Tottenham Hotspur will be keen to recover as they emerge from another international break after suffering a disheartening defeat.
As a club, Spurs are no strangers to criticism, with negative commentary frequently directed at both the team as a whole and individual players.
On Wednesday, one of Tottenham's standout performers this season, Dejan Kulusevski, reflected on the challenges of dealing with detractors both at the club and on international duty.
Tottenham star opens up about team negativity and criticism
Dejan Kulusevski, a 24-year-old Swedish footballer, has been one of the key players for both Tottenham and the Swedish national team. However, his journey has not been without its challenges.
Sweden’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship sparked a wave of harsh criticism from fans and media alike, questioning the team’s performance and effectiveness.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Kulusevski shared how he and his teammates are determined to prove their critics wrong: "Sometimes it hurts when we play well, and that’s something you like as a player. To go out and enjoy your football and show how good you are."
Kulusevski also addressed the negativity surrounding the team’s struggles: "It’s easy to talk when things have been tough, but when things look like this, maybe it’s harder to comment.”
Although these remarks were directed at the Swedish national team, they resonate equally with Tottenham, a club similarly under scrutiny.
Both teams have endured criticism, and their players have had to contend with the added pressure of public expectation.
A leader on the pitch
Kulusevski has consistently demonstrated his quality on the field. In the Premier League, he leads in chances created with a total of 30, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most creative players.
On international duty, Kulusevski recently delivered a standout performance in Sweden’s 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan, contributing two goals and an assist.
Here are Kulusevski's statistics for the current season:
Competition | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
UEFA Nations League | 6 | 2 |
Premier League | 11 | 2 |
EFL Cup | 2 | 0 |
* Data provided by SofaScore
His form and confidence will be crucial as he returns to Tottenham, where he will aim to help the club regain consistency during a turbulent season.
Kulusevski’s knack for shutting down critics and putting in match-winning performances will be key for both his country and Spurs.
If he can bring his international form to the club, he might be instrumental in helping turn things around for Tottenham this season.