International
Kulusevski Issues Update After Year-Long Knee Absence
Kulusevski says an ‘intervention’ fixed his knee; he sees light and targets the World Cup. Next push
Dejan Kulusevski has spoken publicly about the knee problem that has kept him out since last May, offering the clearest update since the collision that ruled him out of the 2025 Europa League final and sidelined him for the 2025/26 season so far.
The 25-year-old Tottenham Hotspur playmaker has had a turbulent recovery after a knock sustained in a clash with ex-Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi. Potential return dates have come and gone, while limited communication from Spurs left supporters uncertain about his progress.
Videos of Kulusevski walking with a limp during the international break increased speculation, but he provided clarification on social media and to broadcasters. He confirmed on Instagram that he underwent an “intervention” two weeks ago and said his knee is “great now.”
He told Viaplay: “I understand that people were worried. But it was really for the wrong reason. It was really positive that I did this little procedure and that we were able to find the problem.” He added: “Now everything should be solved. Now it’s just a matter of slowly and surely coming back. I can see the light. It feels better now.”
Some observers have even drawn bleak comparisons to the serious patella damage that affected the career of Brazilian great Ronaldo in 2000, but those closest to the situation do not believe Kulusevski’s issue is of the same severity. The player, who has cited Kobe Bryant and his ‘Mamba Mentality’ as an influence in the past, remains optimistic about his recovery.
Tottenham have missed the creative contributions of Kulusevski and James Maddison this season; Maddison suffered an ACL tear last August. There is hope Maddison could return later in the campaign to aid Spurs’ Premier League survival, while Kulusevski has a separate target.
He is determined to play at this summer’s World Cup. Sweden can secure a place by beating Poland next Tuesday. Viktor Gyökeres’s hat-trick inspired a 3–1 victory over Ukraine in Thursday’s semifinal.
International
Tuchel Signals Doubt Over Phil Foden’s World Cup Place
Tuchel warns Phil Foden faces a World Cup battle after a muted international break. Selection doubts
England manager Thomas Tuchel has raised clear doubts about Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden’s chances of making the World Cup squad after a tepid international break. Tuchel praised Foden’s attitude in camp but warned the midfielder has not translated that into match influence.
“He tried everything,” Tuchel insisted about Foden’s attitude. “I would say he was excellent in camp but, yeah, he struggles to show it on the pitch.
“Obviously, he didn’t have a lot of minutes for City recently. Then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training and I thought he will just surprise us and will play with the same verve and excitement but, yeah, he struggles to have the full impact.”
When asked whether an underperforming player would still be taken to the finals, Tuchel was blunt: “I can, but the question would be if we will. It’s not a guarantee that he will come.”
As Foden approaches his 26th birthday, his best role remains a subject of debate. He was the 2023–24 Premier League Player of the Season and has operated across Manchester City’s forward line — on the right, the left and centrally. This season most of his minutes have come in a central role, a position Tuchel has tried to fit him into with limited success.
Competition for attacking midfield places is intense. Tuchel can also call upon Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White. Arsenal youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are being mentioned for the future. With a finite number of places, giving Foden a slot would mean leaving another of that group out.
Foden’s international record underlines the concern: his 49 England caps have yielded four goals. Sir Gareth Southgate previously faced similar questions and sought guidance from Pep Guardiola over Foden’s best position. Foden started every England game at Euro 2024 but returned without a goal or an assist, and he claimed he was a victim of his own versatility.
Tuchel’s remarks leave Foden with little time to alter the selection picture.
International
Mainoo’s Mixed England Display: Accurate Passing and Costly Lapses in 1-0 Loss
Mainoo was precise in possession but made errors as England lost 1-0 to Japan at Wembley. Subbed 71.
Kobbie Mainoo started for England as the hosts slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Japan at Wembley on Thursday evening. Rejuvenated under Michael Carrick, Mainoo had returned to international action after coming off the bench in England’s 1–1 draw with Uruguay and was picked in Thomas Tuchel’s XI against Japan.
