Two of the Portuguese speakers who welcomed Mateus Fernandes to West Ham United last summer have now bid adeus; Lucas Paqueta returning to Brazil with Flamengo after Sporting Lisbon signed Luis Guilherme.
It is fair to say that, with four wins in five games ahead of Tuesday’s clash against a similarly resurgent Manchester United, the Hammers haven’t missed them a great deal.
Lucas Paqueta will forever divide the fans who watched on in awe as he inspired the club to Europa Conference League glory, and then watched on in horror as that spot-fixing charge sapped his confidence.
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At least Paqueta had his moments. That is more than can be said for Luis Guilherme’s forgettable stint as a West Ham United player.
Former Palmeiras and Brazil Under-20 whizzkid Guilherme left the London Stadium for Sporting Lisbon last month having recorded only two Premier League starts and zero goal contributions.
Understandably, given that Mateus Fernandes is a graduate of Portugal’s most feted academy, Guilherme spoke to his then West Ham teammate when Sporting made their interest known.
Mateus Fernandes talked up Sporting Lisbon to West Ham United misfit Luis Guilherme
Guilherme credits Fernandes with telling him all about a ‘very family-oriented club’ situated in the picturesque city of Lisbon.
Now, in an interview with DAZN, the Portugal Under-21 skipper lifts the lid a little more on the conversations which convinced Guilherme to finally accept defeat in his hopes of forcing his way into the West Ham XI.
A spot which would now be further out of reach than ever, as Crysencio Summerville maintains his ‘amazing’ recent form with five goals in five successive games.
“The locker room is fantastic and Sporting has all the conditions [for Guilherme to succeed there],” Fernandes says.
“The Portuguese League is the best championship in Europe for a young player who needs confidence or playing time. Playing for Sporting or another big club, you’ll always have the ball, you’ll have many opportunities to shoot and attack.
“Plus, it’s a language he knows. The culture is practically the same [as in Brazil].
“I told him, ‘If you have that opportunity on the table, don’t think twice.’ He didn’t think twice and now he’s there.
“Luis told me at the time about Sporting’s interest. He was very enthusiastic and I tried to guide him in terms of home, what daily life was like in Portugal, the pressure from the fans and what the league is like.”
Fernandes hopes to play for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup
Luis Guilherme has enjoyed a ‘superb’ start at Sporting. He opened his account in the Taca da Portugal – his first goal this side of the Atlantic – and has already started more Primeira Liga matches in four weeks than he did in 18 months in the Premier League.
Fernandes also opens up about his hopes of securing a spot in his nation’s World Cup squad, joining namesake Bruno on the plane to the USA.
Speaking of Bruno, did you know West Ham tried to sign the Manchester United captain back in 2018, while he was still a Sporting player?
“[A World Cup place] is a goal I’ve set for myself. It was one of the objectives I set at the start of this season, to maintain the consistency required to be among those selected for the World Cup,” Fernandes reveals.
“I believe our national team is currently one of the best in the world. The quality of the squad is undeniable.
“Therefore, it is up to me to demonstrate quality and consistency, and to prove that I can add something to the team. When I am not called up to the senior team and play for the U21s instead, I simply focus on doing my job.
Head coach Roberto Martinez revealed that Mateus Fernandes was ‘close’ to a Portugal call-up while still a Southampton player. His outstanding performances in England’s top flight nearly 12 months later surely means Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and co should be glancing nervously over their shoulders ahead of the March international break.
“It has been a very positive experience for me to serve as the U21 captain,” West Ham’s number 18 adds. “It’s a role I had never held before with the national team, and it provides a different kind of stability.
“When I first started there, I was the youngest. Now, I am perhaps the oldest, and I pass on certain lessons to the younger players. I try to look at the positives. If I am with the U21s, I go very willingly to help my teammates, and if I am called to the senior team, then that is a dream.
“There aren’t many words that can describe that moment.”
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