Steven Bergwijn is still struggling for game time under Antonio Conte at Tottenham, which isn't being helped by the solid form of Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Spurs beat Leicester 3-1 on Sunday and the Dutch international got less than ten minutes on the pitch, after replacing the South Korean.
The winger has made 29 appearances this season, scoring four goals and registering two assists, but has started in just four Premier League games. Conte made an unlikely rotation against Brendan Rodgers' side to begin with, giving Lucas Moura the nod, over Kulusevski.
The Brazilian and Bergwijn have both struggled for game time since the 22-year-old's arrival and in his post-match press conference, the Spurs boss explained his selection dilemma. "We must be pleased because Son and Harry Kane scored on the same day also Steven Bergwijn.
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"For me, it's a bit difficult to keep him on the bench because Steven is maybe the player he should deserve more, but we have to try always a good balance. He is a striker, a fantastic striker, but in this position, there is Harry and then Sonny," Conte admitted.
"Deki [Kulusevski] gives us quality and quantity, and sometimes it's very difficult. For sure maybe I'm giving [Steven] less than he deserves, and I want to be honest. Lucas played a good 50 minutes, and we have to continue in this way and prepare for an important game."
Bergwijn was linked with a move away from Tottenham, during the January transfer window, but remained in N17. His appearances from the bench have arguably been brighter than those of Moura, yet the Brazilian still seems to get the nod ahead of the 24-year-old.
The Dutchman's most prominent impact this season was his two injury-time goals which secured his team three points, at the King Power Stadium. After Sunday's fixture against Leicester, Bergwijn admitted that he thought it would've been a bit of a turning point.
"I thought I would get more playing time after that, but unfortunately that didn't happen," he admitted, when speaking to Dutch newspaper AD. Bergwijn is someone Conte has previously praised but his lack of game time won't be doing much to encourage him to stay in the capital and he knows that this isn't likely to change.
"A starting spot here? I don’t think so to be honest," the winger explained. "It’s a complicated story for me. I don’t play much.
"Ajax could be an option for me, a return to The Netherlands could be an option for me. The World Cup is coming."
The Dutchman has impressed for his country in recent times, scoring three goals in two games, in the most recent international break despite the lack of match minutes for Tottenham. Bergwijn seems positive about his place in the national team, but has provided an honest verdict on his future at Spurs.
"Mr [Louis] Van Gaal, the national coach, brought me into the squad last time, even though I didn't play much. Of course, it's nice that you just score those goals and show that you can be a full-fledged player," the 24-year-old said.
"But then you come back to the club and you hardly play. It is a shame, of course. In the summer we really have to look for a solution.
"There are still four games to go. After that, we will see in the summer what is best for both parties. It's important to me that I'm going to play now," Bergwijn added.
Just like every footballer, the winger wants to be playing week in and week out, rather than watching his teammates from the sidelines. There is no doubt that the 24-year-old will have interest from various clubs during the summer window, with Ajax seeming like an option for the Dutchman.
However, Bergwijn has now spoken about a move to Man United, with Dutch manager Erik ten Hag taking over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season. Ten Hag is a fan of the Tottenham winger and the 24-year-old seems to be keeping an open mind over his future.
"I haven't spoken to him yet, but who knows, maybe that will happen," Bergwijn admitted. For now, Conte will be relying on the Dutch international to be ready, in case he is needed in Tottenham's final four games of the season.
After that, a number of things need to be assessed in N17, which will include the future of the 24-year-old and time will tell if his Spurs chapter will come to an end.
