Tottenham Hotspur totally embarrassed themselves in their 2026/27 Premier League season opener against rivals Brentford, getting totally dismantled 3-0 at the Gtech Stadium. And they were lucky that both the score line was not larger and that they were not further behind than 2-0 after a first half that was literally as bad as anything Spurs supporters saw last season under either Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor.
Though he was far from the worst performer on the pitch and was actually technically the best starting center midfielder with how horrendous both Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall were, Sandro Tonali did not live up to his 100 million pound billing against Brentford.
Tonali was outclassed by a far less expensive midfield, as the Italian international was chasing shadows in transition defensively and totally uninspiring creatively, producing no chances created while offering very little ball progression for his Spurs side, mostly passing sideways.
Mateus Fernandes was the only one to save face in midfield
Meanwhile, fellow new Tottenham Hotspur defensive midfield signing Mateus Fernandes, who is both a bit cheaper and a bit younger, came in off the bench and was the best player on the pitch for Tottenham. Now, that is not saying much when Spurs were as bad as they were against Brentford this weekend, but it was very noticeable how much better Fernandes was on the ball, quickly creating a pair of chances and actually moving possession forward.
Fernandes only did not start since Roberto De Zerbi was not sure he would be 100 percent fit after missing several practices, but if that was Fernandes at less than 100 percent, then he was not only miles beyond Lucas Bergvall in the pivot but also well ahead of Sandro Tonali.
Mateus Fernandes's display this weekend in the 3-0 defeat to Brentford was a subtle statement towards Tonali that he can't think just because he is a former Serie A champion, a bigger name, more expensive, older, and Roberto De Zerbi's personal favorite from Brescia that the keys are simply going to be handed to him.
The role of Tottenham's No. 1 midfield general will be earned, and on Saturday afternoon at the Gtech, Fernandes was the one who looked, by far and away, the leader of this unit and the top man to control the play, defend, and get the team going forward.
Fernandes just laid down the gauntlet to Tonali to step up, and at least Spurs fans can be pleased that the Portuguese international lived up to some billing in this awful loss.
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