De Zerbi Calls Kulusevski a 'New Signing' for Tottenham as He Returns to Training After Long Injury
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- Dejan Kulusevski kembali berlatih bersama tim utama Tottenham setelah absen sejak Mei 2025 karena cedera lutut, meski belum akan diturunkan melawan Aston Villa.
- Roberto De Zerbi menilai pemain Swedia itu akan memberikan dampak besar dan menyebutnya sebagai 'rekrutan baru' saat kembali bugar.
- Tottenham masih mencari kemenangan pertama di Liga Premier dan berharap Kulusevski bisa segera memperkuat lini serang.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed that Dejan Kulusevski has returned to first-team training after a long recovery from a knee injury. However, the Swedish player is confirmed not to feature when Spurs host Aston Villa on Saturday (12/10) at 12:30 local time. Kulusevski's return to training sessions is a breath of fresh air for the club, which has been struggling to score goals early in the Premier League season.
Kulusevski last played for Tottenham in May 2025 before suffering an injury that has kept him sidelined until now. His rehabilitation process experienced a setback, leading medical staff and physical trainers to be very cautious before clearing him for competitive play. De Zerbi emphasized that he does not want to rush the 25-year-old player back onto the pitch.
"We have to manage Deki as best as possible, together with the medical staff and physical staff. But this is a great thing for us because he is a good player and a good person. He deserves to play again. We have to work day by day," De Zerbi told reporters.
De Zerbi even stated that Kulusevski would be like a "new signing" once he fully recovers and reaches his best condition. According to him, the international break is an important moment for the player to complete the final stages of his recovery. "I think he will be a great signing, a new signing for us, another new signing," he added.
De Zerbi's praise for Kulusevski's character shows how important the player's role is in the dressing room. "He doesn't need encouragement from me, because he is strong, his character is great, and he is an example to everyone," he asserted. Kulusevski's return is expected to add creativity and strength to Tottenham's attacking line, which has been blunt so far.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will also be bolstered by Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali, and James Maddison, who are all available. Maddison's presence offers hope that Spurs' front line can start to find its rhythm. However, the match against Villa remains a tough test, considering both teams are looking for their first win.
For football fans in Indonesia, this development is interesting to observe. Tottenham and Aston Villa are two clubs with large fan bases in the country. The return of a player of Kulusevski's caliber not only impacts team performance but also the club's market value globally, including potential pre-season tours to Asia. Furthermore, the dynamics in the Premier League often serve as a reference for national football development, especially regarding injury management and athlete recovery.
Looking ahead, the question is how quickly Kulusevski can return to his best form and whether his presence can lift Tottenham out of their slump. If he truly performs like a "new signing," it's not impossible that Spurs will rebound and compete in the mid-table. However, with pressure starting to mount on De Zerbi, the result against Villa will be crucial in determining the direction of this season.
