Liverpool overcame a stern Chelsea test, both Manchester clubs came from behind to win, Arsenal were stunned and Tottenham piled on the misery for West Ham on a spellbinding Premier League weekend.
But which player stood out the most?
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham)
What a rebirth Kulusevski is enjoying this season at Spurs in a new position.
The talent was always clearly there throughout his early years in Serie A and with Tottenham but the Swede struggled for consistency from his wide berth.
But not anymore. Entrusted with a deeper-lying, central midfield role by Ange Postecoglou, Kulusevski is flourishing and has quickly established himself as one of the division’s finest players in that category.
For what it is worth, despite the fact that he still plays in a more advanced attacking role for his country (understandably so), he has been clear that this change will bring the best out of him.
“This is my position,” he said bluntly for the avoidance of doubt earlier this month when asked about the central role. “I’ve grown a lot because now I can defend. Before, I didn’t do that as much so that’s why I didn’t play in midfield but now I’m growing and I can play to my strengths.
“I’m best in the middle. I can score goals and play good passes and I have good players around me. I’ve worked incredibly hard so I’m not shocked [by his form]. I feel stronger mentally and physically.
“I’ve changed my mindset a little and it is to my advantage. I’ve also grown off the pitch too. The plan is to get better every day and I feel I’m becoming that.”
There was no greater evidence of his improvements than the weekend win over West Ham in which the 24-year-old was Spurs’ star man in a 4-1 win.
After they fell behind early, it was his well-taken low strike from the edge of the area which squeezed home via both posts which sparked the resurgence.
He was also heavily involved in the third goal of the afternoon in addition to constantly causing the Hammers issues and his ability to manoeuvre out of difficult positions to drive his team on was in evidence throughout – something the visitors could not handle.
Dejan Kulusevski taking step by step to become one of the best but the most interesting thing “How are they going to defend against me when I don’t even know where I’m going”.
Freedom for players causes problems for opponents
pic.twitter.com/ge4zeln6cD— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) October 21, 2024
“Deki had to show some other facets of the game, some defensive work, which I thought he did well,” his coach said in the wake of Saturday’s win. “His evolution means that midfield is now his role.
“He’s got this ability to get out of really tight spaces and he’s a really strong runner. He’s relentless in his running capacity. In the final third, we can get more goals and assists out of him but he’s constantly in those threatening areas and has been outstanding all year for us.”
The former Juventus man also created two other goal chances against West Ham and won eight midfield duels to add to his already impressive statistics.
When compared with other midfielders, Kulusevski is leading European football for both key passes and progressive runs this season.
The sky appears to be the limit for the Premier League’s newest midfield sensation.
📸 Marc Atkins – 2024 Getty Images
