Spurs have a "monster" out on loan who could be up there with Vuskovic

There’s something indescribable about the connection a football club forges with a youngster who successfully works their way from the academy scene to superstardom.

Here goes anyway. Tottenham Hotspur are among the chief purveyors of youth prospects finding a route up to the top level. The Spurs academy is a cornerstone of the club’s philosophy, and Harry Kane stands as a testament to that.

Plying their trade away from N17 are Noni Madueke and Troy Parrott, both rising stars who once earned their stripes under the senior stage in north London.

But the emphasis in recent years has been clear, and Tottenham have a number of rising talents cutting their teeth elsewhere on loan deals.

Luka Vuskovic is evidence of that, the 18-year-old having signed for the Premier League side in 2023 for a reported £13m fee, spending the last two years continuing his development in his Croatian homeland before arriving and heading straight back out to Hamburg in Germany for the current campaign.

Vuskovic may well be the most exciting prospect the Lilywhites have, but he’s not the only one playing elsewhere. Tottenham’s loan strategy is clear.

Spurs loan round-up

In September, Vuskovic earned his maiden cap for Croatia’s men’s team. Four games into his Bundesliga career with Hamburger SV, the teenager has shattered expectations, winning nine duels and recovering five balls on average per game (Sofascore).

A menace in the air and showing age-belying strength, Vuskovic is Tottenham’s future in defence, and the strong partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will help him to no end down the line, easing his integration into the Premier League arena.

At the other end of the field, Mikey Moore is a talent of a similar standing, hailed by Fabrizio Romano as being a “superstar” in the making. However, he has struggled out with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership since the summer, but the sinking ship at Ibrox makes for hostile conditions indeed.

These two are considered Tottenham’s brightest youth prospects.

It’s not just the youngsters. 26-year-old winger Manor Solomon has a goal and assist across three La Liga appearances with Villarreal, on loan in Spain until the end of the term.

But it’s the younger generation who primarily fill the out-on-loan spots in Spurs’ squad, with midfielder Alfie Devine having made a promising start in England’s second tier with Preston North End, two goals and an assist under the belt.

His versatility and technical ability suggest he could yet work his way into Tottenham’s plans, having, of course, scored aged 16 in the FA Cup when entering against non-league Marine as a substitute.

Not all are enjoying the same fortunes. Jamie Donley, 20, is considered a fine playmaking talent, but he has been on the fringes at Stoke City this season, yet to start in the Championship. Last year, he notched 19 goal contributions on loan with Leyton Orient.

Also at Stoke is Ashley Phillips, a young and talented centre-half who might be something of a forgotten man at Tottenham, but has the potential, just like Vuskovic, to seal a place before Frank’s vision in the coming years.

The Spurs star who could rival Vuskovic

In 2023, Tottenham signed Phillips from Blackburn Rovers for about £3m. A large payment for an 18-year-old, but he was a long-time target and had featured 15 times for the seniors before his big move.

Phillips, still only 20, started 35 matches in the Championship for Stoke last season, winning 60% of his ground duels and making 5.9 clearances per game, data courtesy of Sofascore. He has only started twice so far this season, albeit with both outings coming in Stoke’s recent league matches, two draws.

Vuskovic might be the talk of the town, but Phillips has what it takes to succeed under Frank’s wing, having garnered a wealth of experience in the Championship and playing for a Potters side whose seasonal objective is to achieve promotion, fifth after nine matches.

His is a profile which practically begs to be placed at the highest level, and his skillset is, in theory, perfect for Frank’s tactical system. Tony Mowbray, who managed Phillips at Blackburn, recognised the defender’s potential from the start.

Mowbray said: “He’s an amazing footballer and he is going to be a mega footballer I’m pretty sure, but he’s a very young boy. He’s a 6’3, 6’4 magnificent cut of a guy, fast as lightning, composed with the ball, aggressive.”

These are all the attributes required in a modern defender looking to succeed at the highest level. If Phillips can continue to make headway over the coming months, he may well be linking back up in Tottenham at the same time as Vuskovic, rivalling his junior for a starting berth.

For all his strengths, Vuskovic is hardly in fallible, having won only 47% of his ground battles in Germany so far this season. A strength of Phillips’, this is something which could sway the odds when both jockey for a starring role.

It was three years ago that Spurs insider Jon Wenham hailed Phillips as a “monster” of a young player, drawing attention to his physique and mental fortitude, clear from the get-go.

The road to superstardom in the Premier League is long and winding. Phillips and those close to him clearly have their wits about them and recognise the advantage in playing the long game.

Kane played out a series of short-term stints away before finding his footing in north London, after his teenage years. Vuskovic is sharpening his own defensive skills.

Phillips walks the same path. Keep an eye on this ‘monstrous’ centre-back; he might just play a significant role in the Frank project down the line.