Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of ending their 17-year trophy drought in the upcoming Europa League final have taken a serious hit following the confirmed absence of Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish midfielder has undergone surgery on his right patella after sustaining an injury during Spurs’ 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace on May 11.

Tottenham Hotspur on Twitter / X We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend.Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today and will commence his rehabilitation with our… pic.twitter.com/haC3MThcMd— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 14, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur Twitter

Kulusevski was forced off in the 19th minute after a clash with Palace defender Marc Guéhi, and medical assessments revealed the need for immediate surgical intervention. This rules him out of what could be a season-defining final for the North London club.

The setback compounds an already mounting injury crisis for manager Ange Postecoglou, who is also without key midfielders James Maddison (knee) and Lucas Bergvall (ankle) for the rest of the campaign. The triple blow leaves Tottenham critically short in creative midfield options ahead of their clash with Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21.

Postecoglou will now rely on a reduced core of midfielders, including Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, and youngster Archie Gray to navigate the most important match of their season. While these players bring quality, the absence of Kulusevski’s vision and directness is likely to be deeply felt.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Club captain Son Heung-min is set to return from a foot injury and could feature in Spurs’ final Premier League game against Aston Villa on May 16. His availability might provide a much-needed boost to an attack searching for rhythm and sharpness in the absence of Kulusevski.

The Europa League final offers more than just a shot at silverware — it also carries significant Champions League implications. Victory in Bilbao would secure Spurs’ place in Europe’s premier competition next season and inject fresh momentum into Postecoglou’s tenure.

As Tottenham prepare for this high-stakes showdown, the injuries cast a shadow over what was shaping up to be a defining moment in the club's modern era. With Manchester United also dealing with their own injury concerns, the stage is set for a dramatic and unpredictable finale in the Basque Country.

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