Tottenham, Dejan Kulusevski
Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski [Credit: Imago]
Harri Burton
Sun 1 December 2024 12:30, UK
Ange Postecoglou has surprisingly bitten the bullet and dropped Dejan Kulusevski from the Tottenham starting XI to face Fulham on Sunday.
The Swedish playmaker has been a crucial player in Spurs’ side this season, notching two goals and seven assists in all competitions, but there is no hiding from his most recent performance.
He is just one of four changes from the 2-2 draw with AS Roma in the Europa League, joining Archie Gray on the bench while Rodrigo Bentancur serves his suspension and Dominic Solanke is nowhere to be seen.
Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison and Timo Werner all come back into the lineup, as confirmed on the club’s official X account, and Kulusevski can have no complaints.
Maddison has looked back at his best in recent weeks and is now being given the chance to prove himself as Spurs welcome Fulham to North London on 1 December.
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Dejan Kulusevski dropped as Tottenham XI confirmed v Fulham
Postecoglou will be keen for his side to continue their unbeaten run after an impressive 4-0 win over Manchester City followed by a draw with Roma in the Europa League during the week.
It could have been a much better preparation before welcoming the Cottagers if not for Mats Hummels added time equaliser at the Hotspur Stadium, but it is still a significant point in Europe.
Despite grabbing an assist against the Italian side, Kulusevski was extremely wasteful on the ball, only completing 74 per cent of his passes and only hitting the target with 33 per cent of his shots [FotMob].
He also only completed 33 per cent of his dribbles, and 25 per cent of his crosses, was dispossessed on five occasions, dribbled past twice, and only won 18 per cent of his ground duels (2/11).
There is absolutely no excuse for these poor statistics and will have to settle for a spot on the bench. It’s a tough call to make for Postecoglou but he will feel that the right one has been made ahead of the clash.
In other Tottenham news, Ange Postecoglou has a new rising star on his hands after a Spurs teen’s hat-trick recently.
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