EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham given Lucas Bergvall green light as Roberto De Zerbi scraps Johan Lange transfer plan
Lucas Bergvall, who will soon return to north London following a 3-0 defeat to France in the World Cup round of 32 on Tuesday night, faces an uncertain future at Tottenham Hotspur.
Chris Waddle believes Tottenham Hotspur should sell Lucas Bergvall this summer. The 20-year-old midfielder has recently been linked with a move away from the Lilywhites as Roberto De Zerbi looks to rebuild the core of his squad.
At the end of last season, Bergvall struggled to establish himself as a regular in the Italian's side. The Swedish international featured in five out of a possible seven Premier League games under De Zerbi, with a solitary start coming against Sunderland, which was his first game in charge.
After failing to make a good impression at the Stadium of Light, he came off the bench in each of the next four games before becoming an unused substitute in the last two. The 47-year-old raised eyebrows when he axed Bergvall, and he's only fanned the flames by setting his sights on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Speaking to football.london on behalf of 10bet, where you can place a sports bet, Waddle commented on the Swede's future. The Tottenham cult hero questioned Johan Lange, claiming that Bergvall and Archie Gray were signed to be later sold rather than bolster the squad.
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Waddle said: "Listen, if you're going to go out and get Mateus Fernandes, or if you're going to get Sandro Tonali, and if you can get £40m, £50m, or £60m for Bergvall, then you have to ask yourself: why are they going for these other players if Bergvall is supposed to be the answer?
"Obviously, the manager thinks he's not the answer right now, which is why the club is looking for other midfield players to come into the team. Look at Archie Gray, he's another young midfield player who has barely been mentioned about starting or being a regular in the side.
"Tottenham bought these two young players, thinking they're going to be a huge success, and then down the line we’ll sell them on for £80m or £90m. That is their business plan, we all know that. But the two of them have been very inconsistent, and they're still young players.
"If De Zerbi has watched Bergvall in training and thinks he's still two or three years away from being the player he wants, or if he just decides Bergvall isn't his cup of tea, he might say, 'Look, if we can get good money for him, that'll help me buy a player I actually want right now'.
Taking aim at Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, Waddle said: "It’s not a surprise with Tottenham. They constantly bring players in who are young and have unbelievable potential. Some hit the ground running, and you think, ‘Yes, that's a success,’ but you always know they're going to get sold on at some point."
Waddle also applauded De Zerbi for flexing his muscles and enforcing change in Tottenham's recruitment philosophy. The 65-year-old said: "I think De Zerbi is trying to stop that cycle.
"He wants players there where you think, ‘Why would you want to leave? You should be at Tottenham because Tottenham is going to win trophies.’ He's trying to get that winning mentality into the club rather than just constantly buying young players, trying to develop them, and selling them for a profit.
Giving Spurs the green light to cash in, Waddle added: "If someone has put a good bid on the table for Bergvall, then by all means, they should take it."
Before Sweden crashed out of the World Cup, Fotbollskanalen asked Bergvall to provide an update on his future. When asked whether he plans to leave Tottenham, he said: "Right now, I’m just trying to focus on the World Cup.
"Whatever happens after that, I’ll deal with it then. I’m fully focused on the World Cup," added the youngster, who was then pressed for an explanation. Bergvall doubled down and said: "As I said: I’m fully focused on the World Cup."
On whether his agent has contacted Spurs, Bergvall replied: "I’m fully focusing on the World Cup. I’m here with Sweden, and we’re going to try to make a good impression in the U.S. Whatever happens after that, we’ll deal with it then."
Following Sweden's defeat to France in the World Cup round of 32 on Tuesday night, Bergvall will be soon report for pre-season training.