Kulusevski’s return looks distant - Spurs should brace for a longer wait

Spurs fans keep asking when Dejan Kulusevski will be fit again. From what I’m hearing and seeing across recent squad usage, this won’t be a quick turn. In Ange Postecoglou’s high-tempo shape, you do not rush a wide runner who handles so much pressing and ball-carrying. The chatter that his return instantly frees an advanced midfielder to move inside sounds neat, but reality bites harder. Tottenham will likely lean on Brennan Johnson’s direct runs and Richarlison’s brute work rate while they wait. If you were expecting a weekend cameo, settle in. The horizon looks further away than the optimistic whispers suggest.

London football circles have been buzzing about Tottenham’s right side and selection balance after recent fixtures and media debates about title contenders, injuries and star treatment across the league. Amid that noise, questions around Dejan Kulusevski’s fitness timeline have resurfaced, with some pundit chatter even mixing managers and roles, adding to the confusion. Inside the capital’s press rooms, the tone is that there is no definitive club timeline, only hints through matchday squads and training rhythms. That uncertainty fuels speculation about how long Spurs must operate without their first-choice right-sided creator and presser.

When is Kulusevski fit again? His return will be a huge boost for Thomas Frank and Spurs. It'll allow Kudus to play inside, where he is at his very best. Few players are as unstoppable as him between the lines. Also excellent defensively & will bolster Spurs in physical duels.

@EBL2017

Impact Analysis

Kulusevski is a rhythm player who links phases on the right more than he simply hugs the touchline. In Postecoglou’s structure, his value spikes in three areas: pressing triggers from the right half-space, ball progression against a mid-block, and late box entries when the nine drifts. Remove him and Spurs lose a stabilizer in transitions, which is why the attack can look stretched and the counter-press a step slow.

There is also the tactical misconception floating around that his return directly pushes an inside forward into his preferred lane. That would apply if Tottenham had a left-footed interior playmaker waiting to invert from the right with identical off-ball output. They do not. Mohammed Kudus, the specific name tossed around, plays for West Ham and is not part of Spurs’ squad. Brennan Johnson, however, can approximate the vertical threat and carry depth, but he is more straight-line and less of a tempo-setter than Kulusevski. Richarlison brings chaos and aerial presence but not the same connective tissue in tight spaces.

Set-piece impact matters too. Kulusevski’s deliveries broaden Tottenham’s chance map, and without him Spurs lean heavier on second phases and overloads. Over time, that predictability can be scouted. If Spurs push too early on his return, the physical load of repeat sprints and hip-turn presses risks a setback. From a rival vantage point, that risk-reward is obvious: keep him out longer or risk losing him again right when fixtures stack up.

Reaction

Fan threads split into three camps. First, the pragmatists who accept that Tottenham have been coy on timelines and expect Postecoglou to ride Johnson on the right while rotating minutes for freshness. They cite the manager’s record of protecting players from re-injury and point to the team’s pressing metrics dipping when the front line lacks a natural connector.

Second, the optimists leaning on clips and training whispers, arguing he is close. They believe a controlled cameo fixes the tempo issues and helps Son find cleaner carries inside. Some even insist that a returning creator resolves the midfield’s tendency to get flat against deep blocks.

Third, the confused crowd reacting to noisy punditry, including the stray mention of Thomas Frank alongside Spurs and the off-topic swirl about Salah discourse and Arsenal’s injury pile-up. That muddle has sparked cheeky replies about playing Brennan Johnson wide if an interior creator was truly available. Rival fans, predictably, are reveling in the uncertainty, saying Tottenham’s right flank looks lighter and more predictable than advertised.

Social reactions

Surely they could play Brennan on the right if they’re wanting Kudus inside?

Toby (@WobyTestwood)

Arsenal have the best squad in the world yet they remain decimated by injuries. What does that tell you about the state of the modern game?

EBL (@EBL2017)

🚨🗣️ Carlo Ancelotti: "Who wins the Premier League? Arsenal. I am a fan of the Premier League and I think they started really well." "They have built a solid team. Of course I supper Arsenal because I have Gabriel. I support Tottenham because of Richarlison. I support the

The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX)

Prediction

Expect Tottenham to hold the conservative line. No hard club deadline, no rushed 20-minute cameo to please timelines. The risk profile of a high-repetition sprinter who presses, carries through contact and whips early balls is steep. The likeliest sequence is an extended period of Johnson owning the right touchline, with occasional rotation to protect his workload. When Kulusevski does return, it will probably be in a controlled role off the bench, then a gradual build to 60-plus minutes across two or three fixtures.

Do not expect tactical fireworks the moment he is back. The reintegration will focus on pressing cohesion and zone occupation first, final-third craft second. Spurs will chase clean exits from their half and tighter rest-defense rather than forcing high-risk combinations. If they chase a shortcut, they open the door to a recurrence that could remove him for the tougher winter run. From a rival’s seat, that delay only helps, as opponents can tilt their press to close Johnson’s outside lane and tempt central turnovers.

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Conclusion

Strip away the noise and one conclusion stands out: there is no quick fix here. Kulusevski is foundational to how Spurs knit transitions, and you do not toss him back into a high-speed cycle without a cautious ramp. Tottenham can talk about belief, but the selection tells the truth. Johnson’s usage will remain heavy, Richarlison will continue to grind in the channels, and Spurs will look a little more direct, a little less intricate on the right.

From the rival view, this is the moment to squeeze. Force Spurs to build without their best right-sided connector, trap the first pass out, and make them cross from poorer angles. The longer this drags, the more energy Tottenham spend compensating. If you are expecting a miracle reveal this weekend, prepare to be disappointed. The smarter money says the timeline stretches, not shrinks, and that suits every opponent on their schedule.