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One Tottenham star admits that he and his international teammates have to deal with a lot of unwarranted criticism over the last 12 months, and admits they are delighted to shut up the naysayers.

New dawn for Sweden

It was a new low for Sweden last year when they failed to qualify for the European championship and that has predictably led to wholesale changes in the set-up, with Jon Dahl Tomasson taking over.

The former Newcastle United midfielder has completely revamped the squad since arriving, with several young players being brought into the set-up, including Tottenham‘s very own Lucas Bergvall.

He is now building a team around a new core, with Dejan Kulusevski very much in the heart of it, and the Scandinavian side have looked extremely formidable over recent months.

Dejan Kulusevski happy to shut up critics

This new-look Sweden side, which is full of budding stars like Kulusevski, Hugo Larsson, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and others, were dominant across the Nations League campaign.

They ended it with a 6-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan in Stockholm, a result which ensured that they finished top of League C, Group 1, and confirmed their promotion to League B for the next edition of the competition.

When asked how the squad felt about the criticism a few months ago, Kulusevski told Fotbollskanalen after the win over Azerbaijan: “You are hungry. Everyone on this team wants to silence a lot of people, I think. There’s been a lot of nonsense.

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“There has been too much nonsense and too many people talking. So, it comes from there too. You want to silence people. Sometimes it hurts when we play well, and that’s something you like as a player. To go out and enjoy your football and show how good you are.”

Kulusevski accuses critics of taking joy in Sweden’s misery

The Tottenham man was in a combative mood after the final whistle, even accusing some critics of enjoying sticking the knife into the national team.

When asked what sort of criticism he was exactly referring to, the Tottenham man responded: “You know that for sure. You know better than me. You know that. It’s two years. Tough year. But when it’s tough, you see people. How they enjoy it. And it’s fun for me.

“Because later when it turns around, I want to hear them too. Because it’s easy to talk when things have been tough, but when things look like this, maybe it’s harder to comment.”

One Tottenham man’s agent says it is an honour for his client to be linked with moves to top clubs, and has made a clear statement about the player’s plans for January and next summer.

Spurs star’s talkative agent

Many Tottenham fans will already be at the end of their patience with Radu Dragusin‘s agent, Florian Manea, as he regularly gives interviews to the media about his client’s future.

Spurs themselves will not be too thrilled about Manea’s regular statements to the press, particularly since there continues to be plenty of speculation linking the centre-back with a return to Italy.

Both Juventus (Gazzetta dello Sport) and Inter Milan (InterLive) are thought to be after Dragusin, while more recently, sources have indicated that Antonio Conte has identified the Tottenham man as an option to bolster the Napoli defence (Nicolo Ceccarini to BianconeraNews).

Florian Manea addresses speculation

Manea has once again spoken out to address the speculation over Dragusin’s future, making a rather interesting statement about his client.

He said that it is an honour to know that Napoli want the Romanian and while he ruled out a January transfer, he suggested that the centre-back’s position will be re-evaluated next summer.

When asked about Napoli’s interest in Dragusin, Manea told Telecapri (as relayed by CalcioNapoli1926.it): “It’s an honour for Radu to be wanted by teams like Napoli and Juve, but right now these are just rumours.

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“We are focused on Tottenham, he still has five years left on his contract. It is not easy to go to a top club and impose yourself right away, he is still 22 years old.

“If he never plays this season it is normal that other evaluations will be made: in January he won’t move, in June he will be evaluated.”

Radu Dragusin needs to do his talking on the pitch

If Dragusin wants to become a regular in Ange Postecoglou‘s starting eleven, he has to ask his agent to remain quiet and do his talking on the pitch.

The 22-year-old has been getting regular starts of late in light of Micky van de Ven‘s injury and has not set the world alight.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they will have to spend big if they want to sign one emerging Serie A star in January.

Tottenham eyeing 20-year-old defender

While it has been widely reported over recent weeks that Ange Postecoglou wants to bolster his defence in January, there is still confusion on what position the Spurs boss wishes to strengthen.

