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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou promises more to come from 'out of this world' Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says Dejan Kulusevski has been "out of this world" since moving to midfield, but believes there is still more to come from the Swede.

Kulusevski, 24, was predominantly used as a winger by Postecoglou last season but has been outstanding as a box-to-box No8 this term.

He scored his first goal of the season and created a succession of chances in a record-breaking display in Spurs' 3-0 win at Old Trafford last weekend.

"Deki [Kulusevski] is doing great. He's been out of this world in many respects as to what he's able to do in a central role," Postecoglou said.

"We used him wide last year because we didn't have too many options out there and that's where he was comfortable. We started using him inside and I felt he felt that it unshackled him a little bit.

"He has an unbelievable capacity to run on and off the ball, his physical numbers are ridiculous and he has the quality to hurt teams with that.

"At times out wide he might've felt suppressed, especially in our system where you have to hold your position and not be involved, he's a player who wants to be involved.

Impact: Dejan Kulusevski has shone for Tottenham since taking on a new midfield role (Getty Images)

"We brought a couple of wide players in this year and I thought let's go with him inside. We played with him as a nine in pre-season and he made an impact. The beauty of Deki is he's just getting started, he enjoys the role. He brings a different dimension to us because there's not many players like him."

Kulusevski, who created nine chances at United, more than any other visiting player in history, is set to return to the XI for Sunday's visit to Brighton after being rested for the 2-1 win over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

Postecoglou revealed he had spent a day with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler when he was in charge of German club St Pauli last winter and says the 31-year-old made a major impression on him and his staff.

"He's really impressive," said Postecoglou, 59. "He spent a day with us last year. He asked a hell of a lot of questions and I gave him too many answers, that's for sure.

"If I'd have known he'd be Brighton manager... you could tell he's just a real student of the game, wanted as much knowledge...

"He was already a senior manager who got them promoted last year, so he was already doing a good job but you can tell when somebody's got that curiosity. I think that's the key for all managers, especially young ones. You've got to maintain that.

"It can get sucked out of you at times because when you get sucked into the battle, particularly at this level, of dealing with one crisis or another, you can forget that curiosity to find out more information. If he maintains that, I think he'll be an outstanding manager."

Asked if he could recall the German's questions, Postecoglou added: "He asked us a lot. I actually palmed him off at one stage because he was asking me too many, so I gave him to one of the other coaches.

"He was just inquisitive about everything. He was already a senior manager, doing a good job, but the fact that he wanted to ask and had observed us. I'm sure other clubs as well, it wasn't just us. But he made a real impression on everyone.

"I've been open to [learning from other coaches]," Postecoglou added. "I just don't think there's any real secrets in football, anything you need to know is kind of out there.

“I think it's good for my staff to be exposed to it as well because football can be fairly insulate. All the noise you get is important. These guys from different football clubs, sports, who come in, I always enjoy it and it works both ways."

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