Remember that collective groan from Tottenham fans a few weeks back? It was audible across North London when whispers started about Dejan Kulusevski needing a "small procedure" on his knee. The Swede had already missed a chunk of the season, sitting out five Premier League matches between October 8th and November 6th, plus all three of Spurs' Champions League group stage games during that stretch. Losing him again, especially after his bright start to the 2022-23 campaign with a goal and an assist in the first three league fixtures, felt like a punch to the gut for a side already struggling for consistent attacking output.
Well, Kulu himself has stepped up to ease those fears, telling Swedish outlet *Aftonbladet* that his knee is "great" and the procedure was nothing major. He called it "a really small thing" and insisted he's "back to 100 percent." Good news, right? On paper, absolutely. Kulusevski was a revelation after arriving on loan from Juventus in January 2022, bagging five goals and eight assists in just 18 Premier League appearances that half-season. His direct running and ability to link up with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min transformed Antonio Conte's attack, helping Spurs snatch a Champions League spot from Arsenal on the final day.
But here's the thing: "small procedures" sometimes have a way of lingering. It's not the first time a player has downplayed an injury only for it to become a recurring issue. Think about Lucas Moura's various "knocks" over the years that kept him out for longer than initially projected. Kulusevski's initial hamstring troubles were frustrating enough, sidelining him for key clashes against Manchester United and Newcastle, both of which ended in disappointing 2-0 and 2-1 losses respectively. Spurs desperately need his creativity back, especially with Richarlison still struggling to find his footing and Son’s form being so inconsistent this season – Son only managed three league goals before the World Cup break, compared to his 23 in the previous campaign.
Even fully fit, Kulusevski returns to a slightly different landscape. While Conte's tactical rigidity often meant a settled front three, the World Cup break and the team's patchy form might lead to some experimentation. The 2-2 draw against Brentford on Boxing Day, where Spurs looked sluggish in the first half, highlighted their reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play. Kulusevski offers a different dimension, a blend of power and finesse on the right flank that no other Spurs player truly replicates. His ability to drive inside and unleash a shot, or pick out a pass, is crucial to unlocking stubborn defenses. He had 1.8 key passes per 90 minutes last season, a stat that dropped to 1.3 before his injury this year. Getting that number back up is vital.
Here's my hot take: Spurs will only truly challenge for a top-four spot if Kulusevski can consistently replicate his form from the back half of last season. They can't keep relying solely on Kane's brilliance – Kane already has 13 goals in 16 league games this season, carrying a massive load. Without Kulu drawing defenders and creating space, the attack often looks one-dimensional and predictable. The procedure might be minor, but the pressure on Kulusevski to hit the ground running is anything but.
I predict Kulusevski will score or assist in his first two games back, reminding everyone why he's so important to this Spurs side.