Having forged a distinguished career across Europe with clubs including Benfica, Arsenal and Fiorentina, the former Sweden international knows how difficult it can be for a young Scandinavian player to adapt quickly at the very highest level.
That is why Schwarz has been impressed by the way Lucas Bergvall has handled the intensity and scrutiny surrounding his first season at Tottenham.
The teenage midfielder arrived in north London carrying enormous expectations after choosing Spurs over Barcelona when leaving Djurgården, a decision that surprised many across Europe. But Schwarz believes Bergvall made the right call — both for his development and for his future.
“He’s a great potential,” Schwarz told Football Presse. “He’s had, I think as well, a little bit injured this season, a tough season with Tottenham.”
Despite those setbacks, Schwarz believes the experience of surviving a difficult campaign in the Premier League could become an important turning point for Bergvall.
“If they stay up, he can take that positiveness back, that they know that it is Premier League football next season, and bring that into the squad, into the World Cup, a little bit relieved in that way.”
Schwarz sees Bergvall as the modern complete midfielder — energetic, technically gifted and capable of changing the rhythm of a game.
“He’s a good box-to-box player, good energy,” Schwarz explained. “You can see when he plays for Tottenham, he makes a bit of difference.”
That, in Schwarz’s view, is what makes Bergvall so exciting. Even during a turbulent season for Spurs, the young Swede has shown flashes of personality and authority in arguably the toughest league in world football.
“In one of the best leagues in the world,” Schwarz also told Football Presse on behalf of Betinia.
The decision to choose Tottenham over Barcelona was heavily debated in Sweden at the time. Barcelona’s reputation for developing elite technical midfielders appeared an obvious fit for Bergvall, but Schwarz believes the teenager was brave to embrace the challenge of English football.
“Go from Djurgården — it’s a great club in Sweden with a lot of tradition — but if you have Tottenham and Barcelona, there’s a big step already,” Schwarz said.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world and then Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world.”
For Schwarz, Bergvall was fortunate to have such elite options available at such a young age.
“He was fortunate to have the privilege to have those problems to choose between.”
And ultimately, Schwarz believes the midfielder chose correctly.
“I think he made a good choice. He will grow as a player.”
Importantly, Schwarz does not see Tottenham as the limit of Bergvall’s ambitions. In fact, he hinted the move to England could eventually prepare him for a future at the very biggest clubs in Europe.
“And you never know that sooner or later maybe he will play for Barcelona.”
Another factor encouraging Schwarz is the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham. The Italian coach’s tactical detail and commitment to progressive football could, in his opinion, unlock another level in Bergvall’s game.
“Oh yeah, I think he’s proved it wherever he goes,” Schwarz said of De Zerbi. “He’s a very intense manager with a lot of competence in his tactical approach to the games.”
Schwarz believes a full pre-season under De Zerbi could benefit not only Bergvall, but the entire Tottenham squad.
“When they have a start with a new pre-season, he can put his ideas together, and I think the whole Tottenham team will benefit from it.”
For Sweden, Bergvall’s continued growth could be vital. The national side is rebuilding under Graham Potter, and Schwarz sees the midfielder as part of an exciting new generation alongside players like Yasin Ayari and Hugo Larsson.
But perhaps most importantly, Schwarz believes Bergvall already possesses something many young talents struggle to find early in their careers — the ability to influence matches under pressure.
And for a Swedish football icon like Schwarz, that is often the clearest sign that a special player is emerging.