Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall has opened up on his new role under Thomas Frank.
The 19-year-old has started showing why Tottenham were so eager to bring him in from Djurgarden.
After making a strong impact under Ange Postecoglou last season, an ankle injury briefly derailed his development.
Now fully fit, the Swedish midfielder is making up for lost time and thriving under Frank’s guidance.
Bergvall already has a goal and three assists in nine games across all competitions this season. His only goal came in the 3-0 win over West Ham United earlier this month.
With just less than a quarter of the season gone, Bergvall is already one assist away from equalling his total tally of goal involvements from last season.
He is taking on new responsibilities and growing into a bigger role in the Tottenham attack.
Bergvall thriving in new role
Frank has spoken about trying to refine Bergvall’s game, encouraging him to play with more composure while also unlocking his creativity further up the pitch.
The teenager agrees with that assessment and so far is thriving in his new role.
When asked where he feels he has improved this season, he said (via the club’s official website): “It’s a great question. I feel like I’m getting better every day.
“I played as a bit of an eight in the beginning, and now more of a 10, and it feels like I’m adding more and more to my game every day.
“I try to help the team with contributing goals and assists as well, so I’m just getting better every day and improving.”
The subtle tweak in his role has paid off, with Bergvall finding more opportunities to link up in dangerous areas.
His confidence on the ball is growing, and his ability to make decisive passes in the final third is becoming key to Tottenham’s attacking style.
Last season’s ankle injury forced him to miss the Europa League semi-final win away to Bodo/Glimt, but the Champions League now offers him a chance to make amends.
Returning to Norway with Spurs to face Bodo, Bergvall is eager to prove himself on the biggest stage.
“It’s the best thing, for me, as a player that you can achieve – to win the Champions League,” he said.
“It’s going to be a good game tomorrow, a tough game, Bodo is a good team, so we need to go out there and perform again.”