The 20-year-old began well, seeing plenty of the ball and using his close control to spin away from markers and deliver tidy passes from around the halfway line. He recycled possession, helped defend in transition and attempted to kickstart attacks. His early highlight was an inch-perfect ball to Palmer—whose heavy touch squandered the chance.
Problems arrived in the 23rd minute when Palmer had his pocket picked by Kaoru Mitoma. Mainoo chased the winger and made a last-ditch tackle inside his own 18-yard box but could not prevent what was ultimately a goal for the visitors. Trailing, England pushed higher and Mainoo moved closer to the opposition box, searching for a pass to unlock the defence.
The front line offered little penetration without Harry Kane, and Mainoo’s accurate passes had limited effect in the final third. He only misplaced two passes in the opening 45 minutes, but one wayward attempt was intercepted by Kaishū Sano, who drove forward and found Ayase Ueda. Ueda’s effort struck the crossbar just before halftime.
Japan dominated the restart and the hosts scrambled early in the second half. Mainoo was caught ball-watching when a through pass released Junya Ito down the right; Mainoo was late to recover but got the slightest of touches as Jordan Pickford collected the resulting cross. He avoided further errors, made several recoveries and interventions before being replaced in the 71st minute.
Mainoo can take pride in an elite passing display but will want to eliminate the lapses on and off the ball that influenced the outcome.
Statistics
Goals 0
Assists 0
Accurate Passes 83/88 (94%)
Touches 97
Successful Dribbles 2/2 (100%)
Passes Into Final Third 9
Accurate Crosses 0/1 (0%)
Accurate Long Balls 1/3 (33%)
Dispossessed 0
Tackles 2
Clearances 3
Headed Clearance 3
Recoveries 9
Chances Created 0
Shots on Target 0
International
Rossi Rejects Feud Claims With Arne Slot and Explains Substitutions After Hungary Win
Rossi dismisses feud as ‘nonsense’, defends Hungary priority and explains saving minutes. Szoboszlai
Marco Rossi moved quickly to dismiss reports of a falling-out with Liverpool manager Arne Slot, calling the idea implausible and urging respect for the national team after Hungary’s friendly schedule.
“If we had to save his energy, whether it was for him or anyone else, he could do it,” Rossi sniffed ahead of Hungary’s friendly against Slovenia. “However, for us, the national team is the priority, now it is to play good games.”
Dominik Szoboszlai and his Liverpool colleague Milos Kerkez both started Hungary’s 1–0 win in Budapest on Saturday. Rossi was at pains to explain his substitutions and to push back against suggestions of tension with Slot.
“I’ve read nonsense in the press,” the Hungary boss fumed. “You can’t imagine that I would be so arrogant, conceited and stupid as to compare myself to a coach who manages a team in the Premier League .
“I am not comparable to the Liverpool manager, I had no intention of that happening at all. Arne Slot said he hoped his players wouldn’t play two games. I saved Dominik Szoboszlai 10 minutes and Milos Kerkez 20.
“Slot is a coach of a top club. He deserves maximum respect. I am nobody. But since I am the head coach of the Hungarian national team, I think the Hungarian national team also deserves respect, at least because of its past.
The article’s match details list minutes played by several internationals, correct as of March 30, 2026: Giorgi Mamardashvili 180, Dominik Szoboszlai 87, Milos Kerkez 76, Jeremie Frimpong 0, Virgil van Dijk 90, Ibrahima Konaté 90, Andy Robertson 71, Alexis Mac Allister 76, Ryan Gravenberch 82, Florian Wirtz 90, Cody Gakpo 82 and Hugo Ekitiké 93.
Slot’s wider concerns over his international contingent extend to other players who have travelled and logged minutes in recent friendlies. The French pair Ibrahima Konaté and Hugo Ekitiké started one of France’s March friendlies before travelling to the U.S. for matches against Brazil and Colombia. Alexis Mac Allister undertook a near 14,000-mile round trip to Buenos Aires, a journey Rossi suggested can complicate player recovery and form.
