Graham Roberts impressed by ‘amazing’ Dejan Kulusevski display for Tottenham v Newcastle United
Graham Roberts knows a thing or two about what it takes to play for Tottenham, and he was left particularly impressed by Dejan Kulusevski’s performance against Newcastle United.
Spurs got back to winning ways in style with a 4-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 10 December against one of their main rivals for a UEFA Champions League spot next season, Newcastle.
It was hard to fault anyone in a white shirt on the afternoon, but some players certainly caught the eye more than others as widespread praise comes in from supporters, pundits and former players alike.
Ange Postecoglou shuffled the pack following a flat 2-1 home defeat to West Ham United on Thursday 7 December, bringing in Richarlison up top, and moving Son Heung-min to the left while Brennan Johnson maintained his place on the right.
This left no room in the front three for Dejan Kulusevski, who was moved into an advanced midfield position. Despite this not being his regular role, Kulusevski excelled in his new position and was subject to high praise from former Tottenham player Roberts, who featured more than 200 times for the north London club in the 1980s.
Speaking via his official X platform on Sunday evening (10 December), the retired defender described Spurs’ overall performance as “superb” and singled out Kulusevski for particular praise, labelling the Sweeden international’s display as “amazing.”
It is hard to disagree with the two-time FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner. Kulusevski was hugely influential throughout proceedings on Sunday and put in arguably his finest performance in a Spurs shirt yet this season, and perhaps one of his best since he joined the club altogether.
What was most impressive was his range of passing, with the Swede completing 90 per cent of the passes he attempted, with an incredible five of those being key (Sofascore). In addition to this, he created two big chances and was accurate with the one cross and one long ball which he attempted.
He troubled Martin Dubravka with a shot on target and completed one of the three dribbles he attempted.
This was a much-improved display from his evening to forget against West Ham just three days prior.
Throughout that contest he was incredibly wasteful, failing to provide an accurate cross from any of the four which he attempted, completing just two of the nine dribbles he attempted and giving possession away 26 times.
The two displays were night and day and will give Postecoglou a lot of food for thought going forward as to what Kulusevski’s permanent position should perhaps be, at least in the absence of James Maddison.
In other Tottenham news, one Spurs player proved why he is one of the club’s most important yet most underrated players during the win over Newcastle.