Manager reveals Tottenham player has been a ‘godsend’ – Has to decide future by himself

Called up in Louis Van Gaal’s last three international squads to represent the Netherlands, Steven Bergwijn has repaid the manager’s faith with good performances.

The Tottenham forward scored and assisted against Norway in a 2-0 win back in November, before bagging a brace against Denmark in a friendly in March and one against Germany three days later.

This was then followed by a goal in the 4-1 rout over Belgium in the Nations League, ahead of appearing in both the games against Wales and Poland.

This all comes following a very disappointing season at club level at Tottenham for the winger, who was barely used by Antonio Conte.

That’s why there is a strong belief the Dutch forward will leave Spurs this summer, but there has been no indication anyone, even Ajax, are desperate for a deal just yet.

This is something being discussed within the Netherlands squad, though, as explained by Louis Van Gaal during a press conference, relayed by Voetbal International.

He said: “Yes, a lot. Players now come to me on their own, and that was the subject of most players (…) but I have said to every player: in the end you decide. You have to stay close to yourself, I think that’s very important.”

Van Goal also made it clear that players featuring every week wasn’t necessarily a necessity to make his squad, using Tottenham’s Bergwijn as an example.

He added: “I already said that during the second press conference: I can no longer hold onto that vision. Look at what Steven Bergwijn has accomplished, although he didn’t have minutes at Tottenham. That was just a godsend. Donyell Malen got injured, which is very annoying, and then I have to call Steven and ask him if he still wanted to come.

“He came, he came in, he came in well and put in a fantastic run of games. In my eyes, that was a godsend, because that’s what I was looking for. The search doesn’t stop at Bergwijn, but it’s sometimes that simple. And the question is also: what is Bergwijn going to do? Will he stay at Tottenham Hotspur or will he move to a new club? Every player has his own problem and his own choice.

“Then they ask me what I would do, but I can’t give any guarantees, because I think they should perform. The Dutch team is the highest tier and then you have to show it to your club, because I borrow players and then see if they fit the group.”