The New York Times

Roberto De Zerbi says he would like Lucas Bergvall to remain at Tottenham Hotspur, but he cannot guarantee him a starting role and doesn’t want to “convince anyone to stay”.

Bergvall informed the club of his desire to seek a new challenge in June, and Tottenham have fielded interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest for his signature.

Before Tottenham’s game against Auckland last Sunday, De Zerbi said he had not spoken to Bergvall, but after handing the Sweden international his first minutes of pre-season in their 4-2 (1-1 in regular time) penalty shoot-out win over Sydney FC on Wednesday, the Italian said he would like the 20-year-old to remain at the club.

“I’m always being very clear with him and with you,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference. “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.”

In an injury-hit season last term, Bergvall was in and out of the side under Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor and De Zerbi, and was used in various positions. Bergvall typically played as one of two players at the base of midfield under Ange Postecoglou in his debut season at Tottenham, where he won the club’s player of the year award, and after experimenting with him in several roles, De Zerbi says he now recognises that position as his strongest, but he cannot give him assurances over consistent starting minutes.

“It’s very clear, his idea,” says De Zerbi. “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.”

According to De Zerbi, Bergvall has not directly had a conversation with him about wanting to depart. He also added that they spoke during the World Cup, but having time together in pre-season, where they can talk face to face, is “better”.

“No, never,” De Zerbi responded when asked whether Bergvall had ever told him directly that he wants to leave. “I’m speaking with him before the end of last season and during the World Cup two times, but now we are speaking better. On the face (face to face). Without competition, in this moment, I have started to work like my style. Because in the last season we prepared the game working on the mentality more than the style of play.

“His position is very clear for me now, also because I needed time to understand the characteristic of the players, but I would like him to stay with us. He’s a very young, very good player. Good guy. It’s not so easy and so fast to find a young player of that level.”

Bergvall is one of many central midfielders Tottenham had at the club before the summer, and they have since broken their transfer record twice for Matheus Fernandes (£85million) from West Ham United, followed by a deal worth up to £100m for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

Tonali was a second-half substitute and dispatched his penalty in the shootout, but Fernandes was left out of the squad, along with several senior players, including Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Jan Paul van Hecke and Dominic Solanke.

While the rest of the group could be involved in Saturday’s fixture against Chelsea, De Zerbi does not expect Fernandes back until they return to pre-season training in London next Wednesday due to a fatigue issue in his calf.

“(His injury is) just fatigue, the calf,” he said. “Also for him we took the decision to not take any risk and to recover. But next Wednesday when we start the pre-season in London, he will be ready to work.”

Tottenham Hotspur beat Sydney FC 4-2 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regular time, continuing their positive start to pre-season.

Unsettled midfielder Lucas Bergvall was handed his first start of pre-season alongside Archie Gray, who captained the side for the second time in as many matches ahead of senior players like Ben Davies, Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

Mathys Tel opened the scoring for Spurs with a free kick from 25 yards, before Takahiro Sekine levelled in the 55th minute for the A-League side after defender Kota Takai inadvertently poked the ball into his path. With the game drawn in normal time, starlet Luca Williams-Barnett ensured Tottenham started strongly in the shootout with a Panenka penalty, but Martin Dubravka was the hero, saving the decisive penalty from Alexandar Popovic.

The Athletic dissects the main talking points.

How did Bergvall do?

Bergvall has been heavily linked with a move this summer and boasts several suitors across the Premier League. Newcastle United had a £46million ($61.2m) bid rejected earlier this month, while Nottingham Forest have had multiple approaches rebuffed.

Despite the growing likelihood that the Sweden international will depart, Roberto De Zerbi included him in his 35-man squad for the pre-season tour, and he earned his first minutes of the trip in Sydney.

Bergvall started alongside Gray, who wore the captain’s armband for the second time in four days, and brought a sharp first touch and dribbling quality to the midfield before being taken off at half-time for Sandro Tonali.

The 20-year-old sees his best position as a No 8 and is keen to play there more often in the coming season after deputising in various midfield roles and on the wing last season. On the evidence of his performance at the Allianz Stadium, his desire to play more consistently in his preferred position is not without justification, though Sydney in pre-season is no comparison to Premier League competition.

But it seems likely those minutes will come away from north London. After being asked whether Bergvall’s inclusion indicates his future belongs at Spurs, De Zerbi told reporters he wanted “proud” players and those who are not “happy” or proud to stay at the club “have to leave”. But while Bergvall may be on his way out, his inclusion from the start suggests De Zerbi has not washed his hands of him completely yet.

What system did Spurs play?

Long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons, as well as a minor issue for James Maddison — who was sidelined for the majority of last season — mean Spurs are without any of their natural No 10s.

Gallagher deputised in that position under De Zerbi last season, and Williams-Barnett is among the club’s most exciting prospects from the academy, but there does not seem to be an obvious candidate to play that role if the Italian opts to stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation next term.

De Zerbi went with a single pivot for Tottenham’s 2-0 win over reigning A-League champions Auckland FC on Sunday, with Gray sitting behind two No 8s — a system the head coach could revisit in the early weeks of the Premier League season. Rodrigo Bentancur asked to return for pre-season training a week later than originally scheduled after a demanding season last time round, but De Zerbi insists he is a crucial part of the squad and firmly in his plans.

There is a chance he sees the Uruguayan operating alongside or behind their two record-breaking midfield signings, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

De Zerbi returned to a double pivot against Sydney, using Gray and Bergvall in the first period before Tonali and Jamie Donley came on in the second half. As in the latter stages of last season, when Pedro Porro would invert and play high in the opponents’ half when Spurs had possession, De Zerbi instructed Rio Kyerematen and Tye Hall — both typically midfielders — to occupy a similar role, suggesting that dynamic will continue into the new campaign.

