Tottenham Hotspur may have stumbled through the opening trio of Premier League fixtures this campaign, yet newly‑arrived midfielder Matheus Fernandes is convinced he has landed at a club that will soon be contesting for trophies. The Portuguese international, who joined the North London side for a reported £85 million, was heavily pursued after a standout season with West Ham United. While Manchester United also expressed interest, they were ultimately outbid by Spurs, allowing Fernandes to seal the deal.
What tipped the balance in favour of Tottenham, Fernandes says, was his dialogue with head coach Roberto De Zerbi. "I spoke with the Mister and he was the key for this decision," the 22‑year‑old told Sky Sports ahead of the Saturday Night Football clash against Everton.
He described the meeting as a turning point, noting the palpable energy and genuine passion for the game that De Zerbi exuded. "He spoke with me, he spoke with my dad, he spoke with my mum. It wasn’t just about me; it was about the people around me. He told my dad, ‘we’ll take care of him.’" Fernandes added that the manager’s charisma extended beyond the pitch, making him eager to work under his guidance.
Fernandes made his gratitude explicit when the transfer was finalised. "The first day of pre‑season, I met him and he was very happy.
I was thrilled to be playing for him. I said, ‘Look, I chose Tottenham because one of the biggest parts was you.’" The Portuguese midfielder highlighted that De Zerbi’s appeal was not merely rhetorical; the Italian’s footballing philosophy resonated with his own style. "As a midfielder, I love the way he wants the team to play," he explained, emphasizing the tactical freedom and emphasis on ball retention that De Zerbi promotes. Beyond the manager’s personality, Fernandes believes the quality of the Spurs squad will lift his own performances.
He reflected on his previous Premier League season with West Ham, where he contributed three goals and four assists, and asserted that surrounding himself with higher‑calibre teammates will help him improve. "If you look at the squad, it’s a big team with big players, experienced players, players with a lot of quality. When you play with better players, you tend to raise your own level. So I believe I can be a much better player than I was last season," he said.
The early part of the season has been frustrating for Tottenham fans, as the team has managed only a solitary point from three matches. Nonetheless, Fernandes remains optimistic and confident that the squad will soon silence its critics. "I know what it’s like: when you win, you are the best. When you lose, you are the worst," he observed.
"We just focus on us. If you believe in the club, if you believe in the manager, you know you need time to learn the timings, the tactics, and then, like ketchup, it will start spilling over." Fernandes’s career in English football has been a roller‑coaster, with relegations at both Southampton and West Ham marking his first two seasons.
This time, however, he arrived with a clear ambition: to win. "One of the reasons I came here was to play for something, to win trophies," he affirmed. "We want to win games, we want to fight for titles, and with this squad it’s normal to aim for silverware." He acknowledged the recent run of defeats but urged patience. "We didn’t win the last three games, so we need to calm down, take time, and then, as I said, it’s like ketchup – once you win one game, the momentum becomes easier to maintain," Fernandes explained.
The upcoming match against Everton, therefore, represents a crucial opportunity for the new signing to help his teammates turn the tide and begin a positive run of results. Looking ahead, Fernandes, his fellow Spurs players, and the club’s supporters will be hoping that the next fixture marks the start of a resurgence.
The midfielder’s belief in De Zerbi’s leadership, combined with his desire to develop alongside a talented group, underscores his conviction that Tottenham can quickly shift from early‑season disappointment to genuine title contention. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the Portuguese playmaker’s confidence translates into on‑field success for the North London side.