From the halcyon days of the 90s featuring no-nonsense defenders Steve Bruce, Tony Adams and Paul McGrath to the noughties, where the likes of John Terry, Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand took the art of defending to a new level.
Now, Marc Guéhi and William Saliba perhaps lead the newest generation, where being comfortable on the ball and defending in one-on-one situations are prerequisites for success in the top flight.
The question is, who is going to break through and become the next great Premier League centre-back?
Luka Vušković could be the very man, or boy, given the fact he is only 18. The Croatian defender was signed by Tottenham Hotspur back in the summer of 2023 from Hajduk Split, eventually linking up with the North Londoners last summer.
Vušković’s player traits compared with other centre backs in top 5 leagues
He was immediately sent out on loan to Hamburg, however, despite scoring against Reading in a pre-season friendly.
The move to the Bundesliga has proved to be an inspirational decision, with Vušković demonstrating his vast talents in one of the best leagues on the continent.
Why is everyone talking about Luka Vušković?
The 18-year-old has taken to the German top flight with ease, starting all but one of Hamburg’s league games so far this season.
He has already scored four goals this term, with the latest effort coming against Bayern Munich. Indeed, this goal sealed a share of the spoils against the runaway leaders and it led to some interesting praise from a German footballing icon in the process.
“It’s not just about winning headers and tackles or scoring goals: he’s somebody who can organise a defence. That’s something you find very rarely,” said Lothar Matthäus, who won the 1990 World Cup for his country.
Harry Kane may have gotten on the scoresheet, but the Englishman didn’t have it all his own way during the tie, especially coming up against Vušković.
The defender made seven clearances throughout the game, ranking first in this metric, while also winning 75% of his aerial duels.
No mean feat against a Bayern side who are strolling to yet another Bundesliga title. Before that match, the Bavarian outfit had dropped points in just three league matches.
Vušković’s defensive numbers in the Bundesliga this season
Vušković displayed maturity well beyond his teenage years against the European heavyweights, something which clearly impressed Matthäus, who is predicting a bright future ahead.
“He’s 18 years old, but he’s playing with the cool head of someone who has played at three World Cups and won two Champions League titles,” added the former Bayern midfielder.
Prior to the clash against Bayern, the teenager excelled in the derby against FC St. Pauli, helping his side keep a clean sheet. With a game-leading 15 defensive contributions, Vušković finished the match with a FotMob rating of 8.3, the highest of the match.
In the German top flight this season, Vušković ranks third for aerial duels won (101), along with ranking second for clearances (151), which works out as 8.4 per 90 domestically.
Not content with just offering solidity at the heart of the defence, the Croatian youngster has proven to be excellent in an attacking sense.
Among his peers, he ranks in the top 10% for chances created (8), and in the top 1% for both goals (4) and successful dribble percentage, indicating how effective he is in the final third for Hamburg.
Despite being contracted to Spurs until 2030, his performances for Hamburg this season could potentially lead to some interest in the defender this summer.
Vušković’s shooting numbers in the Bundesliga this season
Although Spurs have sacked Thomas Frank, whoever takes the reigns of the club will surely be keen to keep a hold of the youngster, especially as he could make a massive impact next season.
What Vušković will offer Spurs
As evidenced by his displays throughout 2025/26, Vušković is equally adept at dominating opposition forwards while also creating attacks from his own half and moving the ball forward.
Spurs are certainly crying out for a player who can do both. In the Premier League this term, the North Londoners have conceded 37 goals. Only six teams have conceded more in the league, with four of them sitting below them in the table.
Compared to fellow Spurs centre-backs Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, the Hamburg loanee is better across several metrics.
Indeed, the Croatian sensation has recorded a higher aerial duel success percentage, more clearances, and take on success percentage compared to the Spurs trio this term.
Could this mean, then, that the teenager would be able to command a place in the starting XI when he returns to England following the end of his loan spell at Hamburg?
Vušković’s possession numbers in the Bundesliga this season
There are several variables at play in that regard. One being who becomes the next manager of Spurs.
A coach with progressive ideas on how his centre-backs play could work wonders for Vušković, especially regarding his long-term future at the club.
With two caps for his country already, could impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup also boost his reputation?
First of all, he must make the squad, and secondly, if he does book a ticket on the plan, just how much he will play in North America?
At the 2022 World Cup, Joško Gvardiol was only 20 and entered the tournament with a reputation as one of the finest young defenders in the World.
He played every minute of Croatia’s seven games in Qatar, even scoring in the third-place playoff to ensure his nation sealed bronze medals.
Vušković has the ability to make a similar sort of impact. If so, the Premier League could be about to witness the birth of its next great centre-back.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the Bundesliga with FotMob this season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.
