Tottenham Hotspur may have stumbled through the opening trio of Premier League fixtures this campaign, yet new signing Matheus Fernandes remains convinced that he has landed at a club poised to contend for trophies. The 22‑year‑old Portuguese midfielder arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million fee, a sum that attracted interest from several top‑flight teams, including Manchester United, who ultimately could not match Tottenham's offer. Fernandes says the decisive factor in his decision was the personal rapport he built with head coach Roberto De Zerbi during a series of conversations that convinced him the north‑London project was the right fit. "I spoke with the Mister and he was the key for this decision," Fernandes told Sky Sports ahead of Tottenham’s Saturday Night Football clash with Everton.
"You can feel when you talk to him – the energy, the passion for football is evident. He spoke not only to me but also to my dad and my mum, reassuring them that they would be taken care of. It wasn’t just about me; it was about the people around me.
He told my dad, ‘we’ll look after him.’" Fernandes went on to describe De Zerbi as a "top manager" whose influence is felt both on and off the pitch, and expressed genuine enthusiasm about the prospect of working under him. The midfielder’s admiration for the coach was evident the moment the transfer was completed. "The first day of pre‑season, I met him and he was very happy.
I was thrilled to be playing for him. I told him, ‘I chose Tottenham because a huge part of that decision was you.’" Beyond the personal connection, Fernandes praised De Zerbi’s footballing philosophy, noting that the Italian’s style aligns perfectly with his own preferences as a midfielder.
"For me, as a midfielder, I love the way he wants to play," he said, highlighting the emphasis on possession, fluid movement, and tactical intelligence that De Zerbi instills in his teams. Fernandes also believes that the quality of the Spurs squad will elevate his own performances.
Reflecting on his final season at West Ham, where he contributed three goals and four assists in the Premier League, he said, "I think I can become a much better player than I was last season. When you are surrounded by big‑name players, experienced professionals and high‑quality talent, you automatically raise your own level." Despite the optimism surrounding the new signing, Tottenham have struggled to translate potential into points, having secured just a single draw from their first three league matches.
Nevertheless, Fernandes remains confident that the team will soon silence its critics and begin delivering results. "I know what it feels like: when you win, you feel on top of the world; when you lose, you feel at the bottom," he observed.
"We just need to focus on ourselves. If you believe in the club and the manager, you understand that you have to learn the rhythms, the tactical nuances. Once you get that right, it’s like ketchup – it starts to flow." Fernandes’s journey in English football has not been without setbacks.
He endured relegation with Southampton in 2019‑20 and again with West Ham in 2020‑21, experiences that have left him hungry for success. "One of the reasons I came here is to win something," he explained.
"We want to win games, we want to fight for titles, and with this squad it feels natural to aim for silverware." He acknowledged the early‑season frustrations, noting that the team had not secured a victory in the last three games. "We need to settle down, be patient, and then, as I said, it’s like ketchup – once you win one game, the momentum becomes easier to maintain," Fernandes said. Looking ahead, Fernandes, his teammates, and the Tottenham faithful will be hoping that the upcoming match against Everton marks the turning point they have been yearning for.
The midfielder’s belief in De Zerbi’s leadership, combined with the squad’s depth and talent, suggests that Tottenham may yet find the consistency required to challenge for honours this season. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Fernandes’s confidence translates into tangible results on the pitch, and whether the club can transform early‑season doubts into a campaign defined by triumphs and, perhaps, a trophy haul.