Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski found himself in an unfamiliar role as a striker during the recent 2-1 loss to Newcastle United, stepping in due to the absence of both Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.
Speaking to, Football London after the match, Kulusevski reflected on the experience, acknowledging that playing as the main forward was a different challenge for him.
While he adapted to the position, he admitted it wasn’t his natural spot on the pitch.
The Swedish international expressed some frustration with the team’s failure to make the most of their chances, especially given the opportunities they had to secure a win.
He pointed out that the final passes and decisions in the box were not as sharp as they needed to be, which ultimately hindered Tottenham’s effectiveness in front of goal.
The 24-year-old said:
“It was different, of course it’s different.
“The second half I went back to the midfield where I had much more space and we dominated the game. It was a really good game and I feel very good but I’m not happy we couldn’t win the game but we move on and keep our head up.”
During pre-season, Kulusevski had shown promise in the striker role, scoring twice against Bayern Munich. However, manager Ange Postecoglou indicated that once Solanke and Richarlison return to full fitness, Kulusevski would likely revert to his more natural position in attacking midfield or on the wing.
Postecoglou highlighted that the acquisition of Solanke was specifically to have a natural striker accustomed to leading the line.
Despite the defeat at Newcastle, Tottenham demonstrated their potential in the previous 4-0 victory over Everton, where Kulusevski also played up front and performed well.
As the season progresses, Kulusevski’s adaptability will continue to be a significant asset for Spurs, although his skills may be best utilized in his traditional attacking roles.
