Tottenham Hotspur’s January 2024 signing Lucas Bergvall has found himself struggling for minutes under manager Ange Postecoglou, with reports suggesting that the Swedish teenager’s future at the club could be in doubt if his development doesn’t improve soon.
The 18-year-old midfielder was hailed as one of Europe’s brightest talents when Tottenham managed to convince him to reject Barcelona in favour of a move to North London. The £8.5 million deal appeared to be a major coup at the time, but nearly a year into his Spurs tenure, Bergvall’s lack of involvement in Premier League matches is raising questions about his readiness for top-flight football.
Despite featuring heavily in Tottenham’s Europa League campaign, Bergvall has yet to start a Premier League match this season, and Postecoglou has publicly raised concerns about the player’s readiness for the intensity of the English game. After a lackluster performance against Galatasaray, Postecoglou hinted that Bergvall may not yet be suited to the high-paced, physical demands of the Premier League. “There are levels,” Postecoglou said cryptically, pointing out the struggles the teenager had in his brief appearances on the pitch.
Swedish journalist Tobias Hellgren, speaking to Fotboll Skanalen, provided further insight into why Postecoglou seems unconvinced by Bergvall’s ability to make an immediate impact at Tottenham. According to Hellgren, Postecoglou has made it clear through his comments that he does not yet trust Bergvall to handle the rigors of Premier League football. “He is simply not convinced of Bergvall’s current ability,” Hellgren remarked, noting that Postecoglou had repeatedly mentioned that the Swede has “more to learn,” an indication that the Tottenham manager doesn’t see him as ready for regular Premier League action.
Hellgren added that Postecoglou’s reluctance to give Bergvall a starting role may be a result of the midfielder’s inability to adapt to the fast-paced nature of top-flight football. “Subtly, Ange probably wants to convey that Bergvall is not quite ready – yet – for the high-tempo, heavy-metal-like football that is at the top of the Premier League,” Hellgren explained. This comment paints a picture of Bergvall struggling to cope with the quick transitions, intense pressing, and physicality that the Premier League demands, with Postecoglou perhaps feeling that the teenager’s development is better suited to a more gradual introduction.
The concerns are further emphasized by Bergvall’s on-field performances. Hellgren highlighted that in Tottenham’s recent match against Manchester United, the midfielder was caught out on two clearances and seemed to struggle under the pressure, while in a Europa League fixture against Qarabag, Bergvall was the first to be sacrificed when Tottenham went down to ten men after a red card. “Being ‘easy to sacrifice’ is often a good indicator of how high you stand with your coach,” Hellgren added, suggesting that Bergvall’s lowly status within the Spurs hierarchy is a sign that Postecoglou does not yet view him as a first-team regular.
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With Bergvall’s development under the microscope, there is now growing speculation about his future at Tottenham. Hellgren was careful to note that it is still too early to be discussing a potential loan move for the midfielder. “We are in November, and it is far too early to start talking about a loan,” the Swedish journalist emphasized. “On the one hand, there is value in just being in Tottenham’s environment; on the other hand, there may be openings further on with injuries and suspensions.”
However, Hellgren also acknowledged that if Bergvall’s situation does not improve, a loan move could become a viable option in the near future. “The situation probably needs to start getting better for Bergvall pretty soon so that the loan discussion is not seriously brought up,” Hellgren continued. “Right now his ‘status in the hierarchy’ meter is pointing down. And Postecoglou’s latest outing does not suggest that a complete turnaround on that point is to be expected shortly.” This indicates that if Bergvall’s development doesn’t accelerate quickly, Postecoglou may look for a temporary solution away from Tottenham to help the midfielder regain his confidence and form.
Bergvall’s struggles are not isolated, as Tottenham have also seen their fair share of challenges with other high-profile players. A report in Football Insider suggested that Postecoglou has clashed with four key Spurs stars this season, including goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, centre-back Cristian Romero, full-back Destiny Udogie, and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. The tensions reportedly stem from Postecoglou’s direct, no-nonsense style of management, which has led to disagreements both publicly and behind closed doors. These reported rifts have been linked to Tottenham’s erratic form this season, as the team has fluctuated between impressive victories and disappointing defeats.
In this context, Bergvall’s situation could be seen as a part of a broader dynamic within the squad, where Postecoglou’s expectations and style of play are putting pressure on players to adapt quickly. For young talents like Bergvall, who were brought in to make an impact but have yet to break into the first team regularly, the current environment may not be conducive to rapid development.
The idea of a loan move is one that Tottenham may not want to entertain lightly, especially given the promising potential Bergvall showed before his arrival. However, as Hellgren noted, if the midfielder’s situation does not improve, a loan could become necessary for both his growth and Tottenham’s long-term plans. A temporary move to a club where Bergvall can gain more regular minutes in a slightly less intense environment could allow him to hone his skills and return to Spurs ready to compete at a higher level.
For now, Bergvall’s future at Tottenham remains uncertain. The club’s decision to hold onto the teenager and allow him to develop within the squad, rather than loaning him out immediately, will depend on how quickly he can adapt to Postecoglou’s demanding style of play. The coming weeks will likely be crucial in determining whether Bergvall can force his way into contention for a more prominent role at Spurs or if a move away from the club becomes necessary for his development.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Bergvall’s performances in both domestic and European competitions. If he can impress in the coming months, he may still have a future under Postecoglou. But for now, his lack of Premier League involvement and the manager’s doubts over his readiness mean that his status at Tottenham is very much up in the air.
