Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[dontcallme]

None of our players are elite though, they're all the level below.

Which I think is his point.

 

[djhotspur]

Which I think is his point.

Yes that’s exactly the point I’m making…

 

[spurs mental]

Which I think is his point.

Yes that’s exactly the point I’m making…

But as @TPdYID has put nicely, he might not always play well, in fact, no player ever always plays well, but the very least you can say about Kulu is he puts in 100% effort.

We've seen what he can do when he first joined under Conte. He was injured for a period last season, his missus had a new baby last season.

But he's still been our best performer this season and he should be recognised as such, not that he's not elite or good enough for us because on current form he absolutely is.

The likes of Romero, Son and Maddison, the supposed leadership group could take a leaf out of his book, specifically the chapter on 100% effort and commitment.

He changed the game for us last night in 10 minutes, regardless of who the opposition were that needs to be recognised.

 

[dontcallme]

But as @TPdYID has put nicely, he might not always play well, in fact, no player ever always plays well, but the very least you can say about Kulu is he puts in 100% effort.

We've seen what he can do when he first joined under Conte. He was injured for a period last season, his missus had a new baby last season.

But he's still been our best performer this season and he should be recognised as such, not that he's not elite or good enough for us because on current form he absolutely is.

The likes of Romero, Son and Maddison, the supposed leadership group could take a leaf out of his book, specifically the chapter on 100% effort and commitment.

He changed the game for us last night in 10 minutes, regardless of who the opposition were that needs to be recognised.

All fair points.

But the point being made is if Kulusevski is currently our best performing player then we have a problem as his performances have been decent but not special

That's not a criticism of Kulusevski. But we need better players.

 

[Erm33]

Yes he's frustrating, yes he sometimes holds on to the ball for too long and makes poor decisions.

But what you can't argue with is he's one of our most effective players at making things happen going forwards right now, he's got the bit between his teeth, and he wants to win. He was the one who lead the comeback with his cameo.

One of the first names on the team sheet for me right now. Don't care too much where he plays either. He just has to be on the pitch. He's the one showing leader/captain like traits on the pitch.... Sonny, Romero, Maddison take note! You can still not be playing out of your skin/to the best of your ability, yet make a positive difference.

 

[spurs mental]

All fair points.

But the point being made is if Kulusevski is currently our best performing player then we have a problem as his performances have been decent but not special

That's not a criticism of Kulusevski. But we need better players.

If others were playing better around him though we might see more output from him in terms of goals and assists.

Its not all down to him. He's the least of our issues right now.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

All fair points.

But the point being made is if Kulusevski is currently our best performing player then we have a problem as his performances have been decent but not special

That's not a criticism of Kulusevski. But we need better players.

Do we need better players or do we need our players to perform at a better level?

 

[dontcallme]

Do we need better players or do we need our players to perform at a better level?

Both.

 

[Whazam]

All fair points.

But the point being made is if Kulusevski is currently our best performing player then we have a problem as his performances have been decent but not special

That's not a criticism of Kulusevski. But we need better players.

To be fair djhotspur started with saying "he's not good enough" and "he's not that good" in two consecutive posts. That's very much criticism and the main reason some are pushing back on his posts.

 

[dontcallme]

To be fair djhotspur started with saying "he's not good enough" and "he's not that good" in two consecutive posts. That's very much criticism and the main reason some are pushing back on his posts.

Yes, and the responses to him were things like "he's not the reason we're struggling." Which wasn't his point.

Giving the evaluation that a player is playing well but ultimately isn't good enough is not blaming the player for our current results and performances.

 

[rossdapep]

Yea let’s be real here and I’ve said this for absolutely ages, he’s not good enough for the level we and Ange would like us to be.

Just like Richarlison and Johnson aren’t, Solanke likely isn’, etc etc, it’s just a whole bunch of vastly overpriced players who are not the requisite quality. In Kulu’s case his fee wasn’t huge but he’s not good enough, end of.

We are not Stoke or Burnley, players just working hard alone doesn’t cut it, they need quality and he has very little.

Sorry mate. But I really am at the opposite view point.

Think he has bags of talent.

Think back to his first away game vs Villa.

Or that 3-2 win away at City.

That's his genuine level.

But Conte ruined that by constantly benching him in his second season despite Son being the issue in attack, then he got injured.

Last season he struggled to show quality as he isn't a RWF in this system, needs players overlapping.

But as Ange said the other say, Deki is growing into the role.

I'd even argue he is better than Maddison because he actively wants the ball under pressure between the lines and can act as a ball magnet whilst possessing the ability to turn/brush off 2 players.

Maddison comes out of the opposition shape too often and holds onto it too long. Deki tries to move it quickly, he's more direct in that sense.

