Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[Delboy75]

Can anyone think of a similar successful PL player on an eye test. I actually think there’s a lot of similarities with Kane. But I’m really struggling to think of a past player to compare him to. Looks very unique.

 

[$hoguN]

keep proving me wrong big fella! Still compare him as the ginger-chadli. (thought Chadli was massively overlooked as a spurs player!)

Nothing like Chadli. Chadli never had Kulu’s ability to pick passes and move into space

 

[Dakes]

A refreshing signing so far. It’s better to have footballers than pure athletes. Pace, in and of itself, is hit and miss, with mostly miss. This guy is brains and brawn.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Nothing like Chadli. Chadli never had Kulu’s ability to pick passes and move into space

More like a Krancjar. Tall an strong and keeps the ball close to his feet, and under his nose. Quicker than Niko, obviously.

 

[DanielJohnCosta]

Nothing like Chadli. Chadli never had Kulu’s ability to pick passes and move into space

disagree

 

[olliec]

He looks so much more natural than Moura on that right. So excited to watch his journey with us. Nothing like Chadli or Kranjcar, more like Bale without the blistering pace. Just very clever with the ball, creative and can shoot.

 

[cider spurs]

Not interested in the plays like, looks like game.

Just keep doing yer thing lad. Looking good thus far.

 

[Dakes]

More prem goals than Lo Celso now.

Equal on prem goals with Lucas this season who’s played 23 games.

Startling

 

[tiger666]

More like a Krancjar. Tall an strong and keeps the ball close to his feet, and under his nose. Quicker than Niko, obviously.

I'm quicker than Niko was and I'm 45 with fucked knees.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I really like his first touch as others have mentioned. The ball comes into him with his back to goal and it usually sticks. This is a massive help. Get him an aggressive pacey rwb on the outside of him and that will help him further.

2 goals and 1 assist is a very encouraging start.

 

[allatsea]

I really like his first touch as others have mentioned. The ball comes into him with his back to goal and it usually sticks. This is a massive help. Get him an aggressive pacey rwb on the outside of him and that will help him further.

2 goals and 1 assist is a very encouraging start.

His first touch is the opposite of Moura who often needs half the pitch to get the ball under control. Plus when Son is having one of his off days his first touch is often poor.

 

[Dannyspur]

Plays with his head up and is aware of what is around him, unlike Lucas who is head down looking at the ball most of the time. This more often than not ends with him running into a defender or passing to nobody.

 

[Nick]

His first touch is the opposite of Moura who often needs half the pitch to get the ball under control. Plus when Son is having one of his off days his first touch is often poor.

Yep definitely don't lose possession as much!

 

[spursfan77]

He is a very, very good player. I've been really impressed. Was excellent today. Holds the ball up, uses it well, works really hard.

You can tell Conte likes him. So far, so good.

 

[Japhet]

Seems to be developing a really good relationship with Doherty.

Both were excellent today.

I wondered how that would work out. Being as Doherty likes to drive into narrower positions, I thought they might get in each other's way, but no sign of an problems yesterday.

 

[curlacious]

Not interested in the plays like, looks like game.

Just keep doing yer thing lad. Looking good thus far.

Looks like good

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Fair play, the kid is proving me and a whole lot of other people wrong.

Hope he continues this great start.

Why judge him so quickly in the first place?

 

[sausage]

Early days, but this is the background of Kulusevski vs Ndombele vs Lo Celso so far.

Note: Some of the '90 mins completed' were strict, so a bit harsh when a player (TND or GLC) did 80-odd mins, sometimes 89.

	Kulusevski	Ndombele	Lo Celso
Games Played	6	91	84
Mins Played	356 (59.3/app)	5,160 (56.7/app)	4,593 (54.67/app)
90 Mins completed	2 (0.33/app)	17 (0.19/app) [1][2][3]	17 (0.2/app) [1][2][3]
Goals	2 (0.33/app)	10 (0.11/app)	8 (0.1/app)
Assists	1 (0.17/app)	9 (0.1/app)	6 (0.07/app)

When you look at squawka, it's apparent that they are three completely different players, despite all roughly playing in the same spot for Conte, for the most part. Granted there's some Nuno mixed in here, I expect.

What that says to me is that each player, in potentially the same role/position, has been playing it completely differently to the next:
- Kulusevki's strengths suggest more wing play to me (taking on players, losing the ball more, scoring and assisting more)
- Ndombele's suggest more of a central Dele-style player, who plays through balls and gets involved sparingly in the middle of the pitch
- Lo Celso's suggest more of a comparison to a box-to-box player, who is more involved with the ball

Bit weird really, and would reinforce any idea that some existing players are unable to play how Conte wanted them to, and are just sticking to how they want to play.

 

[mil1lion]

The big difference between Kulu and Moura is that the ball sticks when we play into Kulu. The biggest weakness of Moura is his touch when taking the ball facing our goal. Once he is turned and can run with the ball he's at his best. It's been a big problem down our right trying to pass out that side. Particularly since right wing back is not quick enough to drive forward with the ball, Sanchez not good playing out at right centre back and Moura not able to receive the ball when facing his own goal. It totally changes our right side with Romero more comfortable coming out with the ball, then Kulu able to take the ball facing our goal and then hold off an opponent and turn on the ball. It allows the wing back to get forward more. A proper Walker replacement in the summer will complete the transformation on the right. For now I would give Doherty a run in the team. Wing back is his best position and its remarkable Nuno didn't play wing backs and use Doherty the way he did at Wolves. The trio of Romero, Doherty and Kulu over Sanchez, Emerson and Moura is night and day for me. It just shows that a few signings in areas we struggle will go a long way in the summer. Just 3 positions can totally transform the first team. In the meantime we'll still struggle at times and lose some games but there will be a decent number of wins too.

 

[Stav]

Can anyone think of a similar successful PL player on an eye test. I actually think there’s a lot of similarities with Kane. But I’m really struggling to think of a past player to compare him to. Looks very unique.

I was thinking exactly this yesterday. There's something about the way he strikes the ball and looks a little ungainly when carrying it or beating a man with it that is very reminiscent of Harry.