This article is part of Football FanCast's Expert Roundup feature, which provides three quotes from those in the know in order to illuminate fundamental strengths, weaknesses, quirks, stylistic comparisons and general observations of players, transfer targets and confirmed signings.
Parma midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is a player presently in high demand with a clutch of leading clubs chasing the Swedish teenager’s signature.
Having impressed in Serie A this season the versatile young loanee – who can play central or on either flank – doesn’t look like he’ll be returning to his parent club Atalanta anytime soon with instead a move abroad this January a distinct possibility.
According to numerous reports Manchester United are interested; Arsenal too. Then there’s Southampton who are allegedly keen while Wolves are closely monitoring the situation as they seek to strengthen mid-season.
As we’ll shortly discover Inter are also very much in the mix and with such wide attentiveness perhaps it is time we found out what the fuss is all about.
To do that we sought out the opinions of those who know Kulusevski best.
Janne Andersson, Sweden coach
The 19-year-old has been given his first international cap having been called up to Andersson’s squad for the first time last week.
And, judging by the following recent comment, the veteran coach is relishing the prospect of adding the talented young star to his attacking options. As per fotbollskanalen.com:
“He is everywhere for 90 minutes, wraps in crosses and assists, comes back and gives a helping hand: with this Kulusevksi you play with twelve men."
Roberto D’Aversa, Parma coach
If Andersson is evidently a fan the same can be said of D’Aversa who head-hunted Kulusevski this summer before promptly giving him a baptism of fire debut against Juventus.
If the 6ft 1 midfielder struggled a touch on that occasion it has been plain sailing ever since, with two goals and five assists illustrating his worth but if that has greatly impressed the German coach he still sees room for improvement. As per Mediagol.it:
“Kulusevski? If you look at the stats he does the most running in the entire Serie A. He has to improve but he is a boy already mentally strong because he comes from Atalanta in which they grow well in the youth sector. He has important qualities but he must improve these qualities. He touches the ball a little too much, he could be more devastating.”
Maurizio Pistocchi, noted Italian journalist
Now encroaching into his sixties Pistocchi has long been a highly respected commentator on Italian football and with Kulusevski being closely linked to a move to Milan in the near future his thoughts on the potential transfer are worth highlighting.
United, Arsenal and the rest take heed. As per semprienter.com:
“Kulusevski is a player who has great physicality but does not have extraordinary technique. Inter already have a player like him in the team in Matteo Politano, who has no place in Conte’s system,”
“If I were to advise Inter, I would tell them to go for de Paul. He is much better as a midfielder than Kulusevski.”
Verdict
The temptation to get prematurely carried away with the teenager’s ceiling is strong given the impact he has made in such a short space of time.
Perhaps though some measured caution is best in this instance, allowing Kulusevski to develop at a natural pace in the comfortable confines of Emilia-Romagna.