Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi has said that any of his players who are not happy at the club or “not proud to stay here” should leave.
The Italian, who helped save Spurs from Premier League relegation last season after taking over at the end of March, insisted that has been his stance from the beginning of his tenure in north London.
De Zerbi’s comments come amid growing speculation over the future of midfielder Lucas Bergvall, with the club rejecting a £38m bid from Nottingham Forest for the Sweden international as well as a reported £46m offer from Newcastle United.
Before his side’s pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday, De Zerbi reinforced his belief about players who aren’t motivated to represent the club.
“I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave,” De Zerbi said.
“I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference.
“The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”
Growing uncertainty
Uncertainty has grown concerning Bergvall’s future following the summer arrivals of midfielders Sandro Tonali – a £100m signing from Newcastle – and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in a deal worth £85m.
De Zerbi admitted he had not yet talked with 20-year-old Bergvall, but insisted the situation would be cleared up over the next few days.
“I have not spoken with Lucas yet,” De Zerbi said. “I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent.
“There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position.
“If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with [sporting director] Johan Lange, with [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham]. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
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