The season of Dejan Kulusevski may already be over. Suffering a patella injury in Tottenham Hotspur’s 0-2 defeat by Crystal Palace on Sunday, the 25-year-old striker will miss next week’s Europa League final, the London club have announced. This is a major blow for Spurs, who will have to cope without the Swede, scorer of 10 goals and 11 assists in 50 games in all competitions this season, who underwent surgery on Wednesday.
His versatility and creativity in the final third have often been the difference for Spurs, particularly in tight matches, and his absence is a significant blow as the club chases its first major silverware since 2008.
While Tottenham have not announced an exact timeline for Kulusevski’s recovery, it’s considered highly unlikely he’ll return in time for the final Premier League match of the season against Brighton on May 25. The club is expected to proceed with caution, with summer rehabilitation now the focus.
Unfortunately for Postecoglou, Kulusevski isn’t the only key player sidelined. Midfield orchestrator James Maddison has already been ruled out after picking up a knee injury in the Europa League semi-final clash with Bodo/Glimt. Adding to the growing injury list is teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall, who will also miss the remainder of the campaign due to a foot issue sustained in training.
The triple injury blow leaves Tottenham with a depleted squad heading into their biggest match in over a decade. With the Europa League final looming, Postecoglou faces the challenge of reconfiguring his attack and midfield to compensate for the loss of three vital players. All eyes will now be on the likes of Son Heung-min, Richarlison, and Rodrigo Bentancur to step up in their absence.
As Spurs prepare for a defining moment in their season, they must do so without some of their brightest talents. For Kulusevski, it’s a cruel end to a strong campaign. For Tottenham, it’s a test of depth, character, and whether this group can finally end the club’s long wait for a trophy.
