Dejan Kulusevski speaks out on dressing room turmoil as Tottenham star refuses to pick sides
Dejan Kulusevski has spoken out on Sweden’s dressing room turmoil by calling the drama “unnecessary”. The Spurs winger refused to pick sides in a bitter feud which has erupted between Sweden national team manager Jon Dahl Tomasson and young midfielder Hugo Larsson over the past week.
Larsson, 20, was an unused substitute in last Thursday’s Nations League clash with Azerbaijan, which Sweden won 3-1. Manager Tomasson critiqued the Eintracht Frankfurt star publicly by saying he wanted him to be better and to make more forward passes.
That’s something Larsson took issue with, venting to reporters that the legendary Denmark striker should have addressed him in private rather than air his shortcomings. Following a meeting, Larsson was sent home from the national team camp ahead of Sweden’s 3-0 win over Estonia on Sunday, with the official reason given by Sweden being that he had suffered a minor injury or discomfort.
But German outlets via Fotbollskanalen claimed Larsson was in fact sent home because of the rift – something which Tomasson denies. And the focus remained on the spat even in spite of their dominant victory, which was sealed by a Viktor Gyokeres double and a goal from Alexander Isak.
Tottenham ace and acting Sweden captain Kulusevski commented on the saga: “Sometimes in the family there is a bit of a problem. You don't have to think the same thing all the time. The most important thing is that we are here to play football.
“It doesn't affect us negatively, it's just unnecessary but it happens and you just have to move on. I'm here if Hugo wants to talk.”
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Tomasson played coy before the Estonia clash, saying that he wished to focus on the game alone and only put his energy into the players that were still present. He was more open post-match, explaining: “Larsson is a young man, 20 years old, with a lot of emotions. We need to take care of him at that age. But we have 23 players in the squad, not all of them can play. Everyone deserves to play, but the team comes first."
He insisted several times that Larsson is "a very good player" and explained that it was an injury that caused him to return home to Germany.
Tomasson said: “No, of course not. He felt something on Thursday, and could continue, but in the small team game yesterday he felt something and talked to the doctors.
“They concluded that he could not play. The doctors called Frankfurt, then the club decided whether he should stay or go home.” He added that he would consider Larsson’s place in his squad for the next international break.
But comments from other players, like Kulusevski, indicated that there were tensions bubbling under the surface, and that all was not as serene as Tomasson had made out behind the scenes.
Newcastle striker Isak said: “I don't want to throw more fuel to the fire. The association can handle that together with Hugo. It didn't affect me at all.
“I've been around for a while so I'm pretty comfortable with how things are handled. But it is clear that it may not be the most positive thing for such a young squad.”
Meanwhile, youngster Yasin Ayari defended Larsson’s character, saying: “I know Hugo, he is a great person and a great friend of mine. I have great respect for him at the same time as I have great respect for Jon Dahl Tomasson. I just hope it works out in a good way.”
When Kulusevski returns to north London this week, his focus will turn to Spurs' next Premier League challenge – the derby at home to Arsenal on Sunday.