De Zerbi wants Bergvall to stay at Tottenham as Spurs boss outlines long-term vision

• Roberto De Zerbi says he wants Lucas Bergvall to remain at Tottenham but insists no player will be persuaded to stay against their wishes.
• The Spurs head coach believes Bergvall has the potential to become a top player and sees him as part of a stronger squad built for sustained success.
• De Zerbi also praised new signing Sandro Tonali, describing the Italy international as a “precious diamond” who must be carefully developed.

Roberto De Zerbi has reiterated his desire to keep Lucas Bergvall at Tottenham, although the Spurs head coach insists every player must decide for themselves whether they want to remain at the club.

Bergvall made his first start of Tottenham’s preseason tour during Wednesday’s friendly against Sydney FC, with renewed speculation surrounding his future after reported interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Speaking after the match, De Zerbi made it clear he values the Sweden international highly, while maintaining that Tottenham should never have to convince players to stay.

“I would like that he stays with us,” De Zerbi said. “I think he’s a potential top, top, top player, but in the end I don’t want to convince anyone to stay.”

“I think Tottenham is already, without me, a top club, and we are not to convince anyone to stay.”

The Italian believes Bergvall can earn regular opportunities despite increased competition for places, pointing to the demands of competing across multiple competitions during a long season.

“I think he can find the space because the competition between the players will be very strong,” he said. “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 place on the table, you have to manage 22, 23, 24 players.”

De Zerbi revealed he has remained in regular contact with Bergvall since the end of last season and believes preseason has provided a valuable opportunity to continue that relationship on the training pitch.

“I’m speaking with him before the end of the last season, during the World Cup two times, now we are speaking better now face to face without competition in this moment,” De Zerbi said.

“Now I started to work with him like I know, like my style. In the last season, when we prepared the games, we worked on the head, on the mentality, more than the style of play.”

The Tottenham manager added that he now has a clearer understanding of how Bergvall fits into his tactical plans.

“I think his position is very clear for me now also because I needed time to understand the characteristic of the players, but I would like that he stays with us.”

“He’s a very young, very good player, good guy, and it’s not so easy and so fast to find a young player of that level.”

While Bergvall’s future remains unresolved, De Zerbi also spoke enthusiastically about Sandro Tonali following the midfielder’s arrival from Newcastle United in a club-record transfer.

The Spurs boss believes Tonali possesses exceptional quality but stressed that his development must be carefully managed.

“We have to manage him like a precious diamond,” De Zerbi said.

“We have to help him to improve in the last decision, as well as physical work. He has to work hard to become stronger because this diamond footballer needs to be strong and to give space when there is the right moment.”

De Zerbi said supporting talented young players has always formed a key part of his coaching philosophy.

“I usually give time to all my young players I work with in my career,” he said. “With his potential, he is a special player.”

Tottenham conclude their preseason tour of Australia on Saturday when they face Chelsea at Accor Stadium, with De Zerbi expected to continue assessing his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign.