Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 5 April 2026 11:40, UK

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has outlined a big mentality shift since the turn of the year at the London Stadium.

After a dismal start to the season under Graham Potter, it took Nuno Espirito Santo a while before he was able to begin turning things around.

Though since the turn of the year, the Hammers have looked a completely different side.

While they still sit in the bottom three, Nuno’s side are well-placed to go on and secure their Premier League status, should they get back to form after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa before the international break.

Reacting to the West Ham turnaround in recent months, Fernandes has outlined a key mentality shift that only leaves them one point behind safety.

Mateus Fernandes speaks on West Ham mentality shift

Fernandes joined the Irons from Southampton last summer following their relegation back to the Championship.

After a dismal opening half of the season, it looked like the 21-year-old was on for a second successive relegation, before fortunes completely changed for the Hammers in the early stages of 2026.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, the Portuguese youngster earmarked a moment in the season that turned the tide for the Irons.

“I think we changed mentally after the QPR game,” said Fernandes, with the 2-1 win for Nuno’s side kickstarting a much more favourable run, starting with wins against Tottenham and Sunderland.

“We felt the positive vibes in the dressing room,” added the midfielder.

“And after that, we started winning. If you look at the squad, almost every player plays for the national team. So, we have quality, but that’s not enough in the Premier League.”

Called up by Roberto Martinez during the most recent international break, Fernandes made his debut for Portugal during the 2-0 win against the USA as he looks to make the World Cup squad this summer.

Heading into the season’s crunch point, the 21-year-old is set to play a huge part as the Hammers look to secure safety.

Mateus Fernandes set for big West Ham future

Having previously guided Wolves to Europe with a Portuguese core of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Diogo Jota and more, Nuno will see Fernandes as the next star to build around as he looks to repeat his exploits.

Should the Hammers secure their place in the top-flight, the young midfielder has all the quality and potential to become a talismanic figure at the London Stadium.

With a wand of a right foot and the physical attributes to cover ground across the pitch, Fernandes has been a shining light in what has been a poor year in East London, despite the 2026 turnaround.

Nuno has to be backed over the summer if he keeps West Ham in the Premier League, and that will start with securing the future of Fernandes, who has an incredibly promising future at the club.

It starts with booking a possible return to Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals, but they must beat Leeds to achieve that first on Sunday.