Luis Diaz: Expert reveals ‘silver lining’ for Tottenham after January move hijacked by Liverpool
Paul Robinson has claimed it was “a big blow” for Tottenham to lose out on Luis Diaz in January.
However, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former White Hart Lane number one said there is a “silver lining” to the failed transfer in the shape of Dejan Kulusevski, 21.
Tottenham’s bid to sign Luis Diaz from FC Porto was hijacked by Liverpool in January.
However, Antonio Conte’s side did add a winger to their squad in the winter window.
Kulusevski arrived on loan with an option to buy from Juventus.
The Sweden international has excelled since the move and grabbed his third goal and sixth assist for Spurs in a 4-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Robinson heaped praise on the “phenomenal” Kulusevski.
“It was a big blow missing out on Luis Diaz but it shows where the club is,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“They are trying to compete with the likes of Liverpool in the transfer market but can’t. Liverpool have Champions League football and are challenging for every major trophy. They will lose out on players like Diaz if a club like Liverpool is in the race as well.
“The silver lining is Kulusevski. He has been nothing short of phenomenal since he has come in.
“His work rate off the ball as well as his work rate on the ball has impressed me. His delivery is brilliant off the right-hand side.
“Kulusevski and Bentancur’s impact is credit to Fabio Paratici and Conte really. They weren’t big names. They have proven to be top-level players though.”
In other news, an expert has tipped a Tottenham 26-year-old to quit this summer amid a ‘brilliant’ Rodrigo Bentancur verdict.