GiveMeSport reported on Sunday that the Lilywhites are still deciding whether they want to sign a versatile centre-back or a left-back to serve as cover for Destiny Udogie.

The report said that if Spurs decide to do the latter, Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is the name at the top of their wishlist.

This was far from the only report linking Patrick Dorgu with a move to Spurs, with various Italian outlets suggesting over the last month that Tottenham are in pole position to secure the left-back (Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness).

Patrick Dorgu will not come cheap

Sky Italy journalist Francesco Modugno has now also named Tottenham as a contender for the Lecce man’s signature but he insisted that Postecoglou‘s side would face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Napoli for the player.

The reporter further asserted that it would take an offer of around €40-€50m (£33.4m-£41.7m) to price the 20-year-old away from Stadio Via del Mare.

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When asked about Napoli’s rumoured interest in Dorgu, Modugno said (via Calcio Napoli 24): “Can Dorgu really go to Napoli? I know one thing: in Lecce, they are sure to make the highest capital gain ever in the Corvino era. The boy could have gone to Tottenham and Chelsea last year, and Lecce could sell him for €40-50m. Patrick is predestined.

“In a recent interview I did with the former Salento coach Gotti, the coach confided in me that ‘God wanted him to play football’. He has infinite technical and physical means. In short, whoever wants him must pay at least a lot of money.

“There is no doubt that Napoli likes him, but he interests all the ‘big’ clubs, especially the English ones, who are looking carefully at a player like him: a very young player, good in the trident and who can also operate further back, even capable of scoring.”

Tottenham are unlikely to pay £40m for Dorgu

Dorgu will be signed as a backup for Udogie, which is why it would be surprising if Tottenham spent big on the Denmark international.

Having said that, the Italian has certainly not set the world alight this season and Postecoglou might feel that the former Udinese man needs to have someone breathing down his neck to bring the best out of him.

The performance of one on-loan Tottenham attacker on Monday received glowing reviews from his national media, who were left surprised by what they saw.

Tottenham man grabs opportunity with both hands

Bryan Gil has shone since his loan switch to Girona in the summer and the winger was unlucky to not represent Spain last month, being forced to pull out of the squad through injury after receiving a call-up.

However, the 23-year-old made his opportunity count on this occasion, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute in the Nations League clash against Switzerland and making a decisive contribution.

The Tottenham man found the back of the net just eight minutes after coming on, winning the ball back inside the opposition box after his pass was intercepted and producing a fine finish into the far corner.

Bryan Gil gets rave reviews from Spanish media

The game was poised at 1-1 when Gil came onto the pitch and he was one of the most lively players on the park in the final 30 minutes as La Roja emerged 3-2 winners in dramatic fashion.

A number of popular Spanish outlets were left mightily impressed with the Tottenham man’s displays and have sung his praises after the win.

Sport gave Gil a 7/10 and wrote: “He scored a very good goal and gave a more attacking presence to the team. Good minutes.”

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Marca were particularly complimentary of the winger, giving him a rating of 8.5/10 and writing: “He came on to the pitch in the 60th minute, Bryan Gil arrived, more lively than anyone else, to steal the ball between Monteiro and Freuler, face Comerty and put it in under the goalposts. Bryan’s first goal for Spain and the first, also, for a Girona player. He didn’t stop recovering the ball from the moment he came onto the pitch. What a player.”

Meanwhile, Diario AS wrote about Gil: “He scored a goal with the skill that only the Cadiz natives of Barbate, Paquirri’s village, have. That left foot of Bryan’s gave life to Spain.”

Will Tottenham come to regret their treatment of Gil?

It is almost certain that Gil will leave Spurs next summer, with a £12.5m release clause reportedly set to become active at the end of the season.

It seems certain that the former Sevilla man will evolve into a top player over the next few years as his talent has never been in doubt.

Footballers often credit their success to personal talent, dedication, or brilliant coaching, but for Kyle Walker, one player’s training ethic has stood out above all others, and surprisingly, it’s not one of his decorated Manchester City teammates.

