Dejan Kulusevski will miss the upcoming Europa League final after undergoing knee surgery, a significant setback for Tottenham Hotspur as they prepare to face Manchester United in Bilbao next Wednesday. The midfielder sustained the injury during Tottenham’s recent Premier League home loss to Crystal Palace, which forced him off the pitch just 19 minutes into the game.
The injury was a major concern for Spurs’ head coach Ange Postecoglou, who had expressed doubts about Kulusevski’s availability earlier in the week. Postecoglou revealed that the player was still experiencing considerable pain 24 hours after the match and that the team was hoping for a swift recovery. However, the surgery confirmed that Kulusevski would be sidelined for the final, depriving Tottenham of one of their key attacking threats.
Kulusevski’s absence is particularly damaging given his impressive form throughout much of the season. At 25 years old, the Swedish midfielder has been an influential figure in Spurs’ attacking play, regularly contributing creativity and goals. His ability to operate in the No 10 role has been especially valuable, and losing him for such a crucial match leaves a significant void in Tottenham’s lineup.
Compounding the problem for Postecoglou is the fact that James Maddison, another key option for the No 10 position, is also out with a knee injury. Maddison’s absence means the team lacks depth in that creative midfield role, which is vital for unlocking tough defenses, especially in high-stakes matches like the Europa League final.
Furthermore, another midfielder, Lucas Bergvall, is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury, further limiting Spurs’ midfield options. With Kulusevski, Maddison, and Bergvall all unavailable, Postecoglou’s squad depth is stretched thin in central midfield areas.
As a result, Postecoglou’s remaining midfield options now include Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, and the young Archie Gray. Each of these players brings different qualities, but none quite replicate the creativity and attacking threat provided by Kulusevski or Maddison. Bentancur offers stability and experience, Bissouma and Sarr provide energy and defensive cover, while Gray is an emerging talent still gaining experience at the top level.
Kulusevski’s injury is especially disappointing considering his recent return to form. Earlier in the season, he was one of Spurs’ standout performers, showing great influence on the team’s attacking play. He did miss more than six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in late February, but had appeared to be regaining his rhythm in recent games. His performance in the Europa League semi-final second-leg victory over Bodø/Glimt last Thursday showed signs of a promising comeback, and he was also active in the opening minutes against Crystal Palace before the injury forced him off.
Tottenham will now have to navigate the Europa League final without one of their key creative players, which will test Postecoglou’s tactical adaptability. The coach will need to reorganize the midfield and find ways to generate the same attacking impetus without Kulusevski’s presence. This challenge is compounded by the fact that Manchester United will likely be at full strength, making Spurs’ task even harder.
Losing a player of Kulusevski’s quality for such an important match is a bitter blow, but it also opens the door for other squad members to step up. Whether Postecoglou opts for a more defensive midfield setup or tries to utilize other attacking players in advanced roles, Spurs must find a way to compensate for the loss and maintain their offensive threat.
The Europa League final represents a huge opportunity for Tottenham to secure European silverware, and overcoming this injury crisis will be critical to their chances. The team’s resilience and tactical flexibility will be tested, but the players and coaching staff will be determined to give their best in pursuit of glory.
