Dejan Kulusevski is emerging as one of Europe’s most influential players, ranking number one in two crucial stats.
As his performances continue to turn heads, one question lingers: is the Swedish international now the best midfielder in Europe?
Kulusevski’s transformation under Postecoglou
One player stands out as a revelation under manager Ange Postecoglou: Dejan Kulusevski. After a tactical shift saw the Swede moved into the midfield, his performances have gone from strength to strength, with his influence on the game growing ever more profound.
No longer confined to a more isolated wing role, Kulusevski is now at the centre of every attack, pulling the strings for Spurs and playing a part in almost every facet of their game. The move has provided Kulusevski with the freedom to dictate play, a shift that has elevated his game to new heights.
While the 24-year-old Swedish international had already shown glimpses of his ability in his previous role on the wing, the tactical change has allowed him to become more central to Spurs’ attacking and defensive work.
His impact is now felt throughout the midfield, and his ability to contribute in various facets of play has made him one of the standout performers in the Premier League and Europe this season.
Europe’s most influential midfielder: Kulusevski’s remarkable stats
The numbers speak volumes about Kulusevski’s outstanding contributions so far this season. According to a tweet relayed by Datamb on X, Kulusevski is currently leading Europe in several key statistics. He tops the charts in Europe for key passes and crosses.
In the Premier League, he is first for deep completions, progressive runs, and accelerations. In addition to these impressive achievements, Kulusevski is also second in dribbles, shot assists, offensive duels, passes to the penalty area, and touches in the box.
These secondary stats further underline his well-roundedness as a player and his ability to contribute to every attacking phase, from creating chances to executing them.
What sets Kulusevski apart from many of his peers is not just his ability to accumulate numbers but the context in which these stats are achieved.
Spurs have played a more expansive and dynamic style under Postecoglou, and Kulusevski has thrived within this system. The Swede is now involved in almost every attacking move, often popping up in dangerous areas.
A key player for Spurs’ ambitions
As Kulusevski continues to shine, it’s impossible to ignore the crucial role Ange Postecoglou has played in his development. The manager’s tactical flexibility has been key to unlocking the Swedish international’s full potential, with the move into midfield proving transformative.
Now, with Kulusevski performing at such a high level, Spurs are undoubtedly aware of the attention he is likely to attract from top European clubs. However, if Tottenham are to mount a serious challenge for trophies this season, Kulusevski’s form will be a decisive factor in whether they can convert their potential into tangible success.
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Jamie O’Hara makes a big claim about Micky Van de Ven at Tottenham this season, even comparing him to one of his Lilywhite teammates.
Cristian Romero’s form has left a lot to be desired
Romero had his best season in a Tottenham shirt in 2023-24, not only being extremely solid and consistent but also managing to eliminate the moments of rashness from his game.
However, the Argentine has not lived up to the same standard at the start of this campaign, being guilty of several errors which have been punished by the opposition.
Ange Postecoglou will be desperate for his vice-captain to get back to his best, given how important the former Juventus man is to the side, both in terms of defensive solidity and from a leadership perspective.
Jamie O’Hara not impressed by Romero
O’Hara has now not held back in his criticism of Romero, insisting that the 26-year-old has been a liability for Tottenham this season.
The pundit claimed that his centre-back partner, Micky van de Ven, is ten times the player that the Argentina international is.
Here is a transcript of the conversation between O’Hara and former Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders on talkSPORT:
Saunders: “Do you think Van de Ven makes more mistakes than Romero?”
Jamie O’Hara: “No, Romero makes a mistake every game.”
Saunders: “He’s rash, isn’t he?”
O’Hara: “Romero is a World Cup winner. You’d say he’s not world-class?”
Saunders: “He’s not world-class, no. I’d get him sent off in ten minutes.”
O’Hara: “He’s been a liability for Tottenham this season. Van de Ven has been ten times better than him this season. He’s a better player.”
Will this be Romero’s last season at Spurs?
Romero has just over 18 months left on his contract with Tottenham and the speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid continues to intensify.
In fact, it was reported by GiveMeSport two weeks ago that the Spurs star is reluctant to hold talks with the club regarding a new deal as he wants to wait and see if Los Blancos make an approach for him next summer.
Some Spurs fans will feel that if Romero continues to deliver the kind of performances that he has so far this season, he might not be a huge loss.
