Tottenham have played down fears that Mateus Fernandes has suffered a significant injury on the club's pre-season tour. The 22-year-old Portugal international joined Spurs earlier this month for £85 million, fending off competition from Manchester United and Arsenal.
Fernandes had formed an exciting midfield partnership with fellow big-money recruit Sandro Tonali in friendlies against MK Dons and Auckland. However, images of Fernandes watching a training session from the sidelines on Tuesday evening sparked speculation that he had become the latest Tottenham player to suffer a major knee injury.
Club reassures on Fernandes fitness
According to football.london, those concerns are unfounded. Although Fernandes is unlikely to feature against Sydney FC on Wednesday, there is no suggestion he has sustained a meaningful setback.
Meanwhile, James Maddison expressed excitement about working under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian, 47, took charge in March after interim coach Igor Tudor was sacked and guided Spurs to Premier League safety, finishing 17th after a final-day win over Everton.
Maddison upbeat under De Zerbi
“The manager is very clear. The goals are to be better, to play better football, to be passionate and to be proud to play for this club,” Maddison, 29, told reporters on Tuesday. “If we listen to his style, principles, if we keep the short-term targets of trying to be better and trying to implement the way he’ll play, the long-term targets will be better in the long run.”
Maddison, whose last season was curtailed by an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, added: “We’re still learning the way he plays. As a player he’s a coach you want to play for because he loves everything with the ball. He’s very attacking, and I’m really excited.”
Spurs began their pre-season tour with a 2-0 win over Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday and face Sydney FC later today, before meeting Chelsea in Sydney three days later. The focus is now on building towards Tottenham's Premier League opener against Brentford on August 22.
“First game of the season, Brentford — a big season for us under a new manager. We want to have a successful season,” said Maddison. “We need to be better than the last couple of seasons. So it’s kind of all just preparation leading to that first game.”
