Mateus Fernandes may have only been Tottenham's club-record signing for a short while, but he was the addition that much of the fanbase were most excited about.
The Portuguese midfielder may have suffered back-to-back relegations with two different clubs, yet had performed to such an impressive level in West Ham United that he was courted by the Premier League's elite. Real Madrid were tenuously linked in the summer, too.
Roberto De Zerbi was completely smitten, and he harnessed his newfound power to encourage the club to give him one of the two midfielders he so desperately wanted. And thus, Fernandes picked Spurs and Manchester United, joining for £85m.
The market is so inflated that player values have almost become meaningless, but when you sign a player for that sort of money, you expect something rather special. They tend to do things that mortals can't, and Fernandes certainly boasts the talent of a superstar, yet the start of his Lilywhite career has been rather underwhelming thanks to his utilization as a No. 10.
Maddison and Fernandes combination offers hope for Tottenham's midfield
Our imaginations were captured in preseason. Fernandes, occupying a role in De Zerbi's midfield, added silk and class to a clunky build-up, offering solutions in the face of pressure to help his team get up the pitch.
This is the Fernandes we'll eventually get, and Spurs as a collective will be better for it. However, James Maddison's fitness concerns and Xavi Simons' absence mean Spurs are currently without a No. 10. So, De Zerbi has turned to the versatile Fernandes to plug a hole.
The Italian is ever so fond of the young midfielder, but he's not helping him out at the moment. Away at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Fernandes was impressive off the bench in a deeper midfield position, asserting control and helping the visitors back into the tie.
However, with Maddison, who's still feeling the effects of a torn ACL and was forced to recover from a shoulder injury sustained on Matchday 1, not ready for a place in the starting lineup, Fernandes returned to an advanced midfield role against Aston Villa.
“I have big confidence in Mateus but I didn't like his performance today," De Zerbi said after the 3-2 defeat, hooking Fernandes at half-time. "It's not an attack on him because I love him. I just want more from him, even in that position.”
Those last four words say it all really: "even in that position".
Fernandes needs Maddison because together, they could help this muddle of a team develop a bit of clarity. Maddison's presence allows Fernandes to play where he'll thrive, smoothing out the build-up play and improving the efficiency with which Spurs progress and penetrate centrally.
Maddison's influence can't be understated, as a playmaker and a character. He's the middle man between players and supporters; crucial in re-establishing a vulnerable connection.
With these two working alongside the workhorse Sandro Tonali, who has his perks but needs the right profiles alongside him, the transformed midfield we spoke about in pre-season will come to light. That I'm sure of.
Add us as a preferred source on Google