Conte praises ‘special’ Bergwijn after match-winning performance

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has heaped praise on Dutch international winger Steven Bergwijn after the former PSV Eindhoven star produced his most influential display in a Spurs shirt since his arrival in north London.

Bergwijn bagged a stoppage-time brace after coming off the bench in the 79th-minute to secure a remarkable comeback win by Tottenham against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The result sees Tottenham leapfrog bitter rivals Arsenal into fifth and with three matches in hand over fourth-place West Han, has Spurs in striking distance of the coveted last Champions League place.

For Conte, Bergwijn remains important to the first-team set up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium;

“I have spoken about Steve in the past. For me, he is an important player with special characteristics. No one else in the team has these characteristics. He is good technically, he beats the man, he is a striker and in good physical condition. It is an important choice for me – I can put him in the starting eleven or bring him on in the game.” Note: quotes via Football365 citing BBC Sport

Could Dutch star still have a future at Tottenham?

Steven Bergwijn seemed all but destined to depart Tottenham this winter after Dutch giants Ajax sounded the winger out for a January move back to the Netherlands with Spurs seemingly open to allowing him to depart the club as long as their valuation was met.

Tottenham boss hails Steven Bergwijn after remarkable comeback win at Leicester City

ROTTERDAM – Steven Bergwijn of Holland celebrates 1-0 during the World Cup qualifier match between the Netherlands and Norway at Stadion de Kuip on November 16, 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. KOEN VAN WEEL (Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)

That potential move could now go up in flames after tonight’s influential performance by the 24-year-old, especially in the wake of Antonio Conte’s comments that hint at a level of importance that is not easily replaced with just two weeks left in the winter transfer period.

And with just a small cadre of reliable forwards at Conte’s disposal, €15million for a player that has the ability of Bergwijn would signal poor business by the club given the alternatives on offer that are not named Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, or Lucas Moura.

On that basis alone, there could be a chance at redemption for Bergwijn who may well have a larger role to play for Tottenham as they look to achieve Champions League football under a demanding yet highly successful manager.

This writing has been seen from outside the site.