Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has admitted that his old side cannot compete with Liverpool in the transfer market after they missed out on the signing of Luis Diaz. Spurs were in the running for the Colombian winger until he sealed a move to Anfield in January, and the north Londoners signed Dejan Kulusevski instead.
The Sweden star has been in sensational form since he arrived at the club from Juventus on an 18 month loan deal; scoring three goals and registering six assists in 11 appearances. Kulusevski was also on the score sheet for Spurs during their 4-0 at win at Aston Villa on Saturday, and has seamlessly slotted into the Lilywhites’ attack alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
The win was Spurs’ fourth in a row and put them in pole position to secure a top four finish, after Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Brighton left the Gunners three points behind their north London rivals, who currently occupy the last Champions League spot.
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If Antonio Conte’s side do secure a seat at European football’s elite club competition next season, they will be an attractive prospect for a number of top players. However, according to Robinson they’re not capable of competing with the likes of Liverpool in the market but he did praise Kulusevski's form since he arrived in north London.
“It was a big blow missing out on Luis Diaz but it shows where the club is,” he told Football Insider .
“They are trying to compete with the likes of Liverpool in the transfer market but can’t. Liverpool have Champions League football and are challenging for every major trophy. They will lose out on players like Diaz if a club like Liverpool is in the race as well.
“The silver lining is Kulusevski. He has been nothing short of phenomenal since he has come in. His work rate off the ball as well as his work rate on the ball has impressed me. His delivery is brilliant off the right-hand side.
“Kulusevski and [Rodrigo] Bentancur’s impact is credit to Fabio Paratici and Conte really. They weren’t big names. They have proven to be top-level players though.”
