Tottenham's start to the season has been rocky to say the least, and that's despite a summer that saw the club spend big and overhaul large parts of the squad.

For all the optimism that came with the incoming business, results and performances have told a different story so far, with Roberto De Zerbi still very much in the process of piecing his new-look side together.

Speaking after the game against Nottingham Forest, the manager was honest about where things currently stand: "We are not happy because we didn't win, but I think this is the right spirit and the right way to move on in this moment. Because we started just last Thursday to work together and to create, to build the team, to build the organisation. It's not enough the paper, the transfer market."

It's a fair point, and one that applies to more than just the new arrivals still finding their feet. Mykhailo Mudryk remains some way off full sharpness too, with De Zerbi giving an honest update on the winger's progress: "He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work."

There were positives to take from the Forest game as well. De Zerbi said Sandro Tonali played his "best game so far", and his midfield could soon be boosted by something that's been missing through the middle of the park all season - the control and intelligence of Dejan Kulusevski.

Tottenham star set to return nine months after initial timeline

Kulusevski's creativity in those areas is something De Zerbi's new-look side has had to do without for well over a year now, which makes his imminent return one of the biggest boosts Spurs could hope for right now.

He hasn't played for Tottenham since May 2025, when a knee injury picked up against Crystal Palace ended his season and eventually required surgery, ruling him out of the Europa League final win over Manchester United that same month. He's been absent ever since, but he's now closing in on a first-team return, having been back in full training at Hotspur Way earlier this month.

"He is actually very close. I am so impressed with him, how he has handled his injury," Sweden boss Graham Potter revealed this week, confirming he hopes Tottenham allow the 26 year-old to play some part in their four UEFA Nations League matches in September and October.

Back in November 2025, Potter suggested Kulusevski could be back playing "around New Year", but eventually shifted his expectations to March's international break instead. That too fell through, with the manager admitting in February a March return looked unlikely, only for the midfielder to reveal he'd needed a second operation on the same knee.

Now, with his return finally expected before the end of this month, Kulusevski will be back roughly nine months after that original New Year target was first mentioned. It's been a long and frustrating road, but for Tottenham fans it's hard to overstate just how big a lift getting him back actually is.

He's a player who was held in genuinely elite regard before the injury struck. "He's a magician," Joe Cole said on TNT Sports before his injury. "He's such a good player."

Peter Crouch was equally glowing on the Swede's qualities.

That's the level Tottenham have been missing through the middle of the park for well over a year now, and getting a player of that calibre back - even nine months later than hoped - could be exactly the spark this new-look squad needs and the perfect balance alongside Tonali's all-action style.

Whether he can be eased straight back into De Zerbi's plans remains to be seen, but his return couldn't come at a more useful time.

Spurs' focus for now turns to Saturday's home game against Everton, a fixture De Zerbi will hope offers another step forward as his new-look squad continues to take shape - with Kulusevski's comeback now firmly on the horizon.