Martin Keown has praised Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dejan Kulusevski in The Daily Mail, and believes that the Juventus-owned player has changed Antonio Conte’s side in attack.
The Arsenal legend believes that Kulusevski has been a quality addition to the Tottenham team and has made the North London club’s front-line even more potent.
The 21-year-old, who can operate as a winger, forward, midfielder or wing-back, joined Tottenham on loan from Juventus in the January transfer window.
Praise for Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski
Keown wrote in The Daily Mail: “One of the Italian’s strengths is how he tweaks his system based on the individuals at his disposal. He did that at Chelsea and Inter and he’s doing this now at Tottenham. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are his pot of gold at the top of the team and the quality addition of Dejan Kulusevski has turned this front three into a true attacking force.
“At Chelsea he had Diego Costa in the centre, with Eden Hazard and Pedro on either side. The difference is whereas Hazard was reluctant to track back to help his team, Son and Kulusevski are exceptionally hard workers.
“They love breaking forward — indeed they both rank in the league’s top five players for chances created after carrying the ball upfield — but they will happily drop deep to help out defensively. We saw that in their last win against West Ham.
“Kulusevski, as a left-footer on the right wing, naturally cuts inside and gives room for the wing-back Matt Doherty to get forward and give the team width. When that happens, Cristian Romero, on the right of the back three, will stay back with Eric Dier.”
Instant impact
In our opinion, Kulusevski has made an instant impact at Tottenham and has hit the ground running in the Premier League.
The Sweden international has formed a strong partnership with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in attack.
The Tottenham no. 21 has made seven starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League.
The youngster has scored two goals and given four assists in those matches.
For Tottenham to finish in the top four of the Premier League table this season, in our view, Kulusevski will have to be on top of his game in the final weeks.
Kulusevski is only 21, and it is safe to say that he will improve and develop in the coming years.
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