One observer claimed Tottenham playmaker Dejan Kulusevski reminds him of “prime” Lionel Messi, while another Spurs star has been backed to prove he was worth “every penny” of his hefty transfer fee.

Tottenham arguably drew the result of the season so far last weekend when they demolished Manchester City on their own turf. James Maddison got a brace, with Pedro Porro scoring the third before Brennan Johnson wrapped up the game in injury time.

But while Dejan Kulusevski wasn’t on the scoresheet, his silky display which included assisting Maddison’s opener with a perfectly weighted cross has produced comparisons with arguably the greatest footballer of all time.

In quotation marks carried by Spurs Webformer midfielder and talkSPORT the pundit, Jamie O’Hara, claimed that Kulusevski’s display “was like watching Lionel Messi in his prime at times.”

“Tottenham were incredible against Manchester City last weekend,” began O’Hara. “Dejan Kulusevski came in and performed to a world-class standard – it was like watching Lionel Messi in his prime at times. He always steps up against City.”

O’Hara is loyal to Tottenham through his eight-year spell on the club’s books between 2003-11. While comparisons with Messi may well be exaggerated, it’s fair to say that Kulusevski has been sensational in a Spurs shirt this season.

O’Hara also insisted Maddison must get his fair share of credit for the role he played in dismantling the reigning champions. The pundit also suggested that more performances of that standard will quickly see Maddison justify the £40m Spurs paid to sign the playmaker from Leicester.

“I think James Maddison also deserves a lot of credit for his performance, he was brilliant and he’s a player who’s honestly struggled this season,” added O’Hara.

“He needs his credit for that performance – he’s had a tough spell and he’s been out of the team; he dictated the tempo of the game exceptionally and we saw the old James Maddison there. If he plays forward like that, he’s worth every penny Tottenham paid for him.”

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Kulusevski never backs down from using Tottenham star to shine

News that Guglielmo Vicario was undergoing surgery to repair a fractured ankle had fueled speculation that Tottenham could dive into the January market for short-term cover between the sticks.

However, Ange Postecoglou has insisted he has faith in Fraser Forster, while Kulusevski is equally comfortable if Brandon Austin gets a game.

Austin, 25, has been on Tottenham’s books since 2015 but is yet to make his senior debut for the club.

Still, Kulusevski assured Spurs fans they will be in good hands if Austin is asked to play instead of Forster.

“He (Forster) is really good and he made some big saves (against Roma on Thursday). It’s great to have him and I think he’s ready to play. Kulusevski told the media.

“And I also feel confident that we have Brandon Austin, who is a very good goaltender.

“We miss Vicario because he’s a great guy, but now it’s time for Fraser to step up and help the team.”

Latest Tottenham News – Gittens, Geertruida,

In other news, Tottenham have been appointed one of four powerful sides chasing Borussia Dortmund’s signature, Jamie Gittens. The other three interested clubs are Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Caught offside claim Spurs have a concrete interest in RB Leipzig’s right back, Lutsharel Geertruida.

The 24-year-old has reportedly been identified as an ideal target in the event that Pedro Porro leaves the club. Porro is seen by Real Madrid as a backup target for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Finally, it is believed that the chances of Spurs loanee Timo Werner being signed permanently have left after he cooked Kyle Walker in the run-up to the fourth goal against Man City.

Werner’s loan deal from Leipzig includes a purchase option worth £8.5m.