Pretty much everyone at West Ham United agrees that the sky is the limit for Mateus Fernandes, and that includes Konstantinos Mavropanos.
While the Greek defender is a London Stadium late-bloomer – Mavropanos has finally silenced his critics three years after joining from Stuttgart – the £40 million former Southampton playmaker was a hit right from day one.
Mateus Fernandes is approaching a potentially joyous conclusion of what has been an outstanding debut season at West Ham United. Victory over Brentford on Saturday, followed by a Tottenham loss at Villa Park, would put a five-point buffer between themselves and the bottom three.
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Fernandes is a Hammer of the Year frontrunner, too. A frontrunner and potentially also the favourite.
And Konstantinos Mavropanos, who surely won’t come too far behind in the eventual vote, indicates that it would be foolish to put a limit on how high the Portugal international can fly.
Mateus Fernandes hailed by West Ham United teammate Dinos Mavropanos
Mavropanos was speaking on the latest edition of the Ironcast podcast, in the build-up to Saturday’s matchday 35 clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“For his age, I can say he looks really mature on the ball and he’s so calm,” says the experienced centre-back. “He knows what he has to do on the pitch and, defensively, he works hard as well.
“He creates some really good spaces for others. With the ball, he’s just really calm. His passing accuracy is good. For his age and his talent, he’s a really good player.
“I think he’s going to have a great future.”
All the way back in October, just two weeks after he replaced Graham Potter, Nuno Espirito Santo called Fernandes a ‘special player’. Growing in influence and stature over the following six months, Mavropanos is right when he says the Algarve native runs the show and leads by example like a footballer far older than his mere 21 years.
Fernandes’ price-tag has ‘doubled’ since £40m transfer
Mavropanos has been linked with Borussia Dortmund and a return to Germany in recent times. Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in Fernandes; the Hammers facing an assault from numerous angles this summer.
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Such is his age, and his boundless potential, West Ham legend Tony Gale suggests that £80 million should be the starting point for any club looking to lure Fernandes away from East London.
Gale also believes the Sporting Lisbon academy graduate has proven himself to be a substantial upgrade on the departed Lucas Paqueta.
“If you’re talking about Paqueta for Fernandes, it’s no contest,” one of the club’s greatest-ever servants said during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Everton. “He has probably doubled in value now, Fernandes.
“A very young man but there has been a lot of responsibility on his shoulders this season.”
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