Postecoglou comments brings issues for Tottenham man – Worry he simply doesn’t rate him
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou’s recent comments on Lucas Bergvall have raised concerns about the young Swedish player’s future at the club.
Swedish journalist Tobias Hellgren from Fotboll Skanalen suggests that Postecoglou may not fully believe in Bergvall’s abilities. The 18-year-old midfielder joined Tottenham this summer after a competitive pursuit that saw Barcelona also vying for his signature.
Despite his highly anticipated arrival, Bergvall’s time on the pitch has been limited to mainly substitute appearances, with 10 games under his belt so far this season.
The intense competition for midfield spots at Tottenham has made Premier League minutes hard to come by for Bergvall. In recent matches, he has spent most of his time on the bench as an unused substitute, having not played in Tottenham’s last five league games.
He did, however, start in Tottenham’s Europa League clash against Galatasaray, where the team faced a narrow 3-2 defeat. Bergvall was subbed off after 66 minutes in that game, a decision that prompted Postecoglou to comment on the young player’s development.
The manager pointed out that playing at this level can be challenging for someone of Bergvall’s age, indicating that he sees areas for improvement.
Hellgren interprets Postecoglou’s comments as a possible lack of confidence in Bergvall’s current readiness for high-level competition.
According to Hellgren, Postecoglou’s repeated references to Bergvall’s need to continue developing may signal that he believes the young Swede isn’t quite ready to handle the demanding pace and physicality of Premier League football.
Hellgren suggests that Postecoglou’s words subtly indicate that Bergvall is not yet fully prepared for the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of top-flight English football, which he likens to “heavy metal football.”
Bergvall has experienced a couple of significant setbacks on the field, particularly in matches where he has been subbed off early.
Notably, he was given two clearances against Manchester United and was the first player to exit after a red card incident in the Qarabag game. These situations, Hellgren argues, could be seen as signals of Bergvall’s position in the team hierarchy.
Being one of the first to be sacrificed in such situations may imply that Postecoglou doesn’t fully trust him yet, which could affect Bergvall’s standing within the squad.
With the season progressing into November, Hellgren notes that it may be too soon to consider a loan move for Bergvall, though it’s not out of the question if his situation doesn’t improve soon.
The journalist points out that there is value in Bergvall staying in Tottenham’s environment, as being part of a Premier League squad provides valuable experience, even from the bench. However, injuries or suspensions among Tottenham’s other midfielders could open up opportunities for Bergvall later in the season.
For now, Bergvall’s immediate future at Tottenham may hinge on his ability to secure more playing time and demonstrate his readiness to contribute to the team.
While Postecoglou’s comments may appear cautious, Hellgren suggests they might reveal a more profound skepticism regarding Bergvall’s current place in the squad.
If his playing situation doesn’t improve, Hellgren believes a loan move could become a serious consideration, allowing Bergvall to gain the experience he needs to compete at a higher level.
In sum, Bergvall’s future at Tottenham remains uncertain. While the young midfielder possesses potential, he faces an uphill battle in proving himself to Postecoglou and securing a regular spot in the team. The coming months will be critical for Bergvall’s development and his status at the club.