Dejan Kulusevski feels like "a different man" after making his first Tottenham appearance in 526 days during Monday's 3-1 win over Coventry City.

Kulusevski missed Spurs' entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a serious right patella injury during a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2025.

The Sweden international underwent surgery and endured multiple setbacks during his rehabilitation, and Spurs parted ways with three head coaches – Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and Igor Thiago – while he was on the sidelines.

But Kulusevski received a standing ovation when he was brought off the bench by Roberto De Zerbi against Coventry, replacing Mohammed Kudus in the 87th minute.

During that brief cameo, Kulusevski completed all four of his passes and contested six duels, winning two of those, including one successful dribble out of two attempted. 

And after his long road back to first-team football, Kulusevski is determined to enjoy every appearance he makes for Spurs.

"I will tell everyone about the journey. It has been an amazing journey, even if it has been hard sometimes – hard is beautiful," he told Sky Sports.

"I am so grateful that I had to experience it. Now, I am ready to play football.

"I see myself as different now. I think that I am a different man. I'm the same guy that wants to play football, but a little bit smarter, so I am happy."

 (1) New message from Deki https://t.co/buvFOhd8dy

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 19, 2026

Spurs' victory was their first in the Premier League this season, at the seventh attempt, and once Kulusevski entered the fray with De Zerbi's men leading 2-1, it was all business. 

"I was locked in, I was ready to play those 10 minutes and make a good impact," he said. "It's amazing. 

"It was more emotional this morning. It's a beautiful day and I am so happy that we won."

James Maddison also made his long-awaited first Premier League start since April 2025 after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, and he opened the scoring with a glorious finish from outside the box.