Kulusevski's Knee: A Sigh of Relief, But What's Next for Spurs?

Look, when you hear "procedure" and "knee" in the same sentence about a key player, especially one who's already missed a chunk of the season, a collective groan goes up. That's exactly what happened with Tottenham fans when news trickled out about Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede has been out since early January, last featuring in the 4-0 FA Cup win over Preston North End on January 28th. He'd been managing a niggle, and a minor clean-up operation was eventually deemed necessary.

But Kulu himself, bless his heart, is doing his best to calm the nerves. He posted on Instagram that his knee is "great" and that he's "recovering and getting stronger." That's a good sign, no doubt. Spurs need him back, and they need him back at full tilt. The team has looked a bit disjointed without his direct running and creative spark on the right flank. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, Tottenham has struggled for consistency, losing 4-1 to Leicester City and then getting thumped 3-1 by Arsenal in the North London Derby. They beat Manchester City 1-0, sure, but that felt like an outlier in terms of attacking fluency.

The Missing Link in Conte's Attack

Thing is, Kulusevski isn't just another body in the squad; he's integral to how Antonio Conte wants to play. When he first arrived in January 2022, he hit the ground running, bagging 5 goals and 8 assists in just 18 Premier League appearances last season. That's the kind of output that transforms a team. His ability to hold up the ball, drive into the box, and link up with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min makes the entire attack click. Without him, we've seen Lucas Moura and Richarlison try to fill that void, but neither offers the same blend of power and precision. Richarlison, a £60 million signing from Everton, has yet to score a Premier League goal this season, which is a frankly terrible return.

Here's my hot take: Conte's system, for all its defensive solidity when it works, is too reliant on individual brilliance in attack. When one of the Big Three (Kane, Son, Kulusevski) is out, the whole thing grinds. We saw it when Son was struggling for form earlier in the season, and we're seeing it now with Kulusevski sidelined. They scraped a 1-0 win against Fulham recently, but it was far from convincing. They need more than just a fit Kulusevski; they need genuine depth that can replicate his unique skillset.

A Crucial Spring for Spurs

The road ahead for Tottenham is brutal. They face AC Milan in the Champions League Round of 16 on February 14th, a massive test. Then it's West Ham and Chelsea in the league, with the fight for a top-four spot heating up. Newcastle United is right there, breathing down their necks, currently sitting on 41 points, just two behind Spurs. Every point matters from here on out.

Kulusevski's return, hopefully by late February or early March, will be like a new signing. His fresh legs and attacking impetus could provide the shot in the arm Spurs desperately need. But it can't be just him. Other players need to step up, particularly in the creative department. Ivan Perisic has been decent, but he's not the primary playmaker. Someone else has to shoulder some of the attacking burden.

I'm predicting Tottenham will squeak into the top four, but only just, finishing fourth by a single point over Newcastle, thanks to a few late-season Kulusevski assists.