It’s no coincidence that, as soon as Dejan Kulusevski arrived at Euro 2020, so did Sweden.
Janne Andersson’s side made Jose Mourinho look like Zdenek Zeman during their backs-to-the-wall stalemate against Spain last week (mustering just 14 per cent possession in Seville) before needing a penalty to see off a very limited Slovakia.
But as Kulusevski returned from his covid-enforced absence in time for a 35-minute cameo in the final group-stage fixture with Poland last night, the Juventus playmaker offered a timely reminder of what he can bring to a side not exactly brimming with creativity.
Sweden had only scored once from open play in their previous 235 minutes before Kulusevski stepped off the bench. Seconds later, they doubled that tally.
Can Tottenham sign Dejan Kulusevski?
With almost his first touch of the tournament, the 21-year-old cut in from the flank, slalomed through a handful of Polish defenders and laid the ball on a plate for Emile Forsberg to put the Swedes 2-0 up.
A pair of Robert Lewandowski strikes drew Poland level but, in stoppage time, Kulusevski struck again to show why those Kevin De Bruyne comparisons aren’t just the result of his gingerish hair and galloping stride.
The Belgian talisman would have been proud of the way Kulusevski carved apart the Polish defence to make Viktor Claesson’s last-gasp winner a formality.
And if Tottenham’s new sporting director wants to immediately win over a sceptical fanbase, raiding his former employers for one of Europe’s most exciting attacking midfielders would certainly do the trick.
Earlier this month, Calciomercato reported Fabio Paratici wanted to reunite with Kulusevski in north London, 18 months after completing a £30 million deal to bring the 2020 Serie A Young Player Of The Year to Juventus.
Kulusevski may have only played half an hour at Euro 2020 so far – but he’s already got Sweden purring and Spurs fans drooling.
Here’s what some Tottenham fans on Twitter had to say about the rumours:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
