Tottenham Hotspur aren't known for having the most star studded squad in the Premier League, but they do have a few of the league's best players so far in the 2025/26 season. Mohammed Kudus has been a revelation on the wings as a new signing, as has defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich in his return to the English Premiership.
The real center pieces of Spurs, though, are center backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who, alongside fullbacks Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie as well as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, form one of the most talented units in all of European football.
And yet, and yet, and yet...when WhoScored dropped its Team of the Season so far for all of Europe's top five leagues based on their player ratings at this natural break point in the schedule of the November international break, it was indeed a Tottenham center back who was the lone representative in this prestigious XI; it just wasn't Romero or Van de Ven (or even Kevin Danso for that matter).
The next big thing in European football
Yes, Tottenham loanee Luka Vuskovic has continued what was a hot start at new club Hamburg - and what must now be called his level. The teenage sensation at the center back position has been one of the best defensive players - honestly, one of the best players at any age and in any position - so far for the newly promoted Bundesliga dinosaurs.
Vuskovic can score goals, create chances from the back, progress the ball, dominate the air with his nickname in Hamburg now being "Air Vuskovic", and, obviously, defend like a mad dog. The Croatian international is already a fixture in the German top flight, and with a WhoScored rating of 7.38 this season, he is literally the best rated center back, beating Arsenal rival Gabriel Magalhaes alongside him in the XI. In fact, only Mallorca right back Pablo Maffeo is just barely rated higher at 7.39.
What Vuskovic is doing this season at the age of 18 in his first season of meaningful action as a senior player is absolutely insane. He is one of the most dominant defenders in the world on the ball, as other players cannot take the ball off him. Vuskovic is a machine at clearing danger, crushing the aerial game, and putting his body on the line to block shots. He plays like a 30-year-old veteran.