Tottenham Hotspur coach, Roberto De Zerbi, emphasized the importance of players feeling proud and happy playing for the club. Meanwhile, Lucas Bergvall expressed his desire to leave Spurs in this transfer market.

Roberto De Zerbi: Players Who Are Not 'Proud' To Play For Tottenham

According to News.

Background

Lucas Bergvall, who is 20 years old, had difficulty getting consistent playing time at Tottenham Hotspur last season. Although he was an important part of the Swedish national team at the World Cup, his position at Spurs does not suit his preference as a No 8 midfielder. This situation adds complexity to the decisions De Zerbi and the club's management have to make regarding Bergvall's future.

Why this is important

Roberto De Zerbi's statement highlights the importance of the player mentality at Tottenham Hotspur, especially for Lucas Bergvall who showed dissatisfaction with his situation. In the context of Premier League football, players who do not feel proud can affect the overall performance of the team. With interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Bergvall's future at Spurs is in the spotlight.

Main Points

Roberto De Zerbi: A player who is not 'proud' to play for Tottenham.
Tottenham Hotspur coach, Roberto De Zerbi, emphasized the importance of players feeling proud and happy playing for the club.
Anyone who's not 'proud' to play for Tottenham 'has to leave', says Roberto De Zerbi - The Athletic.

Roberto De Zerbi insists that any member of the squad who does not feel "happy" or "proud" to play for Tottenham Hotspur "must leave". Tottenham recently rejected a £46m bid from Newcastle United for Lucas Bergvall, and also rejected interest from Nottingham Forest after the 20-year-old expressed his desire to move this summer.

Bergvall is included in the 35-man squad that will embark on a pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia. Although De Zerbi said he had not yet spoken to the Sweden international about his future, he planned to do so in the "next few days".

"Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time at Tottenham," De Zerbi said ahead of the tour's opener against Auckland FC. "I said, 'Whoever doesn't want to stay at Tottenham, who isn't happy, isn't proud to live here, has to leave'."

"I want players who are proud and happy to stay here and play at the Tottenham Stadium with great motivation. If we look also at the World Cup, motivation makes a difference. Motivation is to feel happy staying in one team."

Bergvall struggled for consistent playing time last season and was used in a number of positions in midfield and on the wings, rather than in his preferred position of No 8, which does not appear to suit De Zerbi's commonly used 4-2-3-1 formation. He was an important part of the Swedish team at the World Cup, playing in all four matches as they were knocked out by France, then semi-finalists.

"I haven't spoken to Lucas yet. I will do so in the next few days," said De Zerbi. "We will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me and for everyone. Without a problem, Lucas is a big talent. There will be big competition to play at Tottenham because, in the end, I think we will have two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. If not, we will have to look for a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, and Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO). It is not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens)."

Tottenham are yet to set a price for Bergvall, although David Ornstein mentioned in the Athletic FC podcast that interested parties believe they are waiting for a figure closer to £60m after rejecting Newcastle's £46m bid. Spurs have made six signings this summer, breaking their transfer record twice: first for Mateus Fernandes (£85m) from relegated West Ham United, and then for Sandro Tonali (up to £100m) from Newcastle.

De Zerbi said that he expects the club to continue looking for a deal, with a particular focus on strengthening the attack, before the transfer window closes on September 1. "First of all, I think our transfer market is not finished," he said. "We have to finish; we have to bring in some more players, maybe more, maybe not less, but some players. I'm very happy, I'm excited to work with new players and old players. The target now is to finish the striker position. We want the main targets, the first level, because we already have important players. But I think to start the new project we need some more important players."

Andy Robertson is one of four defenders who joined this summer. The 32-year-old made more than 350 appearances for Liverpool before leaving as a free agent at the end of last season, winning the Premier League and Champions League during his nine years at Anfield. De Zerbi stated that signing an experienced player like Robertson, who has captained the Scotland national team since 2018, was just what the club needed. "I think we worked very well with Johan and Vinai. We worked with clear ideas. We brought in players with great experience, like Robbo (Robertson)."

"I think we need this type of player because we need to improve our experience, we need to improve our mentality, we need to be stronger, because in the last two seasons we didn't do what Tottenham should have done. At the end of the transfer market, we will evaluate to close the transfer market session. But at the moment, I'm very excited."

Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr are not in the squad after being given additional leave following their World Cup involvement with Uruguay and Senegal. But De Zerbi stated that there were no problems and that both were "crucial" players. "I spoke after the World Cup with the players, and for each one we took a different path," added De Zerbi. "Bentancur asked for one more week because he had a very tough season last season, and Pape Sarr had personal problems, and he asked for one more week. But there is no problem, no more than I said."

Mohammed Kudus remains in England. The Ghana international winger missed the World Cup after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury suffered in January, but De Zerbi said he expected Kudus to be "available to start working with us" when Spurs return from these three games here and in Sydney. “Holy is very close, I think,” the head coach said. "When we return to London, he will be available to start working with us. This is a great thing for us, because Kudus is another important player."

Guglielmo Vicario is also out, with a minor injury that will require him to "stay a week in London", De Zerbi said. The Italy international goalkeeper is expected to leave the club this summer after losing his starting place to Antonin Kinsky following De Zerbi's appointment in March. Midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has not played in more than a year due to an unusual knee injury and is continuing his rehabilitation at the club's training base. "Kulusevski, we will have to see in the next few weeks," said De Zerbi. "He is another important player. But after a season, a whole season, without games, we have to analyze better and not take risks, of course. First of all, for him, and then for us.",

What happened next

With Bergvall included in the pre-season squad, a decision regarding his future at Tottenham Hotspur is expected to be revealed soon. De Zerbi plans to speak to Bergvall in the next few days, which could determine whether the youngster stays or looks for other Premier League opportunities. Interest from clubs such as Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest could trigger further moves in the transfer market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Roberto De Zerbi say about players who are not proud to play for Tottenham?

Roberto De Zerbi insists that any member of the squad who does not feel 'happy' or 'proud' playing for Tottenham Hotspur 'must leave'.

Who confirmed that Lucas Bergvall wants to move from Tottenham?

Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Lucas Bergvall expressed his desire to move this summer.

Why is Roberto De Zerbi talking about unhappy players at Tottenham now?

De Zerbi spoke about players being unhappy ahead of the opening game of the pre-season tour and wants to ensure only motivated players stay at the club.

What changes are possible regarding Lucas Bergvall at Tottenham?

Lucas Bergvall may be moved from Tottenham if he does not feel happy or proud playing for the club, according to De Zerbi's statement.

What are De Zerbi's plans regarding talks with Lucas Bergvall?

De Zerbi plans to speak to Lucas Bergvall in the 'next few days' to discuss his future.

Roberto De Zerbi: Players who are not 'proud' to play for Tottenham