Mateus Fernandes didn’t pick Tottenham because of the badge or the history. He picked them because of the guy on the sideline.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs from West Ham for a club-record £85 million fee, and he’s the latest player to say Roberto De Zerbi was the deciding factor. Fernandes said their conversation sold him on the move, even after two straight 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.
“When we spoke, it was very special,” Fernandes said. “We look at football in the same way — going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game.”
De Zerbi has been busy this summer. Spurs are also closing in on a deal worth up to £100 million for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, and Fernandes is the fifth signing of what’s been an aggressive window. The head coach has apparently been central to all of it, personally convincing players to buy in despite the team’s recent struggles.
That’s a hard sell, but it’s working.
Why De Zerbi’s pitch sticks
Fernandes already has Premier League experience from his time at West Ham, and De Zerbi pointed to that directly. The manager praised his ability to handle pressure and move the ball forward — traits that fit the system Spurs are trying to build.
“I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play,” De Zerbi said. “Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.”
De Zerbi also noted that Fernandes “has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments.” That’s a specific compliment, and it hints at what Spurs lacked last season — someone willing to take a risk when things got tight.
What this means for the window
Spurs haven’t just been fishing. They’ve been aggressive, and the Fernandes deal is the biggest piece so far. Tonali would be even bigger, if that goes through. The pattern is clear: De Zerbi is the closer.
Players keep saying the same thing. They talk to him, they feel the energy, and they sign. For a club that finished near the bottom of the table two years in a row, that’s not nothing. It means the manager has real pull, and that pull is turning into actual roster moves.
Fernandes said he’s ready to get started. “I can’t wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the club.”
Spurs are betting that De Zerbi can turn that energy into wins. So far, the players are buying in. The results on the field will have to follow.
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