Tottenham Hotspur had been pushing for weeks, and now Roberto De Zerbi has gotten one of his two top targets in the midfield. Spurs were finally willing to put their money where their mouth is, outpaying Real Madrid and Manchester United to secure one of the best rising young midfield stars in world football, Mateus Fernandes, with The Athletic's David Ornstein reporting an 85 million pound transfer agreement between West Ham and Tottenham for one of the Premier League's biggest breakout stars.
Here is a look at the best possible starting lineup for Tottenham that includes Fernandes in it now that the blockbuster deal is complete.
GK Antonin Kinsky
This team clearly belongs to Antonin Kinsky in goal, and his well earned contract extension confirms it.
LB Destiny Udogie
Andrew Robertson gives Tottenham another left back option, but when he is healthy, Destiny Udogie is by far the best starter - and Roberto De Zerbi seems to value him highly.
CB Micky van de Ven
CB Jan Paul van Hecke
The Dutch center back pairing looks exciting and should be one of the best ball playing tandems in the Premier League. De Zerbi clearly has big plans for Van Hecke after spending 60 million euros on him, while Van de Ven proved in the final weeks under the Italian manager that he is still a class player.
RB Pedro Porro
There is Pedro Porro and nobody else at the right back position.
DM Archie Gray
DM Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes will start rom Day One for Tottenham Hotspur, and there is absolutely zero question about that. The only question is who will start next to him. Spurs are still going hard after Sandro Tonali, and if De Zerbi is able to secure the Italian international, then he is another lock to start. But for now, Archie Gray gets the nod over Rodrigo Bentancur in a fresh season, as Benta probably only got the nod because of the relegation battle.
AM Xavi Simons
At his best, Xavi Simons is the true star of Tottenham and showed a level beyond the others in his brief time with De Zerbi before an unfortunate ACL tear.
LW Mathys Tel
Mathys Tel is a lovely footballer, and a full offseason under De Zerbi could yield massive results. Tottenham should still go for a more proven left winger, but until then, Tel is easily the best they have here.
ST Dominic Solanke
It could go either way between Richarlison and Dominic Solanke at striker, and , ideall, Tottenham would sign someone entirely new at the 9. But between these two, despite Richy scoring more goals, Solanek appears to be more in De Zerbi's good graces because of his all around game.
RW Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus was Spurs best player last season before a season ending hamstring injury, and he can create magic from out of thin air. A relentless player and a world class dribbler who can create a high volume of chances, Kudus has the right wing locked down 100 percent.
Add us as a preferred source on Google