Thomas Frank outlines how Tottenham midfield starlet can improve

Lucas Bergvall has been one of Tottenham's shining lights of 2025, with the teenager's beacon-of-hope-like form from last season permeating into the start of a new era.

Despite strong interest from Barcelona, Spurs impressively sold their vision to the Swedish starlet in early 2024, and the burgeoning Djurgårdens midfielder officially joined the club in July. There was a sense that the north London club had made quite the coup, but it'd take a little while for Bergvall's promise to manifest in N17.

The midfielder was used sporadically by Ange Postecoglou during the first half of 2024/25, although he made his Premier League debut on the opening weekend of the season. There were plenty of harsh learning experiences, such as his early substitution in the 3-0 win over Qarabag due to Radu Drăgușin's red card, but early adversity sparked swift growth.

Bergvall has been on an upward trajectory since his breakout performance against Liverpool in the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final. Amid the domestic misery of last season, the dynamic midfielder served as a reason to believe in the club's future, and his season-ending ankle injury had the potential to scupper Spurs' Europa League dream. Fortunately, Brennan Johnson didn't let that happen.

Thomas Frank explains how Lucas Bergvall can improve

Thomas Frank has shuffled his midfield personnel around at the start of the new season, but Bergvall is quickly gaining indispensable status.

The Swede offered a source of guile and enthusiasm that was sorely lacking in the defeat to Bournemouth, and his campaign ignited away at West Ham last weekend. Bergvall's first Premier League goal was a beauty, as he masterfully lofted a header over Mads Hermansen from Cristian Romero's inch-perfect pass.

He was subsequently awarded UEFA's Player of the Match award after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Villarreal, during which he triggered Luiz Júnior's comical own goal four minutes into his Champions League debut by bursting down the right and aiming a cross for Richarlison.

The 19-year-old is a Duracell bunny-like figure in midfield, who combines high energy with a slickness in possession that suggests he can perform multiple roles to an impressive standard. The fact that he can only get better is mightily exciting, and Frank has outlined how Bergvall can take his game to the next level.

“He is going from strength to strength, and he has that extra confidence," the Dane said (via The Spurs Express on X), "he has so much energy where we have to tell him not to run [in certain moments]. More of the deep runs and arriving in higher positions are key.

"He is learning to be more and more clever in the pressure. We need his enthusiasm.”

Taming the eagerness of youth seems to be Frank's plan, with Bergvall's overzealousness occasionally getting him into trouble, with and without the ball. The manager wants to harness his energy and help him become a more efficient operator.

The foundations have been installed, and Bergvall has the right manager at his disposal to help him realise his infinite potential.