Where does Tel fit in?

De Zerbi has made no secret about his desire to add attacking reinforcements to the squad, with Tottenham currently prioritising additions in the wide areas.

Manchester City and Brazil winger Savinho, 22, is among their top targets, resuming their long-standing interest from last summer. But Tel, who started on the left wing today, showed why he shouldn’t be overlooked.

Tel started every game from the left wing after Xavi suffered an ACL injury in the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in late April, and wowed and frustrated in relatively equal measure. It was his brilliant strike that opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United in Tottenham’s penultimate home game of the season, but it was also his wild attempted clearance that Ethan Ampadu threw his body in front of to earn a penalty and prevent Spurs from taking three much-needed points in the relegation fight.

A brilliant free kick in the first half opened the scoring against Sydney — another demonstration of his obvious talent and excellent ball-striking ability.

Should he improve his decision-making and consistency, there’s no reason why Tel should not continue as an important contributor under De Zerbi next term, regardless of potential additions.

Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season campaign continues today as they face Sydney FC in Australia.

Spurs winger Mathys Tel scored a brilliant free kick to give the Premier League side the lead just before the half-hour mark.

Sydney striker Mathias Macallister's lob from long range and then a chip over Martin Dubravka both drifted narrowly wide.

Spurs XI: Dubravka (GK); Tye Hall, Hardy, Davies, Kyerematen; Gray (c), Gallagher; Solomon, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison.

Watch: Paramount+, Spursplay

Join the conversation and email us at: live@theathletic.com

Despite Tottenham dominating that first half, they needed a moment of magic to get their noses in front.

That moment of magic came from Mathys Tel in the 29th minute as he whipped a superb free kick into the top corner.

Gus Hoefsloot had no chance of keeping it out.

And while we’re handing out credit, let’s give some to Sydney FC too. After barely getting a kick in the opening 15 minutes, they grew into the first half and seemed to shed some of their nerves to eventually start threatening themselves.

Mathias Macallister has led that threat, but it’s also fair to think that this Sydney side looks more passive and a bit short compared to what Western Sydney Wanderers were capable of last night against Chelsea.

Credit to Tottenham there. They dominated the early exchanges and Sydney barely had a kick.

High-quality chances have been in short supply, but the goal was an excellent free kick from Mathys Tel and Spurs’ hosts have been kept at bay mostly.

The passing has been neat too, with Spurs finishing the half on 69 per cent possession.

I’ve spotted Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall cycling around Sydney harbour together in recent days, and they have looked pretty tidy together at the base of midfield tonight.

Although Bergvall could depart, De Zerbi’s decision to stick with Gray as captain looks a smart one thus far.

And again from Macallister, who has come to life here. He races onto the lengthy through ball down the left, beats both Dubravka and the defender to it and prods the ball towards the empty net.

Sadly, it’s just wide and Ben Davies is on hand to watch the loose ball out of play.

A couple of chances for Sydney to respond here.

Oh my goodness. Mathias Macallister receives the ball on the halfway line, spots Dubravka off his line and goes for the ridiculous.

And I can tell you, I thought that was going in.

In the end, it just drifts past the right post — but what a moment and what an effort. Love that.

Conor Gallagher could have had a hat-trick already! He wipes his face with his hand, disappointed with his third miss of the match.

The first was a miscue from a very promising position with lots of space, blocked, the second that horribly ballooned effort with the goal gaping after Gus Hoefsloot’s slip.

That time, he got the right contact and shape on the ball, but it struck the base of the post.

He’s getting closer!

Woah! Conor Gallagher now strikes the outside of the post with a side-footed effort. So at least he’s getting closer, after fluffing his contact with a similar chance earlier.

Youlley then gets another look at goal from range but balloons his shot, before we do finally see the yellow card as Alexandar Popovic flies through Richarlison.

I’m sure Gus Hoefsloot is enjoying the experience but now he’s just slipped as he takes a routine clearance, sends the ball straight to Conor Gallagher — and the midfielder can’t take advantage under pressure as his shot flies over and behind the goal.

Meanwhile, I hope you’re enjoying the lack of hydration breaks!

What a wonderful goal that is. Mathys Tel takes the free kick from about 22 yards and central — and he hits it with bend and dip to fly into the top corner past Hoefsloot who was left diving for thin air.

Tel puffed out his cheeks at the sight too. I think he liked that! Stunner.

Well, after Tottenham’s early domination, Sydney FC have settled into this now and it’s all got a big bogged down in midfield.

Takahiro Sekine then tries to catch a piggy-back ride off Manor Solomon without his permission and that concedes the silliest free kick I’ve seen in a while.

Tel to take from a promising position outside the box.

Lovely effort from the busy Youlley, which forces Dubravka into a smart stop down low to his right.

It all came from Archie Gray being too slow on the ball in front of his back four and getting robbed of the ball.

Gray had been doing OK to that point, but you do need to be sharper than that, even in a friendly.

Sydney midfielder Rhys Youlley is enjoying throwing his legs around here. He catches Archie Gray’s ankles and then fouls Conor Gallagher as Spurs build again.

The free-kick delivery is poor but another chance arrives shortly after as the low cross from the right finds Gallagher on his own, 12 yards out.

And he completely fluffs the effort, which is blocked.

That should be 1-0. Or maybe we’re already at 2-0 in the ‘should be’ scoreline. Either way, it remains goalless.

Some have achieved greater heights at the club and elsewhere, but very few, if any, are more “Tottenham” than Ledley King.

Outside their part of north London, King is perhaps not spoken about as much as he should be, but around White Hart Lane, the street in the district that gave the club’s former stadium its name, he is as revered as anyone.

