Dejan Kulusevski has made it clear that he can play in the same Tottenham team as Richarlison. A huge hit in north London following his January switch from Juventus, the Swede was replaced in the starting XI by his new teammate for the Fulham and Marseille fixtures.
Introduced on the hour mark with Spurs struggling to find a way past their French opponents in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, the youngster made an impact as soon as he entered the fray as he looked to make things happen in the final third. Perhaps previously seen as one of Kulusevski or Richarlison joining Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in the starting XI, Tottenham's January addition has admitted that he doesn't even know why it is a question about playing alongside the Brazil international.
"Of course, I don't know why that is a question. I can play with everybody. It is very easy," he said when asked if the final 30 minutes of the Marseille win demonstrates that he can play with Richarlison. "I came in and the coach wanted me to stay on the wing and dribble my guy and that's what I did."
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Kulusevski was also quick to point out that Tottenham have six quality attackers at the club and it's not just about the aforementioned quartet. "But also with Lucas and with Bryan, we have six good players, quality players," he admitted. "Everyone goes hard in training to play the games."
Richarlison came in for plenty of praise from his Tottenham teammates after the victory, including Ivan Perisic and Hugo Lloris. The Croat, who was the architect of the attacker's first of the night, has outlined that the player is already so "important" for the team.
"His first Champions League game, and first goals, is something amazing," said Perisic. "I'm really happy for him, because he's an amazing player, amazing person, and a hard worker.
"Every day he is giving 100% and I'm really pleased for him. And I hope he's going to continue like this. He's so important for us."
On his assist for the first goal, he added: "For me it's easier! When you have two or three strikers in the box, the ball will find someone. We have to continue like this. The second half was much, much better. First game, three points, it was so important to win today."
Spurs captain Lloris was another one to laud Richarlison following his double. A player the Tottenham squad certainly knew of prior to his big-money move following his time at Everton, many perhaps didn't realise that the new signing is such an emotional person until they really got to know him.
"Honestly, we discover a new player. We used to face him and when you face an opponent you have no idea who they are really," admitted the World Cup winner. "I think he settled very well into the team and as you can see he's finding his place. That's good because we need everyone ready for competition."
He added: "I think he deserves these goals. They're very important for him but also for the team. I think he's making a lot of effort every day in training, every time he has the opportunity in a game and today he scored two great headers. Obviously he made the game easy for us.
"He's a competitor. You just have to see him in training sessions or every game that we play, he's always there to compete. To put the defenders under stress and pressure. That's why he was rewarded today for all his work. And for sure a lot is coming for him."
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