Mateus Fernandes has shed light on the conversation he had with Roberto De Zerbi that convinced him that a move to Tottenham Hotspur would be the right next step for him.It has been widely reported that De Zerbi was a crucial factor in helping Spurs beat Man United to Fernandes’ signature.The Tottenham boss reportedly had multiple phone calls with Fernandes to convince the former West Ham man that Spurs, rather than the Red Devils, would be the right move for him.The newcomer has now shed light on what the Italian told him and his parents to convince him to make a move across London.Credit: @tristram pearson/InstagramMateus Fernandes reveals Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi promised to be his second dadFernandes has now revealed that he immediately felt a connection with the Tottenham boss when he spoke to him for the first time.The midfielder shared that the Italian promised to be a ‘second dad’ to him, and confessed that he has really enjoyed working with the 46-year-old so far during pre-season.Speaking about his conversation with De Zerbi before joining, Fernandes told Football.London: “It was about connection, because my dad and my mum don’t speak English very well. It was more about feelings. He said he would take care of me, he would be my second dad in England!”“Now I speak with him every day, with his staff as well. He’s a guy who lives for football, you know, and when you are with him every day, you can see why he’s so good at his job. Not just as a manager, as a guy as well. His desire to win, his desire to play well, to beat the opponent. He’s a top manager.”Fernandes believes he is ready for Spurs challengeThe 22-year-old has not had the easiest of introductions to life in the Premier League, having been part of two back-to-back relegations at Southampton and West Ham.Fernandes admitted that those experiences have made him mentally stronger and have left him much better equipped to cope with the challenges that lie ahead of him in North London.When asked about his back-to-back relegations, he said: “This is football. This is life. You need to learn about everything. The first season at Southampton was the most difficult for me because I was living alone in another country, a new language. I didn’t speak English and didn’t have anybody there that spoke Portuguese or Spanish.“It was a little bit difficult so it was important for me to go to West Ham and prepare well. These two seasons I learned a lot off the pitch, to after the game take my time, do other things and I’m much more ready now than I was two years ago. It was important for me.“I was very happy at Southampton and West Ham. They always showed me a lot of love and took care of me. I was very happy then, and now I’m ready for this step as well.”READ MORE: How a Pedro Porro phone call helped Tottenham sign £85m Mateus FernandesThe post ‘My second dad’ – How De Zerbi convinced Matues Fernandes to join Tottenham appeared first on Spurs Web.