The 25-foot-high mural of him on nearby Tottenham High Road is a celebration of one of the finest players Spurs ever produced; a one-club man who played through the pain as a chronic knee issue that plagued his career, and eventually forced him into an early retirement in 2012, aged 31.

His name demands respect among the neighbours, too, with Arsenal icon Thierry Henry describing King as one of the best central defenders he ever faced, praising his ability to win the ball without committing a foul.

After a brief period as an assistant coach on Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham staff in 2020-21, the now-45-year-old is active in his role as a club ambassador.

King has travelled with the squad to Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia, for their ongoing pre-season tour, and helped deliver a community football session in the latter, in partnership with social enterprise Creating Chances’ Football United programme. The initiative uses football to strengthen social cohesion, belonging and leadership among young people from culturally diverse communities.

Listening to him reflect on his career in a question-and-answer session with the children involved at the end of the session, it was evident that the love Tottenham fans shower King with to this day is reciprocated.

Speaking to local fans a few days earlier in Auckland, King admitted that he had spoken to other former Spurs players about what, if anything, they could do to help the club navigate the unthinkable and unprecedented prospect of a first relegation since the 1970s last season.

As it transpired, Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs’ fourth head coach in less than a year, kept them up via a 1-0 home win against Everton on the final day of the Premier League campaign, and King was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward survival was in the end, given the circumstances.

“Before the game, I was really nervous,” King tells The Athletic. “But actually, when we kicked off, and the game was in flow, I felt pretty comfortable. I felt like we handled the occasion pretty well. We kept Everton away from our goal and limited their chances. I think we were as comfortable as you can be in that situation.”

“It was a tough season, of course. For me, it showed how much a lot of the ex-players still cared about the club, because when things were not going well, so many people reached out to see if there was anything they could do, in any way, to try to support.

“It’s tough when you’re at every home game, and your home form is not good, and you’re searching for results. Everyone feels it at the club. It was a tough, tough season, but we got through it in the end, and things are looking a lot more positive now.”

Backed by the Lewis family, the majority owners who have ramped up their commitment to investing in transfers after sacking long-serving executive chairman Daniel Levy last September, Spurs have been one of the Premier League’s most active sides in the summer transfer window.

They twice broke their transfer record in early July, first signing West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes for £85million, followed by fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali (up to £100m) from Newcastle days later. Centre-backs Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) and Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) have signed to bolster De Zerbi’s options in defence, as has Liverpool stalwart Andy Robertson, a player who was recruited as much for his experience and standards as for his quality from left-back.

Ahead of Spurs’ 2-0 win over Auckland FC at the city’s Eden Park on Sunday in the opening match of the tour, De Zerbi said he believed the club needed more players in Robertson’s mould because, as the Italian put it: “We need to increase experience, we have to improve in mentality, we have to be stronger.”

The 97-time Scotland international and long-time captain had nine trophy-laden years at Liverpool, including winning the Premier League twice and a Champions League, before leaving this summer at the end of his contract, and King can spot some similarities with the impact Edgar Davids had when he joined Tottenham from Inter of Italy in summer 2005, also as a 32-year-old free agent.

“Edgar, in terms of what he’d won, definitely had an impact on us as a young group at the time,” King says of the Netherlands international, who won a Champions League with Ajax in the Netherlands and three Serie A titles with Juventus and also played for Milan and Barcelona before coming to England. “Andy, I’m sure, can have that on the group. You know what it takes to win, setting the standards, and Edgar definitely did that, so I can see that similarity.

“Edgar had been at (big) clubs and won trophies. Immediately when he came into the building, the first question that he asked me when we sat down at lunch was, ‘Can we win things?’ That was his mentality straight away. I think he helped a young group of players become better players by his standards on the training pitch and after training. He spent a lot of time with young players.”

Davids did not increase his silverware collection during the two years he spent with Tottenham (though many of the young players he helped nurture were part of Spurs’ League Cup-winning side of 2008), but Robertson will no doubt be keen to add more medals to his cabinet.

Few would have predicted the club would have to wait 17 years before they next tasted glory after King lifted that League Cup as captain in 2008. But with De Zerbi now at the helm, and a squad who finally reached the summit again with the Europa League triumph under Ange Postecoglou in May 2025, King believes they are not as far away from challenging for trophies again as back-to-back 17th-place finishes in the Premier League over the past two seasons might suggest.

“I think it was important to get one over the line,” King adds. “To have that feeling. We did it in 2008, and got to the (League Cup) final again the next season and lost on penalties. This group of players, the majority of them have done that, so I think that puts them in good stead going into any tournament. It’s an exciting prospect.

“Of course, there’s a lot of hard work to be done. There are a lot of good teams in the league thinking along the same lines. We believe we have a really talented group of players, and when they perform to their level, we can be right up there.”

Within the Tottenham fanbase, green shoots of belief that the club could be on to something special are beginning to sprout.

Several of the usual suspects at the top of the league table are entering transition phases with new managers, and while De Zerbi falls in that bracket having only been appointed in late March, he will benefit from the time spent on the training ground during those weeks at the end of last season and the strong bond he formed with many of the players as they dodged relegation.

“We made our change last season,” says King. “There are a few teams that made their change and are starting from fresh now. For Spurs, it’s just about starting the season as well as possible, trying to get some momentum off the back of last season, and then taking each game and month as it comes and seeing where you land.”

Reinforcements in attack, with De Zerbi publicising his desire for two or more “first-level” forward players to make a difference in the final third, will be essential if Spurs are to embark on a special season, but the squad looks stacked with difference-makers in defence.

