Why Mateus Fernandes is not playing for Tottenham today after injury rumours

The Portuguese midfielder, who has played in each of Spurs’ first two pre-season games following his £85million move from West Ham, was seen in a recent video standing on the sidelines as the rest of the squad trained in Australia, raising concerns that he had suffered an injury.Those fears, though, have reportedly been allayed with head coach Roberto De Zerbi carefully managing the minutes of several first-team players during a busy summer tour.Absent: Mateus Fernandes will play no part for Tottenham against Sydney FCGettySpurs were beset by injuries again last season, and De Zerbi is determined to avoid a similar crisis to the one that derailed their 2025/26 campaign and contributed to a nerve-shredding relegation battle that dragged on until the final day before a second successive 17th-place finish in the Premier League.He then came on in the 62nd minute against Auckland FC on Sunday as Spurs completed a comfortable 2-0 win in front of a record crowd at Eden Park thanks to goals from Dane Scarlett and Richarlison.The Italian international has, however, been named among the substitutes as Spurs look to continue their perfect start to pre-season.