Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[worcestersauce]

Not long to form a solid opinion, I thought he looked a bit Bambi for the first few minutes but picked up the more he got on the ball when he began to look comfortable and confident.
Really not comprehending the negative impressions some people are posting, I can't for the life of me think what they were expecting.

 

[talbot64]

Nice debut, adds something new to the squad (which looks much more balanced) so all for it. Conte said he was a 10 so not sure why a pacey winger was expected?

The summer will be so important to get the right wing backs in to provide the width and goal threat.

 

[Shanks]

I actually thought our two new players were a step ahead of everyone else, like playing advanced football but with some people who couldn’t - big positive for me that new signings went straight in!

 

[$hoguN]

What I liked about his performance was his decision making. We were under pressure and he clearly realised that so wasn’t just banging shots in or trying anything outrageous.

 

[nikojev]

The people who said he strikes the ball like Bale and so on is not doing him any favours. He's nothing like Bale and never was. Bale is a generational talent and had one of, if not the best, left foots the PL has ever seen. You're creating unrealistic expectations which will only be negative for both yourselves and Dejan.

Both him and Bentancur had a few good moments and some poor ones. But you can't make any sort of judgement based on them playing 20 and 15 min respectively in the cup against a Brighton that was pretty stretched as they were chasing the game.

 

[Meercat]

I thought he looked decent, but would have looked a lot better if two or three of the balls to him on the breakaway had been played better - he had to check his runs to collect, and those passes broke the impetus of the attacks. He will get better, as will we. I liked how Harry encouraged him after the cutback to him that Harry put over. They will work together I reckon.

 

[TOLBINY]

Chadli MK II - hope I am wrong.

 

[thfc1989]

Our fan base has become so toxic and reactionary, pathetic that people are already getting on his back after 15 minutes in which he could have had 2 assists

 

[barry]

Looked nervous to me. A few chances where he was played through , he seemed to take a bit long on the ball or make the wrong ball. He should of got an assist though and looks good at cutting in with a good shot. You can't judge him on one game where he came on late on. I think you can tell he has something there but yes he didn't look quite right when he came on IMO.

That'll come with time buddy. It's clichéd, but it's a good sign that he's getting those opportunities, even if he's not being productive with them atm. Once he learns his teammates movements, and the nature of the league, I'm sure it'll all click.

 

[bigfrooj]

He could easily have had an assist if Bergwijn had been able to set himself for that skyed shot, which would have been lovely for the kid. He had a nervous first couple of minutes and then settled down nicely once he knew where his teammates would likely be making their runs. He has something about him.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

He’s 21, so it’s no surprise he looked a bit nervous on the ball – thought a couple of times, he could have just gone for goal, but kept things ticking over, and should have had an assist or two.

That being said, he was impressive off the ball – I’ve heard many say he’s a hard worker, and will be vital if we want to press from the front like Lucas is so good at doing. Think he could prove to be a shrewd signing.

 

[Timberwolf]

Our fan base has become so toxic and reactionary, pathetic that people are already getting on his back after 15 minutes in which he could have had 2 assists

I'm honestly not sure what people were expecting tbh. He's not a tricky pacey winger so he was hardly going to dribble past 3 players and score a wondergoal.

He kept things simple, didn't give the ball away, made a few decent runs and two smart lay offs, both of which could've led to goals. That's an absolutely fine debut in my book.

I suppose people might be disappointed he's not another Son or a Diaz-style winger, but he's got different strengths to those types of players. I'm not saying he's guaranteed to be a star at Spurs, but to make a negative judgement on a player because he makes one backward pass on the break in the closing stages when we're trying to preserve a 3-1 lead is...pretty nuts.

At the other end of the scale, there are fans proclaiming Bentancur is the second coming because he did a little trick on the edge of our box. Sure - it was good - but chill out.

 

[yawa]

I think he’d potentially be suited playing behind Kane and then still having Son and Moura out wide.

Saying that he could have potentially had 2 x assists and so not a bad debut.

Important to remember his age to. He’s the Same age as players like Sancho, Foden etc.

 

[Timberwolf]

What I liked about his performance was his decision making. We were under pressure and he clearly realised that so wasn’t just banging shots in or trying anything outrageous.

Yeah exactly. Composure in the final third is something we've massively lacked since Eriksen left and Alli went off the boil.

Kane is fantastic at taking his time and picking the right pass but many of our other forwards rush to take shots or run into packed areas when there are better options available. Even if Kulu doesn't have the pace to beat a man, if he can make intelligent passes in forward areas, he already offers us something we've sorely been lacking.

 

[Japhet]

Just glad he got on the pitch and had a few touches. He's obviously rusty and a bit nervous but he did fine. If he'd have buried one in the top corner, expectations would have gone berserk, but he's had a steady debut and one he can build on. Perfect.

 

[HildoSpur]

Chadli MK II - hope I am wrong.

The absolute state of this post.

 

[Thenewcat]

Chadli MK II - hope I am wrong.

Disagree on 2 counts. One I don’t see the similarities as players and Two, Chadli wasn’t a bad player at all

 

[cider spurs]

Chadli MK II - hope I am wrong.

Oh dear.

What, the same Chadli that averaged a goal or assist every 3 games during his spurs tenure.

 

[Japhet]

Disagree on 2 counts. One I don’t see the similarities as players and Two, Chadli wasn’t a bad player at all

If it was meant as a dig, it missed by a mile.

 

[eddiev14]

Looked to me like a player who hasn’t played much and needs a confidence boost. A few iffy touches when he came on but the crowd were behind him and you could see him grow into it, and that just from a 15 min cameo.

You have to put aside the sharpness and confidence, which will come, as evaluate the rest.

What I saw was a clever player who knows how to use the ball and has very good decision making in the final 3rd. Honestly if you consider how wasteful Emerson and Lucas have been on the right side of the pitch I am excited about what Kulu is going to add.