Dejan Kulusevski motivated by ‘revenge’ ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Manchester City

Dejan Kulusevski is aiming for three big points to boost Tottenham Hotspur’s season as they bid to clinch Champions League football next term.

Spurs currently sit in fifth place amid a disappointing campaign, which already sees them four points behind Newcastle United, who currently sit in the top four.

The north London outfit can close that gap to just one point if they beat Manchester City at home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Kulusevski joined Spurs on loan from Juventus a year ago in an 18-month move, and it was against City that he made an instant impact, scoring in a memorable 3-2 win for Antonio Conte’s side at the Etihad Stadium last night. last season.

The Swedish international has quickly become a fan favorite for the club and explained how a desire to show Juventus what they were missing by sending him on loan helped him succeed in England.

Dejan Kulusevski has revealed how revenge helped motivate him at Tottenham

The striker has impressed since joining the club on loan from Juventus a year ago.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” he said. ‘The atmosphere is fantastic here, all the guys are very good people, it’s very easy to get into this group, fantastic people.

‘So amazing staff. Italians, mostly, so I felt at home. I can always speak Italian with them, so I felt a bit like home. And then I, of course, had a lot of revenge on my mind.

‘That’s all I wanted, to show people what I could do, so I came here, not asking too many questions, but doing exactly what I was told to do. That’s what I did and that’s what I have to keep doing. And don’t forget where I come from.

‘In the last few months, I haven’t played as much [for Juventus]. So there was a lot of anger and I didn’t like where my football was going, it was just revenge for that.”

Kulusevski scored in Tottenham’s reverse game with City last month, but was unable to prevent them from falling to a 4-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

It is the latest in a long line of poor results for Spurs against so-called league table rivals, having been beaten twice by Arsenal and also suffering defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool.

The 22-year-old admits that he is a factor that must be improved at the club.

He added: ‘In all the big games this season, we haven’t been good enough. That’s why we are fifth. These are the best games but we have to start winning them because it shows in the table.

‘And if you win this, you also get a lot of momentum and that’s what we need. These are the months that are the most important of the season. So if it’s time to push, it’s now. We’re just waiting for that big statement win.’

However, Spurs will be at a disadvantage going into the game as manager Antonio Conte underwent gallbladder surgery on Wednesday which will see him unable to be on the touchline on Sunday.

‘We have many responsibilities to play for him. Even when he is not here, we have to do what he has taught us. If he’s gone and we win, he’ll be the happiest man on earth.

Kulusevski has called on Spurs to improve their poor record against their Premier League rivals having lost 4-2 to Manchester City after being 2-0 up last month.

Spurs will be without manager Antonio Conte (left) on the touchline for the clash with City