Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are enamored with another young “potential superstar” at the club who could be set to rival teenage duo Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.
Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray making real progress at Tottenham
When called upon, Thomas Frank could hardly ask for more from both men.
The youngsters have played key roles at times under Frank, and not just the Dane, with Gray forced to play out of position with extreme professionalism and stuck to his duties as best he could during Spurs’ injury crisis last season.
Gray’s versatility was invaluable for Ange Postecoglou, who struggled for options throughout 2024/2025, and he can certainly feel hard done by when it comes to match action this term.
The former Leeds United starlet has played just one Premier League minute since starting against Burnley on the opening day, but he showed flashes of true quality when coming off the bench away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League recently.
Frank, despite barely picking him so far, has tipped the Englishman for a “big future“.
Gray is looking to battle his way into a stacked Tottenham midfield where Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha have formed an indomitable partnership in his position, with the 19-year-old also having to contend against Bergvall.
Every time the latter plays, Bergvall makes his £8.5 million transfer fee from Djurgardens look like daylight robbery.
|
Lucas Bergvall’s career at Tottenham so far |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
55 |
|
Goals |
2 |
|
Assists |
7 |
|
Bookings |
9 |
|
Minutes played |
2,881 |
|
via Transfermarkt |
|
In the space of a few days against West Ham and Villarreal earlier this season, the Swede picked up two Player of the Match awards, scoring his first ever Premier League goal against Spurs’ London rivals and impressing when given the nod ever since.
“I think he had a good season last season. It laid the foundation for this season. He is going from strength to strength, and he has that extra confidence,” Frank said about Bergvall earlier this campaign.
“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.”
The Lilywhites also signed 22-year-old Dutch sensation Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the summer, in a deal which could be worth £125 million when factoring in wages over a possible seven-year contract (Paul O’Keefe).
The attacking midfielder notched his first Premier League assist for the club against West Ham, swinging in a corner for Pape Sarr to head home, but hasn’t managed to register a goal contribution since then.
Tottenham convinced Xavi Simons is a “potential superstar”
Some minor concerns have surrounded the Netherlands international’s form as a result, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, there are zero worries inside Tottenham.
It is quite the opposite, as Spurs insiders are “so impressed” by Simons and believe the North Londoners have a “potential superstar” on their hands.
“The belief in the club is that they have a potential superstar; they have been so impressed with him,” Bailey told TBR Football.
“Thomas Frank is taking his time finding the best role, but that is true of much of the squad. But he loves what he is seeing. The player is happy, committed and feels he made the right choice in the summer.”
Interestingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy has already said that Simons has an “unprecedented” mentality, and this appears to be coming to fruition at Hotspur Way as the versatile forward turns heads behind-the-scenes.
Simons could’ve joined Chelsea, but according to super agent Ali Barat, Frank was key in convincing the former PSG sensation to choose the other side of London instead.
“Xavi has a very strong mentality and a big personality. Tottenham and Chelsea are both fantastic clubs with solid projects, and there was genuine interest from both sides,” Barat told RMC Sport.
“But Chelsea was always clear with us; they had certain constraints that made it difficult to move forward in discussions.
“So, when discussions with Tottenham began, it became clear that this would be a project that would be a perfect fit for Xavi, and I think the discussion he had with Thomas Frank was really key to Xavi’s decision.”
