‘Kulusevski finished at Spurs’ after big-money transfer confirmed
Tottenham look set to finally start making some major moves in the transfer market this week.
Spurs confirmed the signing of West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus on Thursday (10 July) and the arrival of Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White is seemingly imminent.
While that’s exciting for Tottenham’s fans, it could leave some of the existing squad worried about their role in the team.
Kudus signing bad news for Kulusevski
Tottenham were always likely to engage in a spending spree this summer, following their Champions League qualification and the arrival of Thomas Frank as manager.
A new manager always likes to make his own signings to build a team in his own image, and it’s not as if Spurs’ existing players covered themselves in glory after finishing 17th in the Premier League.
The arrival of Kudus is particularly bad news for Dejan Kulusevski’s future at Tottenham, though. The Swede was dangerous at times for Spurs last season, but his output was far too inconsistent.
Frank likes his wingers to be direct and decisive in transition, and the signing of Kudus reflects that.
Kudus attempted 6.47 dribbles per 90 minutes last season, according to Footy Stats, and that’s one of the highest rates in the Premier League. His rate of successful dribbles per 90 minutes (3.10) is also one of the league’s highest rates.
The arrival of Gibbs-White spells more bad news for Kulusevski
Tottenham have placed a successful bid of £60m for Gibbs-White, and he is expected to travel to North London for a medical today (11 July).
Gibbs-White prefers to operate from a central position, but he can play on the wing as well. This further reduces Kulusevski’s chances of starting for Spurs next season.
It’s rare for a club to spend these types of figures on new players just for them to warm the bench.
| Player | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| Kulusevski | 50 | 3449 | 10 | 11 |
| Kudus | 35 | 2719 | 5 | 4 |
| Gibbs-White | 38 | 3139 | 7 | 8 |
Gibbs-White emerged as one of the most exciting playmakers in the Premier League last season. He helped guide his club Nottingham Forest to a seventh-place finish last season, some 27 points ahead of Spurs.
Tottenham will be expected to compete well domestically and in Europe this season, but it’s hard to see Kulusevski being picked ahead of these new signings too often.
The Swede may have to settle for the substitutes’ bench instead at best.
Having been linked with a move away from Spurs earlier in the year, it may well be that he deems his future is best served elsewhere.
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