{"id":47194,"date":"2026-05-15T19:25:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T23:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T19:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T23:25:39","slug":"spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs have an elite academy star alongside Vuskovic."},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic\/#Comparison_of_Vuskovic_and_Van_de_Ven\" >Comparison of Vuskovi\u0107 and Van de Ven<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic\/#Spurs_new_Dele_is_there_with_Vuskovic\" >Spurs&#8217; new Dele is there with Vuskovic<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/15\/spurs-have-an-elite-academy-star-alongside-vuskovic\/#His_value_rises_by_40m_at_Spurs_Tottenham_win_gold_with_their_own_Rice\" >His value rises by \u00a340m at Spurs: Tottenham win gold with their own Rice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Will Tottenham Hotspur still play in the Premier League next season? That&#8217;s the million dollar question.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been a long and tough season for Spurs, with years of poor decisions leading to a genuine relegation battle. Roberto de Zerbi lifted his team out of the drop zone, but 18th-placed West Ham United are strangling their rivals with two games in hand.<\/p>\n<p>With Xavi Simmons sidelined and James Maddison returning from a year-long recovery from an ACL injury, Tottenham will need everything they can get in these final weeks, with their game fitness dwindling.<\/p>\n<p>    And that applies not only in attack but also in defense, with Micky van de Ven being tasked with holding the fort in the continued absence of Cristian Romero.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, Luka Vuskovi\u0107 is set to return to north London this summer and the Croatian defender could establish himself as one of the best players around.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-vuskovic-compares-to-van-de-ven\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_of_Vuskovic_and_Van_de_Ven\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Comparison of Vuskovi\u0107 and Van de Ven<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Vuskovic, 19, is one of the most exciting young defenders in the world and although Tottenham have secured his contract for 2023, he is yet to make a competitive appearance for the London side.<\/p>\n<p>The Croatian player, currently on loan in Germany, is developing steadily and is a player worthy of becoming a Bundesliga superstar. The Premier League is a different ballpark for many hopefuls, but there is no question he could fill in alongside Van de Ven after Romero leaves.<\/p>\n<p>However, given that the teenager is already playing at an elite level and was hailed by content creator Feargo last year as &#8220;the best 18-year-old centre-back I&#8217;ve ever seen in my life&#8221;, he should be a candidate for De Zerbi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bundesliga comparison (2025\/26)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Match statistics (* per 90)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Vuskovi\u0107 (25\/26)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Van de Ven (22\/23)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Match (start)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>27(26)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>the goal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>assist<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>clean sheet<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>touch*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>74.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>64.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Exact path*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>46.1 (83%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>44.6 (88%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Opportunities created*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>collect*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Tackle + Interception*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>clearance*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>8.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>Duel (win)*<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>7.5 (69%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3.8 (60%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>To be honest, Vuskovic could outperform the Dutchman in Tottenham&#8217;s defense next season and have a better season at Hamburg than Van de Ven did at Wolfsburg in 2022\/23, with manager Ange Postecoglou overseeing a \u00a343m move in July 2023.<\/p>\n<p>He is arguably Tottenham&#8217;s most exciting up-and-comer, but he is far from the only one, with attacking midfielders like Dele Alli looking to make their mark next season.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"spurs-39-new-dele-is-up-there-with-vuskovic\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spurs_new_Dele_is_there_with_Vuskovic\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Spurs&#8217; new Dele is there with Vuskovic<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A fall to the Championship would give Luca Williams-Barnett more chances at De Zerbi&#8217;s Tottenham side, but there are claims the 18-year-old has what it takes to make his mark in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>    Williams-Barnett is an incredibly talented attacker who is also capable in the middle of the park, but is at his best when placed behind a centre-forward, picking off passes and using deft footwork to break into promising positions.<\/p>\n<p>Hailed as part of a &#8216;special generation&#8217; of academy talent emerging in the Hotspur Way, Williams-Barnett is perhaps the best of the bunch and could rival Vuskovic for the crown (hopefully in the Premier League) in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>This season he scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 19 games for Spurs&#8217; development squad, making his first-team debut as Thomas Frank&#8217;s Tottenham defeated Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n<p>After all, he has been described as &#8216;one of England&#8217;s best talents&#8217; and with that in mind, the teenager could develop into a superstar of the same quality as Dele in his prime at Tottenham. Isn&#8217;t there something to that?<\/p>\n<p>The 30-year-old playmaker is one of the most awe-inspiring youngsters to emerge in the Premier League, tearing opponents to shreds after joining from MK Dons for \u00a35m as a youngster. Williams-Barnett has a similar aura and his youthful rise coupled with Vuskovic&#8217;s return could be just what the Lilywhites need.<\/p>\n<p>    Dale may no longer be slamming home for Tottenham, but fans won&#8217;t soon forget how good the England international was under Mauricio Pochettino.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of Williams and Barnett, Spurs could develop in a similar way and have a rare number 10 with the potential to rival Vuskovic for the club&#8217;s top spot.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"value-risen-spurs-struck-gold-on-archie-gray-young-declan-rice\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"His_value_rises_by_40m_at_Spurs_Tottenham_win_gold_with_their_own_Rice\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHis value rises by \u00a340m at Spurs: Tottenham win gold with their own Rice<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Tottenham are well prepared for the future &#8211; if they survive this relegation battle. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Will Tottenham Hotspur still play in the Premier League next season? That&#8217;s the million dollar question. It&#8217;s been a long and tough season for Spurs, with years of poor decisions leading to a genuine relegation battle. Roberto de Zerbi lifted his team out of the drop zone, but 18th-placed West Ham United are strangling their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[315,934,40,342,86,6597],"class_list":{"0":"post-47194","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-academy","9":"tag-elite","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-spurs","12":"tag-star","13":"tag-vuskovic"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}