Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear he will not rush Dejan Kulusevski back into action, despite the Swedish international edging closer to a long-awaited return after 15 months on the sidelines.

Kulusevski has not played for Spurs since the end of the 2024-25 season, when he suffered a right patella injury in an innocuous challenge against Crystal Palace. What followed was a frustrating spell on the treatment table, with multiple setbacks ruling him out for the entirety of last season and also costing him a place at this summer's World Cup.

The 25-year-old, who has made 146 appearances and scored 25 goals for Tottenham since initially arriving on loan from Juventus in January 2022, is not yet back in first-team training. However, he has been spotted back on the grass with a ball — a significant milestone in his recovery journey.

Kulusevski's latest procedure came in March, which put him on course for his eventual comeback. But De Zerbi remains hesitant to put a definitive timeline on his return to competitive action.

"Kulusevski, fit and right, he's one of the best players we have in the squad," De Zerbi told British media. "I wouldn't like to put too much pressure on him to accelerate the process of rehab, but I hope he can be available as early as possible."

Kinsky handed the gloves for upcoming season

De Zerbi also addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Spurs' goalkeeping position. Guglielmo Vicario has reportedly been seeking a move away from the club, prompting the Italian coach to confirm his plans for the new campaign.

Having featured both Vicario and Antonin Kinsky during Tottenham's pre-season preparations, De Zerbi revealed that the young Czech shot-stopper would be his number one going forward.

"We start with Kinsky because he deserves to be the first-choice goalkeeper," De Zerbi added. "He is another player with huge potential. He's mature, has personality, and I believe in his qualities."

With Kulusevski's return looming on the horizon and Kinsky set to step up as Tottenham's primary goalkeeper, De Zerbi is shaping his squad for what promises to be a pivotal season in north London.