Roberto De Zerbi has backed Mateus Fernandes to become one of the best midfielders in Europe but hit back at the rapidly changing narrative surrounding the Tottenham midfielder.
Fernandes impressed in Spurs' recent win over Chelsea, prompting comparisons with former Tottenham star Luka Modric, but De Zerbi was quick to point out how dramatically the narrative around the player has shifted.
"You are very funny, you know why? Because the world is going too fast," De Zerbi said.
"Two weeks ago Mateus Fernandes, 80 million, was a disaster signing, disaster player, he is not good enough.
"I said to Mateus, Monday or Sunday, maybe Sunday, don't listen to the media, don't see the media, don't follow what the people say, because it is not true.
"If you now change one game, you play well, you are top like Luka Modric, and the day after you are a stupid player, you can't play, and the day after again you become…"
De Zerbi insisted his opinion of Fernandes has not changed despite the praise that followed his display at Stamford Bridge.
"Matheus Fernandes was a very good player before Chelsea, and he is the same player after Chelsea," he said.
"He has two things to improve, because as a potential he can become one of the best midfielders in Europe in the next future.
"He was a great signing for Tottenham, first of all, because he is a potential top player for Tottenham, and then for me now, for sure," De Zerbi continued.
"But like Savio. Savio is another top, like Xavi Simons, like Lucas Bergvall, like Archie Gray."
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