The 2024/25 campaign has been brutal for those of a Tottenham Hotspur persuasion. And yet. Spurs have the chance to fashion something special after so many months of lashing pain.
Ange Postecoglou was ridiculed after making that infamous comment back in September: “I always win things in my second year.” The Australian had just been defeated 1-0 in the north London derby, leaving Tottenham with four points from as many matches in the Premier League.
Sadly, far more anguish lay ahead, with Tottenham now languishing in 16th place, just four matches left to play. 19 of the club’s 34 top-flight fixtures have ended in defeat.
It’s been shocking, but Tottenham have found solace in the Europa League, marching through the phases to reach the penultimate stage.
On Thursday, FK Bodø/Glimt were defeated 3-1 down N17 in the first leg of their semi-final tie. Ange’s side now need to hold their nerve and set up a final-stage showdown with, probably, Manchester United, who beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 away from home on the same night.
Should Tottenham end their interminable trophy drought, last winning silverware in 2008, Postecoglou will etch his name into the record books, but there’s no question that success on the continent won’t detract from the fact that much change is needed this summer.
However, while the need for a host of new signings is clear, Tottenham’s lowly Premier League position is also going to spike fears that the sales of some valuable members of the squad will be necessary, especially if Spurs fail to win the Europa League, thus ceding hordes of prize money stemming from Champions League qualification.
A potential sell-to-buy mindset heading into the transfer window could be rather concerning when it comes to Lucas Bergvall, whose season-ending injury means he might have played his final game for Tottenham.
Spurs could lose their biggest talent
That’s according to GIVEMESPORT, who have revealed that the Sweden international is attracting attention from Real Madrid, the La Liga giants having earmarked him as a potential midfield centrepiece for a new project that could see Xabi Alonso replace Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout this summer.
Fears of the 19-year-old’s impending departure are lessened, it must be said, by the new contract he signed earlier this week, extending his deal to the summer of 2031.
However, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is bound to be concerned that his side face a repeat of the move that saw Luka Modric walk the path from N17 to the Spanish capital.
Why Bergvall could be Luka Modric 2.0
Right from the off, Tottenham knew they had bagged themselves a prospect with the potential to go right to the very top.
Bergvall signed for Tottenham in January 2024, the Lilywhites scoring themselves a brilliant hijack after the Swedish teenager appeared to be on the cusp of leaving his Swedish outfit before Postecoglou’s side swooped in and stole him, agreeing an £8.5m deal that would see him join up with the squad at the end of the 2023/24 season.
After featuring 45 times for the seniors this season, the Swede has proven himself one of Postecoglou’s most favoured players. As he continues to develop in the coming years, there are genuine fears that Real Madrid could swoop in and repeat their Modric trick.
The Croatian legend, 39, has forged the most auspicious years of his career in Spain, but he did play for Tottenham across four seasons, earning acclaim for his influential and technical displays.
Bergvall has a similarly prodigious gift, but it would take something special to rise to Modric’s level.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed that he “could play in any team,” and that was proven right upon his big-money move.
1.
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
£100m
2.
Gareth Bale
Real Madrid
£85m
3.
Kyle Walker
Manchester City
£53m
4.
Dimitar Berbatov
Manchester United
£32m
5.
Luka Modric
Real Madrid
£30m
Modric was sold for a pretty penny way back in 2012, two years after signing a new six-year contract with the London side.
This goes to show that Bergvall’s new deal is not a failsafe way to keep him on the books over the coming years, especially if Los Blancos double down on their interest as the Scandinavian talent inevitably continues to go from strength to strength over the coming years.
It’s not just Bergvall’s positional likeness to the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner that has raised fears Spurs could be headed for a bitter repeat of that 2011 transfer, with The Athletic’s JJ Bull actually remarking back in January that he “has a first touch like Modric.”
Bergvall is a progressive passer and an athletic player to have in the midfield mix too, ranking among the top 18% of positional peers competing in the Premier League this season for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has even hailed the youngster for being “unstoppable” with the ball at his feet.
Modric’s inventive mind, his peerless footballing IQ, have been tools which have served him well indeed, earning a deserved reputation as one of the greatest midfielders of his era.
Even now, at this twilight stage of his career, the veteran ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, assists and shot-creating actions made per 90 (FBref).
Bergvall’s vision and energy are facets which could see him shoot right to the top of the game, and while Real Madrid do have a vested interest, Spurs fans will hope that his fresh deal is an indication that he’s here to stay.
Enjoying a player of such high-level ability truly is a double-edged sword.
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