Roberto De Zerbi is not one to mince his words. Tottenham’s manager says players who are unhappy at the club this summer should simply leave, a message that lands squarely amid growing uncertainty over Lucas Bergvall’s future at the north London club.
A message De Zerbi says he delivered from day one
De Zerbi took charge of Tottenham at the end of March and helped steer the club away from Premier League relegation last season. Even before that turnaround, though, he says he set the tone in the dressing room. ‘I was very clear at the start of my time at Tottenham. I said, who doesn’t want to stay at Tottenham? Who is not happy…’, the Italian explained.
Having signed a five-year contract with Spurs in March, De Zerbi made clear he has no intention of managing a squad carrying players who don’t want to be there for an entire season.
Bergvall saga fuels De Zerbi’s comments
The name driving the speculation is Lucas Bergvall. Tottenham rejected an initial £38m bid from Nottingham Forest for the Sweden international, with the newly promoted club reportedly set to return with an improved offer of around £45m.
Nothing has been officially confirmed by either club, and until Tottenham or Forest announce an agreement, the move should be treated as reported interest rather than a done deal.
Still, De Zerbi’s comments suggest Spurs won’t stand in the way if a player makes clear he wants out — a stance Premier League rivals and clubs elsewhere in Europe will be watching closely as the transfer window edges toward its final weeks.
FAQ
What did Roberto De Zerbi say about unhappy Tottenham players?
The Tottenham manager said players who are not happy at the club this summer should leave, repeating a message he says he delivered to the squad when he arrived at the end of March.
Has Lucas Bergvall’s transfer to Nottingham Forest been confirmed?
No. Tottenham rejected an initial £38m bid from Forest, who are reportedly preparing to raise their offer to around £45m, but no deal has been officially confirmed by either club.
When did Roberto De Zerbi become Tottenham manager?
De Zerbi took over at Tottenham at the end of March and signed a five-year contract with the club the same month.
Did De Zerbi help save Tottenham from relegation?
Yes, he helped the club avoid relegation from the Premier League last season after taking charge in March.
Could De Zerbi’s comments affect other Tottenham transfer business this summer?
It’s possible — his stance suggests the club won’t block departures for unsettled players, which could open the door to further deals before the transfer window closes.
🏆 AI Analysis – World Cup 2026
Mysports AI uses advanced data models to deliver the best odds, dark horse analysis and betting tips.
Get predictions