SOCCER: De Zerbi wants Bergvall to stay at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi said Wednesday he wants Lucas Bergvall to remain with the club but cannot promise the young midfielder a regular place in the starting lineup amid reports linking him with a move away.

British media have connected the 20-year-old Sweden international with Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. However, De Zerbi said Bergvall has not expressed any desire to leave Tottenham.

Speaking after Bergvall started in Spurs' 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Sydney FC in a preseason friendly, De Zerbi reiterated that he values the midfielder highly and hopes he stays at the club.

"I would like that he stays with us," De Zerbi said. "I think he's potentially a top, top player. But I don't want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already a top club, and we are not here to convince anyone to stay."

The Italian manager also stressed that no player is guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, regardless of reputation or potential.

"I can't give, for any player in the world, a place in the first XI guaranteed," he said.

Bergvall joined Tottenham in 2024 and made 33 appearances in all competitions during the 2025-26 season, scoring one goal.

While praising the midfielder's talent, De Zerbi said Bergvall still has room to develop, particularly in adapting to different responsibilities in central midfield.

According to De Zerbi, Bergvall prefers playing in a double-pivot midfield, but he must continue improving his tactical awareness, including knowing when to push forward, protect the holding midfielder, and move the ball more quickly.

"He has to improve," De Zerbi said. -Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing/Reuters