De Zerbi Plans Kulusevski Return Amid Massive Tottenham Squad Overhaul
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi prepares for Dejan Kulusevski's return from a long-term injury while overseeing a record-breaking transfer window under new club ownership.
De Zerbi Plans Kulusevski Return Amid Massive Tottenham Squad Overhaul Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi prepares for Dejan Kulusevski's return from a long-term injury while overseeing a record-breaking transfer window under new club ownership. Roberto De Zerbi is preparing for a significant boost to his tactical options as Dejan Kulusevski nears a full return to action. The Swedish winger has endured a grueling period of absence spanning over fifteen months, following a devastating knee injury sustained in May 2025. Throughout this period, Kulusevski has faced numerous setbacks and the emotional toll of missing a World Cup, yet his resilience has been evident. De Zerbi has expressed immense happiness at the prospect of including the player in the Premier League squad, noting that Kulusevski has worked tirelessly to reclaim his place. The manager highlighted that the winger is not only a talented athlete but a person of strong character who has suffered significantly throughout his recovery process.By integrating him into the 25-man list, De Zerbi hopes to utilize his unique skill set to add a different dimension to the team's attacking play. However, integrating Kulusevski comes with strategic challenges regarding squad registration. The Premier League imposes a strict limit of seventeen overseas senior players, meaning his inclusion may restrict the manager's flexibility in other positions. While there is optimism surrounding the Swede, other key players remain sidelined.Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are both recovering from severe knee injuries and are unlikely to feature in the squad for several months. De Zerbi confirmed that Odobert will likely be unavailable until February or March, while Simons may not be ready until the spring. This creates a delicate balancing act for the coaching staff as they navigate the early stages of the season without a full complement of their star assets.In the transfer market, Tottenham Hotspur has been exceptionally aggressive under its new leadership. Having already brought in eight new arrivals, the club is now focusing its efforts on securing a high-quality left winger to complete the puzzle. Cody Gakpo of Liverpool has emerged as a primary target to fill this void. The club has also successfully completed the signing of Omar Marmoush, which may pave the way for further departures.Pape Matar Sarr is currently viewed as the most likely candidate to leave, while the board would be open to offers for Richarlison, who is entering the final stages of his contract. The financial scale of this overhaul is staggering, with nearly four hundred million pounds invested in new talent since the previous season, where the team flirted with the danger of relegation. This period of transformation coincides with a massive shift in the club's internal power structure.Following the departure of longtime chairman Daniel Levy, the direction of the club has fallen to the Lewis family, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, and sporting director Johan Lange. The influence of Nick Beucher has also grown significantly within this new hierarchy. The board's ambition has been reflected in their spending, breaking the club's transfer record twice to secure Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for eighty-five million pounds and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for a hundred million pounds.These moves signal a departure from previous eras of caution, showing a willingness to spend heavily to accelerate the team's ascent. The relationship between De Zerbi and the club's decision-makers appears to be in a state of harmony. A recent dinner meeting in London involving the manager, his assistant Enrico Venturelli, and the club's powerbrokers served as a summit to coordinate final transfer moves.De Zerbi noted that he felt a strong connection with the board and felt supported rather than having to pressure them for reinforcements. He praised Johan Lange for his brilliant solutions and Vinai Venkatesham for his enthusiasm during the Tonali deal. This alignment of vision suggests that the club is fully committed to De Zerbi's project, combining substantial financial backing with a shared strategic approach to building a squad capable of competing at the highest level of English football
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