Pedro Porro was a key player as Spain won the World Cup, while Senesi and Cristian Romero (albeit the latter is expected to leave the club in this transfer window) are scheduled back at Hotspur Way not long before the start of the season after reaching that July 12 final with Argentina. However, arguably none of them raised as many eyebrows in their home nation during the tournament as full-back Djed Spence, who was England’s breakout star of the World Cup as they finished third.

His standout moment, a tackle on Giuliano Simeone of Argentina in the semi-final, drew comparisons to one King made on Chelsea forward Arjen Robben in 2006. In King’s view, it was a challenge that typified Spence’s athletic quality and desire to dig in and defend.

“I thought Djed was really good,” King says. “He surprised some people away from Tottenham, probably. It didn’t surprise me, as I’ve seen him throughout the season, so I knew what he brings to the table. I thought he grew into the tournament and gained confidence, and the tackle was a great one. As defenders, you’re always taught to run back as hard as you can, and I think when you’re a defender of Djed’s speed, you always believe that there’s a chance to get back.

“I think that’s why he was picked for the squad. Especially his one-on-one ability. He can play on both sides; players like that are always important to the squad.”

Near-mastery of the art of defending is what endeared King to the Spurs faithful, and it’s what he enjoys looking out for now in young prospects.

Tottenham are blessed with an outstanding crop of academy-level youngsters who play at centre-back, with Malachi Hardy, 18, and Jun’ai Byfield, 17, considered two of the best in the nation among their age group.

And while King is understandably hesitant to put any undue pressure on their teenage shoulders, he can’t help but get excited by a future heir to his crown — perhaps even one worthy of his unofficially retired No 26 shirt.

“I love seeing it,” he says. “I take a big interest in young defenders at the football club. But at the same time, I realise how difficult it is. I don’t like to put any pressure on young players. We’ve always had great talent coming through, but a lot of it is up to them and their dedication and discipline. And of course, you need a good manager who has belief in you.

“So it’s up to them to put in the hard work now, and we’ll hopefully see them in the future.”

Roberto De Zerbi set out his criteria for a Tottenham Hotspur player early in his tenure. Passion, determination and dedication to the club and his cause are non-negotiables. Age, however, is not a factor.

“I’m used to working with young players,” De Zerbi said in his press conference before Tottenham’s 2-0 win against Auckland FC on Sunday. “I gave in my career big time and space for young players, but they have to show me they are able to play and they are good players.

“I never start from the age of the players. From the qualities? Yes. From the attitude and behaviours? Yes. But not for the age.”

The Italian named a remarkably young starting line-up in front of a New Zealand record men’s football crowd of 40,112 here at Eden Park, allowing his senior players time to acclimatise after a long trip. Archie Gray captained a team with an average age of just 20.

Academy graduate goalkeeper Brandon Austin, who has only made three senior competitive appearances for the club, was the oldest of De Zerbi’s starters at 27 — four years older than Antonin Kinsky, who is expected to be the Italian’s No 1 for the upcoming season. Ahead of him was a selection of Tottenham’s most exciting academy talents, as well as Gray, 21-year-old Kota Takai, and Manor Solomon, the oldest of the outfielders, who turned 27 this week after spending last term on loan at Villarreal and Fiorentina.

While Tottenham have targeted prime-age players this summer as they aim to put the nightmare of last season behind them, it would be unwise to lose sight of the future. De Zerbi’s 35-man travelling squad, propped up by youngsters, offers an early look at who could make an impact.

Though many of the starting line-up are his peers, Gray stood out on the team sheet and on the pitch. He made 35 appearances across all competitions last term but was an unfortunate casualty of De Zerbi’s need to strengthen the midfield with experience and seniority, eventually losing the spot he earned under Igor Tudor to Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha after starting the Italian’s debut 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in April.

Gray now appears to be De Zerbi’s fourth-choice central midfielder after the record-breaking signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. Still, De Zerbi backed Gray to be a future captain of the club in May, and his performance at the base of midfield against Auckland — helping set up Dane Scarlett’s opener with an outstanding pass to Solomon — should serve as a reminder that he is not just a long-term talent, but also a player who can make a big impression this season.

Gray may yet get his chance as soon as the opening game of the season, given Pedro Porro and Djed Spence are not due back at Hotspur Way until around a week before the start of the Premier League after their World Cup campaigns. De Zerbi may rely on Gray at right-back in the opening game against Brentford on August 22. While there is a development plan to help Gray specialise in midfield, his versatility remains among his most important attributes.

“It’s lucky when you have a player who can play in different positions,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference. “OK, it’s important for Gray to fix one favourite position, but he has to be open to covering different positions on the pitch. He can play as a right-back, a left-back, a midfielder. Nothing changes.

“He’s a smart player. He is improving his knowledge on the pitch because changing positions means you change your body shape and direction when you receive the ball and give the ball. But he is an important player, even if he can play in different positions.”

De Zerbi stuck with the young core for an hour before more experienced players came on in the second half, with Richarlison scoring Tottenham’s second in the 70th minute. Among the most impressive were 17-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett, whom De Zerbi described as a “big talent”, and 18-year-old Mikey Moore, who spent last term on loan at Rangers and has been linked with another loan move away this summer, with suitors including Borussia Dortmund.

Whether Moore will get his opportunity to make an impression in north London largely depends on the club’s summer business, with Tottenham targeting reinforcements in wide areas. Should Spurs land a couple of key attacking signings, another season-long loan could be best. Moore told reporters after the game that he “still (has) so much more to improve” after impressing in Scotland.

De Zerbi is wise to the importance of the academy in the modern game, reflecting its players’ values as assets for “financial fair play” and in keeping with “the rules of Champions League and Europa League”. “We have to help them to produce more players because we need it,” he added. “It’s important for the club.”

