Tottenham's tricky situation has been made tougher by yet another set of injury blows. Spurs finally picked up their first win under Roberto De Zerbi over the weekend, beating bottom club Wolves, but West Ham and Nottingham Forest also won in a slice of rotten luck for Spurs.
But worse still, Xavi Simons picked up a knee injury that will keep him out for the season, while Dominic Solanke picked up a muscular injury that will put his participation for the rest of the season in doubt. Richarlison is going to have to step up in Solanke's absence, while Lucas Bergvall might just need to be the hero when it comes to replacing Xavi Simons.
Still two points from safety and with a slate of absent players, Tottenham are going to have to find some heroes in unexpected places, and there is plenty of excitement and expectation around James Maddison, who returned to fitness recently after spending all of the season so far on the sidelines due to a knee injury he suffered in pre-season.
But expectations should be cooled, given Maddison is coming in from the cold and has no rhythm whatsoever. It's a big ask for Maddison to come in and save Tottenham as he works his way back from a serious injury, which is no easy task. The England international is going to have to build up strength, confidence and fitness in his early games back, and there are only four games to go.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Lucas Bergvall
Enter stage left Mr Bergvall. The Sweden international has been carefully managed during his time in North London. Still a young player, it feels as though Tottenham have been careful with Bergvall, who has been in and out despite looking like Tottenham's most dangerous player at times.
The 20-year-old has had consistency issues, as you would expect given his youth, and he has only registered one goal and five assists this season, albeit in a struggling Spurs team.
But there is no doubting that he is a special talent, and with Simons out, it's time for Bergvall to be handed big responsibility and the licence to go out and provide the assists - and perhaps even goals - that Tottenham need to beat the drop this season.
Former Spurs boss Thomas Frank was particularly keen on Bergvall, saying earlier this season: “Lucas is very talented. I think he will end up as what we call an eight, that’s where I think he will end, but who knows? He’s more than capable of playing as a 10, or he can play a more midfield role from the side, as he did against Liverpool.
He’s a player we can use in different roles, which is hugely beneficial and important. To have that player who can run in behind, he’s very good at pressing, good on the ball, and he can drive forward with the ball.
"Over time he will fall into a more fixed position. It’s completely normal for a young player to play in different positions. To be that flexible is a huge boost. Look at Szoboszlai, who we all think is one of the best midfielders in the league.”
The beauty of giving Bergvall a bigger role is that Maddison can ease his way back in rather than being thrust into a situation he may not be ready for after a huge injury.
It's not all on Bergvall. The likes of Richarlison, Kolo Randal Muani, Mathys Tel and Conor Gallagher are going to have to step up. But it's about time Bergvall gets the opportunity to shine in that number 10 role, and De Zerbi may not have many other options, with Maddison not ready to take on a significant role at this stage in his recovery.
Add us as a preferred source on Google