> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Hotspur Loan Pulse: Can Luka Live Up to His Potential in Hamburg? And, Mikey Finally Scores! - URL: https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/hotspur-loan-pulse-mikey-scores-first/ - Published: 2025-11-13T23:10:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-12T00:06:07.000Z - Author: Jason Figueiredo - Tags: Tactics One of my favorite topics in any sport is the potential pipeline of athletes who could elevate my team to the next level. In soccer, players on loan give fans a chance to see their future stars compete possibly against lesser talent. As an American soccer fan, loaning players is a very foreign concept. Why risk the health of my future star by letting him play for another team? In short, it’s about making that player the star everyone believes he is destined to become. However, it doesn’t always turn out that way. Seven players are currently out on loan for the Spurs, and each is succeeding to varying degrees. Whether it’s on the field or rallying an entire league’s fan base, these future Spurs each have a handful of reasons to cheer about, even if that reason is happiness that they are not currently on the Tottenham roster. Let’s check out how each player on loan has performed over their last 10 games or so. **Luka Vuskovic – CB – Hamburg** ![A screenshot of a football match schedule AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDA4LnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a football match schedule AI-generated content may be incorrect.") **Image: Fotmob* Cries for Tottenham to call back Luka are echoing throughout Spurs Nation, but his stint at Hamburg is delivering exactly what the loan was meant to achieve. His development with the Red Shorts has improved significantly, thanks to consistently posting 90s on his stat sheet. Vuskovic’s defensive contributions skyrocket to the top in nearly every game he gets called upon, currently ranking 1st in the Bundesliga in Clearances per 90 (9.8) and Blocks per 90 (1.6). Aerial duels are also his bread and butter, as he leads the team with 49 aerial duels won, winning 86% of his contests. Finding the back of the net also seems to be something he’s working on, as he already has one goal this season and showcased an impressive acrobatic kick in training, as well. Goal versus FC Heidenheim ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MjkwLmdpZg.gif) Bicycle kick goal in training: With the CB position quite crowded right now, calling Luka back would probably do more harm than good for his development. Unless Micky, Cuti, or Danso suffer an unexpected injury, Luka is better off gaining valuable minutes and sharpening his skills regularly. **Mikey Moore – LW – Rangers** ![A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDA4LnBuZw-1.jpg "A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.") **Image: FotMob* It was rough sledding for Mikey during his first couple of months with the Rangers. Thankfully, a manager change in early October seems to be the boost the Englishman needed. His last two matches in the Scottish Premiership should attract the most attention, as there is some general hope that things are finally starting to click. A 7.5 FotMob rating against Hibernian, without any goals or assists, highlights his signs of improvement, but you really need to watch all of his highlights from that game to appreciate any alleged growth in development. Not many moments that give you immediate feels, but his ball control and vision are definitely noticeable. My biggest concern is how these skills will look when faced with faster and stronger defenders in the English Premier League. The moment all Rangers and Spurs fans were waiting for finally came on November 9th against Dundee FC. Here are two great looks at Mikey’s goal. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzYzLmdpZg.gif) The play shows Mikey’s instinctive drive to keep working after his initial touch, running alongside the ball as it continues toward the net and positioning himself in open space, waiting to unleash an accurate shot past the goaltender. Despite being his only goal so far this season, it feels like (I hope) that this could be the crack in the dam to open up his scoring touch. Mikey is developing nicely. While the Spurs are yearning for more forward options, this is not the time for Moore. The youngster is better off with the Rangers, getting increasing playing time and evolving into a ball-handling winger, an area where the Spurs are lacking greatly in depth. **Manor Solomon – LW – Villarreal** ![A screenshot of a football game AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDA0LnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a football game AI-generated content may be incorrect.") **Image: FotMob* Manor’s stint at Villarreal couldn’t be going worse. If playing only 110 minutes after three months of the season isn’t bad enough, he was recently labeled La Liga’s “[Most Hated Player](https://wanaen.com/israeli-footballer-becomes-la-ligas-most-hated-player/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com)” by fans across the country, and his lack of playing time seems to be taking a huge toll, especially on his development. With [West Ham](https://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-make-contact-about-signing-tottenham-player-in-january/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) showing interest in the Israeli, it’s a wonder if the Spurs don’t try to sell Solomon before it’s too late. During his 100+ minutes with The Yellow Submarine, he has had two games that give supporters a glimmer of hope that there still is a Premier League player in this man. His only goal for the team came as an 84th\-minute substitute. Solomon didn’t waste time proving his worth, scoring the game-winner two minutes later. Curiously, he only appeared in one more league game and two more cup games for Villarreal after this goal. Manor’s Copa del Rey appearance versus Ciudad Lucena was impressive. However, it’s hard to get pumped up when a potential Premier League player dominates teams with much less talent. Just see for yourself. [https://www.espn.com.au/video/clip/\_/id/46773882](https://www.espn.com.au/video/clip/%5F/id/46773882?