With the only consistency in recent Tottenham Hotspur seasons being disappointment, the arrival of Ange Postecoglou came not with unbridled optimism but with guarded hope. After years of stoic managers preaching pragmatic football that mirrored the stagnation of their reigns, Postecoglou’s appointment was a chance, perhaps, to rekindle the romance of the game and revive the spirit of ‘the game is about glory’. Yet for that dream to flourish, one figure stands out among the current cast: Dejan Kulusevski, the Swedish phenom who must not just be included but centred, literally and figuratively, in Postecoglou’s plans. 

​

A Glimpse of Promise in the Chaos 

​

Ever since he arrived in North London, Kulusevski has offered flashes of brilliance – the kind of creative spark that feels rare in a squad often suffocated by its own weight of expectation. Back in 2021 he was reportedly a serious target for Manchester United, a club synonymous with plundering talent from rivals. However, fate (and Juventus) sent him to Spurs instead. Now, two years on, he’s no longer just a promising young talent but a player of profound influence, a keystone in what Postecoglou is building. 

​

It’s not just his raw numbers, though those are impressive enough. Five goals and seven assists in 24 appearances this season, averaging a goal involvement every other game, is a testament to his direct impact. But to focus solely on statistics would be to miss the essence of Kulusevski’s game: the freedom, the flair, the ability to elevate those around him with his presence in the midfield. 

​

From the Periphery to the Centre 

​

Kulusevski has been a revelation this season, not merely as a winger – his original role – but as a midfield orchestrator. Where others see rigid positions, he sees space to exploit and angles to create. His performance against Manchester United earlier this season was the stuff of legend: a goal, nine chances created (a feat not achieved by an away player since the 2003/04 season), and a display of poise and purpose that left no doubt about his capabilities in the middle of the park. 

​

This is no accident. Under Postecoglou’s tutelage, Kulusevski has been reimagined as a free-roaming force, untethered by the boundaries of a traditional winger. He pops up on the right, glides into the left channel, then appears in the middle, dictating play with a mix of instinct and intelligence. It is football as poetry, a blend of structured chaos that mirrors the philosophy Postecoglou brings to the Lane. 

​

A Statistical Symphony 

​

Numbers may not capture the poetry of Kulusevski’s play, but they underscore his importance. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of Premier League midfielders for progressive carries per 90 minutes, the top 4% for touches in the opposition’s box, and the top 5% for non-penalty goals and shot-creating actions. He is not just good; he is elite. These aren’t mere statistics – they are proof of a player who thrives in chaos, who relishes the responsibility of carrying the ball into dangerous areas and creating something from nothing. 

​

Off the ball, he is equally relentless. He has won possession in the final third more times than any other Premier League player this season. This is the kind of grit and energy that Postecoglou’s system demands, and Kulusevski delivers it with aplomb. 

​

The Postecoglou Effect 

​

For a team in flux, Postecoglou’s arrival was a promise of better days, of a return to attractive football and daring ambition. In Kulusevski, the Australian manager has found a kindred spirit – a player who embodies the attacking philosophy Spurs fans have long craved. The freedom Kulusevski has been granted in his new role has not just revived his form but redefined his potential. 

​

‘It was time to take the next step’, Kulusevski said in a recent interview. ‘With freedom comes responsibility. Now, in every game, I know I have to make the team score.’ This evolution hasn’t just been tactical; it’s been personal. Kulusevski has matured into a leader on the pitch, a player who understands the weight of expectation and thrives under it. 

​

Why Tonight, and Every Night, He Must Start 

​

With key players like Rodrigo Bentancur suspended and Cristian Romero sidelined by injury, Spurs need Kulusevski more than ever. His creativity, his ability to drive play forward, and his knack for delivering in crucial moments make him indispensable. More than that, he represents the future of this Spurs side – a glimpse of what they can become under Postecoglou’s vision. 

​

It is no exaggeration to say that Kulusevski has been Tottenham’s most important player this season. He has kept James Maddison out of the starting lineup, led the league in chances created, and established himself as a key figure in both attack and defence. Leaving him out would not just weaken the team; it would undermine the very identity Postecoglou is trying to instil. 

​

The Game Is About Glory 

​

There was a time when Tottenham’s identity was clear—a club that played for the beauty of the game, for moments that linger in the memory. Somewhere along the way, that identity was obscured by pragmatism and short-term thinking. In Kulusevski, there is hope of reclaiming that lost ethos. He doesn’t just play football; he makes you feel it.

 

If Tottenham are to truly embrace the spirit of Ange Postecoglou’s vision, if they are to make the game about glory once more, Dejan Kulusevski must not just start tonight—he must be at the very heart of everything they do.