Coach says Tottenham man ‘amazed everyone’ when given opportunities

Former Parma head coach Roberto D’Aversa has revealed that Dejan Kulusevski ‘amazed everyone’ the first time he stepped out on the pitch for the Serie A club.

It was at Parma that Kulusevski first made his name during the 2019/20 season, when he was on loan from Atalanta, with Juventus snapping up the Swede the subsequent summer.

Dejan Kulusevski
Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Few players have hit the ground running in the Premier League as well as the 22-year-old did, with the winger’s performances in the second half of last season being a key factor behind Tottenham finishing in the top four.

Kulusevski has not quite been able to maintain the same standard of performance this season, with his campaign being interpreted with multiple injuries.

Tottenham have the option of signing the former Atalanta man permanently for £31m this summer, which will become an obligation if the club finish in the top four (Fabrizio Romano).

Reports indicate that the North London club are expected to take up that option despite the winger’s underwhelming displays this season (CalcioMercato).

One man who certainly does not have any doubts over Kulusevski’s potential is D’Aversa, who revealed that the Tottenham man caught his eye when he was playing for Atalanta Primavera.

The Italian coach told TuttoMercatoWeb: “I saw him during the semi-final of the Primavera championship in Parma, played at the Tardini, and I took the opportunity to follow him live.

“There were already many clubs behind Dejan, for example, Cagliari which had already made an important offer to buy him.

“In that case, the club was also good, we took advantage of the good relations that existed between the clubs and the one with the then sporting director of Atalanta, [Giovanni] Sartori, with whom we often spoke for some young people.

“With me at Parma, he could have played more than in other teams, this made the difference. And the moment he played he amazed everyone.

“In building the team, we had placed him in midfield. But since I needed a left-footed offensive player who played with his foot reversed, after two training sessions I bet on him.

“Right from the start he caught the eye for the strength, determination and desire he had to get there.

“He never wanted to lose, even in training. I often and willingly teased him because I wanted him not to lose balance.

“I must say that he did a great season, above expectations. I don’t remember a player who comes out of Primavera and is immediately so decisive in Serie A. Perhaps Bastoni together with him.”

Despite Kulusevski’s struggles at Juventus, D’Aversa believes that the winger has the raw materials to succeed in any team in any league across the world.

When asked about the 22-year-old’s failed move to Turn, he said: “He made his choices independently and rightly so.

“You must always follow your instinct and your heart, they must be done personally. With Juventus he started well and also played a lot.

“Clearly at Parma, there wasn’t an alternative of his level while in Juve there are many champions.

“In case you make a mistake in a game maybe you don’t have the possibility to play the next one because there are players of your same level.

“At Parma, with me, he also had the possibility of being able to grow and make mistakes because in that context he shifted the balance.

“However, we are talking about a top player who can play in any team and in any league.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It would be a no-brainer for Spurs to activate the option to buy Kulusevski.

£31m for a player of his quality represents excellent value for money.

No matter who Tottenham’s next head coach is, they would want to have the Swede at their disposal. 

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