Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi has made his expectations clear to his squad, stating that any player who isn’t “happy” or “proud” to be at the club this summer should seek a move elsewhere. His comments come amidst ongoing transfer activity and doubts surrounding the future of young Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand, De Zerbi emphasized the importance of commitment and motivation within the squad. “I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham,” De Zerbi told the Tottenham Hotspur website. “I said, who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave.”
The Italian manager, who took charge in March and helped the club avoid Premier League relegation last season, reiterated his desire for a highly motivated group. “I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”
Bergvall’s uncertain future amid transfer activity
De Zerbi’s strong stance arrives as Lucas Bergvall’s position at the club comes under scrutiny. The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined Spurs from Swedish club Djurgarden in 2024, played limited minutes under De Zerbi at the end of last season. He started the manager’s first game, a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, and made four substitute appearances thereafter.
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Nottingham Forest has reportedly made a significant push to sign Bergvall, with Tottenham rejecting an initial bid of £38 million. Forest is now expected to increase their offer to £45 million, according to BBC Sport. De Zerbi acknowledged the situation, revealing he plans to speak with Bergvall soon.
“I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems,” De Zerbi said. “Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with [sporting director] Johan Lange, with [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham]. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
Tottenham has already been active in the transfer market, securing midfielders Sandro Tonali for £100 million from Newcastle United and Mateus Fernandes for £85 million from West Ham. The club has also bolstered its defensive options with the additions of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi. De Zerbi confirmed that the club’s transfer business is “not finished yet,” with a focus on completing the attacking positions.
Injury woes impact attacking plans
The need for attacking reinforcements is further highlighted by a string of injuries impacting key players. Wingers Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) have not travelled to New Zealand for the pre-season tour due to long-term issues. Attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, a Netherlands international, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April, requiring surgery and ruling him out of the 2026 World Cup.
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De Zerbi remains optimistic about Kudus’s return, stating, “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us. It’s a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.”
As Tottenham navigates its pre-season and the remainder of the transfer window, De Zerbi’s clear message sets the tone for a squad expected to be fully invested in the club’s ambitions.
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