Steven Bergwijn has the ability to push Tottenham to new heights

Tottenham didn’t do a ton of transfer business in January, but buying Steven Bergwijn may ultimately secure them Champions League football next season.

Steven Bergwijn’s move from PSV to Tottenham in January came out of relatively nowhere for Spurs supporters. There certainly wasn’t a ton of conversation about him before the move suddenly became imminent. Fortunately for Jose Mourinho, the speedy winger has hit the ground running.

Bergwijn announced his presence in England with a scintillating goal against Manchester City. Pounding a shot past the defending league champions off the volley has a way of getting everyone’s attention. Even so, it was Sunday’s performance at Aston Villa that now has Spurs fans singing his praises.

No, Bergwijn didn’t come up with a key goal to rip open the Villa defence. He didn’t even notch an assist. What he did do, however, was trouble the opposing back line time and time again to create space and scoring opportunities for both he and his teammates.

The spark he’s provided Tottenham’s attack is particularly crucial in Harry Kane‘s absence. Mourinho has the managerial chops to ultimately solidify the team’s wobbly back line, but he needs individual star talent to score the goals required to secure a top four finish. Bergwijn’s combination of creativity and industry makes him a perfect attacker for his new Portuguese gaffer.

Perhaps it’s telling that Bergwijn didn’t feel like he could tell Tottenham “no” when they launched a formal bid for him in January. He assumed his move to North London would materialize in the summer. Fortunately for Spurs, Daniel Levy and the rest of the transfer higher-ups at Spurs insisted that he move in January.

Suddenly he looks as if the most talented attacker at Mourinho’s disposal. That says something when you consider the fact that Tottenham still have Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli working to score goals.

Bergwijn has the advantage over both in the complete nature of his game. His work rate and physicality give him a terrific advantage over Dele in terms of consistency. Some might say it’s too soon to really trust that given his short tenure at Tottenham, but a look back at his play for PSV backs up what Tottenham fans have already seen.

His advantage over Son comes with the sheer number of things he’s able to do on the pitch. Son is a specialist of sorts. He either scores goals or struggles to really impact a match in a positive manner. Bergwijn’s play against Villa showed he could contribute heavily without finding the score sheet. The quality he showed repeatedly running at opposing defenders gave Tottenham’s attack a ton of confidence in a match where they squandered numerous chances.

The challenge for Bergwijn now will be to grab his squad by the scruff of the neck and drag them past Chelsea for a top four finish. He lacks the personality to galvanize his squad with a stirring locker room tirade, but he can lead Spurs by example on the field of play. Don’t be surprised if Tottenham’s decision to splash £30 million on the stocky winger pays off with Champions League football next season.