After succumbing to their first Premier League defeat since January last time out, Tottenham Hotspur return to Europa League action tonight.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have endured a torrid year on the domestic front this season, but they have looked far more dangerous in European competition.
The North Londoners finished the league stage of the competition in fourth place, with five wins, two draws and just a single defeat to their name, allowing them to bypass the play-off round altogether.
However, things can never be easy for the Lilywhites, as they will have to take on AZ Alkmaar without the sensational Dejan Kulusevski – although Ange may have just the solution within his squad.
Why Kulusevski can't play against AZ Alkmaar
He has had impressive campaigns in the past, but it would probably be fair to describe this season as Kulusevski’s best in a Spurs shirt.
Despite moving between playing on the wing and in the middle of the park, the Swedish international has remained remarkably effective for much of the year.
In just 42 appearances, totalling 3054 minutes, the Stockholm-born dynamo has scored ten goals and provided ten assists.
Appearances
42
Minutes
3054′
Goals
10
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
Minutes per Goal Involvement
152.7′
That means the former Juventus ace has averaged a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 152.7 minutes, so the news that he’s now out injured is a real problem.
When speaking to the press yesterday afternoon, Postecoglou confirmed that the 24-year-old had a “knock on the foot” and that while it’s “nothing serious” he is “unlikely to be back before the international break.”
It’s not an ideal situation ahead of a crucial knockout game, but fortunately, there is an incredibly talented player within the squad who should be able to cover for his output in the middle of the park.
The Spurs star who can cover for Kulusevski
For once, it feels as if Postecoglu has a few options for how to cover for an injured player, but to ensure his side remain a serious attacking threat, there is only one answer: James Maddison.
Behind the former Juve star, there is a strong argument that the Englishman is the squad’s most creative and dangerous midfielder, so keeping him in the lineup in light of the news around the Swede makes perfect sense to us.
Moreover, while the former Leicester City star can run hot and cold at times, he’s actually been reasonably effective this season.
Appearances
34
Minutes
2039′
Goals
10
Assists
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
119.94′
In his 34 appearances so far, totalling just 2039 minutes, the “incredible” ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored ten goals and provided seven assists.
That means he’s currently averaging a goal involvement every other game, or every 119.94 minutes, which is actually quite a bit better than Kulusevski.
On top of that, FBref has placed him in the top 1% of Premier League midfielders for actual and expected non-penalty goals, the top 5% for assists and progressive passes, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, not having Kulusevski fit for selection is undoubtedly an issue, but in Maddison, Spurs have an incredibly dynamic midfielder who can come in and make up for his absence.
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1 ByJack Salveson HolmesMar 5, 2025