Kulusevski: "Never just want to be one of the crowd"

He tries to become master of his own thoughts and listens to the body's all signals. This makes Dejan Kulusevski grow on the pitch. I want to maximize this career and never just be one of the crowd, says the national team star.

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Kulusevski: "Never just want to be one of the crowd"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

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Against Manchester United recently, he set a record at Old Trafford. No player has created as many scoring opportunities for an away team at the arena since the measurements were introduced last season.

Kulusevski reached nine – and topped it off with one of the goals in Tottenham's 3–0 win.

Every match has felt good, but that one was maybe extra good. I just waited for it to come and when it came, I wasn't shocked or anything. I was just happy, he says.

Going his own way

It's no coincidence that Dejan Kulusevski has started the season brilliantly. The 24-year-old, who is interested in music and literature, is going his own way in his quest to develop as a person and football player.

I'm stronger mentally, stronger physically, and have changed a bit in my "mindset" which I think is to my advantage. The plan is to get better every day, not to be satisfied with being good but to be the best every day. No matter how hard it is, you have to try.

You learn over time, how the world works and how the brain works. I'm starting to get to know my body, says Kulusevski.

He recounts a conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago.

I didn't understand what Ronaldo meant when he said you'll get to know your body. Now you start to understand your strengths and weaknesses, how you can improve. I really feel it's getting easier to understand. I know how I can train one or two days before a match. Small details that make a big difference in the end.

Just doing his best

The national team is facing tonight (kick-off 20.45) the most important task of the year so far. How it goes against Slovakia will have a big impact on whether the national team can manage to get back to the B-division in the Nations League.

Pressure? There isn't any. If you lose, you lose. You can only go out on the pitch and do your best and hopefully win the match. We should be aggressive, play smart, not slack off, and do what we've agreed on.

He himself is counting on continuing in an offensive, central role. That's where Dejan Kulusevski feels best – and gets the most out of his skills.

Something he has conveyed in both words and actions to national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.

In the beginning, he had ideas, but then he got to know me and saw me on the pitch, says Kulusevski.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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