Walker’s journey from Tottenham to Manchester City

Before his record-breaking time at Manchester City, Kyle Walker had already established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest full-backs during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur. Making 229 appearances for Spurs between 2009 and 2017, Walker became a staple of the North London side’s defence, often combining his pace and power with Danny Rose on the opposite flank.

When Walker moved to City in 2017, his career trajectory took a sharp incline. Under Pep Guardiola’s meticulous coaching, he became part of one of the most dominant teams in English football history, amassing over 300 appearances and claiming six Premier League titles among a slew of other accolades.

While Manchester City’s star-studded squad has undoubtedly played a role in Walker’s personal success, it was on a recent episode of his podcast that he named a former teammate as the most impressive trainer he has ever encountered.

A nod to Tottenham days: Danny Rose takes centre stage

Despite sharing a dressing room with some of the finest footballers in the world at Manchester City, Kyle Walker cast his mind back to his Tottenham days to heap praise on Danny Rose. Reflecting on their time together, Walker didn’t hold back in describing Rose’s professionalism during training sessions.

Walker revealed on the You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, saying: “I promise you, he is the best trainer I have ever seen in football ever. It was 110% every time. I’m not saying he’s the best trainer and he can’t play football. On Saturday, he was still good.

“First one in training, all the time, he’d be doing his stuff and be the best trainer every day and if you played for Tottenham you couldn’t tell me otherwise. My last season with me and him on the wings was a joy.”

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This glowing endorsement paints a picture of a player whose behind-the-scenes efforts were unmatched, even if his later career trajectory didn’t follow the same glittering path as Walker’s.

Reflecting on Rose’s career and training culture

Danny Rose, who retired after an illustrious career that included 214 appearances for Spurs, may not have won the same honours as Walker, but his dedication to the game remains undeniable.

The full-back, known for his consistency during Tottenham’s peak years under Mauricio Pochettino, left a lasting impression on teammates and fans alike.

Rose’s career, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Under José Mourinho, Rose struggled for game time, an issue documented in the Spurs’ All or Nothing series. Mourinho, candid as ever, told Rose during a now-famous exchange: “The week before Liverpool, you were fantastic in training and that made me decide that in the most difficult game against the most difficult opponent, you play. I think you didn’t play well.”

This admission perhaps highlighted the gulf between Rose’s exceptional training ethic and his occasional struggles to replicate it consistently on matchdays.

In naming Rose the best trainer he has ever worked with, Walker not only paid a significant compliment to his former teammate but also offered a reminder of how hard work and professionalism can leave a lasting legacy—even if the accolades don’t always follow.

Dejan Kulusevski is emerging as one of Europe’s most influential players, ranking number one in two crucial stats.

As his performances continue to turn heads, one question lingers: is the Swedish international now the best midfielder in Europe?

Kulusevski’s transformation under Postecoglou

One player stands out as a revelation under manager Ange Postecoglou: Dejan Kulusevski. After a tactical shift saw the Swede moved into the midfield, his performances have gone from strength to strength, with his influence on the game growing ever more profound.

No longer confined to a more isolated wing role, Kulusevski is now at the centre of every attack, pulling the strings for Spurs and playing a part in almost every facet of their game. The move has provided Kulusevski with the freedom to dictate play, a shift that has elevated his game to new heights.

While the 24-year-old Swedish international had already shown glimpses of his ability in his previous role on the wing, the tactical change has allowed him to become more central to Spurs’ attacking and defensive work.

His impact is now felt throughout the midfield, and his ability to contribute in various facets of play has made him one of the standout performers in the Premier League and Europe this season.

Europe’s most influential midfielder: Kulusevski’s remarkable stats

The numbers speak volumes about Kulusevski’s outstanding contributions so far this season. According to a tweet relayed by Datamb on X, Kulusevski is currently leading Europe in several key statistics. He tops the charts in Europe for key passes and crosses.

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In the Premier League, he is first for deep completions, progressive runs, and accelerations. In addition to these impressive achievements, Kulusevski is also second in dribbles, shot assists, offensive duels, passes to the penalty area, and touches in the box.

