Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi expressed optimism about the impending return of midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, comparing the Swede’s comeback to the acquisition of a new player for the club. Kulusevski, a key performer for Tottenham before his injury, has been sidelined since May last year due to a complex knee injury sustained during a match against Crystal Palace.

The injury forced Kulusevski to miss an entire season, also jeopardizing his prospects of participating in the recent World Cup. However, the 23-year-old resumed full training last month, marking an important step in his recovery and reintegration into the team.

De Zerbi acknowledged the need for careful management of Kulusevski’s workload as he returns to competitive action but highlighted the positive impact his presence could have on the squad. “We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, but it’s a great thing for us because he’s a good player, he’s a good guy. He deserves to play again,” the manager said.

The coach also likened Kulusevski’s return to a fresh signing, emphasizing the value the player brings both on and off the pitch. Tottenham’s preparation for the season benefits from having the midfielder available once more after a challenging period for Kulusevski’s career.