Lucas Bergvall backs himself to ‘step up’ following ‘brutal’ James Maddison injury

In partnership with

Hayters TV

·8. August 2025

Lucas Bergvall backs himself to ‘step up’ following ‘brutal’ James Maddison injury

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall says he is ready to step up in place of James Maddison if needed after the Englishman suffered an ACL injury against Arsenal in pre-season.

Maddison, along with Dejan Kulusevski, occupied most of the minutes in the number ten role last season but both will miss the start of the season with injury, with Maddison likely to miss at least the majority of the campaign.

OneFootball Videos

Kulusevski has not played for Spurs since he underwent knee surgery during the lead up to the Europa League final in May.

Even though these injuries are big blows to Spurs, Bergvall, who most often operated in a deeper role in midfield under Ange Postecoglou, insists he is ready to take their place in a more advanced role.”

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” he said when asked if he could be a solution to Spurs’ shortage in that area.

“I feel like I can do a good job there. Maybe I’m not a typical ten but with Madders and Kulu injured, maybe I need to step up.

“Pape played there today so we’ll see. I’ll just play wherever he wants me.”

Maddison had just come back from a knee injury that he suffered in the first leg of Spurs’ Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, and Bergvall says he feels a lot of sympathy for his team-mate.

“It’s just so, so unlucky,” he said. “He’s been working so hard to get back and then in his second game back that happens. “Football can be brutal sometimes. We need to support him and for him to get back even stronger. Reflecting on Maddison suffering the injury in Heung-min Son’s last game for Spurs, he continued: “Especially as it was supposed to be a beautiful ending for Sonny as well. “Then it was just so brutal for Madders. Of course everyone at the club was upset about that. He’s an unbelievable player.” Son has since departed Spurs, where he spent more than ten years, to join MLS side LAFC, and Bergvall believes that the Korean could even be the best player in Spurs’ history. “He’s a legend at the club and probably the best player in the club’s history,” he said. “So it’s a bit strange because he’s always there. I don’t think we have realised yet but we probably will.”