Roberto De Zerbi is keen for one wantaway Tottenham star to stay beyond this summer, but he knows it may be tough to convince the player. It has been a very busy summer for Spurs, who have spent more than £235million to improve their squad, particularly at the back and in midfield.
The attack will be addressed next, and Tottenham are expected to spend big again, albeit there will be some significant exits this summer that will bring in some cash and help balance the spending a little.
Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario are likely to leave, following Luka Vuskovic out through the exit doors, and there is a big question mark over Lucas Bergvall, who is said to want out.
De Zerbi wants Bergvall to stay
Bergvall is a player Tottenham think a lot of, still only 20 years of age, but the Sweden international wants regular starts, and Spurs are going to struggle to offer them. De Zerbi has James Maddison as his starter in the number 10, while Xavi Simons will return from injury in the winter to add depth there, and further back there is even more competition, and that seems to be where Bergvall wants to play.
De Zerbi says he wants to keep Bergvall, but he cannot make any promises. He said in his last press conference: "I’m always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us. I think he’s potentially a top, top, top player. But then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us.
“The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad. Not just 11 players. Especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons. Football is going in a clear direction – to compete for the highest places in the table, you have to manage 22, 23, 24 players. I don’t want 24, but 21, 22, of a high level, for sure.”
De zerbi says he will not promise Bergvall anything
De Zerbi added on his inability to promise Bergvall playing time: "It’s very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed. Especially for me. I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don’t want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can’t give guarantee. It’s right when he wants to play as a central midfielder. But to play as a central midfielder, sometimes it is to attack, sometimes to keep the holder, to move the ball faster.
“He has to improve. He’s a 2006 (born player). I would like that he stays. But if he doesn’t want, then what can I do? Nothing. He has to speak with (chief executive) Vinai (Venkatesham) or (sporting director) Johan Lange. To stay with us, we have to have the right spirit to stay. He’s a good guy. We will see in the next weeks.”