Michael Dawson was stunned by Dejan Kulusevski’s cross at home to Southampton on the opening day of the new season in the Premier League.
Dejan Kulusevsky stuns Michael Dawson in Tottenham vs Southampton
Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Dejan Kulusevsky stunned Michael Dawson as Antonio Conte’s side kicked off the new Premier League season against Southampton on Saturday, with the player-turned-expert brimming with praise on Sky Sports on Saturday (06/08, 15:23).
The Sweden international is facing a growing struggle for his place in the Italian squad this season after he bought Richarlison by Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy have paid an initial £50m to Everton, plus £10m in add-ons for the Brazilian.
Richarlison missed the opening day meeting in north London while he was banned for one game. The winger was suspended by the FA after he threw kicks while celebrating Tovez’s 1-0 win with Chelsea at Goodison Park again during May.
Kulusevsky only joined Tottenham in January, having moved to England on an 18-month loan from Juventus. Spurs paid the Bianconeri £8.5m for the privilege of taking the 22-year-old on loan, and they have the option to buy Dinamo from 25 players next summer for £29m.
Conte got a lot from Kulusevsky during the second half of last season as Tottenham qualified for the Champions League. He scored five goals and made eight assists in over 18 Premier League games, and he already has his first assist of the new season in the first round.
Dejan Kulusevski is already off the mark in the 2022/23 Premier League season
Kulusevski got off to a strong start to his season at home to Southampton to show Conte why he should be in the Tottenham squad over Richarlison, when he is available. The striker helped Spurs equalize on opening day, having fallen behind on a James Ward-Prowse shot.
Ward Prause put the Saints ahead by 12 minutes, but they only advanced by nine minutes. Kulusevsky fired an attractive shot inside the penalty area to find Ryan Sessegnon who left Gavin Pazono helpless in the net. Eric Dier then put Tottenham ahead in the 31st minute after a header through Pazono.
How Kulusevsky worked on the ball to find Sessegnon against Southampton who had captured former Tottenham captain Dawson. The player-turned-expert was in awe of his cross show.
“He was coming, and he’s coming,” Dawson said. “He was great from Kulusevsky, he was great. Tottenham, since they’re behind, they start controlling the ball. Sick, he puts cross pass after cross, they’re going to be thrashing balls. This one comes from the other side.
“It’s Kulusevsky, he goes with Emerson Royal, who’s inside. Kulusevski is outside, chalk on his boots. We know he likes to come on his left foot, he cuts on his left and hits this great ball over Kyle Walker Peters, and he’s going to go in just four yards.”
“All he has to do is put his head on it, hit the target and he does. Pazono has no chance.”
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