Kulusevski aims pointed criticism at Tottenham over 526-day injury lay-off

Dejan Kulusevski has offered a cryptic piece of criticism over the way Tottenham handled his injury, saying he was "disappointed in people" during the ordeal.

Kulusevski went 526 days without making an appearance for Spurs due to a serious knee injury. He missed the whole 2025/26 season before making an emotional comeback in the 3-1 win over Coventry City last month.

Speaking after the match, the Sweden international said the process had seemed "impossible" at times and he feared he might never play again. Having initially been ruled out with a 'knock', Kulusevski's prolonged absence was shrouded in mystery for Spurs fans.

Tottenham overhauled their medical department over the summer after missing Kulusevski, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simmons to serious knee injuries.

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Having returned to the Sweden squad for the first time in two years, Kulusevski opened up to Swedish reporters. "I have been disappointed in people during this period but at the same time I have to forgive everything," the midfielder said.

"It is also written in the Bible. That is how I have moved on. It is difficult for all people. Unfortunately, we look after our own interests first, often. It has been a tough period because sometimes you wish you had received more help and such.

"But at the same time I understand that we are all part of a 'business'. I have moved on and I love being at the club. I received a very good welcome when I came back."

Tottenham declined to comment on the subject. Kulusevski's injury was sustained in a seemingly innocuous challenge with Marc Guehi which led to a lengthy recovery process, which remarkably involved the offer of a knee transplant.

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"The answer to why it took so long is that there are people who have never even come back from injuries like this," he added. "Above all, we should be happy that it was possible to come back.

"There are many who have stopped playing their sport due to cartilage damage. Why it took so long is that we don't know more.

"We did what we thought was best and it didn't work. After that we had to try another operation. Then many people were nervous when they realised that it didn't seem to work either.

"I had to sit all summer and talk to other doctors about having another operation. It would be a knee transplant. That I had replaced my knee with someone else's.

"Then I said no: 'We'll do it like this, if I have pain when I play, I have to play with pain'. I trained and tried to live like a normal person. I trusted that it would work out. So far I've been right."

Sweden manager Graham Potter will use Kulusevski carefully with the 26-year-old only having made substitute appearances for his club this season.

"We are of course in contact with Tottenham, and it is logical that we work closely with them,” he said. "They have worked with Dejan for so long to get him back to the level he is at now.

"Therefore, it is reasonable that we have a close dialogue. We have a pretty good idea of how we can use him. But the most important thing for us is that he is here."