In the absence of central defender Victor Nilsson Lindelöf due to injury, it was Kulusevski who wore the captain's armband during the two initial Nations League matches against Azerbaijan and Estonia.
Sweden got a perfect start with two wins (3–1 and 3–0) but afterwards, it's not the six points that are in focus.
Dejan Kulusevski, however, does not seem to think that the Hugo Larsson affair is something to get worked up about.
I think we handled it really well. We went out and focused on playing football and having fun, that's all we can do. We can't think about what's written in the media, says Kulusevski after Sunday's 3–0 win at home against Estonia.
"He's here if he wants to talk"
Hugo Larsson was openly disappointed about not getting playing time against Azerbaijan – and that national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson said publicly that the Eintracht Frankfurt player needs to play more forward. Larsson then left the gathering, according to the national team due to a feeling of being injured.
Kulusevski has not spoken to the 20-year-old midfielder since then.
No. I'm here if he wants to talk. But Jon decides. If he (Larsson) wants my help, I'm here too, but I'll never show why I'm captain by deciding over someone else. Everyone here is mature enough to make their own decisions.
He has full understanding for the irritation of not getting to play, though. He himself created headlines four years ago when he said he was "shocked" about being dropped from a national team match under then-national team coach Janne Andersson.
Generational thing
It's a bit of a generational issue, believes the 24-year-old Tottenham star.
Yes, it's definitely a new thing. I see it with all young players, that they get incredibly angry when they don't get to play. And I understand it, because we put our whole lives into becoming as good as possible. And when you just get to sit, it hurts your soul.
Shouldn't you be able to take a benching at this level?
Of course, you should. It happens to all of us. I sat on the bench in the first Premier League match with Tottenham. Of course, it burns in your eyes then. But you just have to try to be so good that you can never be benched.
