Dejan Kulusevski: Ange’s tactical change is Guardiola’s biggest headache for Man City v Tottenham | OneFootball

Dejan Kulusevski has been a breath of fresh air for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

While Spurs have been terribly inconsistent, going from beating Man Utd and Man City to losing at home to Ipswich in the blink of an eye, Kulusevski has continued to deliver eye-catching performances.

Kulusevski has clocked up his own personal highlights reel already this season, netting impressive goals against Man Utd and West Ham, while acting as creator against Everton and Aston Villa — adding a further three assists in two EFL Cup matches, including a double against Man City.

The reason behind Kulusevski’s resurgence — perhaps a harsh assessment given he scored eight Premier League goals last season — this campaign is no secret. A simple change of position from winger to central midfield has brought the very best out of the Sweden international’s creativity, physicality and urge to be involved in the game as much as possible.

As Ange Postecoglou himself assessed last month: “With Deki, the way we get our wingers to play probably doesn’t suit him. Not his skillset, more his personality. He’s a player who’s much more engaged in the game when he’s constantly involved. Bringing him to the central area means he’s constantly doing that.”

The Australian added: “At times with us last year, when he was on the wing, and with the way our wingers play, you’re not involved all the time,” Postecoglou added. “There’s a discipline in keeping your position. Sometimes not receiving the ball is part of that process. We put our wingers where we do to pin back oppositions. I could see he was… not frustrated, he just wanted to give more.”

In fact, rather than a tactical stroke of genius from Postecoglou, it’s a mere return to his roots for Kulusevski.

While the 24-year-old has spent most of his senior career as a winger, Kulusevski was lethal for Atalanta’s second team and U17s as a central midfielder, scoring 34 goals and assisting another 26 across three seasons. And for the record, Kulusevski scored twice and provided an assist in Sweden’s 6-0 demolition of Azerbaijan in the Uefa Nations League on Tuesday.

Whether inspired or simply logical, Kulusevski’s return to midfield has been a huge success. The former Juventus man currently ranks first in the Premier League for chances created (30) and possessions won in the attacking third (16), while he’s in the top 20 for final third passes completed (149) and through-balls completed (3). No Spurs player has attempted more take-ons (34).

Now, it’s up to Postecoglou to sort out the rest of his troops to help Kulusevski drag Spurs up from 10th and back into Champions League contention.

Can Kulusevski punish his favourite opponent again?

Up next for Tottenham after the international break is a trip to defending champions Manchester City. Even with Pep Guardiola’s men on a four-match losing streak, it’s a daunting task but in Kulusevski, they have the perfect weapon for the battle.

Kulusevski has three goals and four assists to his name in seven appearances against City to date, including those two aforementioned assists in the EFL Cup a few weeks ago and a goal and assist in a 3-3 draw at the Etihad in the Premier League last season.

What’s more, Kulusevski has two goals and four assists against City as a central midfielder, compared to just a single goal and no assists as a winger.

With Rodri missing to leave Man City’s midfield comparatively wide open, Kulusevski is primed to cause havoc at the Etihad again.