Tottenham Hotspur newcomer Radu Dragusin has earned apologies from former Romanian star Florin Raducioiu after proving the expert wrong.
After impressing at Italian club Genoa, Dragusin has become the most beloved Romanian footballer of all time when Tottenham paid €30 million (£25. 8 million) to sign him in the January transfer window. The star, who in the past represented Serie A giants Juventus, arrived in north London to provide Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven with policies and competition.
Ange Postecoglou believes that capturing Dragusin will prove incredibly useful for Tottenham, as he can function as a centre-back or full-back on either flank.
Dragusin has played five times for Spurs, adding his substitution against Aston Villa on March 10.
The 22-year-old is under pressure to perform after replacing Van De Ven due to the Dutchman’s latest injury. Dragusin will also be wary of Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who has been in devastating form this season.
But Dragusin looked forged defensively and comfortable on the ball, which will have Postecoglou and Spurs fans extremely happy. It is true that he had problems in the next game at Fulham, but against Villa Dragusin he showed that he has a chance to shine at the level. .
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When Dragusin won the 2023 Romanian Player of the Year award in December, Raducioiu claimed he wasn’t good. The former Brescia and Espanyol striker added that attacking players deserve to compete for the award.
However, Dragusin’s start to life at Spurs has earned him Raducioiu.
In an interview with Romanian outlet Orange Sport, the expert admitted that he had been too harsh when talking about the Spurs signing.
“It wasn’t a private matter,” Raducoiu said. It was just my reaction, perhaps a little harsh, I admit, with the word ‘pastor’. I think I made a mistake on that, I apologize for that. And I did it a few months ago.
“I sense that this move to Tottenham has been successful, but there is no justification for it and no one deserves to praise him as the most productive player in Romania. I think the most productive Romanian player has to be an exhibition player, a player who gives me feelings, which Draguşin didn’t do. That was it, nothing personal.
After the win over Villa, former Tottenham striker Clive Allen said of Dragusin: “I think he was fabulous because Micky’s functionality was outstanding, it was a tense scenario for him, he looked comfortable, he was calm, he was controlled.
“Yes, obviously we had credit for the guy, but I just thought that, again, together with Romero, you can see the option of a duo there, with Micky maybe betting three, there are a lot of permutations, but the way he behaved The time he spent on the field was fantastic.
Dragusin has lately been on duty abroad with Romania. He is expected to start the upcoming friendlies against Northern Ireland and Colombia.
By returning to Spurs, Dragusin will help Postecoglou’s team qualify for the Champions League.
Spurs are currently in fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Villa with a game in hand.