'Perisic is in decline' Spurs legend Nico Claesen not impressed by new arrival

EXCLUSIVE by Alessandro Schiavone in Belgium

Nico Claesen is far from convinced that the free signing of Croatia international Ivan Perisic was the right call by Tottenham Hotspur.

Ex-Belgium international Claesen, who was snapped up by Tottenham following a terrific World Cup in Mexico in 1986 where he scored three goals, claimed that the former Inter Milan star has long peaked.

In an interview with Capital Football, he stressed that Antonio Conte should instead have signed a midfielder capable of pulling the strings and with a knack for releasing his teammates.

By signing a midfielder of that ilk, skipper Harry Kane would no longer have to drop deep and can stay in the box where he is constant menace.

He said: "Perisic is a very good and intelligent player.

"But I think that he is past his best.

"He was in Roeselare [in Belgium as a teenager] and his rise since then has been incredible.

"He’s a player who can make an impact but he’s not the kind of player who enables Kane to stay up-front.

"Spurs have good players but lack someone with finesse and play the killer pass between the two centre-backs."