Ange Postecoglou has stated that he does not plan on using Dejan Kulusevski as a number nine during the upcoming season, insisting that the Swede is better suited to playing out wide or as a number ten.
Kulusevski had an up-and-down season
Kulusevski is a player who has frustrated Tottenham fans over the last couple of years as many expect a player of his talent to deliver a lot more consistently.
One could argue that the 24-year-old’s best performances last season came when he was operating through the middle during James Maddison’s injury layoff.
With Richarlison out with an injury, Kulusevski has led the line for Tottenham in many of their pre-season friendlies this summer and has done an impressive job.
The former Juventus man once again played as a centre-forward against Bayern Munich on Sunday, finding the back of the net twice.
Kulusevski will not play as a striker this year
However, Postecoglou has said that with Richarlison and now Dominic Solanke at his disposal, it is unlikely that Kulusevski will have to play as a striker.
When asked about the possibility of the attacker playing as a false nine during the upcoming season, the Spurs boss told Football.London: “No, I don’t think so. The good thing about Deki is that he can play that attacking midfield.
“I think the reason for us why we signed Dom, and hopefully, Richy should be ready as well, is that we want to have a player through that area who is a bit more accustomed to that role.
“Deki has done a great job for us but I think his strengths and attributes are more in that attacking midfield or wide role.
“I think he is really developing and has had a really good pre-season for us and hopefully, it gives us some more flexibility and potency through the middle when he is playing because he can get into those scoring areas.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The one clear thing is that Kulusevski is better through the middle in Ange’s system than on the right.
I see the Swede offering stiff competition for James Maddison in the number ten role, particularly if Spurs manage to bring a top-class winger through the door.