Glenn Hoddle was stunned by a Tottenham player this season – and the stats back him up

Glenn Hoddle believes Dejan Kulusevski has been Tottenham's best player “by far” this season.

The statistics also support the selection of the Spurs legend as the club's most outstanding player.

Hoddle appeared on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday to discuss his former club's fortunes this season, suggesting Kulusevski's form has played a key role in teammate James Maddison's decline in minutes.

Maddison has played just 14 minutes off the bench in Spurs' last two league games.

Meanwhile, Kulusevski has appeared in every game so far in all competitions and has been given a new midfield role by Ange Postecoglou.

Hoddle explained: “Kulusevski had the opportunity when Maddison was injured to play in that number 10 role. And he's done a very positive amount of work there on and off the ball. He really has.

“He's come to life. If you told me, who is Tottenham's best player this year so far? Kulusevski by far. He's really been good in that position.

“He loves playing in that position. I think he had a couple of games or a brief spell at Juventus there. But, you know, he does very well on the wing.

“But since he was there, and I think there are certain games where he played a couple of them there, but since he put (Pape Matar) Sarr there, a little bit of energy, particularly in the second half.

“That's the midfield you want balance for. I think James is a wonderful player. And before his injury, I think he was doing excellent with the Spurs.

“The other thing, the other scenario that comes to mind is a creative number 10. You don't want both full-backs going in there. Where's your space?

“You know, if Maddison or whoever the number 10 is playing, it's very difficult. The space, actually, quite curiously, is in the right and left back position, where the full-backs would be.

4

4

“Having both of them there, sometimes I would say, if I was playing, wow, this is hard here. There are so many bodies here.

“And, you know, I think that's something. Maybe a full-back coming in is what City do and maybe other clubs do.

“Maybe that could suit us a little bit more and give us players like Maddison and certainly Kulusevski. But I think Kulusevski is the real reason why he hasn't been able to include him.”

The Swedish international has switched from the right flank to midfield this season, occupying both the number 10 position and even deeper.

More recently, he has collaborated with Pape Matar Sarr as a holding midfielder for the Postecoglou team.

Despite stepping away from his responsibilities as a winger, Kulusevski still scored two goals and provided five assists in 17 appearances.

4

He is also currently Spurs' most creative player, leading the way with five assists, ahead of Maddison with four.

The 24-year-old also showed his class during the final in Sweden. League of Nations campaign over the last two months.

Kulusevski created the most big chances, the most opportunities in open play and won possession the most times in the entire competition.

His performances also helped Sweden gain promotion to League B with two goals and two assists in his six games.