Tottenham Hotspur may have stumbled through the opening trio of Premier League fixtures this campaign, yet new signing Matheus Fernandes is convinced he has landed at a club that will soon be battling for silverware. The 22‑year‑old Portuguese midfielder arrived in north London after an impressive season with West Ham United, prompting interest from a host of top teams. Manchester United were reportedly eager to secure his services, but ultimately could not match the financial package Tottenham were prepared to offer.
What ultimately tipped the scales for Fernandes was not the size of the cheque but the conversations he had with Tottenham’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi. "I spoke with the Mister and he was the key for this decision," Fernandes told Sky Sports ahead of the Saturday Night Football showdown with Everton. "You can feel his energy, his passion for the game, when you talk to him.
He even spoke with my dad and 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.’" The Brazilian‑born manager, who hails from Italy, impressed the young midfielder not only with his charisma but also with his footballing philosophy.
"He’s a top‑class manager, on and off the pitch. I’m delighted to work with him," Fernandes added.
Fernandes made his admiration for De Zerbi clear 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 said, ‘I chose Tottenham because a big part of that decision was you.’" The manager’s tactical approach resonated with the midfielder’s own style.
"As a midfielder, I love the way he sets up the team. It suits me perfectly," Fernandes explained.
Beyond the personal connection, Fernandes believes the quality of the Spurs squad will elevate his own performance. He pointed to his statistics from last season – three goals and four assists in the Premier League for West Ham – as a baseline he intends to surpass.
"When you train and play alongside players with experience, talent and a winning mentality, you inevitably improve yourself. I’m confident I can be a much better player than I was last season," he said. The early season results have been sobering for Tottenham fans.
After three games, the team has managed only a single point, attracting criticism from pundits and supporters alike. Nevertheless, Fernandes remains optimistic, insisting that patience and belief will eventually pay off. "I know the highs and lows of football.
When you win, you feel on top of the world; when you lose, you feel the opposite. We need to stay focused on our own progress. If you trust the club and the manager, you understand that it takes time to learn the tactics and the rhythm. Once that clicks, it’s like ketchup – it starts flowing," he said.
Fernandes’s journey in English football has been a roller‑coaster. He experienced relegation with Southampton in the 2020‑21 season and again with West Ham at the end of the 2022‑23 campaign.
Those setbacks have only sharpened his resolve to succeed at a club with genuine ambitions. "One of the main reasons I came here is to win trophies. We want to win games, we want to fight for titles, and with this group of players, it’s natural to aim for the top," he asserted.
He acknowledged the recent winless streak but urged calm and persistence. "We haven’t won the last three games, so we need to settle down, take our time, and then, as I said, it’s like ketchup – once you get that first win, the momentum will make the next ones easier," Fernandes explained. Looking ahead, the midfielder, his teammates, and the Spurs faithful are hoping the upcoming clash with Everton will spark a turnaround. The match, broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League, kicks off at 5:30 pm on Saturday.
For Fernandes, it represents another opportunity to prove that his faith in De Zerbi and the Tottenham project was well‑placed, and that the club’s aspirations of challenging for major honours are within reach.