Evening Standard
·20 July 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·20 July 2024
Bergvall was making his first start for Spurs
Ange Postecoglou is confident Lucas Bergvall has not suffered a serious injury after he was forced off in Tottenham’s pre-season win over QPR.
Spurs have won both of their matches to start the summer, beating Hearts earlier this week and then easing past Championship side QPR on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Road.
There was concern, though, as Bergvall, making his first start for Spurs, was forced off midway through the first-half, with Dejan Kulusevski brought on.
However, Postecoglou offered a positive update after the match, believing the 18-year-old was still learning to cope with the training methods at his new club.
“He's just a bit sore,” the Spurs said.
"For him and for Archie [Gray], the way we train is all new. We've got to look after them but I don't think it's anything significant."
Tottenham completed the signing of Bergvall for a fee in the region of £8.5m in February, though he remained with Swedish side Djurgarden for the rest of the season and did not join up with his Spurs team-mates until this summer.
Postecoglou’s comments would suggest Bergvall will be involved with the club’s pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea.
Spurs fly out to face Vissel Kobe next weekend, before taking on a K-League XI. Postecoglou’s side will then play Bayern Munich twice in the space of a week, first in Seoul and then back in north London.
Yves Bissouma scored the opening goal in Spurs’ 2-0 win over QPR, and Postecoglou was asked whether an impressive performance will give the midfielder confidence ahead of the new season.
"Yeah but it is only a friendly,” the Australian replied.
“I want to see him do it in a game. He's capable of it. That's our challenge for all our guys. We know the capabilities are there. We've got to produce it when it counts.
“He was good today, he's been good through pre-season and we've just got to keep pushing him."