Dejan Kulusevski will be "like a new signing" for Tottenham when he finally returns from injury, according to Roberto De Zerbi, though the Swede will not be ready to face Aston Villa on Saturday.

Kulusevski missed the entire 2025-26 season – as well as Sweden's run to the round of 32 at the World Cup – after suffering a patella injury in his right knee in May 2025. 

In his absence, Spurs were almost relegated to the Championship, with only a late turnaround in form after De Zerbi's arrival securing a second successive 17th-place finish.

And the 2026-27 season has also started miserably, as despite a huge transfer outlay this summer, De Zerbi's men have two points on the board and have not scored after four Premier League games. 

Only Crystal Palace in 2017-18 (seven games, all defeats) have ever failed to score in more successive games from the start of a Premier League season.

Against that backdrop, the sight of Kulusevski – who has 22 goals and 22 assists in 116 Premier League outings – returning to full training was warmly welcomed by fans.

And though he will not be available to face Aston Villa, who are also winless, De Zerbi expects him to make a major impact after the international break.

"We have to manage Deki in the best way possible with the medical staff and physical staff," De Zerbi said. "We have to work day by day. 

"When he gets back to his top, best condition, he will be like a new signing for us. Deki doesn't need my encouragement. He is strong. He has a great character."

Roberto De Zerbi updates on the availability of Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison ahead of tomorrow's clash with Aston Villa.

 https://t.co/7yLInkGXIx pic.twitter.com/MAGe1Y7AGy

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 18, 2026

James Maddison is another creative player who missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, and he has been restricted to two substitute appearances – totalling a mere 35 minutes – in the Premier League this season. 

Asked about Maddison's availability, De Zerbi said: "Listen, James has been working with the team in the last 10 or 15 days. Maybe less than 15 days, and even if he's a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in a good condition.

"When he arrives to the best condition, it's very important for us as a personality, as a characteristic, as a quality, as an experience. The quality of his passes are different than the others."

Spurs have misfired in front of goal in the Premier League thus far, but they did create several good chances in Tuesday's 3-1 EFL Cup defeat to Liverpool.

And speaking to the club's website, forward Omar Marmoush outlined his confidence that things will soon click for De Zerbi's side. 

"Every game we create more, more and more and more chances – I'm sure we are very close," the Manchester City loanee said. "If we keep trying... as everyone can see, we reach the goal so many times. 

"We have so much quality on the pitch and from the people that come off the bench to give us this last push. When these small details click, it will be very, very good."

Tottenham have drawn their last two Premier League games 0-0, having only played out two goalless stalemates in their previous 181 matches in the competition.

The last side to record three straight goalless draws in the competition was West Ham in December 2015, with Spurs last doing so in February 2001 under George Graham (four).