Mateus Fernandes has had his fair share of standout moments and performances since joining West Ham United in a £40 million deal from Southampton last summer.
As things stand, the Portugal Under-21 captain is surely the frontrunner for the Hammer of the Year Award, although Crysencio Summerville will run him very close indeed.
Now, speaking to the official West Ham United website, Mateus Fernandes was asked to pick his favourite performance and his favourite goal since moving from the banks of the Solent to the East of the capital.
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The Sporting Lisbon academy graduate has three for West Ham so far. It is no surprise that the blockbuster against Sunderland is his favourite, both from an aesthetic point of view and considering that his other two efforts – against Leeds and Aston Villa – came in defeats.
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“I think my best goal has to be the one against Sunderland in January,” Fernandes says. “I’ve spoken about how people had told me to shoot from distance, and it paid off that day!
“Second would have to be my goal against Aston Villa in December, right at the start of the game, and then when I scored against Liverpool for Southampton in November 2024.”
That Sunderland screamer was Fernandes’ first from outside the box in senior football.
On the subject of his favourite game, the Algarve-born 21-year-old selected the dramatic 2-1 away win at relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur in mid-January.
“I think the first one has to be when we beat Tottenham Hotspur, because it was a London derby and it was so dramatic with Callum Wilson scoring right at the end,” Fernandes smiles.
“The home win over Sunderland, also in January, was really enjoyable, and then I’d say the same Liverpool game as before, with Southampton. We lost that match 3-2, but I scored and it’s a day I won’t forget.”
Fernandes eyes World Cup spot with Portugal
While West Ham’s most expensive signings in recent years have tended to wilt under the lights, Mateus Fernandes has embraced the pressure and blossomed into one of the most complete, all-round midfielders in English football.
As former Southampton skipper Jo Tessem put it, Fernandes is the ‘ultimate midfielder’.
He still hopes to feature at the 2026 World Cup, although a maiden call-up for the Portuguese senior side has so far remained out of reach. It remains to be seen if Roberto Martinez finally gives him a shot during the March international break.
“To play at the World Cup with Portugal, to win the World Cup with Portugal and to be champions of the Premier League,” Fernandes quipped after being asked for his ‘personal ambitions’.
“You have to aim high!”
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For West Ham, what they are aiming for is a first Premier League victory over Manchester City since Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho scored at the Etihad back in 2015.
Nuno Espirito Santo was asked about Mateus Fernandes’ impact in his press conference on Thursday. His swashbuckling dynamism is likely to play a major role on Saturday, too, especially after Real Madrid exposed Man City’s midfield weaknesses in that 3-0 Champions League thrashing.
“[Fernandes] is a young player that still has a lot to develop, but he’s showing a lot of character,” Nuno said. “He’s one of the players who has the most minutes, always giving his all.
“He’s talented and a fantastic team player. He plays with an obsession for the team, and we are delighted to have him.”
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