---
title: "Tottenham: Antonio Conte raves over ‘excellent’ Dejan Kulusevski"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/spurs-news-antonio-conte-dejan-kulusevski-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-10-13T12:11:50Z"
modified: "2022-10-13T12:11:50Z"
---

# Tottenham: Antonio Conte raves over ‘excellent’ Dejan Kulusevski

**[Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/) manager Antonio Conte says the[Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) club have an ‘excellent’ gem in the form of winger Dejan Kulusevski.**

### The Lowdown: Deki misses Frankfurt win…

The Lilywhites sealed a [3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63219716) in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, taking a major step towards qualification from Group D.

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Spurs, playing in front of a packed out home crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, put on an entertaining spectacle for supporters as Conte’s side edged out a five-goal thriller on the night.

Daichi Kamada gave the German visitors a shock early lead but Son Heung-min’s brace and a Harry Kane penalty gave Tottenham a comfortable comeback lead before half time.

The north Londoners looked to be in cruise control following Silva Melo’s sending off on the hour mark but a late strike from Alidou ensured the final few minutes were nervy for Conte.

Kulusevski wasn’t deployed with Spurs’ head coach claiming he carried a [‘5%’ risk of re-injury.](https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2022/october/team-news-ahead-of-eintracht-frankfurt-lucas-moura-returns-dejan-kulusevski-close/)

### The Latest: Conte praises Kulusevski…

The Sweden international will have been gutted to miss the European bout but Conte’s refusing to risk the player shows his important to the side.

[Tottenham latest news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/)

Speaking to Sky Italia (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/something-miraculous-conte-on-spurs-excellent-investment-says-losing-player-would-be-devastating-for-tottenham/)) before Tottenham’s win, the former Chelsea boss raved over Kulusevski – calling him a player with a ‘lot of potential’ who is looking to become a crucial figurehead at N17.

*“Losing him would be devastating for us. He’s doing great things, he has a lot of potential.*

*“He aims to become an important player. It was an excellent investment for Tottenham.*

*“He \[Kulusevski\] and Bentancur guaranteed us a big leap in quality last season. Coming from Italy they were more tactically prepared, they helped us a lot to hit the Champions League goal, something miraculous if you think from where we started.”*

### The Verdict: Exciting…

Called a [‘frightening](https://twitter.com/carlogarganese/status/1205934080061313026)‘ talent by members of the media, Tottenham’s 22-year-old has been truly incredible since joining from Juventus in a loan-to-buy deal.

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According to [WhoScored,](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham) Kulusevski only ranks behind Son Heung-min and Harry Kane for most shots at goal and key passes made per 90 this season.

As well as this, no Spurs player has completed more successful take-ons in that time – highlighting his dynamic and exciting threat in the forward positions.

Conte has reason to be joyous with the club’s 2022 winter acquisition, and so do supporters.