Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall faced tough criticism following his performance for Sweden in their 3-1 win over Azerbaijan.
Despite his strong pre-season form with Spurs, the 18-year-old struggled to make an impact during his substitute appearance in the Nations League opener.
Bergvall, who joined Tottenham earlier this summer in an £8.5 million transfer, had quickly caught the eye of Spurs’ coaching staff with his pre-season performances.
His promising development earned him a call-up to the Swedish national team, where he made his second international appearance.
Substituting Alex Douglas in the 72nd minute, Bergvall was expected to make a difference, but his short time on the pitch left much to be desired.
Swedish media outlet Fotballskanalen was particularly harsh, stating that the young midfielder “tried to deal with the ball and be fearless” but ultimately “failed at everything.”
The criticism pointed to his inability to make a meaningful contribution during his brief cameo, resulting in negative reviews.
Despite this setback, Bergvall’s talent is clear. Last season, while on loan in the Allsvenskan, he made 19 appearances, scoring six goals and providing five assists—demonstrating his potential.
Tottenham remains optimistic about his future, and the coaching staff will be focused on helping him overcome this transition to top-level football in Europe.
As Bergvall continues to mature, both Spurs and the Swedish national team will be hopeful that the experience will help him develop and deliver improved performances going forward.