Michael Dawson was left stunned by the crossing ability of Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski at home to Southampton on the opening day of the new Premier League term.
Dejan Kulusevski stunned Michael Dawson in Tottenham vs Southampton
Dejan Kulusevski stunned former Tottenham Hotspur captain Michael Dawson as Antonio Conte’s team started the new Premier League season against Southampton this Saturday, with the player-turned-pundit full of praise on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (06/08, 15:23).
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The Sweden international is facing an increased fight for his position in the Italian’s squad this term after Spurs bought Richarlison. Tottenham Managing director Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy paid Everton an initial £50m, plus £10m in add-ons, for the Brazilian.
Richarlison missed the opening day meeting in north London while he served a one-match ban, though. The FA suspended the winger after he threw a flare while celebrating scoring the Toffees’ winning effort in a 1-0 match with Chelsea at Goodison Park back during May.
Kulusevski only joined Tottenham in January, himself, having moved to England on an 18-month loan from Juventus. Spurs paid the Bianconeri £8.5m for the privilege of taking the 22-year-old on loan, and hold an option to buy the 25-cap dynamo next summer for £29m.
Conte got plenty from Kulusevski over the second-half of last season as Tottenham gained qualification to the Champions League. He registered five goals and created eight over 18 Premier League fixtures, and already has his first assist of the new term on matchday one.
Dejan Kulusevski already off the mark in 2022/23 Premier League season
Kulusevski got his season off to a strong start at home to Southampton to show Conte why he should be in the Tottenham squad over Richarlison, when available. The forward helped Spurs equalise on the opening day, having fallen behind from a James Ward-Prowse volley.
Ward-Prowse put the Saints ahead on 12 minutes, but they only led for nine. Kulusevski hit an enticing delivery into the box to find Ryan Sessegnon, who left Gavin Bazunu helpless in the net. Eric Dier then put Tottenham in front on 31 minutes after heading across Bazunu.
How Kulusevski worked the ball to find Sessegnon against Southampton captivated former Tottenham captain Dawson. The player-turned-pundit was in awe of his inswinging cross.
“It was coming, and it’s come” Dawson said. “It was brilliant from Kulusevski, it was. Spurs, since they went behind, they’ve started dominating the ball. Patient, putting in cross after cross in, Sessegnon whipping balls in. This one’s come from the other side.
“It’s Kulusevski, goes with Emerson Royal, who’s tucked inside. Kulusevski’s out, got chalk on his boots. We know he likes to come on his left-foot, he chops onto his left and whips this magnificent ball in over Kyle Walker-Peters, and it’s Sessegnon only four yards out.
“All he has to do is get his head on it, hit the target and he does. Bazunu has no chance.”
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