Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Thu 13 March 2025 16:12, UK

Ange Postecoglou has had plenty to deal with this season at Tottenham, and it is all about to come to a boil.

The Europa League remains the last route not only to silverware but also to any degree of European qualification for next season, with a deficit needing to be overturned at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night (13 March).

Some of Postecoglou’s issues have been through his own doing, while others have been imposed upon him by injuries and lack of relative funding into player wages and other squad expenses by Daniel Levy.

Bergvall announcement will annoy Postecoglou

After the Alkmaar second leg and the Premier League visit across London to Fulham (16 March), Tottenham will see their squad separate for the international break.

A significant number of Spurs players will depart, leaving Postecoglou with the bare bones with which to train. As a former international manager himself, he will know the impact on both sides.

The worry among supporters and managers alike is that players will return injured, and if Spurs remain in the Europa League beyond this week, they will need all the strength they can get.

Postecoglou will be pleased for his international players’ individual aspirations, but be equally frustrated with their absences – and now there is another, as Lucas Bergvall has been called up by Sweden.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been a shining light in some dismal games for Spurs and has enjoyed some excellent moments, and with four senior caps to his name is now a fully-fledged Swedish international.

Tottenham playing for pride in Premier League

Alongside Bergvall in the Sweden setup are Premier League players such as Alexander Isak, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Elanga.

The Swedes will heavily rotate and Bergvall is likely to play some part across their two contests with Luxembourg and Northern Ireland.

When Bergvall returns to Spurs – hopefully fit and ready with match sharpness to boot – Postecoglou will not only breathe a sigh of relief but also be expected to rely on youngsters such as the marauding midfielder to restore some pride into the wretched domestic season.

Tottenham fans have already got their backs up with the international break in terms of perceived prioritisation of players’ exploits for their countries over their clubs – namely Argentina defender Cristian Romero, who has been accused of timing his comeback from injury specifically to feature for the world champions this month.

As long as everyone comes back to North London sharp and ready, the low mood will soon evaporate – but it all ultimately depends on the Europa League.