This article includes exclusive comment from former Tottenham scout Bryan King.
Luka Vuskovic has finally arrived at Tottenham this summer after spending the last two seasons out on loan.
The Lilywhites bought the Croatian defender from Hajduk Split back in 2023, but he has been unable to fully join up with the North Londoners until he turned 18.
Vuskovic is very highly rated at Spurs, and there have been plenty of discussions as to how he should be integrated into the first-team squad over the two years since he agreed to join.
Tottenham fans got their first glimpse of the centre back in the recent pre-season friendly against Reading, and they could be about to see a lot more of him as the season unfolds.
MORE SPURS STORIES
Vuskovic to challenge for place after Frank makes pre-season decision
Vuskovic was hugely impressive in Spurs’ victory over Reading, as the starlet notched a goal and an assist within his first 10 minutes of action for his new club.
The youngster has had loan stints in the Polish Ekstraklasa and the Belgian Pro League in the last two seasons, and another loan move had potentially been on the cards.
However, Thomas Frank has now seemingly decided that he wants to cast his eye over him during his side’s preparations for the new Premier League campaign.
Ex-Spurs scout and Croatian football expert Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Frank will be hopeful that Vuskovic can challenge for a starting spot, after handing him an opportunity in pre-season.
“Frank has never been afraid of using young players, and certainly giving them a chance,” King said.
“He has got two international central defenders in (Micky) Van de Ven and (Cristian) Romero, one has got tremendous pace, and one is a tough, rugged defender, and both attack the ball in the air.
“I think Vuskovic is going to be fortunate to get in the starting XI, but he certainly gives Spurs more depth.
“If Frank wants to have a look at him early on, and he certainly has, then he’ll want him to be challenging the two main centre halves.”
Vuskovic should get a chance ahead of Dragusin
Frank is set to have plenty of young centre back options available to him after Tottenham also signed Kota Takai earlier in the summer, and he may be inclined to hand Vuskovic opportunities ahead of someone like Radu Dragusin.
The Romanian has struggled to find consistency in North London and is still recovering from a serious injury, which could easily see him fall down the pecking order.
The former Brentford boss may see more benefit in handing the secondary minutes in the backline to someone like Vuskovic, who has huge potential to develop into a top-class defender.