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Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic believes Tottenham have a "huge talent" in Luka Vuskovic and that the teenager centre-back will be a star in the national team for the next decade and a half.
Spurs fought off competition from Manchester City to snap up the 18-year-old centre-back from Hajduk Split two years ago but could not bring him over to the UK at that time due to work permit regulations. That meant Vuskovic had to head out on two development loans, first to Radomiak in Poland and then Westerlo in Belgium.
Vuskovic finally arrived in north London this summer and scored and grabbed an assist in his first pre-season friendly against Reading. However, his new Spurs head coach Thomas Frank believed he needed more game time to develop than he might get with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven ahead of him as such a strong starting centre-back pairing and the teenager was offered the option to go out on loan if he wanted to.
Vuskovic admitted publicly that he felt he had a lot to learn to get near to Romero and Van de Ven's level. That brought a move to Hamburg and Vuskovic has quickly become a star there with the team unbeaten with him at the back since his tough debut against Bayern. According to the Bundesliga club, they have sold 1,000 shirts with the young defender's name on the back and he is expected to be a key figure in trying to keep them in the German top flight.
Vuskovic's national boss Dalic spoke about Vuskovic on Monday after the teen joined up with the Croatia squad looking to add to his first international cap.
"A huge talent, he plays excellently in the Bundesliga, and that’s why he got a chance in the senior national team," he said. "I think he should be with us to feel the atmosphere and what awaits him. With him, Croatia secures its centre-back for the next 10-15 years."
Tottenham are expecting Vuskovic to return next summer ready to compete for a place in Frank's squad and they have option to recall him in January if they suffer injuries at the back. One thing is for sure and that's if the youngster continues on his current path then he will be a firm fixture for club and country for years to come.
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