Kulusevski returns after 526 days in Tottenham win

Dejan Kulusevski returned to Tottenham after 526 days away, appearing as a late substitute in the club’s 3-1 Premier League win over Coventry on October 19. The Swedish midfielder’s comeback followed clearance from the club’s medical staff after a serious knee injury kept him out since May 2025. Kulusevski entered in the 87th minute, with Tottenham leading 2-1. Manager Roberto De Zerbi said after the match that the supporters’ response was the main reason he introduced him. The home crowd cheered as Kulusevski came on, and Tottenham later added a third goal through Ben Davies. The appearance was Kulusevski’s first for Tottenham since the injury, which involved a patella problem and required surgery. His rehabilitation included setbacks, and he missed the entire 2025-26 campaign. He was named among the substitutes after medical staff approved his return to the matchday squad. After the game, Kulusevski described the recovery as difficult but said it had changed his outlook. He said he felt like a different, smarter person and was ready to play football again. His brief appearance marked a return to competitive action, though it does not establish how much playing time he will...