Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult Premier League campaign took another hit with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea, marking their 16th league defeat in just 30 games.
As the pressure mounts, much of the criticism has shifted toward the midfield—a department many believe lacks structure and control.
Troy Deeney identifies Lucas Bergvall’s weak point
Former Watford forward Troy Deeney recently weighed in on the situation where he highlighted some key issues in Spurs’ midfield setup.
Deeney singled out Lucas Bergvall, expressing concern over the youngster’s positional awareness. In his view, Bergvall tends to wander across the pitch without maintaining the team’s shape, which causes problems against high-quality opponents like Chelsea.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Treeney said:
“The midfield, in my opinion, can’t be sorted until we know who’s the sitting midfielder. Bentancur runs around a lot, but doesn’t get on the ball. The boy Bergvall, he’s a young kid, he just runs. I understand why fans like him, but he’s never in position, he doesn’t hold the shape, he just runs everywhere.”
Deeney’s assessment reflects a common frustration among fans and analysts who see potential in the Swedish teenager but also recognize the rough edges in his game.
Bergvall, who joined Spurs in July 2024 in an £8.5 million move, is still in the early stages of adapting to English football. The 19-year-old has shown glimpses of real talent but is still learning the tactical demands of the Premier League.
Bergvall earned his first start in a 2-1 EFL Cup victory against Coventry City and scored his first goal for the club in a vital 1-0 win over Liverpool in the semi-final first leg of the same competition.
So far this season, the midfielder has racked up 39 appearances in all competitions, along with one goal and four assists. (Transfermarkt)
While his energy and work rate are undeniable, the next step in his development is improving his positional discipline and understanding of game tempo.
As Tottenham look to turn their season around in the Europa League, Bergvall is expected to feature prominently. For Ange Postecoglou and his staff, the focus will be on working closely with the teenager to refine his tactical instincts and help him grow into a more disciplined midfielder.
