Swedish FA chief hits back at Tottenham midfielder Kulusevski: It's not life or death | OneFootball

Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has drawn criticism from the Swedish FA.

Kulusevski has questioned Sweden's youth development work, stating improvements are needed.

However, in response, the FA's head of the training and development, Per Widen told Fotbollskanalen: "We also changed the game forms in 2019, and unfortunately in the middle of the pandemic, so it may not have worked fully until now. There I stick my chin out and say that the rest of Europe and the rest of the world have started to look at us, but no one is paying attention.

"We try to be a little proud and talk about it, but if Sweden does it, it's not good, while if Germany does it, it's great.

"We have adapted them (the forms of play) more based on the maturity of the players, that there are smaller surfaces and more touches of the ball and increased decision-making, so there will be more games and so on. It is more adapted based on children's conditions, and not trying to imitate senior football too much directly.

"He (Dejan Kulusevski) uses strong words that it is life and death. Maybe that's not how we really want to express ourselves in Swedish football. It shouldn't be life and death in children's football. Then something is wrong. Then we mustn't forget that there are different cultures in Europe and in the world."