Spurs international watch: On loan defender continues incredible form
By Tom Vinall
It has been a crazy few months for Luka Vuskovic. His loan at KVC Westerlo in the Belgian Pro League is going better than anyone imagined, with four goals in ten appearances as well serious performances at the back. Recently, a Croatian media outlet described him as a “player that comes around every 100 years”. In the final game before the international break, he scored two goals, and was rewarded with a place in the EAFC team of the week.
He has taken this form into the break, too. To begin, he helped Croatia U21 to a clean sheet in Euros qualifying with a 2-0 win over Andorra on Friday night. Then, in their second game, he scored the winner in a 3-2 win over Greece, making it five goals for club and country from central defence in mid-October.
Unfortunately, these six points were not enough for them to top the qualifying group, with their 22 points from 10 games five points short of Portugal’s 27 from ten. However, as a runner up, they will have a chance to qualify for the Euros next summer via the play-offs.
The draw for the play-offs will take place on Thursday in Nyon, Switzerland, with three two legged games taking place for a chance to be in Slovakia for the finals in June of next year.
It is crazy that at just 17-years old, Vuskovic is already playing for the U21s when he could still be playing with the U18s. The age threshold for the finals next summer is being born on or after the 1st of January 2002. Vuskovic was born a whole five years later and could well be at the tournament, should Croatia qualify via the play-offs.
That is, if he hasn’t been called up to the senior team by then. His development is progressing so quickly that you really would not be surprised. Albeit, even if he has been called up, they may see it as best for his development to play in that tournament.
Top stuff, Luka. As always.