Why Mateus Fernandes is unlikely to start vs Sydney after Tottenham injury rumours
Mateus Fernandes has been central to injury rumours at Tottenham Hotspur.
Murmurings have been spread across social media as the Lilywhites prepare for their next pre-season outing.
A friendly with Sydney FC on Wednesday is now in the pipeline just three days after a 2-0 win over Auckland, as covered by Tottenham News.
Dane Scarlett and Richarlison netted in New Zealand and will be hoping for a similar result in Australia.
Fears have emerged that the Portugal youth international may be ruled out due to a sizable injury blow.
Fernandes now looks set to miss out from the start against Sydney, but not for the reason everyone thinks.
Mateus Fernandes fitness questionable at Tottenham
Spurs brought the midfielder in from West Ham for £85million with the idea of revolutionising their central area.
As a 22-year-old, he is the industrious, all-action talent that Roberto De Zerbi needed in his squad.
He is someone who has proven with both West Ham and Southampton that he can get up and down the pitch with relative ease.
That is until he got through the doors in N17.
Injury rumours have been rife, although Football London reported on Tuesday that those suggestions are wide of the mark.
The report did go on to say that Fernandes is unlikely to start against Sydney anyway as his minutes are monitored.
That is because De Zerbi has been pushing him hard in training and is now keeping tabs on his, and various teammates', progress in pre-season.
Many may see that as wise from the Italian, but it doesn't exactly represent a good look for the new midfielder.
Could Tottenham injury woes continue with Fernandes?
The North London club have dealt with their fair share of injury problems in recent years.
That frustration sparked excitement when Fernandes came in as he is reportedly yet to miss a single career game due to injury.
But after just weeks with the Lilywhites, his fitness is coming under question?
That may be thanks in part to the 38 games he played at West Ham last season, with 36 of those coming in the Premier League.
Playing 88 per cent of the available league minutes is a lot, especially for such an energetic player.
In that time, he completed 1,366 passes, 28 dribbles and created 37 chances for the Hammers.
That was all added to by 368 defensive contributions and 182 recoveries as he put himself about at the London Stadium.
Tottenham fans are excited by his addition for that reason, but will have serious questions over his fitness at this stage of pre-season.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see him struggle with injury if the last few years is anything to go by in N17.