Spurs forced to address wild Mateus Fernandes conspiracy theory as training footage goes viral

A well-respected journalist has appeared to debunk a fan conspiracy about summer signing Mateus Fernandes.

Fernandes arrived from West Ham United for a fee of £85 million earlier in the summer after impressing at the Hammers despite their Premier League relegation last term.

The 22-year-old has since impressed Tottenham fans in friendlies against MK Dons, in which he scored a stunning volley, and Auckland in New Zealand.

However, concerns have grown among Spurs fans in recent days after footage of the midfielder sitting out training went viral, causing some to suggest he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

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One said: “Ah man, someone is claiming Mateus Fernandes has done his ACL. Spurs or not, I really hope he hasn’t. That would be harsh on such a talent.”

Another added: “Very unfortunate that Mateus Fernandes picked up an ACL injury, per sources. Spurs will probably get relegated now as he is their best midfielder by a country mile.”

A third claimed: “So because Fernandes watched a training session he’s torn his ACL? This place is a f**king circus….”

While a fourth commented: “Why am I seeing rumours of Mateus Fernandes tearing his ACL on my timeline?”

Journalist debunks Fernandes theory

But rest assured, Football London journalist Alasdair Gold has cleared up the conspiracy theory.

Gold reports that Fernandes is ‘unlikely’ to feature in Spurs’ pre-season friendly against Sydney FC on Wednesday (July 29).

“The midfielder is not injured,” he wrote.

“Instead, it is because head coach Roberto De Zerbi has been pushing the players hard in training, especially those who returned earlier to pre-season, and various players’ time in sessions and matches is being monitored and managed based on a variety of factors such as fatigue, little niggles, illness or even jet lag.

“Various players have so far been rested from matches and training sessions with that in mind over the opening weeks of pre-season.

“De Zerbi’s style of football is an all-action, draining one, and the players’ fitness is being pushed this summer to deal with that ahead of the season, with the arrival of the Italian’s long-time strength and conditioning coach Agostino Tibaudi to join another former colleague, first-team fitness coach Marcattilio Marcattilii, to ensure the team is ready for what is to come.”

De Zerbi’s side continue their pre-season against Chelsea on August 1 before taking on La Liga side Getafe in a behind-closed-doors game on August 8.

The Lilywhites round off their pre-season with back-to-back friendlies against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on August 15 and 16.

Spurs get their Premier League campaign underway away at Brentford on August 22.