Former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld has now revealed whether Luka Vuskovic should be sent out on another loan amid the club’s ongoing centre-back reshuffle.
Tottenham Hotspur have certainly marked their backline as an area that needs work, given their priorities thus far in the transfer market.
The club have since confirmed their first piece of business of the summer, with Andy Robertson completing a move after agreeing to join Spurs as a free agent.
More defensive reinforcement also appears to be on the way, with Marcos Senesi next in line after agreeing a pre-contract deal with Tottenham on a four-year contract.
Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke is another player on Spurs’ radar, with the Lilywhites having already submitted a bid for the Dutchman, which was rejected.
Another offer is expected to be sent soon for Van Hecke, as reported by Spurs Web. In fact, the Brighton CEO claims he has already rejected two Tottenham bids, so hopefully number three is not far away.
Tottenham face Luka Vuskovic decision after defensive additions
The addition of two centre-backs would certainly leave Tottenham well-stocked in defence. Cristian Romero could, however, depart, as Spurs Web have reported, and Van Hecke could be his replacement.
Even if that happens, Tottenham would still have at least five senior centre-backs at the club, while youngsters Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic would remain in the mix.
That could stunt the development of the younger defenders, and Spurs Web has reported that Vuskovic could be set for another loan spell.
The Croat enjoyed a stellar season with Hamburg in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and earning a place in the division’s Team of the Season.
Vuskovic continues to attract interest from a host of clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool.
Former Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld has now shared his thoughts on Vuskovic, discussing both the youngster’s qualities and whether he is ready for a chance in north London.
Speaking to football.london, the Belgian highlighted the defender’s physical presence, goalscoring threat and potential.
He said, “I played against him in Belgium. He played for Westerlo. He was, of course, a very good defender. He was very aggressive in the opposite box with corners. So he’s got a good header and he has a nose for goals.
“Is he ready? I think if you have a manager like Pochettino, for example, he gives players a chance. It’s possible.
“But then you need someone next to him. For example, I was at Antwerp and I played with Willian Pacho. Before I was there, he didn’t play one minute, but then I played with him and now he has won the Champions League two times. Not because of me, but I mean, you need someone who’s there and he can count on, because if you put all the pressure on him, it’s going to be difficult.
“But if you’re someone who’s a leader, a leader not only with talking, then why not? Why not give him a chance? He proved in Belgium he was good. In the Bundesliga, he was good.”
Toby Alderweireld discusses another Luka Vuskovic loan
Alderweireld also addressed the possibility of Vuskovic spending another season away from Tottenham and explained why building a strong centre-back partnership is vital for a young defender’s development.
Speaking to football.london, the former Spurs defender suggested another loan could be beneficial, while stressing the importance of consistency alongside an established partner.
He added, “You can loan him again. He’s very young, so he has time, but the thing is, you have to have someone next to him who is there all the time and not this guy and this guy.
“He needs to be together [with a regular partner] because he has to improve, he has to improve by himself, but as well, you’re a team. At centre-back, I think Jan [Vertonghen] and me are the best example. We were one team and that’s very important.
“Even, maybe I don’t want to talk about it, but the quality of Arsenal at centre-back. Those two, they play together all the time, and they play good together. They know he’s doing this and he’s doing that. That’s the quality of him and the quality of him and they play together.
“That’s something, at Spurs, we need to get as quickly as possible to get a good partnership as centre-backs.”