Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski opens on his unnatural position against Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten run in the new Premier League campaign lasted only for two games as they were beaten 2-1 away at the hands of Newcastle United on Sunday.
After how the game at Leicester City panned out on the first matchweek, it was another disappointing result on the road for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs. Big Ange bemoaned his team’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal against the Magpies, despite dominating the majority of the game and creating numerous opportunities.
Tottenham had entered the game without the likes of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and Micky van de Ven. In the absences of Solanke and Richarlison, Big Ange used Dejan Kulusevski as a false 9 at St James’ Park.
Dejan Kulusevski failed to impact the game much in the first half. With the gaffer making an attacking substitution at half-time by bringing on winger Brennan Johnson for midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, the Sweden international dropped in the No.10 role with skipper Son Heung-min assuming the duties of leading the attack.
After the game, the 24-year-old acknowledged how strange it was operating from a different position.
“It was different, of course it’s different,” Kulusevski told Football London.
“The second half I went back to the midfield where I had much more space and we dominated the game. It was a really good game and I feel very good but I’m not happy we couldn’t win the game but we move on and keep our head up.”
Kulusevski’s admission suggests that he prefers to play in midfield in his favoured position, rather than leading the attack from where he basically looked anonymous. The Swede moved to the No.10 role after the interval which allowed him to thrive in spaces and cause problems for the Newcastle defence.
The Stockholm-born star is an intelligent, creative player who is technically sound and links up very well in half-spaces, making him a dangerous proposition to defend. His understanding in particular with James Maddison and Son Heung-min on the pitch is great, which is often visible to our naked eye, and when the trio are on song, Spurs are a different kettle of fish altogether for the opposition.
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Having said that, the first half against Newcastle would have given Big Ange a fair idea about Kulusevski’s struggles as a centre-forward and why he should often start out wide or as an attacking midfielder.
