After Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday, winger Dejan Kulusevski offered a frank assessment of the club’s transfer dealings and ongoing struggles this season.
What Happened?
Spurs’ latest defeat marked their 18th loss in the Premier League this season, a staggering figure that underscores just how difficult this campaign has been under manager Ange Postecoglou. Injuries have ravaged the squad throughout the year, leaving the team lacking depth and continuity. Monday’s loss leaves Tottenham languishing in 16th place, far below the standards expected of a club with European aspirations.
The north London side has been unable to establish consistency in either domestic or European competition. While moments of promise have surfaced under Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy, results have not followed—particularly in the second half of the season.
The Bigger Picture
Tottenham were active in the summer transfer market, with the club investing in several young and promising talents such as Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, and Wilson Odobert. The aim was to inject fresh energy into the squad while building for the future. However, despite this activity, the results have not translated into success on the pitch.
Now, Spurs find themselves facing one of their worst Premier League finishes in recent history. With fan frustration growing and European qualification slipping out of reach, questions are being raised about the direction the club is heading—both in terms of recruitment and overall squad depth.
Kulusevski’s Honest Assessment
Speaking to reporters after the match, Dejan Kulusevski did not hold back in his evaluation of Tottenham’s current situation. The Swedish international, who had just made his return from injury, pointed to a lack of preparedness within the squad and drew comparisons with other top clubs.
“Clubs at the top have been doing this for years. They have a clear structure and they know what it takes to compete on multiple fronts,” Kulusevski explained. “They bring in players who are fully prepared to handle both the domestic league and European competitions. Right now, we can’t say the same.”
He continued, “We’ve been hit by a lot of injuries, yes, but we also got a lot of things wrong at the very beginning of the season. Now we’re paying the price. After a tough European night, we just don’t bounce back the way big teams do. Against Forest, we conceded three goals within 16 minutes—including one disallowed for offside—and at that point, it’s almost impossible to turn the game around.”
Kulusevski admitted that while there were some moments of decent play, the team lacked the complete performance needed to win games. “If you’re not doing everything right for 90 minutes, you won’t get results. It’s just not good enough.”
Back from Injury and Looking Ahead
Despite the frustration of the result, there was a silver lining for Kulusevski personally. The game against Forest marked his first appearance since February, and he was pleased with how he felt physically.
“I honestly felt great out there,” he said. “I’m really angry about the result, but I have to look at the bigger picture too. I’m back on the pitch, I’m healthy, and we’ve got some really big games coming up. I need to stay focused and help the team.”
The 24-year-old also spoke about how he used his time away from football wisely, both mentally and physically. “It was a tough time being out, but I made the most of it. I spent valuable time with my wife and daughter and found other joys in life. But I never stopped working. I trained hard because I knew coming back would be challenging. I did everything by the book to ensure I returned feeling this good.”
What’s Next for Spurs?
Tottenham’s challenging run continues with a daunting trip to Anfield, where they’ll take on a high-flying Liverpool side closing in on the Premier League title. Following that, Spurs turn their attention back to Europe, with a crucial Europa League semi-final first leg against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt on home turf.
While the season has been full of setbacks, the final stretch offers an opportunity for redemption. For Kulusevski and his teammates, it’s now or never to prove they can rise above adversity and end the season on a high note.
‘They know exactly what they’re doing!’ – Dejan Kulusevski slams Tottenham’s transfer activity with claim on other clubs
