Dejan Kulusevski's 'nasty injuries' have 'taken a toll' - Tottenham's fears revealed

Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski has suffered injuries over the past 18 months that will have taken a serious toll on his body and mind.

That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 26-year-old appears set to return to first team action for the first time since the end of the 2024-25 season, when he suffered a knee injury.

Kulusevski had surgery and several set-backs in his attempts to return to action, with Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi keen to not rush him back and risk further injury.

The Sweden international cost the Lilywhites just £25million in 2023 when his loan move was made permanent following a hugely exciting six months.

The winger scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions in the 2024-25 season, with Tottenham keen to see if he can rediscover that type of form.

'Dejan Kulusevski has had a serious injury'

When Kulusevski suffered his injury in 2025, there was disappointment that he would be missing the Europa League final.

Never could anyone at Tottenham have imagined that he would still be waiting to return to the pitch around 18 months later.

"Kulusevski had a serious injury and he's on the way to recovery, that's for sure. It's very similar to the way [Rodrigo] Bentancur came back," King told Football Insider.

"He had a nasty injury. A very good player, but these injuries, they take a toll on the player, I tell you.

"No matter how the surgery technique or the way that the medical teams can handle these injuries, it's still a big injury when it comes down to playing football or rugby or any physical running sport like that.

"It was the same with Bentancur. He got that nasty injury, which he's recovered from. Then he got banned while with the Uruguayan team. You don't need something like that when you've been out for a long time and you're just coming back.

"You don't need another break, you need matches, and this is the thing with Kulusevski, because he's been a good player for Tottenham."

What has Kulusevski said?

It remains unclear when De Zerbi plans to give Kulusevski his return to the pitch for Tottenham, but it will be undoubtedly be an emotional moment for him.

It has been a long battle for the Swede, and there may still be problems to overcome.

"After 477 days I came back to full team training," Kulusevski wrote on Instagram at the start of the month.

"Everything is impossible until is not. Want to see a miracle? Be one. See u soon."