Dejan Kulusevski is having a great start to his Tottenham career and he’s working to make those who celebrated his Juventus departure eat their words.
The 21-year-old Swedish forward joined Spurs in a €10m loan deal until 2023 with a €35m buy option attached, having failed to convince coach Massimiliano Allegri this season. He only made five Serie A starts in the first half of this campaign, scoring one goal in the 4-3 win over Roma. The former Hellas Verona man also netted once in the Champions League against Zenit St. Petersburg.
Since joining Tottenham last month, Kulusevski’s level has quickly risen under Antonio Conte. The 21-year-old has already scored two goals, against Manchester City and Leeds United, and he’s quickly managing to win over the Spurs faithful.
Juventus fans mock Paratici for bringing Kulusevski and Bentancur to Tottenham
Statistics show how the Swedish forward has changed a little from playing under Allegri to Conte; He is taking more shots per 90 minutes (2.09 to 2.70), attempting more passes per 90 (28.4 to 34.6), providing more shot-creating actions (2.68 to 2.96) and playing less a role in the defensive phase, with his tackles dropping from 1.98 per 90 to 0.81 and his blocks going from 1.28 per 90 to 0.54.
These numbers highlight how Conte is deploying Kulusevski as more of a true attacking player, and his lower defensive stats are similar to the ones he posted during his breakout season with Parma back in the 2019-20 campaign, suggesting that he’ll continue to return to his best in a more attacking system.
In the 4-0 win over Leeds, for example, Kulusevski played alongside Heung-min Son behind Harry Kane at the top of a 3-4-2-1, and he was given the freedom to challenge the space and add depth to attacks.
The problem with Kulusevski… Chiesa, no matter how good he can be, he’d always be in Fede’s shadow, different players sure and can play together and in different positions but they were vying for one spot, which Chiesa took therefore he’d never have been a starter for Juve.
If Chiesa went to premier league he would thrive just like Salah.
The raw talent in serie a is unquestionable.
Juve did good business, selling Kulu enabled Vlahovic – a player they desperately needed.
Bro, nobody is eating any words. The departure of Kulu brought Vlahovic in. I would take that trade anytime any day anywhere. Vlahovic is a generational talent that leave his mark in history. Wingers are much easily replaceable. Point is, both parties benefited, so articles like these are just plain irrational.
Plus, don’t be hasty to judge someone in a few weeks. Kulu started great last year but then he got completely lost. He sure is talented, but he lacked the mental strength and consistency to stay at a level where he could help Juve. And it’s easy to play for a team with much lower targets and expectations. Let’s wait until next year and we will see who will be eating their words
I genuinely believe that Kulu was one of Juve’s best players. We created more chances when he played. It was Bentancur who I was happy to see the back of. I thought the only reason Juve would get rid of Kulesevski would be to get funds for Vlahovic.
Personlig anser jeg Kulusevski som et uberettiget tap. Det er vanskelig å overvurdere hvilken fordel Juventus ville ha fra ham nå.
Ikke en fremsynt ledelsespolitikk i denne saken, i dagens situasjon med skader, kan spille en grusom spøk på laget. Jeg ønsker deg fortsatt suksess, Dejan.
With Allegry no one will thrive, its like an army going to a battle and their chief is a coward.
good for him – I will still be happy with the deal Juve made by sending him away
don’t see any reason to change that
It’s a mystery that Allegri didn’t realise the great creativity,talent of Kulusevski-Conte spotted it directly.Good that he left the destructive influence of Allegri.
I knew always that Kuli will become world superstar, its another stupid mistake Allegri done just because he dont like someones personality, but everyone knows who he likes most, Adrien Rabiot.
Just another reminder from FI that Juventus and Serie A is a farmers league and young talent should head to England to flourish. Hopefully Vlahovic and Chiesa are taking note. Even a club like Tottenham would win Scudetto without breaking a sweat.
He is 21 years old. Your Italian league is a walk in the park compared to the premier lesgue.
“ KULUSEVSKI TAKES REVENGE ON JUVENTUS FANS” ! Not sure who comes up with these articles titles that just create stupid controversy! I’m glad he’s doing well in England and glad even more that Juventus is climbing up on the table since he’s left.
Mike are you drunk? Tottenham would never make it to top four in Italy
In European football, knowledge is key. Leagues rise and fall all the time. Describing the serie A as inferior league is totally absurd. No league stays on top forever. Besides if it’s a farmers league, how can it’s products win the euro at wembley against the Brits. Sharaz and Mike need to put on their thinking caps.
Mike shows you sore clueless.. What have Spurs ever won during the past 40 years? Nothing. They wouldn’t win the Serie A because , in the words of Jack Wilshere, “It’s happened again, it’s happened agaaaiiiiiiiin, oh TottenhM Hotspur, it’s happened again!”
Spurs are a joke of a club in a plastic league.
Surprising no, he had PhD Max as his coach the graveyard tactician for most young players.
Kulusveki out, Vlahovic in for Juve.
Vlahovic is WAY better.
2 goals for Kulusevski, but I am still not convinced he has what it takes. As a winger, you need some defensive ability and constant energy and intelligent play
That is the problem as Allegri must have been giving him mixed signals by asking him to defend when it is his job to move forward.
Hes got skill but no pace. And shooting was pretty poor. Vlahovic was exactly what juve needed after losing Ronaldo. Kean suddenly looks better Dybala and moratta look better. Kulo just didn’t fit in.
Allegri got 2 champions league finals with a low budget team. I think he’s building something special.