Fernandes: De Zerbi Key to Spurs Move, Trophy Ambitions

Fernandes: De Zerbi was the key to my £85m Spurs switch

Matheus Fernandes says conversations with head coach Roberto De Zerbi convinced him to join Tottenham Hotspur in an £85m deal from West Ham United. The Portugal midfielder, 22, made his feelings clear to the Italian on the first day of pre-season, telling him: "I chose Tottenham because one of the biggest parts was you."

Fixture: Tottenham vs Everton, Saturday Night Football, Sky Sports Premier League
Kick-off: 5.30pm on Saturday, coverage from 5pm
Competition: Premier League
Headline deal: Fernandes joined Spurs for £85m from West Ham after Man Utd interest
Spurs form: No wins in the first three Premier League games; one point on the board
At stake: Fernandes believes the squad is set to fight for trophies once they "click"

What was said

"I spoke with the Mister and he was the key for this decision. You can feel when you speak with him, the energy, the passion about football."
— Matheus Fernandes on Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports

"He spoke with me, he spoke with my dad, he spoke with my mum. So it was not just about me, it was about the people around me. He said to my dad, 'we'll take care' [of] me."
— Fernandes on De Zerbi's family approach

"He's a top manager. You can feel on the pitch, off the pitch as well. And I'm very happy to work with him."
— Fernandes on his new manager

"The first day of the pre-season, I met him and he was very happy. I was very happy as well for playing for him. I said, 'Look, I chose Tottenham because one of the biggest parts was you'."
— Fernandes on pre-season meeting with De Zerbi

"For me as a midfielder, I like so much."
— Fernandes on De Zerbi's style of football

"I believe that I can be a much better player than I was last season. If you look at the squad, it's a big team with big players, important players, players with experience, players with a lot of quality. So, when you play with better players, I think you play better. So, I believe that I can be much better."
— Fernandes on raising his level at Spurs

"I know what it's like: when you win, you are the best. When you lose, you are the worst."
— Fernandes on the pressure at a top club

"We just focus on us. If you believe in the club, if you believe in the manager, you know that you need to take some time to learn the timings, everything tactical, and when you arrive there, it's like ketchup. It starts spilling."
— Fernandes on the squad's need for time

"This is one of the reasons that I came here, to play for winning something. We want to win the games, we want to fight for the titles and, with this squad, it's normal that we want to fight for the titles."
— Fernandes on Tottenham's trophy ambitions

"Now, we didn't win the last three games, so things need to calm. We need to take time. And then, like I said, it's like ketchup, when you win one game, it's going to be more easy."
— Fernandes on Spurs' slow start

Fernandes' words reveal a player who has bought fully into the De Zerbi project. The Italian's personal touch, engaging the midfielder's family directly, proved decisive against competition from Manchester United, who could not match the £85m fee. It is a reminder that modern transfers are won in conversations as much as in boardrooms.

His "ketchup" analogy is telling: it acknowledges the tactical complexity of De Zerbi's system and asks for patience. For a 22-year-old who has already suffered two relegations with Southampton and West Ham, the shift to a club chasing titles is both a step up and a psychological test. His confidence that better players will elevate him is backed by his own output last season: three goals and four assists in the Premier League for the Hammers.

The numbers

Transfer fee: £85m from West Ham to Tottenham
Age: 22 years old
Last season (Premier League): 3 goals, 4 assists for West Ham
Spurs' 2025/26 start: 0 wins in first three Premier League games
Points: 1 from a possible 9

Deal details

Matheus Fernandes joined Tottenham from West Ham United for a fee of £85m. The transfer was completed before the start of the season, with the midfielder arriving after a strong campaign for the Hammers. Manchester United were keen on a deal but ultimately could not go head-to-head with Spurs on the fee. Fernandes has signed for the north London club and is now a key part of Roberto De Zerbi's squad.

Why Fernandes' faith in De Zerbi will be tested

De Zerbi's reputation for improving midfielders is well known, but the step from West Ham's relegation battle to Tottenham's expected title challenge is steep. Fernandes recorded three goals and four assists last season, numbers that suggest a player still developing his end product. In De Zerbi's possession-heavy system, he will be asked to receive under pressure, progress the ball through central areas and arrive late in the box. The Italian's coaching, particularly on timing and body orientation, could unlock a double-figure goal contribution.

However, the early results have exposed Spurs' fragility. One point from three games has invited substantial criticism, and the team's inability to convert possession into wins is a concern. Fernandes' claim that the squad is "set to start fighting for trophies" is bold, but it reflects an internal belief that the tactical message will eventually sink in. The return of key players and a favourable run could accelerate that process.

Against Everton, Fernandes is likely to be the creative hub. His ability to link with the forward line and support the press will be crucial against a side that typically defends deep. If Spurs can secure their first win, the "ketchup" may indeed start flowing. But another dropped points haul would intensify scrutiny on De Zerbi's methods and the club's summer investment.

Talking points

Is £85m for a 22-year-old with three goals and four assists last season a justified outlay, or have Spurs overpaid based on potential alone?
De Zerbi's system clearly demands time, but with one point from three games, how long can Spurs afford to wait for the "ketchup" to spill?
Fernandes' personal touch with the manager helped seal the deal, but will that relationship translate into on-pitch cohesion when results are poor?
If Spurs fail to beat Everton, does the trophy talk from summer signings start to look premature and add pressure on the dressing room?

What happens next

Tottenham face Everton in Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm, with kick-off at 5.30pm. A win would ease the early-season pressure and support Fernandes' belief that the squad can challenge for titles. Defeat would leave Spurs winless after four games and raise further questions about De Zerbi's ability to turn possession into points. Fernandes is expected to start in midfield as Spurs seek their first victory of the campaign.