Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[Neon_Knight_]

Due to a lack of options at CB we didn't really have a choice tbh, i guess you could say the same up top but i think Ange is looking for a position for Kulusevski other than RW which he was very predictable in.

Yes, you really could say the same thing up top. Richarlison, our most established/recognised CF, has not been available.

It seems clear to me that Ange is prioritising getting players match-fit for the new season, over playing people in their primary positions and working on partnerships / patterns of play. He is opting to play core first-team players out of position, so that they all get minutes, while academy and fringe players are left on the bench / at home. He is also allowing players who are returning from injury / international duty to focus on recuperating, rather than rushing them into games.

 

[Majick]

Careful now, you'll make it sound like the world-travelled manager with nearly 30 years' experience has a plan!

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

It seems clear to me that Ange is prioritising getting players match-fit for the new season, over playing people in their primary positions and working on partnerships / patterns of play.

I think this runs counter to a quote from Kulusevski himself where he has talked about all of his work in training this pre-season has come in the middle.

"This upcoming season, I’ve been playing in the middle in training sessions and in the beginning of the games, but I also know that sometimes I will have to play other roles, and I will have to be prepared to do everything, because ultimately, the only goal is to win, so it doesn’t matter where you play, you just have to what’s best for the team always."


So, with Kulusevski particularly, I think this runs deeper than simply getting fitness - Ange is pretty clearly training him to see if he can adapt to a central role. I do think Kulusevski could also play at RW - during games, or if we fail to sign one, but I think this transition to the middle is going to stick.

 

[purplemonkey]

This is from an article in The Athletic re our interest in Gallagher but I think the highlighted section is interesting considering so many people question what Deki brings to the team:

“By the end of last season, Gallagher had made more ball recoveries (221) and more interceptions (43) than any of his Chelsea team-mates. And if you ranked all Premier League players by “true tackles” per 1,000 touches (this is a metric that combines tackles won, tackles lost and fouls committed while attempting a tackle) then Gallagher ranks eighth. Not many players try to disrupt the opposition as much as he does.

The stylistic fit with ‘Ange's style of football’ is obvious, especially for a team that lost some of its intensity without the ball last season. The only player who made more tackles and interceptions in the final third than Gallagher did last season was another Spurs player: Dejan Kulusevski”.

 

[FuturistiC123]

If you also take into account the numerous chances he created last season that largely went begging, he is clearly one of our most important contributors. Personally, i value his contribution higher than that of Maddison or Bissouma. Neither of them produced much after great starts. it's been a trend for Biss since he joined, while Madders has started well, got injured and faded three seasons in a row. Neto is clearly a very good player, but how reliable will he be. If he joins he might end up sharing the right wing berth with Johnson, that's probably the best outcome we can hope for. Out of a possible 114 league games he has managed 32 - does it bode well?

 

[hughy]

Can we please respect this motherfucker?

 

[yido_number1]

Can we please respect this motherfucker?

There's a good player in there it's just where you put him and at who's expense. Maddison needs competition badly, he isn't going to start every game this year and I think Kulu will probably rotate across Rw, Madison's role and possible CF depending on injuries and availability.

 

[Mr Pink]

Absolute quality today.

 

[hughy]

There's a good player in there it's just where you put him and at who's expense. Maddison needs competition badly, he isn't going to start every game this year and I think Kulu will probably rotate across Rw, Madison's role and possible CF depending on injuries and availability.

People aren't going to like this suggestion but on today's showing I'd even have him at RW over Johnson. I think if you have a player with Deki's technical ability and he's in form you use him.

Even if he pushes centrally from time to time with Porro taking that RM/RW spot and the defence shifting across I think it'd be better than not having him on the pitch.

He can create and he can score, and he's done it all ore-season. He starts.

 

[theShiznit]

He is clearly better in the middle but can still be very effective off the right in a fluid attack with movement off/around him.

Saying that though I would still prefer him to Johnson at RWF who afaict offers a bit of speed and little else. He seems to play and move in straight lines. With very little guile.

 

[Mr Pink]

People aren't going to like this suggestion but on today's showing I'd even have him at RW over Johnson. I think if you have a player with Deki's technical ability and he's in form you use him.

Even if he pushes centrally from time to time with Porro taking that RM/RW spot and the defence shifting across I think it'd be better than not having him on the pitch.

He can create and he can score, and he's done it all ore-season. He starts.

He starts against Leicester thats for sure, regardless of position.

 

[robotsonic]

Bloke has probably had the best preseason of anyone. Happy wherever he plays as he has competition in all roles and will have to earn his place in the 11, which he currently clearly has done above both Johnson and Maddison and also the vacant CF spot that I suppose will immediately go to Solanke if Richy isn't good to go.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

I'd love to see Bissouma/Bentancur, Bergvall and Deki behind Solanke for Leicester, but it'll definitely be intriguing to see our first 11.

 

[ajspurs]

People aren't going to like this suggestion but on today's showing I'd even have him at RW over Johnson. I think if you have a player with Deki's technical ability and he's in form you use him.

Even if he pushes centrally from time to time with Porro taking that RM/RW spot and the defence shifting across I think it'd be better than not having him on the pitch.

He can create and he can score, and he's done it all ore-season. He starts.

I was going to say the very same thing. I think he's been one of the best players in preseason and one of the most reliable, so it would feel weird to drop him when no other senior attacking players have really shone in the same time. I'd personally feel more confident with him at RW over Johnson. You're then arguably (as harsh as it sounds) giving Johnson his most effective role in coming off the bench against tired legs.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Just a quality player. Tactically intelligent, elite work rate and desire to keep improving. Baffling why anyone wouldn’t want him in the squad.

 

[mil1lion]

Hopefully the 2nd goal reminds him his right foot exists

 

[gibbospurs]

Is he not playing up top in these games?? People keep suggesting taking Maddison place? He’s not been playing there? He’s looked very good. Better than Richarlison?? Maybe we have Kulu and solanke fighting for the top spot?? Kulu is way more intelligent than Richarlison, gets his head up. Great headache for Ange.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Is he not playing up top in these games?? People keep suggesting taking Maddison place? He’s not been playing there? He’s looked very good. Better than Richarlison?? Maybe we have Kulu and solanke fighting for the top spot?? Kulu is way more intelligent than Richarlison, gets his head up. Great headache for Ange.

Pretty sure after the game, Ange made the comment that Kulusevski's best positions will be central AM, and RW. He is like 3rd or 4th choice as a striker right now.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

| Ange Postecoglou on whether Dejan Kuluveski will play centre forward still following Solanke’s arrival:

“No, I don’t think so. I think the reason for us why we signed Dom, and hopefully Richy should be ready as well, is that we want to have a player through that area who is a bit more accustomed to that role. Deki has done a great job for us but I think his strengths and attributes are more in that attacking midfield or wide role. I think he is really developing and has had a really good pre-season for us and hopefully it gives us some more flexibility and potency through the middle when he is playing because he can get into those scoring areas.”

 

[gibbospurs]

Pretty sure after the game, Ange made the comment that Kulusevski's best positions will be central AM, and RW. He is like 3rd or 4th choice as a striker right now.

I went out before the match finished unfortunately, so didn’t see the interview. Memory says he was poor last season as a Maddison replacement?? I mean he’s definitely been playing up top all pre season? And he’s looked very good in my eyes. The way I’m thinking is we’ve 3 up top. And he can play off the right?? .