Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[Johnny J]

When I heard we were after Kulusevski, I took quite a bit of time and watched multiple compilations of his play, in part because he's the kind of player I like and I was enjoying it.

The one thing that stood out for me was his calmness and lack of panic or hurry, especially when shooting and scoring. In nearly all the goals I saw, he stroked or passed the ball into the net with precision and no drama, usually into a corner.

I found it greatly heartening that, when Son set him up for his first Spurs chance, four minutes into his first start, he did exactly the same: stroked the ball precisely through Cancelo's legs and into the goal.

He's not slow, as some twat was obstinately insisting in another thread the other day, but he's not a speedster either. He has a decent turn of pace and, judging by his assist after 95 minutes, he has substantial stamina as well. What he has that is equally important is calmness and that's worth a step of pace. He doesn't flap and he doesn't dither. He makes a decision and delivers the ball. As the saying goes, he plays with his head up.

He doesnt appear to be affected by the occasion, by pressure. He sees the ball, he doesn't panic and he plays the ball. As well as scoring his goal 4 minutes into his first start, he was able to stand up a precise, unhurried cross for the winner an hour and a half of football later.

He doesn't play anything like Christian Eriksen, but I can see why he likes to play as a no. 10. He sees the game well and his brain is ahead of his feet.

He's only 21. I think he has enormous potential as a seriously influential player.

Great post. He looks like he has a good "footballing brain", which is something we've had very few of in recent times.

 

[Trix]

Confirmation that Conte did want Deki when he was in Inter

He was linked by the Italian press pre window. Just fit certain posters narratives to call him a "Juve reject" and tell us all they were so right about FP all along, and he was forced to go for Juve's cast off's because he was inept. Turns out Conte wanted them both and so far both look to be very good players and a very good fit.

Who'd have thought it eh.

 

[Locotoro]

When I heard we were after Kulusevski, I took quite a bit of time and watched multiple compilations of his play, in part because he's the kind of player I like and I was enjoying it.

The one thing that stood out for me was his calmness and lack of panic or hurry, especially when shooting and scoring. In nearly all the goals I saw, he stroked or passed the ball into the net with precision and no drama, usually into a corner.

I found it greatly heartening that, when Son set him up for his first Spurs chance, four minutes into his first start, he did exactly the same: stroked the ball precisely through Cancelo's legs and into the goal.

He's not slow, as some twat was obstinately insisting in another thread the other day, but he's not a speedster either. He has a decent turn of pace and, judging by his assist after 95 minutes, he has substantial stamina as well. What he has that is equally important is calmness and that's worth a step of pace. He doesn't flap and he doesn't dither. He makes a decision and delivers the ball. As the saying goes, he plays with his head up.

He doesnt appear to be affected by the occasion, by pressure. He sees the ball, he doesn't panic and he plays the ball. As well as scoring his goal 4 minutes into his first start, he was able to stand up a precise, unhurried cross for the winner an hour and a half of football later.

He doesn't play anything like Christian Eriksen, but I can see why he likes to play as a no. 10. He sees the game well and his brain is ahead of his feet.

He's only 21. I think he has enormous potential as a seriously influential player.

i agree with everything you've said....

...and you're right that he doesnt play like Eriksen, but for some reason he certainly brings some of those qualities that Eriksen brought the team. The calmness and (understated) workrate are evident. Nobody every considered Eriksen a workhorse in the way Lamela was even though they probably covered the same mileage on the pitch but Eriksen definitely got around the pitch in a very unnoticed way.

I think his technical profile is exactly what we need in this team at the moment as we have a lot of players who are physical and hard working but lack the refinement of an Eriksen (Kane aside). So I think he reminds people of Eriksen because he brings some of those same qualities - technical calmness and workrate.

 

[TheChosenOne]

i agree with everything you've said....

...and you're right that he doesnt play like Eriksen, but for some reason he certainly brings some of those qualities that Eriksen brought the team. The calmness and (understated) workrate are evident. Nobody every considered Eriksen a workhorse in the way Lamela was even though they probably covered the same mileage on the pitch but Eriksen definitely got around the pitch in a very unnoticed way.

I think his technical profile is exactly what we need in this team at the moment as we have a lot of players who are physical and hard working but lack the refinement of an Eriksen (Kane aside). So I think he reminds people of Eriksen because he brings some of those same qualities - technical calmness and workrate.

That cross for Harry Kane's winning goal was a perfect example.

Not a hit and hope - it was a perfectly weighted and flighted chip. Hoping to see more of this.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Nobody ever considered Eriksen a workhorse in the way Lamela was even though they probably covered the same mileage on the pitch but Eriksen definitely got around the pitch in a very unnoticed way.

