Why Andreas Pereira was left out of Fulham squad for Tottenham clash

Marco Silva has explained why he left Andreas Pereira out of the Fulham squad for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

The Brazilian international had started all 12 of Fulham’s Premier League games so far this season until being left out of the starting lineup and not named among the substitutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

His omission came in the wake of an interview Pereira gave to a Brazilian media outlet in which he appeared to describe it as “unfortunate” that a move to Marseille broke down in the summer and was reported to have said “let’s see what will happen in January”.

Shortly before kick-off between Fulham and Tottenham on Sunday, Pereira posted a strong statement on social media, claiming that his words had been “maliciously distorted” and “inaccurately” translated from Portuguese into English.

Pereira insisted that, in the interview, he had “expressed my happiness and satisfaction with being at Fulham.” Silva was asked after the match as to whether Pereira’s interview was the reason he had been left out.

“No, not at all,” Silva replied. “I didn’t read the interview. I know some of the topics in the interview. I didn’t read the interview. For me, to read something from my players, I have to be sure that they did [say] it.

“I know what you are talking about. I want to tell you that Andreas is going to be back stronger to help the team like he’s been helping every single moment. He’s going to be the important player he’s been since he joined our football club. Nothing related to the interview.”

Silva added: “[It was] not to protect him at all. I don’t make decisions regarding interviews. I don’t follow social media; I don’t read newspapers.

“Decisions from myself come from the daily basis with my players. Nothing more. He was not ready for the game today.”

Silva, when asked whether Pereira was injured, replied: “No. It was during the week; it was a technical decision from myself.”