‘This was not his match’: National media criticise Tottenham Hotspur star’s latest display

Follow us on Google Discover

Dejan Kulusevski struggled for Sweden on Sunday as the Tottenham Hotspur winger couldn’t prevent a 2-1 defeat to Norway.

Kulusevski has proven to be an absolute masterstroke for Tottenham since arriving from Juventus in January.

Some may have questioned his pace when he first joined but Kulusevski has quickly proven his doubters wrong.

The 22-year-old has only played 18 league games for Tottenham but has already racked up five goals and eight assists.

Kulusevski looks like becoming a star of the future at Tottenham but it just wasn’t his night in a Sweden shirt on Sunday.

Dejan Kulusevski struggled for Sweden

Sweden welcomed Scandinavian rivals Norway to Stockholm on Sunday for a key Nations League clash.

Norway ran out winners though as Manchester City-bound Erling Haaland bagged a brace to put Norway 2-0 up.

Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga did pull one back, firing home from a Kulusevski pass.

Another assist is great for Kulusevski but it seems that his all-round performance left a little to be desired.

Fotboll Skanalen mark their players from one to five, one being ‘fail’ and five being ‘world class’.

Nobody reached a five or even four – very good – against Norway, and only Robin Olsen, Emil Forsberg and Anthony Elanga made it to three.

Kulusevski was given a two, which is a ‘pass’ but hardly complimentary.

Their verdict on Kulusevski was that this just wasn’t his match, offering little going forward or defensively.

They added that Kulusevski was marked tightly throughout and couldn’t threaten Norway even if he did register a late assist.

“This was not Dejan’s match. Offered neither offensive nor defensive. Was closely guarded and did not manage to threaten Norway. However, had a nice performance with Elanga late and accounted for the assist for 2-1,” they wrote.

Tottenham won’t be too bothered about this; they will just want to know that Kulusevski is avoiding injury on international duty.

We have seen what Kulusevski can do in the Premier League and he will no doubt be terrorising defences again next season even if his international form needs to pick up a little.