Talent alone does not always translate into Premier League success. As far as Graham Potter was concerned, what this once West Ham United linked Serie A sensation had in raw ability, he lacked in physicality.
Although as the legendary Cesc Fabregas sings his praises, and as he records five goals or assists in three Serie A matches, the phrase ‘one that got away’ comes to mind.
Or does it?
West Ham United were linked with Croatia international Martin Baturina last summer, when he was playing for Dinamo Zagreb in his homeland.
How much money do you think Mateus Fernandes is worth now?! 😍
An absolute baller
Now, while Graham Potter got precious little right during his final few months at the London Stadium, the former Chelsea boss did help lure Mateus Fernandes from Southampton.
Claret and Hugh reported that West Ham were initially ‘close’ to snatching Baturina instead. Potter was against the idea, though, as he wanted a more ‘athletic’ option in the centre of the park.
Enter Fernandes.
So as Baturina starts to live up to his ‘new Luka Modric’ moniker in Italy, the exceptional form of a certain Portuguese playmaker should ease any sense of frustration from a West Ham perspective.
Former West Ham United target Martin Baturina shines for Cesc Fabregas’ Como
Mateus Fernandes was exceptional against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon. His best performance coinciding with the greatest 90 minute showing of the Nuno era. A domineering display capped by a thumping strike into the top corner on the stroke of half-time.
No one at West Ham has produced more key passes or won more tackles this season. Fernandes was called the ‘ultimate midfielder’ by former Southampton captain Jo Tessem, and he is really starting to justify such claims.
So any regrets West Ham may feel about turning their noses up at Baturina – a decision driven by Potter, it seems – should be offset by fabulous Fernandes and his revving, V8 engine.
Still though, Baturina is going from strength-to-strength himself in 2026. He provided a goal and an assist apiece during successive 3-0 and 6-0 drubbings of Lazio and Torino.
Nouveau-riche Como are up to sixth place. Clearly, Baturina and their supreme Spaniard Nico Paz are relishing the advice bestowed upon them by one of the finest creative midfielders of the century.
“[Baturina] is very intelligent, and defensively he’s at a very high level too,” former Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas told reporters after that six-goal shellacking of Nikola Vlasic’s Torino.
“He can play as an attacking midfielder, coming inside from the left. I want to find the best conditions to express himself at his best. He connects better with Nico [Paz], he can score goals and provide assists.
“After that, it’s up to me to put them all together. But well done to him. He never gave up.”
Mateus Fernandes credits Lucas Paqueta advice after Sunderland screamer
How many points would West Ham have taken from their last two games if Lucas Paqueta had been playing? 🤔
Maybe I’m harsh, but I just don’t think he suits this team anymore…
According to Tuttosport, Leeds were willing to go one step further than West Ham while offering around £25 million for Baturina earlier this month. Como opted to keep the faith despite a slow start to Serie A life, though. A decision they are now being rewarded for.
As for the midfielder West Ham signed instead, to great expense but also with great foresight, Mateus Fernandes is taking Lucas Paqueta’s advice on board. That Sunderland blockbuster was his first-ever goal from outside the box, and one his departing teammate would have been proud to call his own.
“It was unbelievable! It was my first goal from outside of the box, so I’m very happy,” Fernandes told reporters on Saturday. “It’s a thing I started to learn on the training ground. I started to do it on training sessions, so I need to try more in the games because I can shoot well.
“It was good for me and it was good for the team as well.
“Everyone actually, [Crysencio] Summerville, Pablo [Felipe], Lucas, they said to me to shoot! But in my position, I try to give the better chance for them and then they do the work to score the goals.
“But yeah, it was a good point for me today. It gave me confidence for the next games and I’ll try to shoot more.”
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