Source : ABC NEWS
Ange Postecoglou has been dealt a huge blow in his bid to steer Tottenham to the Europa League crown with star man Dejan Kulusevski ruled out of the final against Manchester United following surgery on his right knee.
Kulusevski suffered the injury in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace after being caught by a challenge from Marc Guehi and had to come off in the 19th minute.
Postecoglou had hoped the Swedish playmaker would be fine, but after scans the club revealed on Wednesday: “Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella.
“Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today, and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately.”
Dejan Kulusevski came off the field in the first half of Tottenham’s loss to Crystal Palace last weekend. (Reuters: David Klein)
Kulusevski’s unlikely prospects follow those of key midfield duo James Maddison, who suffered a knee injury in the 3-1 Europa League semifinal win over Bodo/Glimt on May 1, and Lucas Bergvall, who endured ankle ligament damage in training before that match.
The absence of that trio could be potentially calamitous, leaving Spurs without their two principal creative playmakers and their go-forward Swedish central midfielder Bergvall as they seek to end their 17-year trophy drought.
Kulusevski has been a stand-out player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ever since signing at the start of last season, with his 10 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances in the latest campaign one of the bright spots amid Spurs’ plight.
Meanwhile, United’s equally beleaguered coach Ruben Amorim — his side are 16th, one place above Spurs — put on a brave face on Wednesday about his own “must-win” final, saying there’s no chances he’ll be leaving United any time soon.
“I have a clear idea what to do. I understand the problems of the team, so I’m far from quitting,” said Amorim, who’s certain to oversee the worst ever points total and the lowest league finish by any United side in the Premier League era but could still get them to the Champions League, the prize for the Europa League champs.
“What I’m saying is that we need to perform and, we have this season, and in the future we need to perform or else they will change us.
“It is going to be really bad (if we don’t get to the Champions League). I don’t want to use that as an excuse.
“It is going to be really tough, and the patience of the fans and you guys (in the media) next year if we don’t win it is going to be on the limit and we have to be perfect to continue with everything. I know that, so it’s not going to be better in that way.”
AAP
