Thomas Frank reveals what really happened with Lucas Bergvall in Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea
Thomas Frank has shed light on his decision to take off Lucas Bergvall and whether it affected Tottenham’s game plan.
The Swede started on the left as part of a three-man Spurs forward line alongside Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus.
However, Bergvall’s night came to an early end as he was withdrawn after seemingly failing a concussion test following a head injury.
The 19-year-old was visibly fuming and kept jesticulating that he was ready to continue, but the decision was taken out of his hands, with Xavi Simons replacing him in the seventh minute of the game.
Thomas Frank admits Lucas Bergvall’s removal disrupted Tottenham’s plans
The Tottenham boss confirmed that the teenager was told he could not stay on after suffering a concussion, backing the decision of his medical staff.
Frank admitted that the early substitution was far from ideal for Tottenham’s game plan against the Blues.
When asked what happened with Bergvall, he responded (via the club’s official website): “That was a concussion. So he was told he couldn’t stay on and I think the medical team did a good job in that aspect. Even if he wanted to stay on, it’s the right decision that he stays off.”
When asked if it disrupted Tottenham’s game plan, Frank said: “We would have loved to have him continue. That’s why we picked him in the starting XI. Unfortunately, that couldn’t happen. So others will step in. Xavi knew the game plan.”
The right decision was reached regarding Bergvall
Football and many other sports now rightfully have clear protocols in place for concussions, which is a welcome change from a few years ago.
In the past, Bergvall would have likely continued playing if he had insisted he was fine to carry on, but the decision was rightly taken out of his hands.
Player safety trumps everything else when it comes to head injuries, and despite the midfielder’s frustration, he will realise with hindsight that the medics were right to be cautious.
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