“The desire to play” – Antonio Conte has high praise for Dejan Kulusevski

Since arriving from Juventus during the January transfer window deadline day, Dejan Kulusevski has hit the ground running for Tottenham Hotspur. 

The Sweden international came on a loan deal, and if he continues to perform, Spurs won’t hesitate to make his stint in north London a permanent one. 

Kulusevski played 89 minutes for Tottenham in their 3-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday. The 21-year-old had two key passes on 56 touches, and during his interview with Sky Sports, manager Antonio Conte had glowing words for the winger and his potential. 

“We are talking about an important prospect,” he said. “He is very young, only 21 years old, and despite his young age, he has good experience with the national team,” Conte said to Sky Sports.

“To play with Juventus for one year and a half, you understand what it means to live with pressure. Probably he could ‘crack’ in the future.”

Despite being 21, Conte also stated that he sees the qualities in Kulusevski during training sessions and matches. Furthermore, the 52-year-old adds that he wants to put the young winger in positions in which he knows the former Juventus man will succeed. 

“Also because I can see the intensity, the will, and the desire to play. As every day in training session, he is a type of player in his mind to become a top player in his career,” Kulusevski said. 

“While I am his manager, I try to help him to improve and believe. For sure, he is an important prospect for the present and for the future. He has to continue in this way; he has been one month and a half. He has improved physically, tactically, and his mentality.”

In 11 appearances for the north London club, Kulusevski has scored two goals and recorded four assists since arriving a little over a month ago.