Antonio Conte says he wants to keep Steven Bergwijn at Tottenham this month, after the forward’s late heroics earned the biggest win of the Italian's reign so far at the King Power Stadium last night.
Substitute Bergwijn scored twice in stoppage time as Spurs came from behind to beat Leicester 3-2 and move within a point of the Premier League’s top four with a statement triumph.
Spurs had been willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old, whose career in north London is still yet to truly take off two years after his January arrival from PSV Eindhoven, and the club rejected an opening bid from Dutch champions Ajax of around £15million last week.
The Eredivisie side are expected to come back with an improved offer, but on his return from injury, Bergwijn offered a timely reminder of his quality and Conte insists the Dutchman remains part of his plans.
“In the past, when someone asks me about Steven I was very clear,” Conte said. “For me, he is a very important player because he has characteristics that in our squad we don’t have many of - we don’t have many creative players.
“He’s an important player and the player has to be happy and I think the player is happy to be with us and play in Tottenham.”
While the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, who was again left out of the squad last night, may be allowed to leave before the January window shuts, Conte has stressed that his primary concern this month is with bolstering the ranks as his side look to kick-on and push for a Champions League return.
“We need to try to improve to become stronger, not to lose players and become less strong,” he added.
“We have to try to continue to work and improve and if there is the possibility in this transfer market to improve also numerically the number of this squad, it will be very important.”
Bergwijn labelled his Roy of the Rovers-style cameo “every boy’s dream”, the winger thumping home the rebound after Matt Doherty had been denied to level the scores at 2-2, then latching onto Harry Kane’s through-ball to round Kasper Schmeichel for a 97th-minute winner.
“You’ve got to never give up,” Kane said. “[Bergwijn] came on and made a huge difference and to get two goals like that in stoppage time - it’s games like this you’ll never forget for the rest of your career.
“Full credit to Stevey, it’s not been easy for him with injuries, but he’s been working hard behind the scenes. That’s what our team’s about, putting everyone on the line, whether you’re playing or not playing. Full credit to him today.”
The result leaves Spurs in a strong position in the race for fourth, a point behind West Ham having played three matches fewer, while even Chelsea in third are in sight ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Stamford Bridge. Conte, however, urged caution.
“On the one hand, it’s good but on the other hand we have to be very honest and understand we’re doing well but it will be difficult to keep this position,” he added. “This must be our target, that at the end of the season we are sure we gave everything and the position we reached in the table means we deserved this position.”
