De Zerbi explains his Mateus Fernandes stance and defends Tottenham medical staff

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has defended the club's medical department amid continuing squad injuries while clarifying his approach with £85 million signing Mateus Fernandes. De Zerbi backed the medical staff ahead of Tottenham's match against Chelsea, rejecting criticism of their handling of player fitness and pointing out that many absences resulted from unavoidable match incidents, international fatigue, or rushed returns.

Regarding Fernandes, who has started only three Premier League matches since arriving from West Ham, De Zerbi emphasized that the 22-year-old midfielder simply needs time to adapt to a bigger club environment. He reiterated his firm belief in Fernandes's talent, predicting he will become a key player for Tottenham's present and future.