As much as the focus should be on ensuring Tottenham return quickly to competing at the top of the Premier League, the club has spent several years prioritising youth in the market, and it would be nonsensical to throw that away.

Roberto De Zerbi has said players who are not “happy” or “proud” to play for Tottenham Hotspur “have to leave”.

Tottenham rejected a £46million bid for Lucas Bergvall from Newcastle United earlier this month, and have rebuffed interest from Nottingham Forest after Bergvall informed Spurs of his preference to move on this summer.

The 20-year-old was included in De Zerbi’s 35-man squad for the pre-season tour of Auckland and Sydney but on Saturday De Zerbi said he has not yet had a conversation with Bergvall about his future, with plans to do so in “the next days”.

“Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham,” De Zerbi said ahead of Tottenham’s opening match here in New Zealand against Auckland FC (Saturday 11pm ET, Sunday 4am BST). “I said, ‘Who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave’.

“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham (Hotspur) Stadium with a big motivation. If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”

Bergvall struggled for consistent game time at Tottenham last season and was used in several positions across the midfield and on the wing, as opposed to his preferred role as a No 8, which does not appear to be a stylistic fit within De Zerbi’s commonly used 4-2-3-1 formation.

He was a key part of Graham Potter’s Sweden team at the World Cup, making four appearances as they were knocked out of the tournament by eventual semi-finalists France in the last 32. Bergvall signed from Swedish club Djurgardens in 2024 for £8.5m, after the north London club beat suitors including Barcelona to his signature.

“I have not spoken with Lucas yet, I will in the next days,” said De Zerbi, “and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us. Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.

“There will be a big competition to play (at Tottenham) because, at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive). It’s not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”

Tottenham have not set an asking price for Bergvall, though David Ornstein told The Athletic FC podcast that interested parties believe the north London club are holding out for a figure closer to £60m.

Tottenham have made six signings this summer, breaking their transfer record twice: first for Mateus Fernandes (£85m) from West Ham United, and then for Sandro Tonali (up to £100m) from Newcastle United. Still, De Zerbi said he expects Spurs to continue working in the market, with a particular focus on attacking reinforcements.

“First of all I think it’s not finished yet our transfer market window.” he said. “We have to finish, we have to bring another couple, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players. I’m very happy, I’m excited to work with the new players, with the old players.

“The target now is to complete the attacking positions. We want the first target, the first level, because we have already important players. But I think to start a new project we need another couple of important players for sure.”

Andy Robertson is one of four defenders who have joined Tottenham this summer. The 32-year-old made over 350 appearances for Liverpool before leaving as a free agent, winning the Premier League and the Champions League across a nine-year spell at Anfield. De Zerbi said experienced signings like Robertson are what the club needs.

“I think we are working very well with Johan and Vinai. We are working with a clear idea. We brought players with a great experience like Robbo (Andy Robertson).

“I think we need this type of players because we need to increase experience, we have to improve in mentality. We have to be stronger because in the last two seasons we didn’t do what Tottenham has to do. At the end of the transfer market we will make the point to close the transfer market session. But at the moment I’m very excited.”

Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr have not travelled with the squad after being granted extended leave following the World Cup with Uruguay and Senegal respectively, but De Zerbi said there was “no problem” and that they are “crucial” players.

“I spoke after the World Cup with players, and for every one of them we take different ways,” added De Zerbi. “Bentancur asked me for one week more because he suffered a very tough season last season, and Pape Sarr has a personal problem, and he asked me for one week more. But nothing, no problem, nothing more than I said.”

Mohammed Kudus remained in north London due to injury. The Ghana international winger missed the World Cup after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh problem sustained in January, but De Zerbi says he expects him to be “available to start to work with us” when Spurs return to the United Kingdom.

“Kudus is very close, I think,” said the head coach. “When we come back to London, he will be available to start to work with us. It is a great thing for us. Because Kudus is another important player.”

Guglielmo Vicario was also kept back with a small injury, requiring him “to stay one week in London”. The Italy international goalkeeper is expected to depart this summer after losing his starting spot to Antonin Kinsky. Dejan Kulusevski has not played in over a year owing to an unusual knee injury and is continuing his rehabilitation at Hotspur Way.

“Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks,” said De Zerbi. “He is another important player. But after one season, one complete season, without games, we have to analyse better and better and don’t take risks for sure. First of all, for him, and then for us.”

Woking have parted ways with manager Jermain Defoe with immediate effect after fewer than four months.

The coaching position was the former England and Tottenham Hotspur forward’s first senior managerial role but it has come to an end mid-way through preseason.

During Defoe’s time at the fifth-tier club, they won two times, drew three times and lost once to finish tenth. Woking won their first July friendly against Sholing, but proceeded to lose the most recent fixture against Portsmouth.

The 43-year-old released a statement later on Thursday evening saying he was “really disappointed” and “genuinely gutted” for the players about the decision, but that it was “impossible” for him to continue.

“Following recent discussions, I can confirm that I have mutually agreed to leave my position as manager of Woking FC,” he said on his social media. “Unfortunately, circumstances have ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in the position.

“I am extremely proud of the work undertaken during my time at the club and genuinely felt that we were building something special. I would like to thank Todd Johnson for giving me the opportunity to manage the club. I am incredibly grateful to the supporters and, most importantly, the players, who I am genuinely gutted for.

“The group is a fantastic one, and I wish the squad every success for the season ahead. Really disappointed the journey has ended so soon, but I leave with great pride in what Paul Bracewell, Karl Halabi and I were building at the club.

“My time at Woking FC has been an eye-opening managerial experience and one that will undoubtedly make me stronger for the next challenge in my career.”

Defoe, 43, had previous coaching experience at his former clubs, working in the academy structure at Spurs and as a player-coach for Rangers. He had not occupied a senior coaching role, however.

