Dejan Kulusevski has weighed in on the ongoing row within the Sweden national team by branding the conflict as "unnecessary." The Tottenham Hotspur winger refused to pick sides after a bitter feud erupted between Sweden's manager Jon Dahl Tomasson and midfielder Hugo Larsson during the international break.
Larsson, 20, was an unused substitute during Sweden's 3-1 Nations League victory over Azerbaijan last Thursday. Tomasson publicly criticised the Eintracht Frankfurt youngster, demanding more progressive play from him, which led Larsson to express his discontent to the media, insisting that such feedback should have been given privately.
A crunch meeting with Swedish football bosses followed and Larsson was sent home from the squad in the lead up to Sweden's 3-0 triumph over Estonia on Sunday. While a minor injury cited as the official reason, German reports via Fotbollskanalen claim he was sent home due to the rift - something Tomasson denies.
Sweden’s dominant win, secured by Viktor Gyokeres' brace and an Alexander Isak goal, was overshadowed by the saga. Kulusevski, who wore the captain's armband for Sweden in the absence of Victor Lindelof, said: "Sometimes in the family there is a bit of a problem.
“You don't have to think the same thing all the time. The most important thing is that we are here to play football. It doesn't affect us negatively, it's just unnecessary but it happens and you just have to move on. I'm here if Hugo wants to talk."
Tomasson had remained tight-lipped before the Estonia fixture, saying that he wished to focus on the game alone and only put his energy into the players that were still present. He was more open post-match, saying: "Larsson is a young man, 20 years old, with a lot of emotions.
“We need to take care of him at that age. But we have 23 players in the squad, not all of them can play. Everyone deserves to play, but the team comes first." He insisted several times that Larsson is "a very good player" and explained that it was an injury that caused him to return home to Germany.
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Tomasson said: "No, of course not. He felt something on Thursday, and could continue, but in the small team game yesterday he felt something and talked to the doctors." He also mentioned that he would consider calling up Larsson for international fixtures down the line.
Despite Tomasson's attempts to play down the situation, comments from players like Kulusevski hinted at underlying tensions within the camp. Newcastle sensation Isak stated: "I don't want to throw more fuel to the fire. The association can handle that together with Hugo. It didn't affect me at all. I've been around for a while so I'm pretty comfortable with how things are handled. But it is clear that it may not be the most positive thing for such a young squad."
Meanwhile, talented youngster Yasin Ayari spoke up in defence of Larsson's character, insisting: "I know Hugo, he is a great person and a great friend of mine. I have great respect for him at the same time as I have great respect for Jon Dahl Tomasson. I just hope it works out in a good way."
When Kulusevski returns to north London this week, his focus will have turn to Spurs' next Premier League challenge – the derby at home to Arsenal on Sunday.