One journalist is reading between the lines of Ange Postecoglou’s comments about a Tottenham midfielder, asserting that the Australian does not trust the player yet.
Tottenham youngster has not had an easy start
Lucas Bergvall was always going to face a massive challenge in adapting to life at Tottenham, given the huge step he was taking in the summer from the Allsvenskan to the Premier League.
While the 18-year-old got a lot of Spurs fans excited with his performances in pre-season, he has not been able to replicate that consistently in the opportunities that have come his way in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League.
Bergvall is still waiting for his first Premier League start, and one Swedish journalist is not convinced that it is about to arrive anytime soon.
Journalist says Ange Postecoglou does not trust Bergvall yet
Journalist Tobias Hellgren pointed to the comments that Postecoglou made about the Sweden international following Tottenham’s 3-2 loss to Galatasaray last week.
The Tottenham coach remarked after the loss in Turkey that Bergvall was still developing and that football at this level at his age is not easy (Football.London).
Hellgren sees that comment and the Australian’s decision to take the midfielder off against Qarabag following Radu Dragusin’s red card, as evidence that the 59-year-old is not convinced by the youngster.
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The reporter told Fotboll Skanalen: “There is something else to interpret in Ange’s words as well: he is simply not convinced of Bergvall’s current ability.
“Now he has returned to the fact that the Swede has ‘more to learn’ so many times that everyone has understood that he thinks so. Subtly, Ange probably wants to convey instead that Bergvall is not ready – yet – for the high-tempo, heavy metal-like football that is at the top of the Premier League.
“Bergvall received two clear clearances against Manchester United and was the first to smoke at the red card against Qarabag. Being easy to sacrifice is often a good indicator of how high you stand with your coach.”
Could Lucas Bergvall be loaned out by Spurs?
Hellgren suggested that while the former Djurgardens man will not think about leaving Tottenham to get game time for the time being, a loan move might become a topic of discussion if things do not change over the coming weeks.
He added: “We are in November, and it is far too early to start talking about a loan. On the one hand, there is value in just being in Tottenham’s environment, on the other hand, there may be openings further on with injuries and suspensions.
“But the situation probably needs to start getting better for Bergvall pretty soon so that the loan discussion is not seriously brought up. Because right now his ‘status in the hierarchy’ meter is pointing down. And Postecoglou’s latest outing does not suggest that a complete turnaround on that point is to be expected shortly.”