Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld believes Luka Vuskovic has the potential to become a future star in North London, comparing the highly-rated youngster to Spurs legend Jan Vertonghen.
Vuskovic is regarded as one of Tottenham's most exciting prospects after an impressive loan spell at Hamburg, where he earned a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Despite signing for Spurs almost three years ago, the Croatian defender is still waiting to make his competitive debut for the club.
His strong performances in Germany have attracted interest from elsewhere in Europe, creating uncertainty around his immediate future, but Alderweireld believes Tottenham may already have a special talent on their hands.
Luka Vuskovic Tottenham future backed by Alderweireld
Alderweireld faced Vuskovic during the youngster’s loan spell in Belgium with Westerlo and has been impressed by his development ever since.
The former Tottenham centre-back highlighted the defender’s physical attributes, maturity and all-round game, suggesting he possesses everything required to succeed at the highest level.
Alderweireld also believes Tottenham should give Vuskovic an opportunity to impress during pre-season before making a decision regarding his future.
“He has everything to become an unbelievable centre-back. He’s strong, quick, good with his feet and even in the attacking box he can win headers and score goals. He’s a very all-round complete defender.” — Toby Alderweireld
The Belgian stressed that while Vuskovic may still need time, he is convinced the defender will eventually earn a regular opportunity at Tottenham.
Jan Vertonghen comparison highlights huge potential
Perhaps the most eye-catching part of Alderweireld’s assessment was his comparison with former Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen.
Vertonghen established himself as one of the finest defenders in the club’s modern history during an eight-year spell in North London, becoming renowned for his composure on the ball, tactical intelligence and leadership qualities.
According to Alderweireld, Vuskovic shares several of those characteristics.
The former Belgium international believes the Croatian is far more than a traditional defender, pointing to his passing ability and attacking contributions as evidence of a broader skill set.
“He’s more than just a defender. He’s good with passing as well. He’s not a typical defender. [I would compare him to] Jan Vertonghen.” — Toby Alderweireld
Tottenham face important decision
Vuskovic's future remains one of the more intriguing questions facing Tottenham this summer.
The defender has publicly expressed a desire to remain at Hamburg for another season, partly due to the opportunity to play alongside his brother once a suspension comes to an end later this year.
At the same time, Tottenham are actively strengthening their defensive options. The club are reportedly pursuing moves for Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, potentially increasing competition for places.
Having followed Tottenham's youth development strategy closely in recent years, the club have often used carefully planned loan spells to prepare talented prospects for first-team football. Vuskovic's progression appears to fit that model perfectly.
Why Spurs fans should be excited
Few young defenders across Europe have generated as much excitement as Vuskovic over the past 12 months.
Being named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season at such a young age is a significant achievement and reflects both his consistency and potential. His combination of physical presence, technical quality and goalscoring threat makes him a rare profile among modern centre-backs.
However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about his role at Tottenham next season. Much will depend on the club's transfer activity and the plans of the coaching staff during pre-season.
Key Points
- Toby Alderweireld believes Luka Vuskovic can become a Tottenham star.
- The former Spurs defender compared him to Jan Vertonghen.
- Vuskovic was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season with Hamburg.
- Tottenham are yet to decide whether to keep or loan out the defender.
- Interest from other European clubs has emerged following his strong campaign.
What's Next?
Tottenham are expected to assess Vuskovic closely during pre-season before making a final decision on his immediate future. The club could integrate him into the first-team squad or approve another loan move to continue his development.
With defensive recruitment also underway, the coming weeks will provide greater clarity regarding where the highly-rated Croatian fits into the club's long-term plans. Regardless of the short-term outcome, expectations surrounding Vuskovic continue to grow.
Could Luka Vuskovic become Tottenham's next great centre-back, or would another season on loan be the best step in his development?
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