thebenjamin
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- Jul 1, 2008
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Real enigma. Has everything but also seems to have nothing at times.
Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski
- Thread starter Archibald&Crooks
- Start date
He is a good player but like so many of our forwards isn't the type to take the game by the scruff of the neck and look to directly influence it. Kulusevski, Johnson, Werner, Richarlison...all are capable of putting in good performances but not sure they can consistently perform to a high level throughout a season.
Don't believe any of them are a major headache for the oppo to deal with and can be nullified without too much trouble imo.
Think we need to add at least 2 players to the forward line who are a level or two up on what we have and who would give the oppo a real headache.
Moving on Gil and Solomon most likely but if not making Werner's loan a permanent and potentially moving on Richarlison facilitated us landing two players in that mould, think I'd be fine with that.
Don't believe any of them are a major headache for the oppo to deal with and can be nullified without too much trouble imo.
Think we need to add at least 2 players to the forward line who are a level or two up on what we have and who would give the oppo a real headache.
Moving on Gil and Solomon most likely but if not making Werner's loan a permanent and potentially moving on Richarlison facilitated us landing two players in that mould, think I'd be fine with that.
Kirito
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- May 22, 2013
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Thinks he’s prime Barca Messi, beats one player and tries to walk through more, gets tackled and we’re countered, would love to see some statistics on this.
He’s not a bad player and works really hard but needs to know his limitations, beat a player and move it on/cross it/shoot. A little overrated by our fanbase imo.
He’s not a bad player and works really hard but needs to know his limitations, beat a player and move it on/cross it/shoot. A little overrated by our fanbase imo.
Nick-TopSpursMan
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- Aug 4, 2005
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Should be a permanent midfielder in our squad. We need better out wide.
kendoddsdadsdogsdead
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- Aug 29, 2011
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That’s why I find him frustrating. Even when he does something well he’ll hold onto it until he loses it. Just play the pass when it’s on
Yeah this. We’ve always had players like Ginola, Keane, Berbatov, Modric, Bale, Eriksen and Van der Vaart.
This is one of the least creative Tottenham teams I can remember in terms of functioning at this level. We had even fewer creative players under Mourinho and Conte but I think that was partly by design.
joey55
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- May 20, 2005
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He doesn't have pace. If he had pace he'd be one of the best attacking players in the world. It's such a crucial asset for a wide player. It doesn't matter how often he has 2 or 3 good games in a row, it will always be followed by a couple of poor games, as without pace, it's almost impossible to stay consistent as being able to run really fast is a massive advantage that makes relatively basic technical skills very effective. If Deki had Brennan's pace, he'd chip and charge his way out of trouble and be an 8 or 9 out of ten every week. But he doesn't and he never will, so people need to stop believing in his potential to be a world class wide player. It's not there. He has the potential to be a number 10, but as a wide player he's only good enough for where we are now and not good enough to be in a title challenging team. He's the new Lamela. A really good player, who would be a great player if he was quick.
King of the Lane
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- Dec 3, 2010
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He isnt a RWF for me. I think we need real pace out wide in this system and I would rotate Kulu with Madders.
Nick-TopSpursMan
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- Aug 4, 2005
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If I could winner this twice I would. I think we are both on the same page with regards to how important pace is out wide in the PL.
There will be accusations of too much fifa etc but the fact is the elite teams have pace out wide generally and elite speed wide players are the ones that elevate teams. It’s absolutely no surprise to me that Scum all of a sudden are amazing these days with Martinelli and Saka out wide, just like when we had Bale and Lennon. Of course you need more to your team but elite pace out wide elevates the team.
If Deki had Saka’s pace and explosiveness for example he’d be amazing out wide.
Fact is we need lightning quick and technically gifted players out wide for our system and Deki should be a midfield option who can occasionally play as a wide creator in specific matches.
