The extent of the injury is seriously beyond imagination.

Tottenham Hotspur announced on the 15th (Korea time) through their official channel that "Dejan Kulusevski underwent surgery for a right patellar injury sustained in the match against Crystal Palace, and immediately entered a rehabilitation program" and noted, "He is out for the season. He may not return until next season."

This is an emergency for Tottenham. Kulusevski will not be able to participate in the Europa League final due to this injury. His injury occurred during the match against Palace on the 11th. After colliding with Marc Guehi in the 19th minute of the first half, he complained of pain and immediately left the field. Initially, Manager Ange Postecoglou was optimistic, saying it seemed like a simple bruise, but the outcome was the worst.

The biggest blow is the UEFA Europa League final, which is scheduled to be held on the 22nd. Tottenham is facing Manchester United in a one-off match, but they have now lost two of their key midfielders simultaneously. With James Maddison out, and now Kulusevski, the midfield composition is expected to be severely unbalanced.

Kulusevski has recorded 10 goals and 11 assists in 50 matches this season, effectively leading the team’s attack while alternating between central and wing positions. He was the one who stepped up as a problem-solver, changing the flow of the game with his dribbling and passing whenever Maddison was struggling. The reality is harsh. The only remaining options are Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Sarr.

In a midfield where the word "creativity" has disappeared, the burden on Son Heung-min has become heavier. The British "Telegraph" noted, "Kulusevski was one of Tottenham's best players in the first half of the season. His injury is a significant loss for Coach Postecoglou tactically," and assessed that "with the loss of creativity in midfield for the final, there aren’t many resources to change the team aside from Son Heung-min."

The league performance is a total disaster. Tottenham is currently 17th in the Premier League. Having suffered 20 losses by the 36th round, they have set a record for the most losses in a season in the club's history. This is the first time since the 1912-1913 season, before the Premier League was established. Essentially, the only escape route is to win the Europa League.

The same goes for their opponent Manchester United. They have recorded 17 losses in the league for the first time in 51 years and have not won in their last seven league matches. Both teams are in a "collapse" in the league, but they are preparing for their final battleground to survive on the European stage. For Son Heung-min, this final is not just another match. It marks his 15th year since debut and 10th year at Tottenham. He has experienced three times as a runner-up but has never lifted a trophy. This is the third time, following the 2019 Champions League final and the 2021 League Cup final.

Should Son Heung-min participate in this final, he would become the first Asian player to compete in the finals of both UEFA tournaments. He had a one-month absence due to a foot injury sustained in the match against Eintracht Frankfurt last month but made a return as a substitute in the Palace match. He plans to regain match fitness in the league match against Aston Villa on the 17th. Coach Postecoglou also expressed confidence, saying, "Son Heung-min is ready to take part in the final."

The problem is that Kulusevski, who was responsible for creativity, is also out. Tottenham's challenge for the title has become even more difficult. The team's fate now rests on the feet of captain Son Heung-min. The Tottenham website reported, "Kulusevski is out for the season and will not be able to participate in the Europa final."

According to Coach Postecoglou, the injury is more serious than initially expected. He stated in an interview posted on the official website, "It's unfortunate news. At first, it didn't seem too serious and looked alright. However, after a day, we realized there was an issue with his knee. He underwent surgery and it looks like he will be out for at least a few months."

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