Dejan Kulusevski’s Surprise Return Offers Tottenham a Timely Lift Ahead of Europa League Second Leg
Dejan Kulusevski’s Surprise Return Offers Tottenham a Timely Lift Ahead of Europa League Second Leg
There was little to cheer about in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-2 defeat at Molineux on Sunday. The result marked their 17th loss of the season after just 32 Premier League matches, and the outlook is bleak.
If Spurs cannot pick up at least eight points from their final six league games, they’re on course to register their worst-ever points tally in the Premier League era.
The pressure is mounting on manager Ange Postecoglou, and anything less than a win against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany could seriously jeopardize his future.
Some fans are already beginning to question whether the Australian will be in the dugout much longer.
Amid the gloom, though, Tottenham did receive a timely boost ahead of the crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg.
Dejan Kulusevski made his return from injury during the loss to Wolves, offering a rare positive from an otherwise dismal afternoon.
Kulusevski had been a major doubt for the fixture and was initially expected to return only in Thursday’s European clash.
Speaking before the Wolves game, Postecoglou offered an update on the Swede’s fitness: “Deki trained with the group who didn’t feature last night. He looked sharp.
He won’t be available for Sunday and isn’t ready to start Thursday, but he’s progressing well.”
Despite this cautious update, Kulusevski was named on the bench and came on in the final stages, replacing James Maddison.
He managed to get 15 minutes of action, enough to suggest he could play a bigger role in Germany.
Given his performance, Kulusevski should be in contention to start against Frankfurt.
The winger has been one of Spurs’ standout performers this season, and his return could prove vital.
In his brief appearance against Wolves, he completed 4 of 5 passes, made a touch in the opponent’s box, and delivered a ball into the final third.
His defensive effort was equally notable—he registered a tackle, an interception, three defensive actions, and two ball recoveries. He also won two of his four duels.
With such work rate and quality on both ends of the pitch, Kulusevski must be considered ahead of Brennan Johnson on the right flank.
Johnson offered little defensive support to Archie Gray against Wolves, and with Tottenham’s season hanging in the balance, Postecoglou can’t afford to leave Kulusevski out of the starting XI.
His return could be the spark Spurs desperately need.