These secondary stats further underline his well-roundedness as a player and his ability to contribute to every attacking phase, from creating chances to executing them.

What sets Kulusevski apart from many of his peers is not just his ability to accumulate numbers but the context in which these stats are achieved.

Spurs have played a more expansive and dynamic style under Postecoglou, and Kulusevski has thrived within this system. The Swede is now involved in almost every attacking move, often popping up in dangerous areas.

A key player for Spurs’ ambitions

As Kulusevski continues to shine, it’s impossible to ignore the crucial role Ange Postecoglou has played in his development. The manager’s tactical flexibility has been key to unlocking the Swedish international’s full potential, with the move into midfield proving transformative.

Jamie O’Hara makes a big claim about Micky Van de Ven at Tottenham this season, even comparing him to one of his Lilywhite teammates.

Cristian Romero’s form has left a lot to be desired

Romero had his best season in a Tottenham shirt in 2023-24, not only being extremely solid and consistent but also managing to eliminate the moments of rashness from his game.

However, the Argentine has not lived up to the same standard at the start of this campaign, being guilty of several errors which have been punished by the opposition.

Ange Postecoglou will be desperate for his vice-captain to get back to his best, given how important the former Juventus man is to the side, both in terms of defensive solidity and from a leadership perspective.

Jamie O’Hara not impressed by Romero

O’Hara has now not held back in his criticism of Romero, insisting that the 26-year-old has been a liability for Tottenham this season.

The pundit claimed that his centre-back partner, Micky van de Ven, is ten times the player that the Argentina international is.

Here is a transcript of the conversation between O’Hara and former Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders on talkSPORT:

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Saunders: “Do you think Van de Ven makes more mistakes than Romero?”

Jamie O’Hara: “No, Romero makes a mistake every game.”

Saunders: “He’s rash, isn’t he?”

O’Hara: “Romero is a World Cup winner. You’d say he’s not world-class?”

Saunders: “He’s not world-class, no. I’d get him sent off in ten minutes.”

O’Hara: “He’s been a liability for Tottenham this season. Van de Ven has been ten times better than him this season. He’s a better player.”

Will this be Romero’s last season at Spurs?

Romero has just over 18 months left on his contract with Tottenham and the speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid continues to intensify.

In fact, it was reported by GiveMeSport two weeks ago that the Spurs star is reluctant to hold talks with the club regarding a new deal as he wants to wait and see if Los Blancos make an approach for him next summer.

Some Spurs fans will feel that if Romero continues to deliver the kind of performances that he has so far this season, he might not be a huge loss.

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown believes that one of two midfielders would have to be let go by Spurs in January in order to satisfy the latest transfer links.

Tottenham are reportedly keen on signing another midfielder

It has been widely reported over recent weeks that Ange Postecoglou wants to bolster his options in the middle of the park in January, with a number of energetic young midfield players linked with a move to N17.

The latest of those is Lens starlet Andy Diouf, who the Lilywhites are thought to be big fans of in light of his impressive displays in Ligue 1 this season.

It was reported by GiveMeSport last week that Spurs are now considering making a move for the 21-year-old and believe that they can beat Crystal Palace and West Ham to the Frenchman’s signature.

Will Tottenham let one big name go?

Mick Brown believes that Tottenham will not add another midfielder to their squad without letting one big name go in January. The former Spurs scout suggested that Postecoglou‘s men would have to cash in on one of Pape Sarr or Yves Bissouma to make way for the Lens man.

When asked about Tottenham’s rumoured keenness to sign Diouf, Brown told Tottenham News: “They can’t bring anybody else in with the numbers they’ve already got.

“If they’re serious about bringing Diouf in, they need to shift at least one midfielder out. There is no guarantee that this player would feature regularly.

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“There are international players at Tottenham who are sitting on the bench. Therefore, anybody who comes into the club would need to be very special. I think it would either be Bissouma or Sarr who would make way.”

