"We have a special bond together" - Deki on Swedish connection with Bergvall
Tue 10 September 2024, 21:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
Dejan Kulusevski has opened up on the 'special bond' developing between him and Lucas Bergvall, saying he is enjoying mentoring his younger compatriot at the start of his Spurs and Sweden journey.
Named in their first national team squad together during the recent international break, 'Deki' stepped up to captain his nation for the first time and Lucas made his maiden senior international appearance on home soil as they made the perfect start to their UEFA Nations League campaign with wins over Azerbaijan and Estonia.
During a memorable and successful round of League C1 fixtures for both players, our number 21 proudly led his side out in Baku and Stockholm to earn his 40th and 41st caps and contributed an assist for Sweden's third against Estonia whilst Lucas moved to three caps with substitute appearances in both matches.
With our 18-year-old midfielder new to both the Spurs and international scene, Deki is relishing the opportunity to help his fellow countryman settle in at Hotspur Way and has been really impressed with our new number 15's attitude and approach at the start of his burgeoning football career.
"First of all, it's so fun to have him here and it's the first time I've had a Swedish team-mate here at the Club," Deki beamed. "He's still very young. I remember when I was his age and, when I see another youngster here, I feel like I can help him settle in and progress quicker because I've already done what he's doing right now.
"It's very nice to have him here and with me on the national team because he deserves to be there. He's doing really good and he came very well prepared physically. Then mentally, he's just a young man who wants to express himself playing football and that's a good quality because it's important that he has fun when he's playing.
"I think for us around him, the best way to help him is to not give him too much information - just let him play football as he's a very good player and that's what I'm trying to do to help him. When people tell me to help him in different ways, I'm very protective of telling him too much because I just want him to have fun and enjoy it - I don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on him because he's very young."
Both growing up near Stockholm and starting their football careers at Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna, it is unsurprising the two knew each other before our summer arrival joined in July but Deki feels that bond has only strengthened in recent months.
Since Lucas arrived from Swedish Allsvenskan side Djurgarden in February before linking up with his new team-mates this summer, the duo have already showcased the fast-developing Swedish connection when the young midfielder assisted Deki's second goal against FC Bayern in our final outing of pre-season.
One game later in our Premier League opener at Leicester City, the 18-year-old soon made his competitive debut off the bench alongside none other than his Swedish team-mate in the 78th minute and has notched three top-flight appearances since, with Deki currently one away from becoming a Spurs centurion in all competitions.
Fresh back from September's international break, the Sweden star underlined that this is just the beginning of their exciting journey together - both in our colours and for the Blue and Yellow - and believes that their close companionship both on and off the pitch will only push them on to achieve success in the game.
"We've created a special bond together because we knew each other from before," explained Dejan. "But when you're with someone everyday, you learn everything about them and we spend a lot of time together so it's a great relationship that's started.
"It was nice to share the pitch with him and I had this extra special feeling against FC Bayern when he assisted me for a goal so it's things like that. But it's only the beginning because when you have a great friendship away from the pitch usually it shows on the pitch and I'm sure that together we will do great things for the Club and our country as well."
