Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has provided an update on Dejan Kulusevski's fitness as the club faces a looming deadline to finalize its Premier League squad list, admitting the Swedish international remains without a firm timeline for his return.
Spurs are required to submit their squad list for the remainder of the season, and once done, cannot make further changes until after the January transfer window shuts. That timing puts pressure on De Zerbi to determine whether Kulusevski, who has yet to resume full training with the first team, will be fit enough to be included.
Despite the uncertainty, De Zerbi made clear he is eager to include the 26-year-old attacker if there is any possibility he could return to action later in the campaign.
"I hope, and I will be very, very happy to see Kulusevski inside (the squad list), and I want to put Kulusevski inside of the list because he is working very well, very hard," De Zerbi said during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
The Italian coach praised the player's dedication and character, pointing to his steady progress in recent weeks as a source of encouragement.
"If he feels good like now, he's improving day by day. It's great watching him during the season and also because he deserves it because he suffered too much for his career for his age, for his level of human," De Zerbi added. "I'm not speaking of him as a player but as a human. He deserves to stay inside of the list."
Those comments underline the esteem in which Kulusevski is held at the club, both for his contributions on the pitch and the resilience he has shown throughout a taxing period marked by fitness struggles.
While De Zerbi remains optimistic about the winger's inclusion, the picture is considerably less positive for two other Tottenham players sidelined by long-term injuries. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are both continuing their recovery from anterior cruciate ligament injuries, and De Zerbi confirmed neither will be part of his plans for the squad list given the extended nature of their rehabilitation.
According to the Spurs boss, Odobert is not expected to be available before February or March at the earliest, while Simons faces an even longer road back, with his return potentially delayed until March or April.
"Odobert is injured for a long time. Before February, March, he is not available," De Zerbi explained. "Xavi Simons … before March, April, he's not ready."
The absence of both players represents a significant blow for Tottenham, who will have to navigate a substantial part of the season without two players who were expected to contribute to the squad's depth and creativity. Their prolonged layoffs also add further weight to the importance of Kulusevski's potential return, given the lack of alternatives available to De Zerbi in the attacking areas of the pitch.
As the squad list deadline approaches, all eyes will be on whether Kulusevski's continued progress in training is enough to convince De Zerbi that he can be included, even if match fitness remains some way off. The coach's remarks suggest a willingness to give the player every possible chance, reflecting both his footballing importance and personal journey through injury setbacks in recent seasons.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.