MusaAccording to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Dejan Kulusevski remains a long way from being ready to make a significant contribution to Tottenham Hotspur following his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The 25-year-old Swedish international returned to competitive action during Tottenham’s victory over Coventry on Monday, marking his first appearance since May 2025 after suffering a serious knee injury.
Although his comeback is expected to boost morale within the Spurs dressing room, Wyness has warned against expecting too much from the midfielder in the coming months.
Kulusevski enjoyed an impressive 2024–25 campaign, recording 21 goal contributions across all competitions. However, he has since spent almost 18 months away from competitive football, leaving him with considerable work to do before he can rediscover his previous form.
Despite the encouraging sight of the midfielder back in action on Monday, Wyness believes there is still a “long, hard slog” ahead before he can return to peak condition.
Tottenham Warned Against Raising Expectations Over Dejan Kulusevski
Keith Wyness, who served as Everton’s chief executive between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes Tottenham must manage expectations carefully following Kulusevski’s return.
The Scottish businessman insists the midfielder will need time, patience and a carefully managed recovery programme before he can be expected to perform at the level he reached before his injury.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why Tottenham supporters should remain cautious despite the excitement surrounding the Swede’s comeback.
“They scored three good goals on Monday. And of course, they’ll be saying Kulusevski is coming back, (James) Maddison’s going to be in top form, all the Spurs fans are going to be excited,” he said.
“The reality is, he’s been out for 18 months; it’s going to take him six months to get back into shape. And that’s what you’ve got to think about in terms of they’ve got to ease him in.
“Of course they’ll be saying that his appearance has raised the spirits and everything’s great again and it’s all good. But let’s not jump on the bandwagon too quickly.
“I’m pleased for him, obviously, as a player, to get back in the picture. But I’m afraid it’s going to be a long, hard slog to get him back into real match fitness, and they’ve got to look after him.”
Wyness’s comments underline the importance of managing Kulusevski’s return carefully, particularly after such a prolonged absence from competitive football. While his availability represents a welcome boost for Tottenham, the club may have to wait several months before he can consistently deliver the performances that made him an influential figure in the squad.
Pedro Porro Could ‘Seriously Consider’ Tottenham Exit
Meanwhile, Tottenham could face another significant concern in the transfer market, with right-back Pedro Porro reportedly considering his future at the club.
Football Insider reported earlier this week that the 27-year-old would “seriously consider” a January move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona, with both Spanish giants understood to be monitoring his situation.
Porro is reportedly flattered by the interest and keen to compete at the highest possible level as he enters an important stage of his career. A return to Spanish football could therefore become an attractive option if either club makes a concrete move.
The defender is currently recovering from an injury, but uncertainty surrounding his long-term future could leave Tottenham facing the prospect of losing another important first-team player.
With the January transfer window approaching, Spurs may need to prepare for the possibility of Porro seeking a new challenge, particularly if Real Madrid or Barcelona decide to formalise their interest.
For Tottenham, the potential loss of Porro would represent another issue to address, especially as the club continues to manage Kulusevski’s gradual return and work towards strengthening the squad.
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