'He's a fantastic player': Dejan Kulusevski raves about £65k-a-week Tottenham defender

By Ben Evans

Despite yesterday’s defeat, there was a silver lining for Tottenham Hotspur fans during yesterday’s match with Liverpool.

Spurs were 2-0 down just after the hour mark when Antonio Conte finally called on the services of Dejan Kulusevski.

The young Swede spoke to Football London after the match to talk about his return to action.

Kulusevski has missed the last six Premier League games with a thigh issue picked up on international duty.

Tottenham had their best start to a Premier League season before the 21-year-old’s injury issues.

However, it’s no surprise his absence has coincided with a downturn in form.

Spurs have looked short of ideas in attack with Kulusevski, and the balance of the team has been completely thrown off.

They’ve also not been helped by Richarlison picking up an injury at exactly the same time.

After the game, Kulusevski was pleased to have returned to action, but admitted he hadn’t done much work on the training ground.

Conte brought Kulusevski on alongside Matt Doherty, and the winger admitted he’s a big fan of the Irish wing-back.

Kulusevski is a big fan of Doherty

Speaking after the game, Kulusevski was asked what it’s like to play with Doherty.

“It’s very easy to play with him. Also last year I played a lot with him and he’s a fantastic player, especially going forward,” Kulusevski said.

“We have fun, we enjoy and we will play in the future. I’m looking forward to playing with everybody.

“It’s no training (his understanding with Doherty). It’s just sometimes you just feel good with some players, and I feel good with everybody.

“I have to watch what they are good on and Matt likes to do small passes and do small movements, so I try to give him the ball and help him on the overlap.”

The £65k-a-week defender has been in and out of the side this season, with Conte generally preferring Emerson Royal.

Conte could have his right-sided partnership back

The Brazilian had another tough game yesterday, not helped by Eric Dier unfamiliarity with playing next to him.

Kulusevski and Doherty made for a fine partnership last season before the 30-year-old suffered an injury against Aston Villa.

Doherty has worked hard in training to reach the best level of fitness possible, and will be glad to have Kulusevski playing ahead of him again.

It will be a big confidence boost to Doherty that he has a fan in Kulusevski, and he’ll hope that rubs off on Conte’s selection decisions.

Kulusevski confirmed after the match to Conte that he felt fine after his first competitive run out.

He’s got two more chances before the World Cup break to make an impact before he can continue to recover on the training ground.