Tottenham Hotspur continued their perfect start to pre-season as they recorded a fourth win from four beating K-League XI.
Ange Postecoglou’s team defeated the Korean opposition 4-3 in a hectic match in Seoul.
Spurs stormed into a three-goal lead courtesy of a Heung-min Son brace and another goal from Dejan Kulusevski.
However, following a couple of substitutes from Tottenham, their defence looked totally exposed and the K-League XI found a way back into the match, with Stanislav Iljutcenko netting twice.
Both teams added one more goal each, with Will Lankshear scoring for the North London club, who held on for the win.
But it was the performance of one Tottenham player who had supporters talking as he impressed in a new position which has been an issue for Postecoglou.
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Kulusevski impresses fans in new number nine role
Tottenham fans have been raving about Dejan Kulusevski’s performance as a number nine against K-League all-stars.
The Swede opened the scoring for Spurs in the 29th minute as he followed home a rebound from a Heung-min Son effort.
The 24-year-old was later withdrawn and replaced by another interesting option for the striker spot in the young Will Lankshear.
Fans took to X to suggest Kulusevski may have just found his new best position and even claimed he could start the first game of the season there against Leicester City.
One fan wrote: “You can use Kulu as a nine due to how good his link play and ball retention around the box is.”
“Kulu outstanding again at nine, brilliant reaction to score from close range,” another added. While one said: “Kulu nine is really nice. Backup nine, 10 and right-wing all in one is nice. Really good player to have.”
There was further praise for the forward, with another fan saying: “After that half, I can understand why Ange wants one more position upfront cause Kulu at that false nine position is impressive.”
Another supporter said: “Kulu as a nine is the answer for his position. I’ve been saying it since he arrived.”
“He’s got the strength, skill and vision to play as a nine. He can score with both feet and is tall enough to battle in the air.”
Kulusevski best in central role
Kulusveski looked genuinely impressive playing as number nine for Tottenham in Seoul and slotted into the new role with ease.
Postecoglou experimented with the 24-year-old in a central role for the final game of last season.
He netted a brace against Sheffield United and even then sparked a conversation about being played there more often.
Last season was certainly an underwhelming campaign for the Swedish international who struggled to make an impact at right-wing.
His lack of pace and predictability of cutting in on his left foot proved easy for defenders to handle and led to question marks over his place in the team.
But with Tottenham in need of a new number nine, Kulusveski’s skillset could make him the perfect solution for that hole in Postecoglou’s squad.
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