Statistics show that Tottenham loanee Luka Vuskovic is improving one area of his game as he puts in a defensive masterclass in Westerlo’s latest draw.
Luka Vuskovic remains a standout performer for Westerlo, where he has been honing his craft since signing for Tottenham Hotspur two summers ago.
The young Croatian centre-back has been impressing, particularly with his eye for goal, a rare trait for a defender.
As the season progresses, his performances continue to fuel speculation over his potential inclusion in Tottenham’s first-team squad this summer.
However, at just 18 years old, the jump to the Premier League is a massive one, and some believe it may be too soon, with the physical demands of England’s top flight a significant hurdle to overcome.
A complete defensive display against OH Leuven by Vuskovic
As his return to north London edges closer, the Croatian youngster continues to impress, and his latest outing may well be one of his finest yet.
While he has been making headlines for his goal-scoring exploits, this time he delivered a commanding defensive display.
In a 0-0 draw against OH Leuven, the centre-back helped Westerlo keep a crucial clean sheet, earning a match rating of 8.2.
It is his third-highest-ever rating in Westerlo colours. According to Fotmob, the only performances surpassing this have come when Vuskovic has scored a goal – thus inflating his score.
The result keeps Westerlo’s hopes of avoiding relegation alive, and Vuskovic’s performance will have done his reputation no harm as he looks to convince Spurs’ coaching staff that he is ready for the step up.
Luka Vuskovic shows Tottenham what he can do
The young defender was one of the standout performers in the match, with only midfielder Haspolat achieving a higher rating of 8.4.
The Tottenham loanee was the most accurate passer among players who featured for 45 minutes or more, completing 91% of his passes, while also dominating defensively by winning 11 duels. His match stats:
Vuskovic’s match stats vs OH Leuven
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Successful dribbles | 1/1 (100%) |
| Passes into final third | 4 |
| Accurate long balls | 7/7 (100%) |
| Dispossessed | 0 |
| Cleared off the line | 1 |
| Blocks | 2 |
| Clearances | 6 |
| Headed clearances | 2 |
| Defensive actions | 8 |
| Recoveries | 7 |
| Dribbled past | 1 |
| Duels won | 11 |
| Duels lost | 3 |
| Aerial duels won | 10/12 (83%) |
Of course, there have been concerns among Spurs fans about whether Vuskovic had the defensive nous to complement his technical ability.
This performance goes a long way to proving he is more than just a ball-playing centre-half—he can put in a commanding defensive shift when required.
As his loan spell nears its end, Tottenham will soon have a decision to make. If he keeps delivering performances like this, he will certainly give the Spurs hierarchy something to think about.