Why Postecoglou will want another body in midfield

Mick Brown’s assessment seems to miss the fact that Postecoglou currently just has five options battling for three midfield spots, with Archie Gray looking likely to continue playing in the defensive line for the time being.

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King makes a concerning prediction regarding how long Wilson Odobert will be out of action.

A difficult start to his Spurs career

Wilson Odobert’s time at the North London club has not got off to the best of starts, with the winger having made just three league appearances since his switch from Burnley due to his injury problems.

The 19-year-old spent nearly a month on the sidelines before returning to action against AZ Alkmaar last month, but unfortunately, disaster struck for the teenager, who suffered another hamstring injury on his return.

Postecoglou confirmed two weeks ago that the injury is a significant one and hinted that the winger will be out of action for a month.

The Spurs boss told Football.London at the time: “It’s significant, so he’ll be out. Again, because it’s a reoccurrence we’ll have to be a bit conservative.

“I’d say a similar timeframe to his last one, maybe a bit longer, but it’s one of those where you don’t want to put a timeframe on it because it will really depend on how quickly he heals from it.”

Odobert now faces several months on the sidelines

However, Tottenham confirmed on November 17 that the summer signing had undergone surgery to fix the problem, with the news sending alarm bells ringing among Spurs fans.

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On the back of the latest development, Bryan King believes that the former Burnley man could be sidelined for another three months.

When asked about Odobert‘s injury, the former Spurs scout told Tottenham News: “I can’t see him returning before the end of February. That is quite a serious operation that he has had.

“For someone to have it at this age, it is very hard on him, he was progressing quite well. Now he has had to undergo surgery which will leave him out for quite some time.”

Odobert’s injury might affect Tottenham’s January plans

If Odobert is expected to be out of action until the end of February, that makes a new winger an even bigger priority for Ange Postecoglou.

Given Richarlison’s fitness owes, one would expect the Tottenham head coach to want another versatile option who can operate across the front line.

However, one can argue that what Spurs need more than anything else in attack is an out-and-out winger who is capable of consistently taking on and beating his man.

Mauricio Pochettino has sent a big hint about his time at Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting that he did not know how good he had it at Tottenham Hotspur.

Mauricio Pochettino was a fan favourite at Spurs

It can be argued that no Spurs manager since Keith Burkinshaw in the 1980s developed as good a rapport with the Tottenham supporters as Mauricio Pochettino did.

It would be an understatement to say that the Argentine was loved at N17, with chants of “Mauricio Pochettino, he’s magic you know” being sung loudly and proudly at every home and away game.

The former Spurs boss never managed to get over the line and win a trophy during his time at the club despite coming very close on a few occasions.

Something broke after the Champions League final defeat in 2019, with Pochettino eventually losing his job just a few months later.

Pochettino’s admission about his time at PSG

After leaving Tottenham, Pochettino had relatively unsuccessful spells with both PSG and Chelsea, before taking over as the USA’s head coach back in the summer.

He has now spoken about the challenges he faced in France, admitting that the atmosphere at PSG was very different to what he had been used to before that.

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The 52-year-old told La Nacion (as relayed by Sport Witness): “Well… I don’t know, human beings always long for what they don’t have or what they don’t know, and we always think that the other is better. You have to try it, that’s why you have to get out of your comfort zone.

“I believe that we must analyse the moments of the players, not their names, but their circumstances and contexts. PSG was an incredible experience… difficult, hard, where you really discover who you are, you really temper your sporting character.

“Behind an experience like this everything becomes a little more relative, you start to understand things that, perhaps, you didn’t understand before when you were at Southampton, at Espanyol or at Tottenham.”

Daniel Levy’s big decision last year

It was clear during the summer of 2023 that Spurs could have re-appointed Pochettino if they wanted as the Argentine would have jumped at the chance to return to the club.

However, Daniel Levy chose to go a different route, first targeting Arne Slot and then turning to Ange Postecoglou after a move for the Dutchman proved complicated.

Only time will tell if the Spurs chairman made the right decision or if it is another one that he will regret for a long time.