When he was at Tottenham, Eriksen was the Spurs player with the highest number of kilometres covered, in nearly every match.

People used to confuse his dislike of a hard tackle or a 50/50 challenge with an unwillingness to defend. He was everywhere, harrying opponents. Many goals resulted from Eriksen winning the ball high up the pitch. He did that by running, running, running.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I’ve always said running, running, running is the most important part of the game

You can keep your 4-4-2 , 3-5-2 and your Xmas trees. If you’re all over the opposition like a rash, winning all the 50/50’s & 2nd balls you’ll win a hell of a lot more games than you lose

Obviously you need decent players but nothing beats hard work 8 times out of 10

 

[JCRD]

When I heard we were after Kulusevski, I took quite a bit of time and watched multiple compilations of his play, in part because he's the kind of player I like and I was enjoying it.

The one thing that stood out for me was his calmness and lack of panic or hurry, especially when shooting and scoring. In nearly all the goals I saw, he stroked or passed the ball into the net with precision and no drama, usually into a corner.

I found it greatly heartening that, when Son set him up for his first Spurs chance, four minutes into his first start, he did exactly the same: stroked the ball precisely through Cancelo's legs and into the goal.

He's not slow, as some twat was obstinately insisting in another thread the other day, but he's not a speedster either. He has a decent turn of pace and, judging by his assist after 95 minutes, he has substantial stamina as well. What he has that is equally important is calmness and that's worth a step of pace. He doesn't flap and he doesn't dither. He makes a decision and delivers the ball. As the saying goes, he plays with his head up.

He doesnt appear to be affected by the occasion, by pressure. He sees the ball, he doesn't panic and he plays the ball. As well as scoring his goal 4 minutes into his first start, he was able to stand up a precise, unhurried cross for the winner an hour and a half of football later.

He doesn't play anything like Christian Eriksen, but I can see why he likes to play as a no. 10. He sees the game well and his brain is ahead of his feet.

He's only 21. I think he has enormous potential as a seriously influential player.

You calling me a twat? I am a twat and a **** but come on man ... a bit harsh. To be fair i said he was slow in kind of surprise for no other reason than I expected him a bit quicker but not sure why i was expecting him to be given I hadnt seen much of him

Anyways he was very good against Man City but in the same way we castigate those who write him off after the first game or two - we shouldnt also suck his cock in awe after two games. But again I really liked his performance on Saturday. It was robust, energetic, creative and intelligent.

 

[chinaman]

I’ve always said running, running, running is the most important part of the game

You can keep your 4-4-2 , 3-5-2 and your Xmas trees. If you’re all over the opposition like a rash, winning all the 50/50’s & 2nd balls you’ll win a hell of a lot more games than you lose

Obviously you need decent players but nothing beats hard work 8 times out of 10

That's what makes Harry Redknap's "run around a bit" the best coaching ever.

 

[Ginola+Tonic]

Think he scores again tonight against Burnley’s low block.

Kulu Kulu Kulu

 

[gavspur]

They call him Decky Decky
Faster than Becky
But slower than Reggie
Kulusevski’s his name.

I’m on the train and wine has happened. Don’t judge me!

 

[davidmatzdorf]

You calling me a twat? I am a twat and a **** but come on man ... a bit harsh. To be fair i said he was slow in kind of surprise for no other reason than I expected him a bit quicker but not sure why i was expecting him to be given I hadnt seen much of him

It was someone else, not you.

If you check the ratings of my post, all will be clear.

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Weirdly wasn’t great but probably our better player tonight

 

[Yid121]

Weirdly wasn’t great but probably our better player tonight

Liked the look of what he was doing, seemed to be smart in retaining the ball or creating different angles but a lot of his play didn't quite come off, definitely encouraging though and a nice option over Lucas

 

[HildoSpur]

He is clearly an intelligent player. He is going to make a lot if goals for us I think.

 

[chrisd2k]

Unlucky with that curling effort. Looks menacing around the box

 

[Ghost Hardware]

He was good on the weekend, he was poor tonight. Two very different opponents and he certainly does his best work when he has space ahead of him. He’s 21, consistency is always going to be an issue with any young player and he’s obviously got a lot to learn about this league the same as Bentancur. Leeds will suit him tho, if he plays, so I’m sure we will see more from him on the weekend.

 

[JCRD]

I think he will be at his best when he has a proper right sides rwb with a right foot.... Kulu comes inside which will create space for someone who can get to the byline and cross.

i thought he was ok tonight.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Thought he was very good tonight.

 

[eViL]

he was poor tonight

No he wasn't.

 

[number41]

He is really going to be good for us I believe. Hes very direct. He’s already shown his ability and will only get better.