“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Jermain for his contribution during his time at Woking Football Club, and we wish him every success in the future,” the club statement said.

“The club remains fully focused on delivering its objectives both on and off the pitch. We would like to thank our supporters for their continued support.”

As a player, the England forward made 363 appearances for Tottenham over three spells, also appearing for West Ham United, Sunderland (twice) and MLS side Toronto FC. He scored 163 goals over 496 games in the Premier League before retiring in 2022.

Defoe won 57 caps for England, registering 20 goals, and was picked for the squads to go to the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will miss the pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Bentancur and Sarr were granted an “extended leave” following their involvement’s at this summer’s World Cup, representing Uruguay and Senegal respectively.

Goalkeeper Vicario, meanwhile, will also miss the tour, owing to a “minor knock in training”. The Athletic reported this week that Vicario is expected to depart this summer, with Antonin Kinsky set to assume the No 1 position.

Included in the squad are new signings Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke. The latter is travelling with the side despite reaching the World Cup round of 32 with the Netherlands — the same stage as Sarr’s Senegal and further than Bentancur’s Uruguay, who were eliminated in the group stage.

Another high-profile inclusion is Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who also appeared in the round of 32 with Sweden. Bergvall informed the club of his preference to seek an opportunity elsewhere last month and has been the subject of bids from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, both of which have been rejected.

Four players have been left out of the squad to continue their rehabilitation from injury at Hotspur Way. Among them is Dejan Kulusevski, who did not play a single minute last season due to a prolonged knee issue. Mohammed Kudus will also not travel due to a quad injury that has sidelined him since January, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are both out after sustaining torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries last campaign.

Club captain Cristian Romero, his Argentina team-mate Marcos Senesi — who joined Spurs this summer — and Spain right-back Pedro Porro will also not travel after playing in the World Cup final on Sunday. England’s Djed Spence is also not part of the squad after appearing in the third-place play-off on Sunday

Due to the absences, the 35-man travelling squad includes several academy players and products, including winger Mikey Moore, forward Dane Scarlett, attacking midfielder Jamie Donley and midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear has completed a move to Championship side Middlesbrough.

Lankshear has signed a five-year deal with his new club.

The Athletic reported in June that there was significant interest from Championship teams in the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Oxford United in the second tier.

Lankshear recorded 11 goals and four assists in 44 appearances for Oxford, who suffered relegation back to League One. Among his notable contributions was the winning goal against relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion in a 2-1 win in February and a double against Sheffield Wednesday in the penultimate match of the season.

The England under-20 international was named Oxford’s young player of the year following his first full season in senior football, having spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at West Brom, where he failed to score in 11 appearances.

“Middlesbrough is such a massive club over the years; I deem it to be a Premier League club,” Lankshear said, via Middlesbrough’s website.

“The project here really excites me. I can’t wait to get started and be part of the journey, and get this club back where it belongs.”

Lankshear played six times for Tottenham’s first team — three of which in the Premier League — scoring once, in the Europa League against Galatasaray in November 2024. He was later sent off in the match.

Middlesbrough missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season after a 1-0 defeat by Hull City in the Championship play-off final. Oli McBurnie scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to consign Boro to a 10th successive season in the second tier.

Boro were defeated by Southampton in the two-legged semi-finals, but were reinstated in the Wembley final after Southampton admitted to spying on other clubs’ training sessions, including Boro.

Middlesbrough had money to spend this summer following the departure of star midfielder Hayden Hackney to Everton in a deal which could rise to just under £25m ($33.3m) if all clauses, which are based on appearances, England selection and Everton’s qualification for European competition, are met.

Lankshear is the second striker to join Boro this month, after they completed a deal for Hull City forward Kyle Joseph. They have also signed attacking midfielders Myles Peart-Harris and Jeremy Sarmiento.

It’s a sweltering day in south-east Spain and around 100 children are queuing up to meet a local hero.

Xavi Simons was born in Amsterdam but grew up in the quiet village of Rojales in Alicante. The Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder is here to open a football pitch next to the school he attended before a life-changing move to Barcelona’s academy at the age of six.

Despite the oppressive heat, Xavi signs every single shirt and takes photos with members of the Johan Cruyff Foundation. Since 2003, the Cruyff Foundation has presented an award for the Dutch Talent of the Year. A pitch is then built in honour of the winner in a location of their choosing. Simons received the award three years ago, and this is the spot he chose.

Xavi is only 23, yet it feels like he has been in the public consciousness forever. Video footage of a small figure with blonde curls gliding past defenders went viral before he was a teenager. Xavi was part of a formidable generation at La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned academy, which included future first-team stars Alejandro Balde, Fermin Lopez and Gavi. He starred in an advert for Nike when he was only 15 alongside Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo and Kevin De Bruyne.

A year later, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he rubbed shoulders with Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Brazilian icon Neymar, and the rising star of world football, Kylian Mbappe. Following an impressive loan spell at PSV, he made his debut for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup at the age of 19. He then excelled across a two-year spell in Germany with RB Leipzig, prompting Spurs to spend €60million (£51.8m; $70m) on him last summer.

Xavi should have played a key role for the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April that means he is unlikely to play again until 2027. The setback has provided Xavi with the rare opportunity to spend more time with his family, including his grandmother Rinia, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around five years ago.

Xavi speaks six languages and has lived in some of the world’s most iconic cities. Rojales is not particularly glamorous but it holds a special place in Xavi’s heart, despite the difficulties his family faced while they lived there. His long-term goal is to buy his former home, but for now, he lives in a multi-storey apartment about half an hour’s drive away.

