It has taken some time but Tottenham are starting to see the best of Ivan Perisic in a Spurs shirt. Signed on a free transfer from Inter Milan last summer, the Croat was seen as someone who could give the Lilywhites a key upgrade in the left wing-back role due to his experience and the incredible numbers he chalked up season after season for the Nerazzurri.
A player Antonio Conte knew very well following his time working with the 34-year-old at the San Siro, it appeared to be a very shrewd move from a Tottenham perspective as they needed to bring in players with a winning mentality to help the team hit the next level and win silverware. Given his age, it was always going to take Perisic time to get used to the pace and demands of the Premier League, though.
Having an impact on the team after registering assists on a regular basis, with two coming in his first three Tottenham games, there was always a feeling that the player could offer so much more in open play in the final third, especially going on the key role he has played for club and country over the past decade. Not only assisting but getting his name on the scoresheet during his time in Belgium, Germany and Italy, Perisic's first goal for Tottenham finally arrived in the middle of March as he scored their third goal in the 3-3 draw against Southampton.
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His strike appeared to be a weight off his shoulders as he looked rather relieved when the ball hit the net and his teammates soon came to celebrate with him. Operating on the left flank with Son Heung-min ahead of him, one talking point amongst fans this season has been whether the addition of Perisic has impacted the South Korean's form as a result.
A lot more advanced in the role than Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon previously as the attack-minded wing-back likes to operate further up the pitch, many viewed the Croatia international as playing in the areas Son likes to occupy, thus making the South Korean move inside a lot more than usual and seeing his goal output drop in the process. Amid all the questions over Perisic impacting Son's form, both have really clicked into gear over the past month.
That was evident in the recent defeat against Bournemouth as Tottenham's No.14 teed up Son for the opening goal of the contest. It was by far one of Perisic's best displays in a Tottenham shirt as he looked more like the player of old after previously failing to hit the heights in the Premier League.
Running at his opponent and showcasing his quality in the final third with a number of twists and turns before getting the ball into the box, the Croat contributed with three key passes, four dribbles, three shots, three accurate long balls, 19 crosses and his assist. Not helped by Cristian Stellini in their following game at Newcastle United as he was asked to operate as a left-back as the acting head coach switched to a back four, Perisic's upturn in form continued in last Thursday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Involved in a lot of Spurs' good play, the ex-Bayern Munich loanee went close with a header early on and then shot straight at David de Gea prior to half-time when put through. The veteran's decision to try and keep the ball in play following his shot did prove costly, however, as Bruno Fernandes won the ball back immediately from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and soon set Marcus Rashford free to double their lead.
That decision didn't impact Perisic's performance come the second half as he kept taking the game to the visitors and put in some delightful crosses, one of which was somehow headed wide from point-blank range by Eric Dier. Whereas the centre-back missed that golden opportunity in midweek, Harry Kane didn't pass up the chance on Sunday as Perisic picked him out with a pinpoint delivery that helped Spurs get back into the game against Liverpool.
In his 89 minutes on the pitch at Anfield, he was successful with two of his three dribbles, made four passes into the final third and was accurate with 50% of his crosses and long balls. Perisic, who now has 12 assists to his name in all competitions, also played his part in defence and contributed with five clearances, five recoveries, two interceptions and he came out on top in three of his four tackles.
It was another game where both Perisic and Son played a key role for Tottenham and the hope is that both can do the same in the remaining four games of the season as Spurs look to secure some European football for 2023/24. Now appearing to have found his feet in the Premier League as he is having an impact in open play as well as recording assists from set-pieces that he was doing previously, the change of management could also have played its part as Ryan Mason taking on the hotseat and playing more attacking football does seem to have sparked Son into life after his struggles beforehand.
Signing a two-year deal following his move from Inter Milan, Perisic's current form is certainly going to give the new head coach something to think about for next campaign. Even if the wing-back system is scrapped, the player can still have a big role to play for Tottenham further up the pitch as he has a wealth of experience playing as a winger on either flank.
Perisic may have taken longer than expected to show his best form at Tottenham but there can be no arguments with the levels he has demonstrated in the past few games.
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