Lucas Bergvall arrived at Tottenham Hotspur with high expectations as one of Europe’s most promising young midfield talents. However, under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, he may now find it difficult to secure regular starts, as the Italian has settled on a trusted midfield trio that has helped bring more stability and improvement to the team during a difficult fight to stay in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur have had a long and difficult season, but Roberto De Zerbi has helped the team believe again with a strong impact since taking charge over the past few weeks. De Zerbi was appointed during the March international break after Igor Tudor was dismissed following a poor spell in charge after Thomas Frank left in February, with the club in a bad position at the time.
It has been a tough season overall, but the new head coach was given just seven games to try and move Spurs out of the relegation zone. After back-to-back away wins against Wolves and Aston Villa, they are now two points above 18th place West Ham United. This is clear progress, but the club is still not safe. To finish the job, De Zerbi will need his key players to keep performing at a high level in the final games of the season.
Tottenham’s key figures in the final run-in
One of the most important players in this run-in could be Micky van de Ven. Even though his long-term future at the club is still not certain, he remains a key part of the team, and his role could be even more important as Spurs head into the final weeks of the season.
This becomes even more important when looking at Tottenham’s defensive record this season. The team have struggled for most of the campaign and remain one of the weakest defensive sides in the Premier League. However, there has been clear improvement under Roberto De Zerbi, with the side looking more organised and harder to break down in recent matches, including their last two wins against Wolves and Aston Villa.
That improvement is needed, especially after the setback of losing Cristian Romero to injury. He was forced off on De Zerbi’s debut against Sunderland after suffering a serious muscle injury, and he is now expected to miss the rest of the season, with a summer exit also being considered.
With Romero out, Van de Ven’s importance has grown even more. However, it is not just him, as several other players across the squad are also doing their best to contribute, and they will all need to step up if Tottenham are to stay solid and finish the season strongly in their fight to avoid the drop.
How Tottenham’s midfield has improved under Roberto De Zerbi
That need for stability is also clear in midfield, where Rodrigo Bentancur’s return from injury has helped bring more balance and control to the team. With Bentancur back in the side, there is now growing belief around north London that Tottenham can continue their recent improvement and add another positive result when Leeds United travel to N17 on Monday.
Much of that confidence comes from the partnership Bentancur has built with Conor Gallagher and the tough-tackling Joao Palhinha in recent weeks. Their understanding in midfield has helped Spurs look more settled, and that has played a big role in the team’s recent improvement.
Because that midfield trio is now performing so well together, De Zerbi finally has a setup he can trust. After finding a winning formula, the Italian is expected to stick with the same group for the rest of the season, even if it limits opportunities for younger players like Lucas Bergvall.
The situation facing Lucas Bergvall at Tottenham
That situation directly affects Lucas Bergvall, who arrived at Tottenham after the club beat Barcelona to his signing in January 2024 under Ange Postecoglou. As a result, he has already shown flashes of his ability, especially in how he uses his strength on the ball and his willingness to drive forward when given minutes.
His numbers also back this up, with a dribble success rate of 60.9% in the Premier League, showing his ability to carry the ball and progress play while still helping defensively. However, despite those positives, his progress has slowed in recent weeks as he has not started since the defeat to Sunderland in De Zerbi’s first game in charge, where he struggled and was taken off after losing all 12 of his duels. Since then, the midfield has become more settled and consistent, which has made it harder for him to force his way back into the team.
Because of that stability in midfield, he may have to wait longer for his next opportunity, even though he is still highly rated and seen as an important long-term part of the squad. Chelsea and Aston Villa have also shown interest in him, but Tottenham continue to view him as a key player for the future, while De Zerbi focuses on consistency during a crucial stage of the season.
Bergvall’s pathway into De Zerbi’s team next season
Looking ahead to next season, Lucas Bergvall’s challenge will change from waiting for chances to fighting for a clear place in De Zerbi’s Tottenham team. With strong competition in midfield and attacking areas, he will need to show where he fits best in the squad.
One main option is in central midfield, where he could compete for a deeper role similar to Joao Palhinha. In that position, he would need to bring energy and help move the ball forward, which could give him chances to break into the team. He can also play in attacking midfield, but there he will face strong competition from James Maddison and a returning Dejan Kulusevski, while Xavi Simons is expected to miss most of the season, which could still open some space.
Another option is the inside-right position, where he could be used in more attacking areas. Even though he is not a natural winger, his energy and ability on the ball could help him play there when needed, especially as cover. Because of all this competition in different roles, Bergvall’s progress next season will depend on how well he fits into De Zerbi’s system and how he uses his chances.