“When I come back here I’m far away from reality,” he says. “People see me like the little Xavi that they always saw, not the Xavi from Tottenham and the national team. It makes me happy, feeling that the people are proud of me. I can walk down the street without any problem. I’m in peace here.”

The Athletic visited Xavi in his hometown to learn more about his incredible journey.

Xavi was born on his brother Faustino’s seventh birthday, whose Barcelona-themed party was due to take place at the family home but there was a late change of venue.

“The night before I felt something,” Peggy, Xavi’s mother, tells The Athletic. “I called my mum (Rinia) and said, ‘You better go with everybody to a playground’. I gave birth in my room.

“I had a name for him but when we saw the baby I said, ‘It does not match.’ He was so white, no hair, ugly. Faustino was a beautiful baby. Everybody was a little bit shocked. I said, ‘I’m going to change the name, so just say baby Simons’. He had no name for five days. Then I watched Barcelona playing, and I saw Xavi Hernandez on the screen.”

Xavi Simons quickly proved he was worthy of being named after the midfielder who went on to win the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

“When he went to kindergarten, he went in full kit, boots and a ball,” Peggy says. “I have videos of Xavi when he is two, explaining technical details about the game. How can a boy of two understand this? He also knew all the badges of the clubs in Holland, the players and the coaches.”

Peggy’s parents, Rinia and John, were both born in the former Dutch colony Suriname on the north-east coast of South America. They moved to the Netherlands to study and pursue work. Peggy grew up in the Netherlands and worked as a check-in clerk for Suriname Airways but decided to move to Spain after regularly visiting a close friend in Barcelona.

Peggy tried to buy a house in the city, “but it was too expensive”, so she turned her attention to Alicante, which was “five times cheaper”. Even though “there was nothing, only orange trees” in Rojales, Peggy bought a small apartment with Rinia. Peggy officially moved in with her mum, younger sister Priscilla and two sons when Xavi was three. All five of them shared the same bed. Peggy wanted her children to experience a new culture and language, but the economic crisis that hit in the late 2000s had a significant impact.

“It was complicated,” Peggy says. “There was no work. I thought maybe I needed to go back (to Amsterdam) but if I go back I have failed, and I am not failing. My mum helped me a lot and my family sent money without asking because I wasn’t going to ask.”

Xavi was oblivious to the problems his family were dealing with. He would attend school each day until 3pm, eat dinner at home before rushing over to a concrete football pitch around the corner. He would spend a couple of hours playing with his friends and have a few scoops of ice cream before training at Club Deportivo Thader’s facilities in the evening.

“I spent the whole day outside and was happy with basic things in life,” Xavi says. “With time I have realised (the living situation) was not normal but my mum had to make sacrifices. I just want to thank her for not showing me how difficult it was. Giving her what I give her means the world to me.

“My mum never had any jealousy towards other people. This was her life and she was always happy. I only have memories of her smiling, even though she was not eating but made sure me and my brother were.”

Xavi’s father, Regillio, is a former footballer who played for Dutch top-flight sides Fortuna Sittard and Willem II. Regillio has not been present in his son’s life, which is why Xavi prefers to be referred to by his first name only. Instead, he looked to Faustino for guidance during his childhood.

“From a young age he had the responsibility of being a man at home and he still feels like that now,” Xavi adds. “I am the one on the pitch and who everyone sees on television, but the real MVPs are my mum, brother and my younger sister (Kenza). I’m really grateful for what they do for me.”

Another important figure from the beginning of Xavi’s life is his first coach. Marcelino played for CD Thader’s senior side and coached some of the youth teams in his spare time.

“From the first training session, I could see Xavi was different,” Marcelino says. “The way he struck the ball, his vision and understanding of the game stood out.

“He had a good relationship with his team-mates but in any exercise he wanted to be the one who scored the most goals or dribbled the best. He was a winner. He always wanted to improve. If he did something wrong, he would do it again until he got it right. If we were losing, he would say, ‘Give me the ball, and I will win us the game’.

“I just tried to keep Xavi as humble as possible. I would play him the same amount of minutes as everyone else and taught him how to be a team player.”

It did not take long for other people to notice Xavi’s ability. Elche, Alicante and Villarreal were all interested in signing him, and Barcelona organised a week-long trial. Peggy kept the trial a secret until she dropped her son off at Barcelona’s training ground.

“After one session, they said, ‘Xavi, you can stay’. So I did my job that day,” he says.

Xavi moved to Barcelona just before he turned seven, but it was not the end of his relationship with Marcelino. Xavi would call his former coach every Monday to discuss how he played on the weekend. They remain in contact and in February, Marcelino attended Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City as Xavi’s guest.

“He was one of the people always trying to supply my boots and helping my family,” Xavi says. “He bought them for me and that’s why I say my whole life I feel like I’m in debt with him because he saved my mum as well in different situations.”

Xavi returns to Rojales every summer. For the last two years, he has hosted a festival where families can take part in a range of activities. He wanted to give something back permanently to the community, which is why he asked the Cruyff Foundation to build a high-quality artificial pitch there.

“I never had that and nowadays (children) have a lot more distractions,” he says. “It’s easy to say, ‘No, I will stay at home on the PlayStation or watch YouTube’. In my time, everyone was outside. Creating good environments so they want to go to is important.

“What are the odds a little guy from Rojales makes it as a professional footballer? It’s really low. That’s the message I want to bring to the kids, even though living here you might not have the opportunities or the infrastructure in big cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Bringing that mentality, you have to work hard and believe. You will have people say to you, ‘No, it’s impossible, why are you going there?’ If you have a dream, go for it.”

For Marcelino, who describes Xavi as like a “little brother”, it makes him feel “happy and proud”.

“Some people, the fame goes to their head and they forget about people from home, but it wasn’t the case with Xavi,” he says. “It’s surprising but in a positive way.”

