Tottenham players not ‘happy’ and ‘proud’ to stay should leave – Roberto de Zerbi
Bergvall, who was transferred to Spurs from Swedish club Djurgarden in 2024, played for a limited time under De Zerbi management at the end of last season.
The 20-year-old player started the Italian team’s first match in the 1-0 defeat against Sunderland and subsequently made four appearances as a substitute.
Spurs then signed midfielders Sandro Tonali (in a £100m deal from Newcastle United) and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m.
“I haven’t spoken to Lucas yet,” De Zerbi said. “I will do this in the coming days and we will seamlessly make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for each of us. Lucas is a huge, huge talent.
“There will be great competition to play because I think we will end up with two players for each position.
“I would be happy if he wants to stay. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution.” [sporting director] with Johan Lange [chief executive] vinai [Venkatesham]. “After the decision to leave, it’s not my job.”
Tottenham have also added defenders Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to their ranks and De Zerbi says now “the aim is to complete attacking positions”.
“First of all, I think our transfer market window is not over yet,” he added. “We have to finish, we have to bring in a few more players, maybe not more, maybe not less, but a few players.”
Bergvall is in Tottenham’s squad for New Zealand but wingers Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) did not make the trip due to recovering from long-term injuries.
“Jerusalem is very close. I think he will be ready to work with us when we return to London,” De Zerbi said. “This is a great thing for us. Kudus is also an important player.
“We need to see Kulusevski in the next few weeks. He is another important player. After a season, after a season without a match, we must analyze better and better, not take risks, first for him and then for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Spurs attacker Xavi Simons said “the first four days were the worst days of my life”, recalling the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in April.
The Dutch international had to undergo surgery due to a serious knee injury and missed the 2026 World Cup.
“I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t eat for a week,” he told Tottenham’s website. “I was in so much pain. I was vomiting, I was dizzy, that was everything. I don’t want anyone to go through that pain, that pain.”
“I don’t know what it’s like for the other players, but for me it’s like my whole body is going ‘what happened?’ he said.
“That’s it. I’m happy and in a good place now.”
