Only once this season has Mateus Fernandes played the full 90 minutes in a Premier League match for Tottenham Hotspur, and the Portuguese international has actually never started at all in his preferred defensive midfield position. Manager Roberto De Zerbi has made vague statements about Fernandes not being ready, but for many Spurs fans, it is unacceptable to see an 85 million pound signing not even being given a real chance in his best position.
But with James Maddison fully fit in the attacking midfield, now feels like the right time to unleash Fernandes. Maybe an opponent as strong as Chelsea in an environment like Stamford Bridge is a step too far for a young player whom De Zerbi determined not ready for the Aston Villa game - and chose Conor Gallagher to start again.
That being said, Fernandes was good enough to be one of the best Premier League midfielders last season. And he was more than good enough for Spurs to spend 85 million pounds on, beating the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid to his signature.
Tottenham need Mateus Fernandes's dynamism
Chelsea have one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League in Moises Caicedo. But they also have one of the best central attacking groups in the league, too, in Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro as playmakers who like to drop deep and move inside. And then there is Jordan Henderson, proving what is old is new in the world today.
Tottenham Hotspur are going to need an accomplished defensive midfielder of their own in Mateus Fernandes to help support Sandro Tonali at the base of Roberto De Zerbi's midfield with hard work and intelligent covering for the defensive line. They will need him to bully Palmer and Pedro off the ball so Spurs don't get picked apart by Xabi Alonso's high upside attack. And they will also need him to explode in the next gear in transition to help the likes of Mohammed Kudus carry the ball up the pitch.
Fernandes should be one of the best Premier League midfielders for Spurs, too. And an opponent like Chelsea is exactly the right time to unleash a potentially sleeping giant. Sure, Fernandes is young, but he was a rival to Chelsea while at West Ham United and played well under the bright lights in 2025/26 himself. It's time to let Fernandes take the league by storm once again, but this time in Lilywhite colors.