Tottenham loan star deserves surprise inclusion in Yamal and Estevao debate

Spurs took the decision to send one of their most promising youngsters on loan to the Bundesliga this season, where he is impressing.

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Chelsea teenager Willian Estevao cemented his name as one of the world’s most exciting football talents with a scintillating showing against Barcelona under the lights in Champions League action at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old, who only joined the Blues from Palmeiras this summer, outclassed opposite number Lamine Yamal. This was certainly the view of the Stamford Bridge faithful, too, many of whom regaled Yamal with a less than flattering chant throughout his underwhelming evening in west London.

The Barcelona winger is widely regarded as the number one prospect in the sport, having already helped Spain to Euro 2024 success and Barca to win La Liga last season.

Seeing the two players facing off has sparked conversation over which youngsters will go on to be the next ‘Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi’ for the new generation. Perhaps on Tuesday evening we saw Chapter One of the new beginning.

Speaking after the win, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said: "As Raphinha said, probably in the next 10, 15 years, Estevao and Lamine Yamal are probably going to be the next Messi and Ronaldo. But for both, they are 18. They need to enjoy, try to improve every day. This is the most important thing for them."

Chelsea and Barcelona teenagers tipped for greatness

There are exciting times ahead for Chelsea and Barcelona, but Tottenham Hotspur perhaps don’t need to feel left out of the conversation. Spurs have their own wonderkid who is flying under the radar compared to the forwards.

It’s much easier for attacking players to make headlines and see their stock rise with goals and assists, while defenders have to work harder to see the same limelight cast on them. There are few footballers on the continent, let alone teenagers, who are currently performing at the same consistency as Luka Vuskovic.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender is on loan at Hamburger SV this season. The German outfit are 14th in the Bundesliga but only teams in the top six in the division have conceded fewer goals, and that’s largely down to the influence of Vuskovic.

Over the international break, the Croatia international was named in the WhoScored European Team of the Season so far with his average performance score of 7.38 even outscoring imperious Arsenal man Gabriel.

Tottenham Hotspur star Luka Vuskovic must not be overlooked

Where Maresca is using Estevao sparingly and deploying the maverick winger at times where his youth and Rambo attitude can shine, Vuskovic boasts the maturity of a regular starter. The defender has played 90 minutes in Hamburger’s last nine Bundesliga fixtures.

Vuskovic was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month in September and his performances earned him a call-up to the senior Croatia side. Speaking about the Spurs man, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic said: “A huge talent, he plays excellently in the Bundesliga, and that’s why he got a chance in the senior national team. 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.”

If Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero did not have the centre-back partnership locked down at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it’s likely that Vuskovic could have claimed a regular place in the starting XI. The youngster impressed under Thomas Frank in pre-season with a calm presence at the back and a big attacking threat from set plays. After his loan spell this season, a Premier League and European breakthrough seems imminent.

It’s unreasonable to say that Vuskovic’s achievements thus far can be put on a level with Estevao and Yamal, who are starring in the Champions League, but he is certainly a player with the potential to define a generation of football.

In other news: Tottenham should hijack £70m Arsenal and Man City transfer for 'extraordinary' Real Madrid star after failed summer bid.