Pablo Felipe has thanked Mateus Fernandes ahead of West Ham’s game against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Pablo has now spent four months in East London after signing from Gil Vicente in the January transfer window.
The Portuguese forward is still waiting for his first goal in claret and blue despite making 14 appearances.
However, despite his disappointing performances, he already feels comfortable away from the pitch.
Pablo recently opened up on how Fernandes has helped him settle since he joined West Ham for around £20 million.
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Pablo Felipe thanks Mateus Fernandes for West Ham welcome
Pablo has benefited from having several Portuguese-speaking players and staff around him in his first few months at West Ham.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Adama Traore and Taty Castellanos all speak Portuguese, but Pablo highlighted Fernandes’ support.
The playmaker has been Pablo’s “tour guide” since he arrived in England, helping him at Rush Green and outside of football.
“Mateus has helped me a lot,” Pablo told whufc.com. “He has always helped me in everything that involves my private life and at the Club. I am very grateful to him for the way he received me and for the way he helped me adapt.
“It was very important to have a person who speaks the same language and is always available and who does it from the bottom of his heart and his goodwill to help me and make me feel good here. He is my tour guide here, but I just have to thank him for the way he received me.
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Realistic signings only! We'd all love Bernardo Silva 😂
“Everyone in the Club also received me in a fantastic way. I have been really impressed with the love and attention everyone showed me. I am very happy.”
Fernandes is only 21 years old, one year younger than his Portuguese companion, so he is not the most obvious leader.
However, the former Southampton midfielder has certainly developed into an integral player both on and off the pitch.
Indeed, one of West Ham’s biggest motivations to avoid relegation could be keeping Fernandes for another season.
Everyone at the club would love to see him stay at the London Stadium, but that will not happen if the Hammers are relegated.
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