Tottenham Hotspur sent shockwaves across the Premier League by signing top Manchester United and even Real Madrid transfer target Mateus Fernandes for 85 million pounds from the rivals they relegated last season, West Ham United, to make it two summers in a row in which they stole away one of the Hammers most prized possessions.
Fernandes looked like a borderline world class defensive midfielder on an otherwise horrendous West Ham team last season, creating chances, carrying the ball, playing elite defense, and even scoring a few goals for the Hammers.
In just his first preseason friendly for Tottenham since coming over as Roberto De Zerbi's first of two dream midfield signings - the other being Italian international Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United - Fernandes scored an absolute belter of a winning goal as Spurs took down lowly MK Dons 1-0.
Mateus Fernandes is fully COYS, too
Fernandes's goal was a beauty, volleying at the top of the box with tenacity, expert technique, and deadly accuracy into the top corner. And even though Mateus Fernandes had scored a few goals for West Ham United in the Premier League, the young Portuguese international declared it his favorite goal of his career after the game, via Chris Cowlin.
Now that is a bold statement to be making, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Not only was Fernandes's goal a very beautiful one, even if it only came in a friendly match that does not mean anything - even as a winning goal - compared to his previous Premier League strikes, it was technically his first goal in Tottenham colors after an 85 million pound transfer.
As much as West Ham fans like to deride Spurs and say that Spurs are not even a Big Six club anymore, it is obvious that the Tottenham name and the badge carry a lot of weight with players in English football.
Fernandes has certainly felt that weight, and his beautiful goal being the favorite of his career despite coming in a friendly both speaks to the quality of the goal, yes, but also the stature of Tottenham. The goal means a lot to Fernandes because his first looking like that for Spurs is a massive deal, and Spurs are a massive deal as a whole. West Ham fans and others in the English leagues would hate to admit it, but Spurs are a top, top club and players relish having great moments in the shirt.
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