spurs’ medical staff, who will have a say in the player’s game time over the upcoming two fixtures.
The Swede boss told Sportbladet (as relayed by Sport Witness): “We are of course in contact with Tottenham and it is logical that we work closely with them. They have worked with Dejan for so long to get him back to the level he is at now.
“Therefore, it is reasonable that we have a close dialogue. We have a pretty good idea of how we can use him. But the most important thing for us is that he is here.”
Potter pays tribute to Kulusevski’s hard work and belief
Last month, Roberto De Zerbi remarked that Kulusevski’s courage serves as an inspiration for everyone at Tottenham, hailing the former Juventus man for the character he showed through his rehabilitation.
The Italian said about the midfielder: “He’s an inspiration. He reacted very well, with character, with courage, with passion. We have to take inspiration from Deki. I said the same in the meeting to the players.
“He is an example for everyone, Dejan Kulusevski. Forget the player, but the example of how he reacted to the injury, the reaction to being unlucky, the character he showed this time, was an example, a reference for everyone.”
Potter, who has also closely followed the Tottenham star’s trials and tribulations over the last month, has now followed suit, lavishing praise on his senior man.
When asked about Sweden missing Kulusevski for so long, the 51-year-old responded: “It was of course a difficult time. But when I say it was tough, it was of course nowhere near how tough it was for him himself,” he said.
“Above all, I want to pay tribute to him for how he has gotten through the dark periods because I’m pretty sure there have been those. Everyone knows how important he is to us, of course. We have had to try to do what we can from a distance to support him and be there.”