Spurs sold midfield “master” for just £8.5m, now he’s better than Bergvall

Tottenham Hotspur’s marketing campaign dangles by a thread, with Sunday’s defeat at Craven Cottage the newest in an enduring litany.

Hopes of success by means of the Premier League are negligible, for Spurs are sat in 14th with 9 video games to go, some ten factors behind tenth-place Bournemouth.

Nevertheless, Ange Postecoglou will cling to the Europa League and rightly so. Tottenham beat AZ Alkmaar final week to maneuver into the quarter-finals, the place a two-legged tie with Eintracht Frankfurt awaits.

Successful the competitors wouldn’t solely finish an interminable trophy drought however carve a pathway by means of to subsequent season’s Champions League correct.

Loads of variables and the improper transfer might spell the top for Ange. Nevertheless, the Australian has reshaped Tottenham into an outfit with attacking inspiration as soon as extra. Accidents have weighed the membership down in 2024/25, however there have been a number of threads which communicate of an thrilling future.

Lucas Bergvall is chief amongst them.

Lucas Bergvall’s Tottenham future

When Tottenham received the race for teenage prodigy Bergvall in January 2024, they left Barcelona munching mud as they claimed the prized signature for an £8.5m determine.

Some discount, that. The Swedish midfielder, nonetheless solely 19, stayed in his homeland with Djurgården till the top of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, however after arriving in London final summer season, his expertise and intelligence have swiftly seen him graduate in Postecoglou’s system to a excessive station, that includes 38 instances, scoring one purpose, including 4 assists.

The actual fact he hasn’t graced the youth scene even as soon as stands as a barometer for his potential and recognition inside Ange’s challenge. After all, accidents to different teammates have accelerated his improvement after which some, however Bergvall has largely stood out, incomes reward from Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola for being “unstoppable” on the ball.

The information backs that one up, for certain. As per FBref, Bergvall ranks among the many high 1% of centre-midfielders throughout Europe over the previous yr for profitable take-ons per 90, completely highlighting his experience in that space.

It goes to point out that Tottenham have the framework for one thing particular, there may be sufficient substance about this squad to create a trophy-winning future.

Nevertheless, accidents and, sure, Ange’s failings could nicely have set the membership again this yr. A lot hinges on getting a grip on that European trophy.

Bergvall’s nice, however he’s solely an adolescent. Trying again, Postecoglou would possibly remorse cashing in on a midfielder who performs in the same vein to the Sweden worldwide and would possibly simply have been a useful choice in the midst of the park this season.

Ange should remorse promoting “grasp” for affordable

Tottenham Hotspurs’ development to the final eight within the Europa League owed largely to Bergvall’s brilliance within the centre, notably successful all seven duels and finishing every of his three tried dribbles, as per Sofascore.

He is solely going to get higher, however there may be actually a way that he may need benefitted from Postecoglou protecting Giovani Lo Celso within the squad this yr.

Tottenham signed Lo Celso from Actual Betis in 2019, initially on mortgage, earlier than the Spanish facet re-signed him for an inexpensive £8.5m payment final summer season when he had one yr remaining on his contract.

The technically gifted midfielder largely struggled to impress in Tottenham, scoring ten targets throughout 108 matches, however he did get pleasure from moments underneath Postecoglou’s wing final season, together with his performances this yr proving he could nicely have nonetheless been of use.

Lo Celso is using the crest of a wave this season, and if we distinction his metrics in La Liga together with his performances all through the 2023/24 marketing campaign within the Premier League, it is clear he is bought sufficient about him throughout the totally different features of the midfield sport to have made a optimistic impression as soon as once more this time period.

As you may see, Lo Celso’s position at Betis has given rise to his playmaking qualities, however his defensive sharpness stays of explicit be aware, combining with a “magic” contact on the ball – as has been famous by soccer reporter Oliver Younger-Myles – to supply a refined and rounded midfielder.

As per FBref, the 28-year-old truly ranks among the many high 1% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for progressive passes and tackles, the highest 2% for passes tried and the highest 6% for shot-creating actions per 90. It is no marvel he is been described as “the grasp of the final cross” by journalist Milena Gimon previously.

He would not dribble ahead with regularity, however Lo Celso has accomplished 73% of his ball-carrying makes an attempt in La Liga this time period, highlighting his aptitude on that entrance too, one other emulation of Bergvall’s talents.

With a far superior purpose menace, fantastic ball-playing sport and defensive safety, there’s little query Lo Celso is outperforming most of Tottenham’s midfield this time period, Bergvall amongst them. This isn’t to the Swede’s discredit, however slightly an illumination of the wrongdoings down N17. He ought to have been saved on the books.

All instructed, Lo Celso was underwhelming for almost all of his time in north London, however his prolific performances this yr counsel that £8.5m payment wasn’t a good reflection of market worth when he left.

Not solely that, the Argentinian star might have added the right additional dimension to Postecoglou’s struggling facet this time period, easing the burden on the shoulders of kids like Bergvall.