top of page

The future of Tottenham's defence

With Tottenham Hotspur Under-21's currently topping the Premier League 2 table with four wins from four, only conceding once, it would appear there is a lot of excitement around the club's future.


The appointment of Ange Postecoglou has given academy prospects faith of making it into the first team, especially compared to the struggles of the youth teams last year under Antonio Conte.


The North London club have reportedly invested in more exciting talent, beating Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea and Liverpool to the signature of Luka Vušković.


He is one of the three central defenders showing incredible potential that could go on to be influential for Spurs, particularly under their most compelling, attack-minded manager in recent years.

Ashley Phillips


Spurs' first team has an average age of 25, making them the third youngest team in the Premier League behind Burnley and Arsenal, the latter of which they will face later this month.


The most recent addition to feature in this first team squad is Ashley Phillips, a player who has a greater responsibility following the departure of Davinson Sanchez to Galatasaray.


Tony Mowbray, Phillips' former boss at Blackburn, sang the praises of the English defender believing he was a phenomenal talent.


"If you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute," commented Mowbray about Phillips.


Having won Championship Apprentice of the Year before signing for Spurs, there is certainly a lot of hype around the 18 year-old.


Luka Vušković


With personal terms agreed and paperwork being finalised, Luka Vušković appears to be the next player to join Ange Postecoglou's North London revolution.


Although the player won't formally join until 2025, it allows Vušković to continue his development with his current club Hajduk Split, where he has been getting minutes with their first team on a regular basis, making 11 appearances so far.


He, like Phillips, is also 6'4" and is only 16 years of age, meaning he may be even taller when it comes to joining Spurs permanently.

Vušković is believed to be one of the best players in the world born in 2007 and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of players such as Joško Gvardiol who recently signed for Manchester City.


It will be interesting to see the speed of his development in Croatia and whether the 16 year-old, who turned down a €12million move to Man City back in April, will become a key player for Tottenham in the future.


Alfie Dorrington


Alfie Dorrington has been at the club since he was 13 years-old and in that time he's become one of the most exciting defenders within the academy.


His performances in the Premier League 2 so far this season have been some of his best in a Spurs shirt, displaying a wide range of passes, as well as an innate ability to read the game.


Winning the double last year with the Under-18s, he is sure to be craving more success as a Tottenham player, something Ange Postecoglou could help provide.


Dorrington was one of four Spurs players to get called up to the England Under-19s most recent squad, with teammates Jamie Donley, Luca Gunter and Ashley Phillips also travelling.


Fans will be hoping Dorrington gets his chance in the first team in years to come and that another one of their own is born out of the academy.








19 views0 comments
bottom of page