Sweden’s national team doctor Jonas Werner has spoken in detail about Dejan Kulusevski’s ongoing knee problem, describing the injury as “troublesome” in nature.
Werner made his comments at a press conference held ahead of the World Cup, revealing he has maintained continuous contact with Kulusevski and Tottenham’s medical team throughout the process.
The 26-year-old suffered a patella injury in his right knee following a challenge from then Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi back in May 2025.
Kulusevski subsequently underwent surgery and a later clean-up procedure this year as he suffered repeated setbacks during attempts to return to training at Hotspur Way.
“It’s been a long story with Dejan. He’s done everything he can to get ready, but when it came to deciding [if he would make the squad] he wasn’t,” said Werner.
“The reason is that he hasn’t played football in a year, but even the medical assessments made this spring have pointed in the direction that he wouldn’t be ready.”
Werner went further in explaining precisely why the injury has proven so resistant to recovery for the Tottenham attacker.
“Cartilage injuries, like in Dejan’s case, are troublesome. They are difficult to treat. Plus, he has it in a place that gets a lot of stress. The injury simply hasn’t healed enough to handle that stress,” he explained.
When asked whether Kulusevski would be able to return to professional football, Werner offered a hopeful response, saying: “I have high hopes for that and I really hope so.”
Kulusevski had made clear his intention to be fit for the World Cup, but learned on the year anniversary of his injury that Sweden boss Graham Potter had not selected him in the squad for the tournament.
The attacker returned from rehabilitation abroad last weekend to watch from the sidelines as Tottenham beat Everton 1-0 under Roberto De Zerbi, a result that secured the club’s Premier League status.
This week Kulusevski posted a message on Instagram alongside gym images, writing: “Not the year I expected, but I keep fighting every day and holding on to the moment I get to do what I love most again.”
Potter had previously suggested his hope that Kulusevski could be ready for Tottenham’s return to Premier League action in August when he announced his World Cup squad selection.
“I think it’s important now that this time he can really focus on getting himself ready for the start of the season. Dejan is at a stage where his rehab is so important and he has made some progress,” Potter said.
“I think the aim for him would be to start the next season with Tottenham, hit the ground running and to get back on the pitch and do the thing he loves. I think we have to be careful about that and ultimately that is the priority for him,” the former Chelsea and Brighton coach added.
