RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he has told midfielder Lucas Bergvall to stay but cannot promise him a starting role.
The Sweden international, 20, has received multiple offers from Premier League rivals Newcastle and Nottingham Forest but surprisingly started Spurs' 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.
De Zerbi admitted he made mistakes in his handling of Bergvall during a chaotic end to the season following his appointment in March, when he narrowly guided Spurs to Premier League safety with a final-day victory over Everton .
BBC Sport understands Bergvall has told Tottenham he wants to leave.
"I'm always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us," said De Zerbi.
"I think he's potentially a top, top, top player. But then I don't want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay.
"He can find the space if he stays with us. The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad - not just 11 players - especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons."
It is also understood Bergvall wants to play in a deeper midfield role, a position he occupied in the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC alongside Archie Gray, but the arrivals of club-record signings Matheus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham and Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle have cast further doubt over his future.
De Zerbi continued: "He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can't give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed.
"I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don't want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can't give guarantee. It's right when he wants to play as a central midfielder.
"But to play as a central midfielder, sometimes it is to attack, sometimes to keep the holder, to move the ball faster. He has to improve."
However, the Italian also admits that "to stay with us, we have to have the right spirit, but if he doesn't want, then what can I do? Nothing."
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