Credit: Imago and The Overlap

Richie Mills

Thu 16 April 2026 21:10, UK

Roy Keane is clearly a fan of West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes after ranking him above a host of Premier League midfielders.

Fernandes swapped Championship side Southampton for West Ham last summer for a fee just north of £40million on a five-year deal.

Since then, the Portugal international has scored four goals and added three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.

If West Ham do get relegated, Fernandes is likely to fetch a sizeable fee, and even if they stay up, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s team may be forced to sell him after posting recent losses of £104m.

Ahead of West Ham’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday, Manchester United legend Keane made it clear how highly he rates Fernandes.

Mateus Fernandes edges midfield rivals

Former Republic of Ireland international Keane was one of the best midfielders in the world back in his day, so he knows a good player when he sees one.

On Thursday, Keane was asked to rank Premier League midfielders, and Fernandes was named straight off the bat.

Keane was asked which player was better between Fernandes and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, with the West Ham man coming out on top.

Next up, the ex-Saints star was pitted against Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, with Fernandes once again preferred.

When Casemiro came up against Manchester United’s Casemiro, Keane said: “Casemiro’s coming towards the end [of his career]… Fernandes.”

Keane then picked Fernandes over Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, before Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva stopped him in his tracks.

That is quite the compliment for Fernandes.

Mateus Fernandes key to West Ham’s survival

The young midfielder may be as important as anyone for West Ham in their bid to stay up.

He has come into his own in 2026, with the Portuguese adding much-needed running power and quality in the centre of the park.

Fernandes has been linked with a West Ham exit, but the 17th-placed Hammers will want to keep him this summer.

If he stays fit, the East London outfit have a good chance of beating the drop, with West Ham currently two points above 18th-placed Tottenham with six games to go.