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) Despite his opponent’s lack of skill, it’s encouraging to see that Manor can still make crisp passes when opportunities arise. It definitely feels like Solomon’s days at Villarreal are numbered. Watching how he fits into a depleted Thomas Frank squad would be interesting. But it might be time to cut ties with him altogether. **Alfie Devine – AM – Preston** ![A screenshot of a black screen AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDA1LnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a black screen AI-generated content may be incorrect.") Devine banged home two goals in September for Preston, and fans were elated that the 21-year-old midfielder might be blossoming into the midfield threat many believed bubbled within. While the first goal against Leicester mainly resulted from a poor goaltending decision to come out, his second goal was a precise shot from the top of the box, smashing the top left corner. Both goals are impressive and can be viewed below if you haven’t seen them. *1st Goal vs. Leicester:* *2nd goal vs Derby County:* Although the scoring has gone dry since then, Alfie’s recent form remains encouraging, posting a FotMob rating above 7.0 in four of his last six league games with Preston. Devine is also gaining attention in the Championship as one of the top midfielders this season. Alfie currently ranks in the League’s Top 25 in xAG (2.2) and is 19th in tackles made in the Middle 1/3 (12), 12th in blocked passes (16), and 38th overall in tackles won (16). If and when he finally merges both his offense and defense skills, it’s not unthinkable that a homegrown number 10 could emerge. **Min-hyeok Yang – RW – Portsmouth** ![A screenshot of a black screen AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--Mzk5LnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a black screen AI-generated content may be incorrect.") A scorching start to his October turned out to be just a seasonal anomaly for Yang, dipping deep into FotMob’s I-did-nothing-to-impress orange ratings. Additionally, it seems he’s fallen out of favor with his manager, receiving only seven minutes of playing time in Portsmouth’s last two games. Yang’s span of games from October 1st through October 18th cannot be that easily ignored, though. Creativity and panache with the ball can be seen through many parts of these highlights. *Yang’s Highlights* vs Leicester: vs. Middlesbrough: vs. Watford: The future looks promising for this teenager, but he’s definitely not ready to compete in the EPL right now. Hopefully, more playing time and better green ratings are on the horizon for him after the International break. **Ashley Phillips – CB – Stoke City** ![A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDA5LnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.") Ashley Phillips is quietly demonstrating improvement at Stoke City, averaging a 7.15 FotMob rating over his last eight starts. The disciplined center back is a key part of Stoke City’s early success, ranking 26th in the Championship with 82 clearances and 17th with 13 blocked shots. He also shows dominance in the air, winning 32 aerial duels, landing in the League’s Top 50 for that category. Finding footage of Stoke City games and highlights of Phillips’s defensive prowess proved to be quite tricky. However, here are two diving header clearances he made against Wrexham in mid-October. Apparently, that is his go-to move. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzY0LmdpZg-9.gif) ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzYzLmdpZg-1.gif) Love seeing him get consistent playing time and making good use of it. Whether he will be able to develop enough to challenge for a spot on the Spurs’ roster has yet to be seen. **Alejo Veliz – CF – Rosario Central** ![A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--NDAzLnBuZw.jpg "A screenshot of a black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.") In 15 starts for Rosario Central, Alejo has netted five goals, assisted on another, and averaged a FotMob rating of 7.08\. He also leads his team with 17 shots on target and is second with a 5.1 xG. The Argentine looks very comfortable playing in his nation’s top league, and it’s hard not to get a little excited after his recent performances against Platense, Velez Sarsfield, and Gimnasia. Veliz has a knack for finding the back of the net, usually streaking into the box and really just being in the right place when a cross comes in. Watch a couple of his goals and imagine having a striker who can hammer home the ball like this. *Goal v. Platense:* ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzYzLmdpZg-2.gif) *Goal v. Velez Sarsfield @ 0:25:* [@wanderlustfc](https://www.tiktok.com/@wanderlustfc?ref=pitchsidedocket.com)[Vélez Sarsfield v. Rosario Central Mini Vlog: Full Vlog Here: https://youtu.be/oMK5Wjt6-KA?si=1sWCgt1\_zQVFVDL\_ @Club Atlético Rosario Central @Vélez Sarsfield #dimaria #viraltiktok #matchvlog](https://www.tiktok.com/@wanderlustfc/video/7561229649951624459?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) Tiktok failed to load. Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser *Goal v. Gimnisa:* ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzYzLmdpZg-3.gif) With so many issues upfront for the Spurs, it’s almost not a matter of if but when Veliz will get his chance in Frank’s squad. With Roasiro Central’s season almost at a close, now might be the best time than any. The season, like these loanee, is young. However, there seems to be a clear distinction between which players out on loan are getting the most of their time from those that might just be on a 10-month vacation. Until the next International Break! Thanks for reading The Hotspur Hovel! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.