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Matheus Fernandes has said that head coach Roberto De Zerbi was the decisive reason behind his £85m move to Tottenham in the summer. Even though the club have made a winless start to the new Premier League season, the midfielder remains convinced that Spurs will recover soon, hit their stride and go on to compete for major honours.

De Zerbi influence behind big-money switch

Tottenham have found things difficult at the start of the new Premier League campaign, with no win from their first three matches. Even so, Fernandes has stressed that the mood inside the camp is still upbeat.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the Portuguese midfielder explained that De Zerbi was central to his £85 million transfer from West Ham. The manager’s long-term vision persuaded Fernandes that the project in north London was the right one for him.

“I spoke with the Mister and he was the key for this decision,” Fernandes said. “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.”

Passion and tactical attraction

Fernandes said he was greatly struck by the energy De Zerbi has brought to the club. According to the midfielder, the manager’s passion is clear both on the pitch and away from it. “You can feel when you speak with him, the energy, the passion about football,” Fernandes added.

“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 also pointed out that De Zerbi’s tactical system is one he finds especially attractive, and that too played a major part in his choice.

Squad strength and the ketchup comparison

Although Tottenham have collected only one point so far, Fernandes believes that being surrounded by stronger players will help improve his own game. He also feels the squad has the quality required to fight for trophies. “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,” Fernandes insisted. Speaking about the team’s current struggles, he used a well-known football comparison. “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.”

What next for Tottenham?

Tottenham will now try to claim their first Premier League win of the season when they host Everton on Saturday. Fernandes and his team-mates know how important it is to stay composed during this period of transition. Three points this weekend could provide exactly the spark they need to get their campaign going and start pushing towards the upper end of the table.