Sweden manager Graham Potter has pledged to maintain “a close dialogue” with Tottenham Hotspur as he prepares to hand Dejan Kulusevski his first international call-up since November 2024.
Potter, who has led Sweden since October 2025, will work closely with Spurs to manage the winger’s fitness after he returned from a serious kneecap injury. Kulusevski played his first match in 526 days when he came off the bench against Coventry City last month.
Close cooperation with Spurs
Speaking to Swedish outlet Sportsbladet, Potter said: “We are of course in contact with Tottenham and it is logical that we work closely with them. They have worked with Dejan for so long to get him back to the level he is at now. Therefore, it is reasonable that we have a close dialogue.”
“We have a pretty good idea of how we can use him. But the most important thing for us is that he is here,” he added.
Kulusevski has undergone two separate surgeries on his kneecap after sustaining the injury while playing for Spurs at the end of the 2025 season. The 26-year-old, a former Juventus player, required further surgery in March 2026 following complications from the initial operation.
Managing a difficult recovery
The winger has played just 42 minutes across four games as Tottenham carefully manages his return to action.
“It was of course a difficult time,” Potter said. “But when I say it was tough, it was of course nowhere near how tough it was for him himself.”
“Above all, I want to pay tribute to him for how he has gotten through the dark periods because I’m pretty sure there have been those. Everyone knows how important he is to us, of course. We have had to try to do what we can from a distance to support him and be there,” he continued.
Nations League fixtures ahead
Sweden host Bosnia & Herzegovina in Stockholm on Saturday, November 14, before visiting Poland on Tuesday, November 17.
Potter’s side top Group B4 with three wins and a draw from their first four Nations League fixtures. Positive results against Bosnia and Poland should secure promotion to the top tier of the Nations League for the 2028/29 edition of the tournament.
