Wayne Rooney is a huge fan of Tottenham’s ‘fantastic’ talent who’s just changed position
Tottenham Hotspur may have taken all three points from their opening Champions League clash with Villarreal, but Thomas Frank will know that the performance left plenty of room for improvement. The Danish manager will have been relieved to start the European campaign with a win, even if the display wasn’t quite as convincing as he would have liked.
Despite the mixed showing from the team, one Spurs player in particular drew plenty of praise from pundits after the match — 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall. Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney was among those who singled out the young Swede for his standout performance, hailing his composure and maturity on such a big stage.
Wayne Rooney full of praise for Bergvall’s Champions League debut
Rooney, who knows better than most what it takes to shine at a young age in European competition, was impressed with how Bergvall handled the pressure of his Champions League debut. Speaking on Prime Video’s coverage, the former striker highlighted the teenager’s tactical awareness and ability to adapt his game.
“Sometimes you actually forget how young he is because he played so many games last season,” Rooney explained. “The maturity with which he plays is fantastic. This season he’s already showing different sides to his game. Last year, he operated a bit deeper, but now he’s been trusted as a number ten. That role is not easy — you have to constantly find space, get on the ball, and link play in dangerous areas. Tonight he showed he can do that, and it will only make him a better player in the future.”
It wasn’t just Rooney who noticed Bergvall’s influence. Alan Shearer, another Premier League legend, described the youngster as a player with “unbelievable technique.” The praise was backed up by results on the pitch too, as Bergvall was named Man of the Match, underlining just how significant his performance was. To shine so brightly in his very first Champions League appearance speaks volumes about his potential.
Carrick praises Bergvall’s growth in a new role
Michael Carrick, another respected figure in English football and a man who knows all about playing in midfield at the highest level, also had glowing words for the Swedish international. Carrick has been impressed with Bergvall’s ability to transition into a more advanced attacking midfield role under Thomas Frank.
The tactical shift has already paid dividends in domestic competition. Against West Ham, Bergvall showcased his sharp instincts by timing a perfectly executed run in behind the defence, scoring with confidence and composure. Carrick, who was working as a pundit, was keen to quiz the youngster about his experience playing further forward.
“I thought you were fantastic, Lucas, so well played,” Carrick said after the match. “When you’re playing in that high position just behind their midfield, like when you made your run for the goal against West Ham, do you sometimes feel the urge to drop deeper to get more touches on the ball? Or are you comfortable staying high and looking to make those forward runs?”
Bergvall, speaking with the poise of a player far beyond his years, replied: “Yeah, when I play as a ten, we need those runs forward, and I think I’ve done that well in the last two games. I’ve played a lot as a six and eight in the past, but this season I’ve been used more as a ten.”
Carrick praised his response and his performance, adding: “It’s not easy, especially as a young player, to resist that temptation to constantly go searching for the ball. But I thought you showed real maturity and patience tonight, making your runs at the right time and staying composed in that advanced role. That shows great understanding of the position.”
A star in the making
Bergvall’s ability to play across multiple midfield roles — from deep-lying playmaker to advanced number ten — has made him a valuable asset for Spurs. His versatility, combined with his technique and composure, makes him one of the brightest young talents in Europe right now.
While Tottenham may not have been at their free-flowing best against Villarreal, the emergence of Bergvall as a game-changer offers plenty of optimism for the season ahead. At just 19 years old, he has already shown the temperament to handle the pressure of Europe’s biggest stage, and with continued guidance from Thomas Frank, he could quickly become one of the defining players of Spurs’ campaign.