Further concerns over concussed midfield star over international break

Lucas Bergvall's concussion is continuing to cause him issues, with the midfielder returning from international duty early this month after missing Tottenham's previous two games.

Bergvall took a blow to the face/head very early on in the drab 1-0 defeat to Chelsea two Saturdays ago, and was evidently gutted to be forced off. However, the club's medical team undoubtedly made the right choice by not allowing the teenager to continue after suspecting a concussion.

Football's concussion protocols at the highest level have long been derided, with Premier League teams often failing to adhere to the guidelines established by the Football Association (FA), which are predicated on the 'if in doubt sit them out' tagline.

Bergvall's withdrawal against the Blues wasn't the first instance of Spurs utilising a concussion substitution. Both Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur have been taken off with suspected symptoms (Bentancur's were slightly more obvious, being stretchered off) since the start of the 2023/24 season.

Lucas Bergvall withdraws from Sweden squad due to concussion

The concussion sustained against Chelsea meant Bergvall was required to sit out of the emphatic victory over Copenhagen and draw with Manchester United.

The teenager was still selected in Graham Potter's first Sweden squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and his early withdrawal from camp has raised the question as to why the midfielder travelled in the first place.

"Lucas Bergvall will not be available to play in the men's national team's next two matches due to the consequences of the concussion he suffered in connection with Tottenham's league match against Chelsea on November 1," a statement from the Swedish FA wrote (via Chris Cowlin on X).

Further clarity over the nature of Bergvall's early withdrawal was provided by Stefan Pettersson, a hierarchical figure within the Swedish FA, who said: "We had agreed with Tottenham's doctor to do some tests during the week and then run at full speed so that Lucas would feel it properly. When there was a reaction, there was no hesitation. We don't want to take any risks."

Thus, it would seem as if Bergvall hasn't suffered a setback as such, but the midfielder wasn't deemed ready to take part in training on Thursday and subsequently feature for Sweden this month.

Spurs must be glad that no risks were taken, but they, too, must express caution. Thomas Frank's side are next in action on Sunday afternoon, and it's a biggie: the North London Derby. Bergvall will undoubtedly want to be a part of it.