View: Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski shows signs of life on international duty
It has been a slow start to the season for Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski, who has so far not shone under his new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Ever since the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Kulusevski has struggled to replicate the form that he demonstrated during his first few months in the colours of Lilywhite after he arrived at Hotspur Way in January 2022.
Some injuries and overall poor form of the team during the club’s disappointing previous campaign meant that he was given a pass, and supporters were willing to see what he could do this year under his new attacking head coach.
However, so far, he hasn’t shown much improvement from last season and has scored just once in his four Premier League starts for Tottenham, while at times looking rather ineffective.
If the 23-year-old doesn’t start to turn his form around soon, there might be some real question marks against his name and Postecoglou might begin to consider rotating his team, just as he did when he dropped the misfiring Richarlison.
Nonetheless, while away on international duty with Sweeden, Kulusevski showed signs of life, and a glimpse of the player fans saw when he first arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
During his nation’s 5-0 win over Estonia in a UEFA 2024 European Championship qualifying match on Saturday 9 September, Kulusevski was named man-of-the-match and awarded a rating of 8.6 (Sofascore).
Throughout his 90 minutes on the pitch, he grabbed a goal and an assist, while completing 82 per cent of his passes, with one of those being key. He provided three accurate crosses into the box and created one big chance.
In addition to his goal, he tested the goalkeeper with another shot on target and saw a third shot blocked, while he was effective on the ball, completing four of the five dribbles which he attempted. Defensively he was also solid, winning seven of his nine ground duels.
If the Swede can build on this performance and bring that momentum back to North London, Spurs might be able to keep their unbeaten start to the Premier League going a bit longer.
In other Tottenham news, another Spurs star has also been reminding fans of his quality while away on international duty.