Dejan Kulusevski saying his knee feels "great" after a procedure is the kind of news Tottenham fans desperately needed to hear. The Swede has been a vital cog since arriving in January 2022, instantly injecting creativity and directness into Antonio Conte’s side. Remember that debut season? He bagged five goals and eight assists in just 18 Premier League appearances. That's a direct goal contribution every 107 minutes. Not bad for a mid-season loan. His partnership with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min was electric, helping Spurs snatch a Champions League spot from Arsenal on the final day of the 2021-22 season.
Thing is, last season was a bit more stop-start for Kulusevski. He still managed seven assists and two goals in 37 league games, but he battled a hamstring issue that saw him miss five league matches between October and November 2022. Then came a muscle problem in April that sidelined him for another two games. It's easy to forget how much a player's rhythm gets disrupted by these niggles. When he’s fit and firing, he’s a nightmare for defenders, cutting in from the right, using that deceptive strength to hold off challenges, and delivering dangerous crosses. His absence was felt, particularly during those stretches when Spurs looked devoid of ideas in the final third, like the 2-0 loss to Manchester United last October, or the limp 1-0 defeat to Wolves in March.
New manager Ange Postecoglou’s system demands high energy and constant movement, especially from his wide players. Kulusevski fits that mold perfectly. He's not just a fancy dribbler; he’s got a work rate that often goes underappreciated. He averaged 1.5 tackles per game last season, a solid number for an attacking player. His decision-making in the final third, while occasionally frustrating, is generally sound. He registered 1.9 key passes per game in the Premier League, second only to Kane among Spurs attackers. That's the kind of consistent threat Postecoglou will be leaning on.
Here's the thing: while Kulusevski’s health update is a relief, Spurs can’t afford to rely solely on him, Son, and Kane. Richarlison's first season was, let's be honest, a massive disappointment, with only one Premier League goal in 27 appearances. That £60 million price tag looks heavier by the day. Manor Solomon is a decent pickup, but he’s not a proven Premier League game-changer yet. Brennan Johnson is a good player, but he's not a like-for-like replacement for Kulusevski. The depth on the wings is still a concern.
This might be a hot take, but even with Kulusevski fit, Tottenham still need to invest in another top-tier attacking option. Not just depth, but genuine quality that can challenge for a starting spot. Imagine if Kulusevski or Son picked up another long-term injury. The drop-off in creativity and goal threat would be catastrophic, especially if Kane ends up leaving for Bayern Munich. Losing Kane, who scored 30 league goals last season, would leave a gaping hole, and relying on Richarlison to suddenly become a 20-goal-a-season striker is a gamble too far.
Real talk: Postecoglou needs more weapons. The squad needs to be capable of rotating without a significant drop in quality if they want to compete for a top-four spot. Last season proved that relying on a few key players is a recipe for inconsistency, especially when injuries inevitably hit. I'm predicting that by the end of August, even with Kulusevski back on the training pitch, Spurs will have splashed cash on another forward who can play across the front three.