Tottenham midfielder Gedson Fernandes has been talking about the competitive nature of the Premier League – describing English football as “completely crazy” and different to how he imagined it to be from watching it on the TV.
The 21-year-old, who joined from Portuguese outfit Benfica in January, has made a mixed start to life at Spurs, making nine appearances in all competitions, although he’s still waiting to make his full league debut.
Fernandes has shown glimpses and was particularly bright in the Champions League games against Leipzig, although the midfielder suffered disappointment in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich City – missing the decisive penalty in the shoot-out, which saw the Canaries progress to the last eight.
The on-loan Benfica man, who has an option to join Spurs on a permanent basis at the end of the 2020-2021 campaign, speaks honestly about the speed and fight of the Premier League, saying that players often perform as if their lives depend on it.
Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, the youngster said: “It’s completely different to what we saw on the TV. When I made my first minutes, I couldn’t believe it because everything felt so slow but at the same time everything was so fast on the pitch. It’s something different to learn.
“Mentally, I think when you play the first few minutes of a game, you feel so tired. After that you feel okay, you feel comfortable, so you can play your game but yes, in the first few minutes, they are crazy moments.
“You are alert, you want to see what’s happening but, at the same time, you have no time to wait and watch around to see where your man is. You need to be focussed . Your head has to stay in the moment.
“You come from a different country and a different league, you think basically it will be the same but, in the moment, no, nothing was the same. The opposition want it more and so you have to want it even more than that. It’s completely crazy. You have to fight more. The players give their lives for the game, for the moment and they are enjoying it.
“The Premier League is more competitive, the competition is better, and it is good football. I think the fans enjoy the game and football so much.”
