What Southampton hero said about Mateus Fernandes proves West Ham have stuck gold
West Ham were desperate to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer, and there is good reason why.
Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton for a figure in the region of £38million as Graham Potter looked to revolutionise his midfield.
Given the fact that Fernandes is West Ham’s third most expensive player ever, there are high expectations surrounding the Portugal international.
This saw Fernandes make his West Ham debut against Nottingham Forest as the Irons secured a huge 3-0 win away from the London Stadium.
The excitement surrounding Fernandes is now only likely to increase after Hammers fans hear the noise coming out of Southampton.
Mateus Fernandes was highly rated at Southampton
It has to be said that there are plenty of problems that supporters in E20 can take aim at the hierarchy over.
With that being said, David Sullivan deserves credit for getting Fernandes after plenty of back and forth with the Saints throughout the summer.
He already looks to be an excellent addition to the midfield, which had been faltering in the opening matches of the campaign due to a lack of mobility.
The likes of Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez have all been slammed for their poor dynamism, which hampered the Irons massively.
This looked to have changed with Fernandes, as suggested by some hugely positive comments emerging before his move away from Southampton
Former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem spoke out via BBC Radio Solent’s Southampton podcast on 26 March to share his love for the Portuguese talent.
He said: “Mateus Fernandes is on people’s radar because every week he plays his heart out, he is by far the best player on the football pitch from a Saints perspective.”
“I didn’t think he would stay for a season in the Championship, and he didn’t – leaving after a year – and he [Fernandes] is on a similar level, albeit a different type of player.
“He is becoming an ultimate Premier League midfielder, and clubs are not going to let that go.
“He plays like a Premier League player. He passes like a Premier League player. He is quick like a Premier League player. He conducts himself so well in midfield.”
Mateus Fernandes could save Graham Potter at West Ham
There is no getting away from the trouble that Potter was in after three games this season, especially after being thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea.
This had helped add to the negative feeling around East London, which didn’t look like it would change any time soon.
Then the Forest game happened, with Fernandes at the heart of everything, and now pressure has lifted off the head coach’s shoulders.
| Stat vs Nottingham Forest | Mateus Fernandes |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 87 |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Defensive contributions | 11 |
| Ground duels won | 6 |
If the ex-Southampton man can maintain his level from the City Ground, and results continue to be positive, it is fair to say that Potter may have Fernandes to thank in E20.
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