Amid mounting criticism, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou finds himself under scrutiny this season, with his side languishing in ninth place on the Premier League table after a rocky start that has seen them secure as many losses as wins in their first seven matches.
Despite adopting his signature style of thrilling attacking football, led by the creative brilliance of the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Rodrigo Bentancur, the current league standing is far from what could have been anticipated, especially given the attacking flair displayed at times.
However, Brighton and Hove Albion's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Spurs highlighted a pressing need for balance within the squad, potentially necessitating a sacrifice of the attacking talents of Kulusevski in favour of a more defensively minded midfielder like Yves Bissouma.
Kulusevski's Impressive Start
From an attacking perspective, Kulusevski has certainly caught the eye this season, notching a goal and an assist from 12 shots and laying on 21 key passes over the opening seven games.
A notable performance came during Spurs' resounding 3-0 triumph over Manchester United, where Kulusevski was lauded as 'outstanding' by former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who commended the Swede for his newfound consistency.
"He was outstanding, and I've loved seeing his evolution into a player that shows such consistency. Last season was tough for him, but he’s definitely stepped up this year, appearing quicker and making much more effective passes," Agbonlahor stated.
The ex-Premier League forward further noted Kulusevski's game seems ideally suited to a No. 10 role, a claim supported by his impressive 7.94 rating from WhoScored when deployed in that position. In contrast, his performance leading the line garnered a significantly lower 6.7 rating.
Defensive Concerns for Kulusevski
While his attacking contributions are commendable, Kulusevski's defensive statistics raise concerns, as he has registered a mere five tackles this season, failing to secure any in four of his outings. The evidence suggests he isn’t primarily in the team to reclaim possession—a role Tottenham desperately requires.
Completing a midfield that lacks effective defensive support for the full-backs, Spurs were exposed during the last match against Brighton, where the inability to contain Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh proved detrimental to their hopes.
The Case for Bissouma
Following a brief internal suspension that kept him out of the season opener against Leicester City, Bissouma returned to action with a bang, scoring in a 4-0 demolition of Everton—a clear demonstration of his dual-threat capabilities.
Since that game, he has accumulated 192 minutes across four appearances in the Premier League, predominantly coming off the bench in his last two outings as he works back to full fitness after an injury sustained while with the Mali national team.
In his limited appearances, Bissouma has impressed defensively, making at least one tackle in every game he's played, alongside accumulating two interceptions and two clearances in his starts. In stark contrast, Kulusevski has been dribbled past seven times in his last four games.
Additionally, Bissouma's passing accuracy stands at a commendable 92.1 percent in the Premier League, outperforming Kulusevski’s 82.6 percent. This pattern continues into their Europa League fixtures, where Bissouma completed 87.3 percent of his passes versus Kulusevski's 73.9 percent, despite having played an extra 91 minutes.
Ultimately, football demands results, and it is up to Postecoglou to make the difficult decisions that could steer his team toward the right path. A potential shake-up could indeed mean parting ways with Kulusevski to restore balance within the squad.
While Spurs undeniably possess the firepower to threaten opponents, their defensive frailties must be addressed if they are to climb the league table.
All statistics referenced are sourced from Transfermarkt and WhoScored.com, accurate as of 07/10/2024.