Tottenham are forced to sell Mateus Fernandes short
Tottenham Hotspur spent 85 million pounds to sign Mateus Fernandes in the summer 2026 transfer window, and although it has only been three games through the 2026/27 campaign, the Portuguese international already looks like money well spent.
Clubs like Manchester United have played sour grapes over the fee Spurs paid for Fernandes, but he has been the best midfielder on Tottenham. Lately, he has been shining even out of position for Spurs, as the club have realized that with James Maddison out injured again and Conor Gallagher playing as poorly as he did on Matchday 1 vs. Brentford that Fernandes is the best option they have as the No. 10.
Fernandes is playing further up so that veteran backup Rodrigo Bentancur can start next to Sandro Tonali and stabilize things further. The result is a Tottenham midfield that looks more stable, even as that did not do them much good in their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United.
Mateus Fernandes is at his best when he is deeper
Despite all that, Mateus Fernandes had a fantastic game in his own right as the No. 10, creating chances and providing the same dogged running and pressing that helps make him one of the best young hybrid 6/8 midfielders in world football.
But out of necessity, Tottenham Hotspur are holding Fernandes back a bit, because even though he is a very good No. 10, even in this position, everyone can see that the former West Ham United star is a much better No. 6 or No. 8 and that playing deeper in the midfield fits his skill set and strengths much, much better.
Tottenham are having to hold Fernandes back out of necessity, and a lot of the blame goes to a combination of injuries and the fact that the other midfielders on the team are not holding up their weight. This would not be an issue if James Maddison were healthy or, more accurately, Conor Gallagher were actually playing at a level remotely close to his 40 million euro transfer fee during the past winter transfer window.
Spurs should be happy that Fernandes has the creativity, quality, and versatility to help them out in a pinch at the No. 10, but Roberto De Zerbi has to know that this is not a pattern that Tottenham can get used to by any means. Fernandes needs to play every week in his No. 6 or 8 role next to Sandro Tonali or another midfielder, if possible.
Today's best reads
Mateus Fernandes is the immediate Conor Gallagher solution
Tottenham's best midfield trio for Roberto De Zerbi is coming into focus
Mateus Fernandes is making a bold claim to Roberto De Zerbi
Mateus Fernandes has everyone saying the opposite about his Tottenham transfer now
Roberto De Zerbi just gave Tottenham subtle Sandro Tonali optimism with Newcastle ahead
