Tottenham Hotspur supporters were given a rare opportunity to assess highly-touted defender Luka Vuskovic in live action during Croatia's recent encounter with England. The 19-year-old centre-back, who officially joined Spurs last summer but spent the previous season on loan at Hamburg, featured prominently, sparking further discussion about his potential role in North London amidst a flurry of transfer activity.
Vuskovic, who has yet to make a senior appearance for Spurs, was the subject of a rejected bid from Brighton earlier this week, highlighting the significant interest he commands across Europe. His performance in the England game, where he was substituted after 66 minutes with Croatia trailing 3-2, presented a mixed picture. While he recorded more clearances (five) than any other player and was second only to England's Elliot Anderson in possession won (six times), he also faced challenges. Harry Kane capitalised on Vuskovic's positioning to head England's second goal from a corner, and there were questions regarding his role in Jude Bellingham's third goal after the break.
Despite these moments, Vuskovic's talent is widely acknowledged. Romeo Jozak, former technical director of the Croatian Football Federation, told BBC Sport that Vuskovic, alongside Josko Gvardiol, represents the future of the Croatian national team. Jozak stated, "If he stays healthy enough, he will be one of the top superstars for the future, for sure." Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has also publicly backed the 6ft 4in defender, predicting he "will be one of the pillars of our national team for the next 10 years."
The debate over Vuskovic's immediate future at Tottenham is further complicated by the club's extensive centre-back options. Spurs are reportedly set to welcome Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth and have secured Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for a fee of £52m. These additions join existing defenders Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso, with Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin also linked with potential moves away. The versatile Ben Davies has renewed his contract, and Kata Takai, another defender who spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, is yet to feature for the club, creating a crowded field for Vuskovic to navigate.
For many Spurs fans, Vuskovic has become a figure of high expectation, with his strong performances for Hamburg last season, where he was the top-scoring defender and named in the 2025-26 Team of the Season, fuelling excitement. However, the recent England match offered a dose of reality, as noted by Bardi from 'The Extra Inch' Spurs podcast, who commented that the "legend took a serious hit" after a "chastening opening-game defeat at the hands of players he will be expected to face week in, week out." This puts Vuskovic's path to a starting XI place under renewed scrutiny.
Source: BBC Sport