Luka Vuskovic is now out on loan to Hamburger SV.
Tottenham Hotspur have been investing heavily in young talents at Hotspur Way. We saw the Lilywhites develop this strategy that has them focused more on bringing in highly regarded young players to N17 and developing them through the corridors at Hotspur Way.
And Croatian centre-back Luka Vuskovic is among those starlets who have been highly touted by the club as well as the fans. The supporters around Hotspur Way have been awaiting him donning that Lilywhites badge since he put in those performances in the pre-season.
But instead of having him play for the first team in the Premier League this season, we saw Tottenham push him out for a loan deal to Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. It was a transfer that many Lilywhites fans were against, given how many thought that the teenager was already ready to make an impact for the first team.
Though given the lack of possible regular minutes at Hotspur Way with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, he was sent out on loan. And that is paying off. He has been showing his qualities in the heart of the defence in the German top tier. And that shows as the Lilywhites’ future at centre-back is starting to look very real in the numbers as well.
Luka Vuskovic rated among young elites
Given the recent stat piece by WhoScored, 18-year-old Luka Vuskovic is currently the third highest-rated teenager in Europe’s top five leagues. This just shows how he has been growing into one of the most exciting young defenders on the continent whilst being away on loan.
Sitting in that company just shows his quality. He is just behind a generational talent like Lamine Yamal and has his name among some of the most elite prospects. And despite his budding age, he has not been putting in these numbers in youth football; he has been doing so in Bundesliga, which is one of the toughest leagues in Europe.
Author Opinion
We always knew Vuskovic was good; most fans had probably heard about him before even seeing him play. But no one could have anticipated the kind of gem Tottenham have on their books in the Croatia international.
And given how Cristian Romero has been shuffling between world class and wild, complemented by that rising noise around Tottenham about adding depth into the defensive roster, there is an opportunity there for Vuskovic when next season comes around.
Do those numbers from Luka Vuskovic surprise you given his quality? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
