Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Mateus Fernandes missed Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Sydney FC due to fatigue in his calf.
Fernandes was left out of Spurs’ squad entirely for Wednesday’s pre-season friendly at Allianz Stadium, raising concerns among fans that he had suffered an injury in the lead-up to the game.
The Portuguese midfielder was seen in a recent video standing on the sidelines as the rest of the squad trained in Australia, leading to supporter panic on social media that was only heightened after the team to face Sydney FC was announced.
Tottenham boss De Zerbi has been keen not to risk several of his key first-team players during pre-season so far, leaving club-record £100million signing Sandro Tonali out of the squad for Spurs’ 2-0 win over Auckland FC at Eden Park on Sunday.
Speaking about Fernandes after the game against Sydney FC, after which Spurs won a penalty shootout 4-2, De Zerbi sought to downplay any fears that the 22-year-old had suffered an injury, and said he would be ready to train again once Tottenham return to London next week.
That would rule him out of Spurs’ final Sydney Super Cup match against London rivals Chelsea at Accor Stadium on Saturday.
“Fernandes is just fatigued, the calf,” De Zerbi said. “Also for him we took the decision not to take any risk and to recover. But next Wednesday, when we start pre-season in London, he will be ready to work.”
Tottenham remained without a host of first-team players against Sydney FC, including those still on post-World Cup breaks, injured or lacking in match fitness.
Asked about load management for players, De Zerbi responded: “[Kevin] Danso, [Micky] Van de Ven, [Dominic] Solanke, Jan Paul van Hecke, I thought today they were not yet ready to play without risk.
“Maybe some of them can play the next game Saturday with Chelsea, maybe not at the beginning.
“Maybe in the beginning [Andy] Robertson and Sandro Tonali, but it’s the management of the players, especially after World Cup or after big injuries like [Destiny] Udogie or Solanke.
“They suffered long injuries last season, and after a long trip, after the jet lag, after the beginning of the pre-season, I wouldn't like to take any risk.”
Quizzed on where he felt his squad were at in terms of readiness, the Spurs boss replied: “No, no, the physical condition is not the same for every player.
“Some players are ready to play 70 minutes, 80 minutes, maybe Archie Gray… I don't know. Ben Davies, Mateus Fernandes, even today he didn't play and some are going in the right direction. Tonali, [Conor] Gallagher.
“Gallagher is another player who is able to play 80 minutes. Like Mathys Tel, like Richarlison, Manor Solomon and other players.
“They are working to increase their condition, but I think all teams, also Chelsea, also Liverpool or other teams with a lot of players who played in the World Cup, I think they are spending the same time.”
