Insider shares Dejan Kulusevski update that could kill Tottenham ‘excitement’: ‘The reality is…’

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is likely to need another six months before he can truly be counted on by Roberto De Zerbi. 

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the 25-year-old is still miles away from being able to make an impact for the team. 

Kulusevski played his first competitive minutes since May 2025 in Monday’s win over Coventry, as he finally returned after a serious knee injury. 

Wyness believes that while the Swedish star’s return will have provided a lift among the Spurs squad, expectations must be capped for the coming months at least. 

Kulusevski notched 21 goal involvements in all contributions during the 2024-25 campaign, but has since been sidelined from all football for almost 18 months. 

Wyness feels that despite the positive return on Monday, the player himself still has a “long, hard slog” ahead of him if he is to return to his best. 

Tottenham must keep lid on Dejan Kulusevski excitement

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Tottenham must do all they can to avoid hype and expectations being built up surrounding Kulusevski’s return. 

The Scottish businessman has no doubt that the midfielder will require sustained patience to be shown as he continues to work his way back towards becoming the player he was before his injury. 

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained the “reality” surrounding Kulusevski’s Spurs return. 

“They scored three good goals on Monday. And of course, they'll be saying Kulusevski is coming back, (James) Maddison's going to be in top form, all the Spurs fans are going to be excited,” he said.

“The reality is, he's been out for 18 months; it's going to take him six months to get back into shape. And that's what you've got to think about in terms of they've got to ease him in.

“Of course they'll be saying that his appearance has raised the spirits and everything's great again and it's all good. But let's not jump on the bandwagon too quickly.

“I'm pleased for him, obviously, as a player, to get back in the picture. But I'm afraid it's going to be a long, hard slog to get him back into real match fitness, and they've got to look after him.”

Pedro Porro to ‘seriously consider’ Tottenham exit

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro would “seriously consider” the chance to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona in January. 

The pair of Spanish giants are both eyeing up a move for the 27-year-old this winter, with the player said to be “flattered” by the interest. 

Sources say that Porro is keen to be playing at the highest possible level at this stage of his career, and feels this could be the right time for him to step away from Spurs. 

The defender is currently sidelined through injury, but could be heading into his final few months as a Tottenham player.