Ange Postecoglou feels that one Tottenham man is now starting to return to his best after showing some encouraging signs against West Ham United.
Amidst all the injury issues that Spurs have endured this season, the impact of Dejan Kulusevski’s recent layoff has not received too much attention.
The Swede, who had been Tottenham’s most consistent performer in the first half of the season, missed seven games in a crucial juncture after succumbing to a foot injury at the start of March.
Since returning to action a few weeks ago, the 25-year-old has looked a little rusty and has struggled to impact games, but Postecoglou feels that the former Juventus man is now starting to come back into form again.
Why Ange Postecoglou was encouraged by Dejan Kulusevski’s performance against West Ham
Kulusevski got 90 minutes under his belt in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, and Postecoglou felt that the versatile attacker was moving a lot more comfortably than he has over the past few weeks.
The Australian was also pleased to see the winger taking players on and performing his trademark turns, seeing those as signs that Kulusevski is now getting back his rhythm.
When asked where the 25-year-old is in terms of his sharpness and fitness, Postecoglou told Football.London: “He’s getting better. There were moments in the game where you started seeing he’s moving a lot freer. It takes time. You’re missing a couple of months of football. For any player, it takes a while.
“It’s just about getting fitness and getting some match rhythm. I was pleased for him today. The thing with Deki is he just works his socks off all the time.
“I just felt you could see some of that ability to beat people and turn in tight areas and run with the ball, it was coming back. I was also pleased with his discipline today. They had a really aggressive attacking line-up out there. He had to do a really important defensive job for us and I thought he did that well.”
Kulusesvski makes an admission about his injury
Speaking two weeks ago, Kulusevski admitted that he could not move for a month after his latest stress fracture.
It was always going to take some time for the attacker to get his sharpness back after an injury like that, and it is a huge plus that he is finding his feet just in time for the end of the season.
Given the talent Kulusevski possess, he is certainly someone who can be the difference maker for Postecoglou’s men in the Europa League final should they get there.