Roberto De Zerbi has admitted he cannot guarantee Lucas Bergvall regular first-team football, as the 20-year-old midfielder considers his future at Tottenham.
Bergvall informed Spurs earlier this summer that he wanted to leave north London in search of more game time. Nottingham Forest saw a bid rejected, while Newcastle also registered their interest.
Pre-season start and competition
The Swede was handed a start in Tottenham's second pre-season friendly of their Australian tour, where De Zerbi's side beat Sydney FC 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. He played in midfield alongside stand-in skipper Archie Gray.
Summer signings Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have pushed Bergvall further down the pecking order. He competes with Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher and Gray for a midfield spot, while attacking options include James Maddison, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus.
De Zerbi's stance
De Zerbi said after the match: "It's very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can't give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed. I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don't want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can't give a guarantee."
He added: "It's right when he wants to play as a central midfielder. But to play as a central midfielder, [you need to] attack, [play as] the holder and move the ball faster. He has to improve. I would like him to stay, but if he doesn't want, then what can I do? Nothing. He has to speak with Vinai [Venkatesham] or Johan Lange."
Praise for potential
De Zerbi praised Bergvall's ability, saying: "I think he's potentially a top player, but then I don't want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us."
The Italian emphasised squad depth, noting injuries in recent seasons: "Football is going in a clear direction – to compete for the highest places in the table, you have to manage 22, 23, 24 players. I don't want 24, but 21, 22, of a high level, for sure."
De Zerbi confirmed Bergvall has not asked to leave directly, but their conversations have clarified his position: "His position is very clear for me now. I needed time to understand the characteristics of the players. But I would like him to stay with us. He's very young, a very good player, a good guy."
