Kulusevski notices changes in Postecoglou’s training methods as Spurs look to kick on

Dejan Kulusevski has revealed that Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff have modified things in training ahead of the new season, with the winger insisting that he and his teammates are setting their eyes on the big prize.

Tottenham are looking to improve this season

Unlike his predecessors, Postecoglou has not tended to play down Tottenham’s ambitions, making no secret of the fact that he wants his side to compete for the title.

That is a sentiment that is echoed by Kulusevski, who insisted that Spurs have to find a way to compete until the end rather than falling away like they did during the latter part of last season.

He told Football.London: “[This club] has to be, has to be [challenging at the top], and I think we showed glimpses of that last year, but we have to do it for one whole year, I think that’s maybe the harder part of it, to not play good for maybe a month and then you go down a little bit.

“I think you have to do it the whole year, like the other teams, like Man City and Arsenal did it last year, so that is what we are trying to train. I noticed already a little bit of change in the training, and we are very, very focused on doing much better than last year.”

Postecoglou makes changes in Spurs training

When asked to clarify exactly what changes he had spotted, the Swede said: “I noticed that it’s much more about how we’re playing, and every exercise has been thinking a lot of making the players understand how we want to play.

“Maybe last year was much more just play, you know, play and do your things, but now, it’s much more…they’ve been thinking a lot about training sessions and trying to make everyone understand what they want from them in the team.”

There has been a lot said and written about whether Kulusevski is a good fit for the winger role in Postecoglou’s system and the 24-year-old confessed that he has to adapt parts of this game to deliver what his manager wants.

When asked if he needs to evolve his approach, the former Juventus man responded: “A little bit, of course, because you have to do what the manager wants, because the team has a clear path in how they want to play.

“Of course, a winger, you see less of the ball, but you have to be ready all the time to go in the space and put early balls in to cross and always be ready to score goals – while in the middle, you’re much more involved, so I have to [adapt], of course, when I play.

“I have to look where I am on the pitch and what I can do for the team, but I have to stay aware of everything because it can change within a game also. I maybe start as a midfielder, then you go out to be a winger, you know. Last year, I finished the last game as a striker, you’ve got to be ready for everything.”

Kulusevski has showcased his versatility during pre-season, impressing in a false nine role in Tottenham’s win over Vissel Kobe on Saturday.

Speaking about playing centrally, he said: “I think last year was the first time I played as a number 10 in the Premier League, so people could see what I can do from that position. This upcoming season, I’ve been playing in the middle in training sessions and at the beginning of the games.

“But I also know that sometimes I will have to play other roles, and I will have to be prepared to do everything, because ultimately, the only goal is to win, so it doesn’t matter where you play, you just have to what’s best for the team always.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Even though Kulusevski is not a particularly good fit for the wide role in Ange’s system, the Spurs boss evidently likes the Swede’s versatility and his attitude, which is why he is seemingly reluctant to let him leave.

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