13VanDerBale13
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- Jul 12, 2011
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Breaks down way too many attacks
mil1lion
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- May 7, 2004
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I think it's more of an issue since the fullbacks are inverted. You can have a player like him wide if you have overlapping pacey fullbacks or wingbacks. Eriksen played a lot in from the wing but our fullbacks provided the width. With Deki I always feel like we could benefit more if Porro was overlapping that side and Deki was infield more in the areas he comes into. We don't have to mirror the left side where Udogie comes infield and we have pace on the left with Werner or Johnson. Although I think it's similar with Son on the left, he'd also be better with someone overlapping him so he can drift more infield. He does have the pace that Kulusevski lacks but you don't want him playing too often on the outside when he's so dangerous infield in front of goal.
I'm still trying to understand how this system will work best for Ange. With the players we have I wonder if the fullbacks would be better wide with Son, Kulusevski or Soloman in wide attack. Inverted is fine with Johnson and Werner. I also think Kulusevski is better as an 8 than a 10 so that could be an option competing with Sarr. Both have the energy for that role and when Europe returns that position will require regular rotation anyway.
joey55
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- May 20, 2005
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But he's been better this season than last season. Deki is still living on his first half season with us, when we thought we had a potential star. But very early last season, it became obvious that every team we played were much more aware that he was going to cut inside. Based on last season's form I was unsure if it was worth signing him on a permanent deal. I've actually been impressed with him this season as he's playing much better imo and I think the stats support that. But he lacks the pace to ever be a truly brilliant winger or wing forward. I remember thinking in his first few months with us that he was so much better than Saka. But now, two years later, that seems crazy and it's not because he's a less technically gifted player. He's just not fast enough.
HildoSpur
Likes Erik Lamela, deal with it.
- Oct 1, 2005
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I think this is most likely the truth. I really love Deki and think he is a very talented player but I think his future position for us is in a central area rather than out wide where his lack of pace is such a disadvantage.
mil1lion
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I think his best spell was when he arrived until the end of that season. It worked ok when we were playing on the counter and he had space. He does well against teams that attack like City. More teams are defending us now though and he doesn't have the trickery or pace to break a low to mid block. I think he has similar traits to Dembele which is why I think he would suit better in the 8 position. He's great at holding players off and has runners off him. I just don't see that final ball in the final third to play in attack. He may develop that but for now I think he is better central midfield. He's got great energy levels and I don't think we should underestimate the importance of rotating in midfield. He and Sarr have the best engine in the squad. For me he's ideal for a midfield 3 but the way we invert the full backs we tend to have a central 2 and Maddison more advanced. Sarr plays more box to box though and I think that's the best role for Kulusevski in this system.
TEESSIDE1
Married, new job and Spurs on the up!
- Jul 3, 2006
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Either try him on the left or use him as a rotation with Maddison.
One thing in his defence however is the loss of Kane… Kulu would frequently look to cross the ball for Kane whereas now, Son has no aerial presence and Richarlison albeit not his fault, is miles off Kane’s level.
Should we sign a competent striker in the summer then we may see the best of Kulu again, if not then we need a new starting right forward.
TEESSIDE1
Married, new job and Spurs on the up!
- Jul 3, 2006
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As per my reply to another poster - I agree he’s not doing enough and shouldn’t be a starter but the whole team dynamic changed when Kane left.
Look at the famous 3-2 away win at Man C… the teams movement, counter attacking and one touch pass and go was outstanding. Whereas now, Maddison post injury goes walk about, Johnson is inconsistent especially with his movement, Werner makes runs but we then forget to play him in, Richarlison’s hold up play in non existent and his passing poor, Bissouma and Hojbjerg etc lack the natural passing ability of yet to be fully fit Bentancur.
tevezito
In the cup for Tottingham
- Jun 8, 2004
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Maybe a plan B for Ange long term will be Deki and Veliz both coming on as subs and trying to recreate this magic! No need to change the system, just the mode of delivery into the box.
ultimateloner
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- Jan 25, 2004
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I think too many critics over-estimate pace and under-estimate off-the-ball qualities for a wide player. Kulu excels off-the-ball (winning the ball back, making attacking runs etc). He doesn't beat his man but that's not the only option to threaten.
Don't forget also that he has reasonable injury record, an eye for goal and creates chances. Good distance covered/game.
He is a core player and will remain so in the forseeable future IMO.
Don't forget also that he has reasonable injury record, an eye for goal and creates chances. Good distance covered/game.
He is a core player and will remain so in the forseeable future IMO.
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