Roberto De Zerbi has publicly criticised Mateus Fernandes after Tottenham Hotspur slumped to a 3-2 home defeat against Aston Villa, a result that leaves the north London club still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
The £85million summer signing from West Ham United started the match on Saturday afternoon but was substituted at half-time, with Mohammed Kudus taking his place. At the time of the change, Spurs trailed by a single goal scored in added time at the end of the first half. Two further Villa goals followed with Fernandes off the pitch, before Conor Gallagher and Jan van Hecke scored Tottenham's first goals of the campaign in a late flurry that proved insufficient.
De Zerbi explains Fernandes substitution
Speaking after the game, De Zerbi defended his decision to replace Fernandes, insisting he 'needed more' from the former Hammers star. Asked whether Spurs lost something in midfield with Fernandes off the pitch, the Italian coach said: 'It's not just that problem. In the second-half we lost balance because we were losing and we forced the pass, we forced the situation and they were winning the ball.'
'They played more on counter attack. Mateus is different to Kudus, I have big confidence in Mateus but I did not like the performance of Mateus today. It's not an attack of him, I love him, but for Mateus, we need more from Mateus in that position,' De Zerbi added.
Tel omitted from matchday squad
The match also saw Mathys Tel absent from the Tottenham squad altogether, a week after De Zerbi was seen berating the forward moments after the final whistle against Everton. De Zerbi described the decision as a 'technical decision', explaining: 'He was in the stands, because I think during the game, Maddison and Kudus, they had more chances to change the game, and then two centre-backs, important, also the two full-backs, have a look for Pedro Porro, with Archie Grey, and the two central midfielders.'
'But I explained why to Mathys yesterday. It was no problem. He was very nice and he understood the reason, but nothing more, and also he played more than the others,' De Zerbi concluded.
Villa secure first win of season
Unai Emery's Aston Villa side secured their first victory of the campaign with the 3-2 win in north London, moving them off the bottom of the early-season table. For Tottenham, the defeat extends their winless start to the new Premier League season, with the club now facing mounting pressure ahead of their next fixture.
