Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[AnotherSpursFan]

Always doing something positive with the ball, what a player, absolutely incredible!

 

[synththfc]

He's a stronger and smarter version of Chelsea's Ziyech IMO

 

[THOWIG]

He looks so different to the version that played for Juve. This guy is so good. The level of intelligence he shows is such a breath of fresh air for our attack. Kulu is so young too so only going to get better. We have a real gem here.

He’s with a much better coach now.

 

[chas vs dave]

He was great today. Just loves the physical battle, which gives us a better option

 

[Nebby]

Love him. Has hit the ground running and looks so at ease.

 

[Hakkz]

Ridiculously good now. Just does not lose the ball.

 

[andrewt]

Ridiculously good now. Just does not lose the ball.

it's lovely to watch the skill and ball retention!

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

He's fabulous. I just want him to cut in a little quicker and fire off the shot but that will come very soon

 

[dontcallme]

So important to have an attacking player who plays with his head up a bit to join Kane and Son.

 

[ultimateloner]

He does have a good footballing brain. He makes good decisions off the ball and seems composed on it.
However he is not an upgrade on Lucas. They are different.
He looks better against a bad team such as Everton (defence line doesn't even look PL level) because he gets the time and space to play.
Against a better side with fast fullbacks, who gets tight on him he may struggle.
Lucas on the other hand thrives on that kind of opposition.

Saw Kulu today against WH, a team we usually struggle against.
He played well.
I take back my post above (which received alot of negative reaction, for good reason)
He is an upgrade on Lucas. I can still envisage certain oppositions (better teams) where Lucas's direct running and perseverence are more suitable qualities, but most of the time Kulu's quality on the ball (especially composure) outweighs Lucas's strengths.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

I think he still has more goals in him, needs to open up on that left foot more, we’ve seen he’s capable, but I wonder if he’s being more selfless at the minute as he’s trying to settle in. Not to be dismissive though, I thinks he’s really added something already. Just fits into that front three seamlessly.

 

[nailsy]

The biggest compliment I can pay him is that his ball retention and ability stay cool when surrounded by opposition players reminds me of Dembele.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Think the kid is properly brilliant. Reminds me of Kane sort of. The game just seems to slow down around him (in a good way). Epic talent. ?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Still think his long term future is central, and deeper. Good player

 

[Tarricko]

Reminds me of Kane sort of.

Can definitely see that. He has such confidence, slows the game down to his speed.

That January window is looking better by the day. Fantastic value these two players.

 

[Dillspur]

He's getting better and better.

 

[spurs-r-us]

Terrific off the ball, even in games where he's not scoring or assisting.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

He rarely loses the ball, very intelligent players who knows how to make the right decision with / without the ball.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Highest praise I can give him is if the ball goes to him I know he’s going to make the right decision. Doesn’t try to overplay it if there’s nothing on, but he’s also perfectly balanced in when he decides to take someone on, play a dangerous ball, take a shot, etc. Just shows how intelligent he is and for someone so young, that’s incredibly rare. Got ourselves an absolute gem.

 

[C0YS]

Yeah its really pointless, would be like: "Why is not KDB more like Coman

Kulu will in time develop into a pure 10 role, but for now and as many other 10s have done before they start on a side because to play as a central 10 you really have to mature your game on all fronts, look at Modric, the first year he started off as a wide playmaker, Kranjcar did the same, Draxler did the same and KDB played as a wide playmaker at Wolfsburg. As you say, can we just appreciate the talent and then only time can tell.

Kulu has played in a midfield 3 as a forward thinking box to box in the past, and to good effect too. However, a traditional number 10 I doubt it. For a few reasons.

Playing out wide has been by far his best role, and interestingly both Kranjcar and Draxler were far better players when not playing centrally.


I also feel he isnt someone with some superb range of passing. He has excellent technique but most of his passing is good because of his speed of thought and the directness of his forward balls. Flicking it into space rather than launching a long diagonal. Playing in a more conjested area of the pitch, without supporting fullbacks, is a very different role and I'm not sure it benefits him.

Playing in an attacking three man midfield worked for him,largely because he has a great engine and work ethic, goes up and down a lot but also can carry the ball forward with directness. But even so, most Parma fans would suggest he is better out wide and it's very different to run into space and to break down teams in a conjested area.

I think the thing is that he doesn't play like a traditional winger, or things commonly associated from wingers. But this doesn't mean it's not the right position for him.

Kulu has already been fucked around a little bit, covering as a fullback, as a winger in a 4-4-2, as a central midfield and as a striker all before being 21. Now, this isn't that helpful for development past a certain point.

I think he is playing right now in what he would likely describe as his favoured position and is excelling there. I would much rather he further develops in the role and becomes the player he can become there, which I fully believe is a player of similar quality to the likes of Kane and Son, then further faffing round with his development.

We have yet to seen anything close to the player Kulu could become, because his potential is that high, and always has been. Even now we are seeing him adapt, he is a much better dribbler than what we have seen so far and his shot is much better than what we've seen too. But his game is still in development and I'm genuinely excited by who he could become.