Kulusevski to Miss Reading vs Tottenham: Spurs’ Injury Woes Continue Ahead of 2025/26 Season
It’s the news Spurs fans were dreading: Dejan Kulusevski is officially out of action for the start of the new season, including the much-anticipated Reading vs Tottenham preseason clash. And to make matters more unsettling, new head coach Thomas Frank isn’t placing any bets on when the Swedish forward will return to full fitness.
For a team still haunted by the ghosts of last season’s injury crisis, this update feels less like preseason prep and more like déjà vu.
What Happened to Dejan Kulusevski?
Kulusevski underwent knee surgery back in May, a blow that saw him miss Tottenham’s Europa League final against Manchester United. While fans hoped he’d be ready to go by preseason, the reality is more sobering. The 25-year-old hasn’t joined training and won’t be boarding the planes to Asia for Spurs’ upcoming friendlies in Hong Kong and South Korea.
📉 What Thomas Frank Said:
“I don’t like to put a timeline on it,” Frank told reporters. “Put it this way — he’s not ready for the first game of the season.”
That game? August 16th against Burnley in the Premier League opener.
Preseason Fixtures & Squad Depth Woes
Tottenham’s Preseason Schedule:
| Date | Fixture | Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 22 | Reading vs Tottenham | Away (England) |
| July 26 | Luton Town vs Tottenham | Away (England) |
| Aug 1 | Tottenham vs HK XI | Hong Kong |
| Aug 5 | Tottenham vs FC Seoul | South Korea |
Kulusevski will miss all of these.
Other Key Absentees:
- Radu Dragusin – Still sidelined
- James Maddison – Only recently returned to part-training
The injury list isn’t quite the horror show it was last season, but it’s far from encouraging.
A Flashback to Spurs’ Injury Nightmare
Let’s rewind to last season: Tottenham’s medical room saw more traffic than White Hart Lane’s ticket office. A significant number of first-teamers, including Heung-Min Son, Cristian Romero, and Maddison, missed large chunks of the campaign. It’s no wonder Spurs fell short in crucial moments — when your key players are on crutches, tactics become secondary.
New coach Thomas Frank is clearly aware of this legacy:
“I have some ideas of what I think we can improve and do better. It should be possible to improve it.”
📊 Injury Stats from Last Season:
- Total injuries: 32 reported
- Average recovery time: 5.8 weeks
- Players affected: 11 starters missed 10+ games
A New Medical Team, A New Era?
One of Frank’s first moves? A total overhaul of the club’s medical and performance staff.
Out:
- Adam Brett – Former Director of Performance Services
- Nick Davies – Head of Sports Science
In:
- Nick Stubbings – New medical lead from Brentford
- Tom Perryman – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Frank is clearly playing the long game here, aiming to bring down soft tissue injuries and implement more predictive health analytics.
“We try to look into it and speak to people who were there last year and try to learn from it,” he said. “Hopefully we can make good decisions… when to rotate and when to rest.”
🧩 What Does This Mean for the Reading vs Tottenham Match?
Let’s be real: Spurs were likely favorites going into this friendly, but Kulusevski’s absence means a reshuffle up front. It’s not just about one player missing—it’s about adjusting the chemistry of the attack.
Possible Starting Attack Without Kulusevski:
- Left Wing: Heung-Min Son
- Striker: Richarlison
- Right Wing: Bryan Gil or Brennan Johnson
The match still serves as a solid testing ground for fringe players, especially with the squad flying out shortly after. However, with both Dragusin and Kulusevski out, Spurs fans should temper their expectations.
Spurs’ Injury History: A Pattern?
Common Themes:
- Recurrent knee injuries
- Fatigue-related muscle issues
- Lack of mid-season rotation
Possible Solutions Under Frank:
- Rotation policy aligned with player load metrics
- New recovery protocols post-match
- Greater focus on preseason conditioning
These might sound like buzzwords, but under Frank, they could be the difference between a top-four finish and another season of “what ifs.”
What Tottenham Fans Should Watch For
With or without Kulusevski, the preseason is about much more than results:
- Fitness monitoring – Who looks sharp? Who needs time?
- Tactical adjustments – How does Frank balance creativity and discipline?
- Youth opportunities – Will any academy stars seize their moment?
A Familiar Frustration for Spurs Supporters
Kulusevski’s injury and absence from the Reading vs Tottenham preseason clash is a disappointing blow — not just for the squad, but for fans eager to see how the new era under Frank begins. While preseason matches are far from make-or-break, they offer a crucial glimpse into a team’s readiness.
Let’s hope that this time, the injury news ends here… and doesn’t become a season-long subplot.
