Dejan Kulusevski has been one of Tottenham’s stand out performers this season. The talented Swede has nine goal involvements in 20 appearances and has impressed in a more central role this season.
Playing a key role in Tottenham’s historic 4-0 win at Manchester City last weekend, the former Juventus man then grabbed himself an assist against Roma in midweek before he was given a deserved rest on Sunday when Spurs welcomed Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Lilywhites struggled without Kulusevski in the side and the attacking midfielder didn’t have the desired impact when he was brought on in the second half.
“He’s very ambitious about how good he can be and that’s a great thing,” Ange Postecoglou said of Kulusevski last Friday. “He’s still relatively young and for his position, there’s a lot of improvement in him. I’ve just got a feeling with Deki that he’s not going to settle for any level apart from being the absolute best and it’s great for us.”
At the age of 24, Kulusevski knows he can still improve but is confident in his ability. “I think I have something that no other player has. So you can’t compare me to any other player, so this is what I’m looking for,” he said last week.
When quizzed if that something was his seemingly never-ending energy reserve, the midfielder responded: “Yeah, I don’t get tired and I can’t let anybody outwork me. That’s the plan. That’s how I play and how I train.
“Clearly, you have to strive to be as good as possible, every day in every kind of way, on the pitch and outside of the pitch. Right now, I’m doing my best and I’m really not demanding anything for myself. You know when a mistake happens, it happens. So I’m maturing a lot and I’m enjoying my football a lot more.”
With Tottenham playing six Premier League games throughout the rest of December, Postecoglou will want Kulusevski available as much as possible. The Swedish international may need to be careful not to pick up any more bookings, then.
According to Premier League rules, players who receive a total of five yellow cards in their first 19 matches will be given a one-match suspension. Currently, Kulusevski has received three yellow cards with Spurs having played 13 games.
That means, should the Swede pick up two more yellow cards in the next six league games, he will be suspended for one match. So, for example, should he pick up a caution against Bournemouth on Thursday and then another against Chelsea three days later, he would be suspended for Tottenham’s cash at Southampton on Sunday, December 15.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Micky van de Ven are already on four yellow cards so also need to be careful, while Yves Bissouma is on three. With so many fixtures to come, Postecoglou will be hoping the likes of Kulusevski remain fit and available for the foreseeable.
