Tottenham: Dejan Kulusevski sets new injury return date after missing out on World Cup | OneFootball

All eyes on next season after missing out on Sweden’s World Cup squad

Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski is aiming to return from injury for the start of next season.

Kulusevski's rehabilitation has been complicated and much-delayed, with initial hopes of a return at the end of 2025 then returning into a race to be fit for the summer World Cup with Sweden.

Those latest hopes were dashed earlier this week when Kulusevski was left out of Sweden's provisional 55-man squad, named by head coach Graham Potter.

Kulusevski continues to make "progress", Potter insists, and the focus now should be on returning to the pitch for Spurs next season.

Dejan Kulusevski playing last season

PA

"With Dejan, again just a very, very difficult decision," Potter said. "I think we have to think about what is right for the team, that’s important but also Dejan is in a place where he has had a long fight and he is making progress.

"I think it’s important now that this time he can really focus on getting himself ready for the start of the season. Dejan is at a stage where his rehab is so important and he has made some progress.

"I think the aim for him would be to start the next season with Tottenham, hit the ground running and to get back on the pitch and do the thing he loves. I think we have to be careful about that and ultimately that is the priority for him."

It remains unclear what division Spurs will play in next season, as they sit two points above the relegation zone with two games to go.

Next up is a trip to Chelsea, where Spurs have won just once in 36 years.