Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has claimed that Dejan Kulusesvski has simply not looked right over recent weeks, given the injury problems that the Swede has had to deal with earlier this season.
Kulusevski was a revelation last season after arriving from Juventus in January of 2022, with the Swede playing a crucial part in Spurs clinching fourth spot ahead of their North London rivals, Arsenal.
Many would have expected the winger to kick on in his first full season at Tottenham but that has not materialised, with the 22-year-old having been sidelined with multiple injuries this season.
When he has played, Kulusevski has not carried the same sort of threat in the final third, having scored just twice and provided five assists in 19 Premier League games so far this season (Transfermarkt).
Richarlison came into the starting eleven in place of the Juventus loanee on Saturday and he produced a fantastic display, playing a part in all three of Tottenham’s goals and having a goal disallowed himself.
Bridge believes Tottenham’s struggles this season can be put down to the fact that Kulusevski, Ricahrlison and Son have all misfired, thus leaving Kane with the bulk of the goalscoring burden.
The journalist told GiveMeSport: “For Tottenham this season, what they’ve lost is 20 goals from Son, the Premier League top goalscorer last year. I think Saturday was only his sixth goal of the season.
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“Kulusevski hasn’t had a good season, he’s had a lot of injuries and he doesn’t look right to me. Richarlison, he hasn’t scored.
“All three of them haven’t done enough alongside Harry Kane and they all need to step up.”
Spurs paid €10m (£8.3m) in January of last year to take Kulusevski on loan until June 2023 and are expected to wrap up a permanent deal for the Swede this summer (Fabrizio Romano).
Spurs Web Opinion
Our downturn in form back in October started when Kulusevski was out injured and the Swede has not looked the same player since that point, which has most definitely hampered us as none of our other attackers are as good at carrying the ball.
Kulusevski’s lack of form is a distinct reminder that he is still only 22 and has plenty of development ahead of him.
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