Dejan Kulusevski says he has returned to Tottenham as “a different man” after ending a 526-day absence from first-team football in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Coventry City.
The Sweden international had missed Spurs’ entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a serious injury to his right patella during a 2-0 Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace in May 2025.
Kulusevski required surgery and faced several setbacks during his rehabilitation. While he was recovering, Tottenham parted company with three head coaches: Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and Igor Thiago.
His long-awaited comeback came in the 87th minute at Coventry, when Roberto De Zerbi sent him on for Mohammed Kudus. Kulusevski was greeted by a standing ovation as he stepped on to the pitch.
Despite having only a short time to influence the game, the 26-year-old completed all four of his passes and contested six duels, winning two. He also completed one of the two dribbles he attempted.
Kulusevski said the experience of recovering from the injury had changed his outlook and that he was determined to value every opportunity to play for Tottenham.
“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.”
Tottenham’s win was their first in the Premier League this season, coming at the seventh attempt. By the time Kulusevski came on, De Zerbi’s side were leading 2-1, and the midfielder said he focused immediately on helping the team see out the result.
“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 first Premier League start since April 2025 after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
The England midfielder marked his return to the starting line-up by opening the scoring with an outstanding finish from outside the penalty area.
