---
title: "‘Big talent’ – Roberto De Zerbi blown away by what Tottenham player did vs Charlton"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2026/08/27/big-talent-roberto-de-zerbi-blown-away-by-what-tottenham-player-did-vs-charlton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Tottenham News"
published: "2026-08-27T10:50:43Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:45:32Z"
---

# ‘Big talent’ – Roberto De Zerbi blown away by what Tottenham player did vs Charlton

**Tottenham Hotspur secured a morale-boosting 5-1 win against Charlton Athletic in a second-round Carabao Cup clash at home.**

There were five different goalscorers, but the game also marked [Mateus Fernandes](https://readtottenham.com/tag/mateus-fernandes/)‘ first competitive start for the club, while Savio marked his debut with a goal and an assist in the second half.

It was a happy outing for Roberto De Zerbi and co, with Fernandes, in particular, impressing as an advanced midfielder with Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur behind him.

And the Portuguese international was singled out for special praise by his manager after the game.

## De Zerbi lauds Fernandes’ Tottenham display

“Mateus Fernandes is another talent, big talent,” said De Zerbi via Football London.

“We are lucky because he can cover two positions on the pitch, like as a pivot or number 10.

“Anyway, he brings quality, he is dynamic and he fights on the pitch, because I think in the last season he was one of the best players in terms of regaining the ball, in the duel.”

> 🇵🇹💎 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐒 (𝟐𝟐) against Charlton in the EFL Cup:\
> \
> • 90 Minutes \
> • 1 ASSIST\
> • 9 PASSES INTO FINAL THIRD\
> • 3 Chances Created\
> • 84 Touches\
> • 100% Accurate Long Balls\
> • 11 Corners \
> • 3 Recoveries \
> • 3 / 4 Ground Duels Won\
> \
> 𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄… [pic.twitter.com/Tx4k6hsLbY](https://t.co/Tx4k6hsLbY)
>
> — Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) [August 26, 2026](https://x.com/RisingStarXI/status/2092730390070865965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Fernandes wasn’t fit enough to play the full 90 minutes vs Brentford, which cost Tottenham dearly.

However, if he carries on playing as he did vs Charlton, he will soon start to dominate and dictate games for the Lilywhites from the centre of the park.