Glenn Hoddle says Tottenham have a young talent in their ranks who’s going to be truly ‘frightening’
The electric atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium witnessed something special during Thursday’s Europa League clash – the coming-of-age performance of Lucas Bergvall that had even the most cynical Spurs fans daring to dream.
While the 1-1 scoreline against Eintracht Frankfurt left Tottenham frustrated, the 19-year-old Swedish prodigy’s display offered genuine cause for optimism about the club’s future.
Bergvall’s transformation from promising signing to midfield linchpin has been nothing short of remarkable. When Hugo Ekitike put Frankfurt ahead after 12 minutes, it was the young Swede who steadied Tottenham’s nerves with a masterclass in midfield composure.
His 93% pass accuracy, 3 key passes, and 7 ball recoveries formed the foundation for Spurs’ dominance, even if their finishing let them down. Glenn Hoddle’s post-match analysis captured the growing excitement: “When he’s 24, what’s he going to be like? He’s going to be frightening.”
| Metric | Early Season | Current Form | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 89% | +7% |
| Duels Won | 48% | 63% | +15% |
| Progressive Carries | 2.1/game | 4.3/game | +105% |
| Tackles Won | 1.2/game | 2.7/game | +125% |
What makes Bergvall’s emergence so compelling is the visible physical transformation accompanying his technical development. Football London’s Alasdair Gold noted the midfielder’s rapidly evolving physique: “Every time I see him he looks a little bit stronger…he’s properly bulking up.”
This gym work with mentor Dejan Kulusevski has translated directly to on-field impact – where Bergvall once got muscled off the ball, he now holds off challenges with the assurance of a veteran.
The teenager’s partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur against Frankfurt showcased Tottenham’s midfield potential. Their complementary styles – Bergvall’s progressive passing and Bentancur’s destructive tackling – created the platform for Pedro Porro’s exquisite backheel equalizer.
Yet Bergvall’s influence extended beyond statistics; his tactical intelligence in dropping between center-backs to build play demonstrated a maturity belying his years.
Hoddle’s observation about Bergvall’s accelerated development curve rings true when examining his adaptation timeline. Most young imports require 18-24 months to adjust to Premier League demands – Bergvall has compressed that process into eight months.
His willingness to embrace the physical side of English football while maintaining technical standards explains why Postecoglou now considers him undroppable.
As Tottenham prepare for the Frankfurt return leg, Bergvall represents their secret weapon. His ability to receive under pressure and turn defense into attack could prove decisive against a German side likely to sit deeper at home.
With each performance, the €10 million paid to Djurgården looks more like one of the decade’s shrewdest acquisitions.
While Thursday’s draw left Tottenham’s European ambitions in the balance, Bergvall’s emergence offers something more valuable – the blueprint for Postecoglou’s rebuild.
In a single transformative season, the Swedish teenager has gone from promising prospect to indispensable starter, his rapid physical and technical development symbolizing Tottenham’s own upward trajectory. As Hoddle astutely noted, if this is Bergvall at 19, the Premier League should be wary of what’s coming.