I can see a situation where Bergvall and Deki build a partnership as they both retain the ball well AND try to penetrate their opponents.

 

[rossdapep]

He has the strength to hold off people as well as really good ball control under pressure. I want to see him in the middle where the pitch opens up his range of passing as against inferior opponents I think he can run the show better than on the wing. I think a game like tonight just shows why even while he can be frustrating with consistency he is worth persisting with.

He attracts players to him and he will do that even more so when they realise he has an excellent through ball in him but he has the added benefit of being able to hold off opponents and shield the ball which will create space for others.

Maddison keeps dropping back out of the opposition's shape and the opponents just back off and sit in their shape again..

In fact, I think Maddison would be a real asset to bring off the bench and let's face it, it's ridiculous that he has to keep coming off after 60 cause be loses all influence.

You can't say that about Deki. He has great stamina and appetite

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Sorry mate. But I really am at the opposite view point.

Think he has bags of talent.

Think back to his first away game vs Villa.

Or that 3-2 win away at City.

That's his genuine level.

But Conte ruined that by constantly benching him in his second season despite Son being the issue in attack, then he got injured.

Last season he struggled to show quality as he isn't a RWF in this system, needs players overlapping.

But as Ange said the other say, Deki is growing into the role.

I'd even argue he is better than Maddison because he actively wants the ball under pressure between the lines and can act as a ball magnet whilst possessing the ability to turn/brush off 2 players.

Maddison comes out of the opposition shape too often and holds onto it too long. Deki tries to move it quickly, he's more direct in that sense.

I can see a situation where Bergvall and Deki build a partnership as they both retain the ball well AND try to penetrate their opponents.

I’ll admit he’s having a great season and as expected looks a lot better centrally and he’s still young so long may his progression continue.

I still look at areas of his game and technique which really need improving but I have no problem with you or others who are very positive about him, I can absolutely see why you and they would be and as I say he’s having a storming season so far, arguably our best or one of our best players this season.

I just am coming from a perspective of one day we want to challenge for a title and I don’t think he would ever be a starting player for a title challenging side, squad player at best.

But just my opinion. As much as I joke, I’m certainly not always right.

Deki seems a great person and pro so I’d be delighted if he keeps improving like he is and becomes a really key cog for us.

 

[HildoSpur]

Sorry mate. But I really am at the opposite view point.

Think he has bags of talent.

Think back to his first away game vs Villa.

Or that 3-2 win away at City.

That's his genuine level.

But Conte ruined that by constantly benching him in his second season despite Son being the issue in attack, then he got injured.

Last season he struggled to show quality as he isn't a RWF in this system, needs players overlapping.

But as Ange said the other say, Deki is growing into the role.

I'd even argue he is better than Maddison because he actively wants the ball under pressure between the lines and can act as a ball magnet whilst possessing the ability to turn/brush off 2 players.

Maddison comes out of the opposition shape too often and holds onto it too long. Deki tries to move it quickly, he's more direct in that sense.

I can see a situation where Bergvall and Deki build a partnership as they both retain the ball well AND try to penetrate their opponents.

I agree I think he is probably our most underrated player. I think he is a really, really good player and has potential to be even better.

 

[newbie]

Tbh his our best attacking player atm,

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Tbh his our best attacking player atm,

And without being rude as you’re absolutely right and he is smashing it so far this season… this says a lot and is a big issue as to why we can’t score if our BEST attacking player is Kulu.

Our best attacking players should be £65mil Solanke, world class but legs going a bit captain Son, £45mil Johnson, £40mil Maddison and THEN Kulu.

 

[newbie]

And without being rude as you’re absolutely right and he is smashing it so far this season… this says a lot and is a big issue as to why we can’t score if our BEST attacking player is Kulu.

Our best attacking players should be £65mil Solanke, world class but legs going a bit captain Son, £45mil Johnson, £40mil Maddison and THEN Kulu.

agree

i Think it will click, we just can’t buy a goal at the minute

we do need wingers who can be beat people one V one

The Athletic apiece on Arsenal they went one V one with our wingers rather than one because they didn’t think Iour wingers are very good one V1

 

[chas vs dave]

The Athletic apiece on Arsenal they went one V one with our wingers rather than one because they didn’t think Iour wingers are very good one V1

The simple solution is to then overload them with the fullbacks.

 

[Flobadob]

He’s a 7/10 player if you’re talking PL level. Good player but should be a squad player and probably will in a year or so once Bergvall and Moore start to establish themselves in the team or as first back up more likely in Moore’s case for LW/10 and we sign a proper RW.

 

[newbie]

The simple solution is to then overload them with the fullbacks.

it meant the players who would double up where free to mark the full backs