Roberto De Zerbi reveals Dejan Kulusevski hope amid Tottenham injury nightmare

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·24 April 2026

Roberto De Zerbi reveals Dejan Kulusevski hope amid Tottenham injury nightmare

Midfielder approaching a year out with a knee injury

Kulusevski has not played for Tottenham since undergoing surgery on a patella injury in May 2025.

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The 25-year-old underwent further surgery on his knee in February this year, and while he has yet to return to training, he admitted at the start of this month that he still hopes to be included in Sweden’s World Cup squad.

"I haven't played in a year. I know what the chances are,” he told Viaplay after Sweden secured qualification for this summer’s World Cup.

“But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best.”

Roberto De Zerbi has been unable to call upon Kulusevski since taking over at Tottenham at the end of March.

But asked whether he felt he would be fit enough for selection for the World Cup, De Zerbi said he was unsure, though he admitted he hoped that the former Juventus playmaker could return to fitness in time to make Graham Potter’s squad.

"I'm sorry for him because he was one of my perfect players. He's a very specific player for me, like Kudus, like Romero,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference.

“I hope he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment. It's the best period of his career. But I don't know the situation very well."