Dejan Kulusevski's return is a huge boost to everyone associated with Tottenham

Dejan Kulusevski made his long-awaited Tottenham Hotspur return against Coventry City on Monday night with the attacking midfielder making his first appearance in 526 days.

The noise inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was deafening when the Swede entered the pitch in the 87th minute. It brought an end to his 17-month injury nightmare which started as a "knock" picked up against Crystal Palace on May 11, 2025.

Surgery on his right patella was followed by multiple setbacks, but a second procedure in March 2026 finally set the 26-year-old on the road to recovery before his long-awaited return in Spurs’ first Premier League victory of the season.

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“Everything feels great. I have been working harder than you can ever imagine,” Kulusevski said. “The journey felt impossible. It was the most difficult it could be, but I had a feeling I was going to come back to play football. I just had to believe and that is what I do."

He added: “I am so grateful that (fans) miss me play. It means a lot and I am here to show them a better me. And a better me will be a better Spurs so we will be good.”

Roberto De Zerbi will not want to rush Kulusevski but the Italian knows how much a boost it is to have the former Juventus man in the matchday squad. The Lilywhites travel to Chelsea on Saturday and there may even be temptation to start the Swede.