Premier League
De Zerbi tries justifying decision to bench Mateus Fernandes
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi tried to justify his decision to leave Mateus Fernandes on the bench against Nottingham Forest, bringing the Portuguese midfielder on after 83 minutes. The North London side were held to a 0-0 draw, remain without a goal this season and sit in 17th place in the Premier League.
Match result and league position
The goalless stalemate on Saturday afternoon extended Spurs' winless start to the campaign. Their failure to score has left them languishing in 17th, the same position they finished in the previous two seasons. The lack of points keeps them perilously close to the relegation zone.
De Zerbi's tactical reasoning
After the match De Zerbi said he believed Conor Gallagher suited the game better, stating, "Gallagher knows this type of game, this stadium is England football." He added that Fernandes is a quality player but that squad depth forces him to balance the first XI. The manager hinted that the decision was about finding the right balance rather than a lack of faith in Fernandes.
Tottenham spent around £380m in the summer window, a sum that included the acquisition of Fernandes. The club’s heavy investment has raised expectations that the technical midfielder would become a cornerstone of De Zerbi’s attacking philosophy.
Fernandes is described as highly technical with energy to press high, qualities De Zerbi says are essential for his style. By contrast, Gallagher was criticised for not offering enough creativity in the final third, prompting the manager to opt for the latter in the starting line‑up.
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra By  Matt Smith PM GMT+1 is a football writer covering the Premier League and exclusive news for GIVEMESPORT. Matt joined the company in March 2023 and is an avid Everton supporter who regularly attends games. He has previously worked for CaughtOffside, Squakwa, FotMob and WhoScored, and often appears to discuss Everton. If Tottenham do not improve dramatically, De Zerbi warned that another season of struggles could follow. The manager’s justification highlights the fine margins in his early tenure, and the club’s supporters will be watching closely to see whether the benching of Fernandes becomes a one‑off decision or a pattern.