Barcelona helped Xavi and his family move from Rojales. A month before he joined La Masia in 2010, Xavi’s grandfather John passed away from a heart attack. A couple of years ago, Xavi gifted the rest of his family necklaces that contained a photo of John for Christmas.

“It was a blow, especially for my mum,” Xavi says. “He had a big role in our lives, for me and my brother. I know he is protecting us and is with us. When I put that (necklace) on going into games, he is giving me strength to be here and work hard.”

Xavi thrived at La Masia but it came at a cost. Videos of him playing racked up millions of views across YouTube and he was slapped with the ‘wonderkid’ label. He signed a deal with Nike and received 10 pairs of boots in different colours. Peggy ensured he shared the boots with the rest of his team-mates. By the time he turned 14, he had around one million followers on Instagram.

“They don’t prepare you to be famous,” Xavi says. “I had a lot of positive things but I couldn’t go outside to play with friends because people always wanted something from me or a picture. It was not normal. I had maybe more followers than first-team players but we managed it in the best way possible.

“I’ve missed a lot. When I talk to my sister, she plays tennis and hopefully will become one of the greats, I tell her, ‘Please enjoy that you can walk outside, drink with your friends and have fun because I never had it’.”

It seemed like Xavi was destined to become a star for Barcelona but he left Camp Nou at 16 without making a first-team appearance. In the summer of 2019, he joined PSG and was reunited with Neymar. The Brazilian forward had taken Xavi under his wing during their time together in Spain.

Xavi played regularly for PSG’s under-21s and took part in training with the senior squad. He made six Ligue 1 appearances in the 2021-22 season as PSG won the title under former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino. It would have been easy to allow the attention to go to his head and become complacent.

“You have good days and bad days but I never felt like I dropped my standards. They are non-negotiable and I know my brother will kill me.

“I was with Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos every day. I realised this is where I belong and what I need to do to be in the same position as them. Seeing them in the gym every day, not skipping anything: their food, sleep, recovery… it made things click.”

Xavi left PSG in June 2022 to join PSV and soon felt the benefit. Xavi flourished under PSV’s head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances. He made his debut for the Netherlands in a 3-1 round-of-16 victory over the USMNT at the last World Cup. He then spent two years with RB Leipzig before seizing the opportunity to move to the Premier League with Spurs.

Xavi endured a difficult debut season in north London. He started on the left wing under Thomas Frank before he was slowly trusted to play in his favoured ‘No 10’ role. A red card against Liverpool for accidentally catching his international team-mate Virgil van Dijk forced him to miss three games but he was one of the only in-form players towards the end of Frank’s reign. Xavi’s minutes dropped under Igor Tudor and he only made three appearances for Roberto De Zerbi before injuring his ACL in a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Xavi recorded two goals and five assists in 28 top-flight matches as Spurs finished 17th for the second successive season. The club have responded by spending over £250m ($330m) on improving their squad this summer, twice breaking their transfer record with the signings of midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

“This season taught me a lot, especially when things were not going well,” he says. “I never experienced this situation. For everyone, it was a wake-up call that things have to go better. More beautiful stuff is waiting for us in the future.”

Xavi ruptured his right ACL in a duel with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno. He tried to continue before being stretchered off the pitch. He says he broke down in tears when the diagnosis was confirmed, knowing he could not help Spurs in their fight against relegation — and would miss the World Cup.

“I called my mum and said, ‘Maybe it is like (Cristian Romero’s) injury where it was only four or five weeks’, but the next day when I did the test I couldn’t walk,” he says. “I received the call from the club and that was the moment everything was sinking.”

Xavi has a date in mind for his return but is trying to stay busy during his rehab. After our conversation, he visits CD Thader’s facilities to do strength and conditioning work. When France beat Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals, he missed the game because he was watching a local youth-team tournament. He has started studying a latte art class, hangs out with his childhood friends from Rojales and plays dominoes.

He plans to watch The Odyssey, this summer’s blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan. Before every game, Xavi calls his mum and listens to the theme song from Nolan’s 2014 Oscar-winning film Interstellar, which was composed by Hans Zimmer.

“She just tells me to smile. Inside of me, I still have that little kid who loves football and that fire keeps me going. (That theme tune) relaxes me before going onto the pitch. With my style of play, if you put some of my highlights over that song, it will go along well.”

Most importantly, he spent more time with his family who were all in attendance for the launch of the Cruyff Foundation pitch. At the beginning of July, he appeared on Dutch TV with Rinia to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.

“She forgets a lot of short-term stuff,” he says. “She doesn’t know what she ate today or yesterday but she still knows who we are. At the start it was hard but now we are in a good place. She is happy and gets to spend time with her grandchildren, which is beautiful.”

“I almost want to cry if you ask me this because he is the sweetest one,” says Peggy. “He is very polite and loves people. Everything is the opposite — people think he is arrogant but it’s passion.”

Xavi is enjoying being surrounded by friends and family in Rojales but when he returns to full fitness he should play a big role for Spurs. Earlier this year, De Zerbi described Xavi as a “leader” because he has “the right character to receive the ball when it is hot”. Xavi believes this can be traced back to playing with Faustino and his friends. He would be kicked and fouled by opponents twice his size but it made him stronger.

“De Zerbi told me he wanted to buy me at Brighton,” Xavi says. “The confidence he has given me from day one, that is what I need to be at my best. I know with him I can really achieve the level that I want to.

“I’m not scared of who’s in front of me. I’m not scared if we are winning or losing. I always want to have the ball. I will never hide from it. I always want to make that pass, score that goal, help the team.

“I was scared when I was playing against my brother but now it’s like this is what I was made for. Pressure is what my mum had in her life.”