Dejan Kulusevski says he is "smarter" after ending a 526-day injury-enforced absence as Tottenham beat Coventry 2-1 on Monday. The Sweden winger came off the bench in the 86th minute to make his first appearance since a serious knee injury sustained on May 11, 2025.
Tottenham claimed their first Premier League win of the season, with James Maddison curling in a superb opener on his first start since May 1, 2025. Kulusevski told Sky Sports the journey had been hard but worthwhile. "Hard is beautiful," he said. "I am so grateful that I had to experience it. Now, I am ready to play football."
"I see myself as different now. I think that I am a different man. The same guy that wants to play football, but a little bit smarter, so I am happy," Kulusevski added. He received a rapturous response from the Tottenham faithful during his warm-up and when he came on. "I was locked in, I was ready to play those 10 minutes and make a good impact," he said.
Maddison, whose own return from injury had been restricted to substitute appearances this season, said his goal was a dream moment after recovering from an ACL injury. "Those dark days last year, you dream of moments like that," he said. He also praised Kulusevski's comeback. Manager Roberto De Zerbi said the returning pair bring "different talent, different experience, different personality," adding that "there is another atmosphere" with them in the dressing room.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing