> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Is West Ham's Mateus Fernandes a premier hybrid midfielder? - URL: https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/could-west-hams-mateus-fernandes/ - Published: 2026-04-01T08:13:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-12T00:05:59.000Z - Description: A scouting report of the Portuguese midfielder over a three game span in March 2026 - Author: Jason Figueiredo - Tags: Tactics, From Substack West Ham is in trouble. That has been known for several months. And while things are trending in the right direction for the Hammers, the drop zone is still a major issue. As the countdown to relegation nears zero, the vultures, discarded by higher-ranked teams, circle eagerly, eyeing the vulnerable squads with talent, waiting to pick at the carcass while it still retains a pulse. **Mateus Fernandes**, a 21-year-old Portuguese playmaker who drew interest from many suitors before landing with **West Ham** last August, will definitely be one of these targets if **Nuno Espirito Santo** can’t find a way to finish the season strong. However, will other teams be willing to pay the premium price tag West Ham had to fork over to get him? My decision to take a deeper look into Fernandes manifested while sick at home on a Tuesday, with an FA Cup match begging me to watch it to aid my illness. To stay engaged, I picked an under-25-year-old player to key on. Because of my Portuguese ties, my heart and eyes led immediately to a budding midfielder. Following this rather impressive outing, I decided to scout at least two more games to understand his talents better and see what he truly had to offer. Flat performances against **Manchester City** on 3/14 and **Aston Villa** on 3/22 helped flatten his curve, in turn providing me with a much more balanced assessment. Here is my attempt at scouting him, providing a data-based analysis on his evolution, and where he could land next season. ## A Brief History ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--jAwLmpwZWc.jpg) Fernandes’ professional journey from the Sporting CP academy to the English Premier League follows the path of the dreams of many young boys in Portugal. Born in Olhão, Portugal, Fernandes signed with **Sporting CP's** academy at the ripe age of 13, quickly rising through the ranks. He eventually emerged as a standout performer in the UEFA Youth League, scoring 5 goals in just 14 games. In October 2022, at 18, he made his senior debut for Sporting, logging minutes in both the Champions League and the Europa League. As a way to secure regular first-team minutes, Fernandes was loaned to **Estoril** in the Portuguese top flight. During this spell, he played a total of 35 matches, contributing significantly to Estoril’s journey to a domestic cup final and solidifying his reputation as a reliable and progressive midfielder. In August 2024, **Southampton** acquired Fernandes for an estimated fee of approximately £15 million. Despite Southampton’s struggles and eventual relegation from the Premier League that season, Fernandes emerged as their standout performer, showing an exceptional defensive work rate and impressive creative metrics, setting him apart as one of the up-and-coming young midfielders in the league. Recognizing Fernandes’ immense potential and his desire to return to the Premier League immediately, West Ham made a bold move in the August 2025 transfer window, signing him for an astonishing fee of well over £40 million, making Fernandes the third-most expensive signing in West Ham United’s history, behind only **Lucas Paquetá** and **Sébastien Haller**. ## Skills and Deficiencies ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--I0NzkuYm1w.jpg) West Ham’s Top [10 2025/26](tel:10%202025/26) Average Game Rating #### *Quarterbacking the Offense* Listed primarily as a Central Midfielder but will also play as a Left Winger and an Attacking Midfielder, Fernandes’ offensive tendencies are apparent within minutes of viewing him on the pitch. Paquetá’s departure in August illustrated the confidence that West Ham had in Fernandes as the offensive General in their midfield. Fernandes always seems to want to take control of the ball once possession is gained, never hesitating to progress it upfield while remaining fully aware of the passing options available to him. A great example of this came during the 22nd minute in the FA Cup tie against **Brentford** in early March 2026\. Upon receiving the ball on the half-turn, Fernandes instantly transitions into the counter, where he has three options: play it up to **Jarred Bowen** down the middle channel, put a pass down the right channel behind the defender, or progress the ball himself further up the field. His confidence with the ball shows as he decides to progress the ball himself up the middle of the channel, allowing the play to develop further. Entering the middle third, Fernandes now has another option. He can now go over the top to the left channel, trying to hit a streaking left winger, force it into Bowen to split the defenders, drive it further up the field, or hit the right winger down that channel. Again, he doesn’t hesitate to call his own number to get the ball to midfield. Once there, the defender had no choice but to pinch towards Fernandes, where he then laced the ball down the right channel to his wide-open teammate. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--DY2MC5naWY.gif) Three slides showing Fernandes' progression of the ball upfield and his options along the way. #### *Delivering Balls into the Box* Fernandes’s skill with delivering the ball to his teammates extends to set pieces as well. On several occasions against Brentford in the FA Cup, Fernandes curved in perfect deliveries to the back post for excellent opportunities on net. Two were approximately 35 yards that mesmerizingly knuckled right into a teammate’s noggin. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--DYxOC5naWY.gif) Two different set pieces from around 35 yards out that were placed perfectly into the box by Fernandes. His precise delivery was also utilized on a short corner, where he corralled a pass, recognized he was 1v1 at the top of the box, made a silky move to create room, and quickly spun in a cross that led to a huge chance. This ball movement following a set piece was witnessed once again against Aston Villa, this time at the top left of the box. He recognizes the open space and that he has Watkins one-on-one, and lays in a lethal cross that just misses a streaking Pablo. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzM0LnBuZw.jpg) Fernandes opens up space after a short corner to create a chance against Brentford. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--MzM2LnBuZw.jpg) After settling a deflection, Fernandes creates space on a 1v1, firing a cross to the back post. #### *Accurate Long Passes* Fernandes’ skills with the ball also extend to launching passes into the opposite channel well down the line to catch defenses sleeping. He currently ranks fifth among EPL midfielders for Accurate long balls per 90, with 2.9, and has connected on 61.1% of his long balls this season. In the Brentford match, Fernandes unleashed a beautiful pass from around the top of the defensive third in the left channel all the way to the past field in the right channel to Bowen, leading to a chance that could have given West Ham a much-needed cushion. He fired off 11 long balls in the FA Cup tie and managed to fire off another five against Villa and four more against Man City. A propensity to read the defense and quickly decide whether to run with it or let it sail makes Fernandes an offensive threat that many offenses will desperately want. Armed with the right combination of forwards, he could easily become an on-field general that defenses will need to gameplan against if they plan on having any success. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--EwMDQucG5n.jpg) A sweet, cross-field pass to Bowman that led to a chance against West Ham. #### *Negligent Tackling, Flat-Footed Defense* In two of the games I watched, Fernandes often seemed to be trying to catch up to the play on defense, which is a bit odd for a player who also doesn’t seem to have a strong presence inside the opposition’s box. Whether it’s because he trusts the other midfielder and defenders to pinch up in his absence or because he is just flat-footed, waiting to be in the perfect position if the ball is won back, Fernandes’ tendency to downshift as he approaches the defensive third created several unfortunate moments during my viewing of the youngster. The first incident where I noticed this rather reckless technique was against Brentford. During a threatening attack, **Kevin Schade** receives a pass inside the top of the box and, after multiple angles on replay look like it had a good chance of being a red card, Fernandes elects to be overly aggressive, trying to win the ball back, taking Schade down on what ended up being a no-call. However, the screenshot below shows just how late he was to the party. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--E1MjAucG5n.jpg) A late tackle in the box by Fernandes against West Ham that could have been a red card. In the match against Man City, the only goal allowed by the Hammers was thanks to an overall defensive breakdown, capped off by Fernandes’ failure to read the streaking Bernardo Silva before it was too late. The play did display his closing ability, as he does eventually track down Silva deep into the box, but better defensive technique could’ve disrupted his shot even more, possibly forcing it wide. Instead, Silva laces a seed, scoring a spectacular goal. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--E2MjIucG5n.jpg) Fernandes realizes that Bruno is streaking towards the net and that he needs to make up ground. Later, Fernandes again elects to throw a late tackle on Doku while rotating towards him deep in the left flank. His instinct and zero fear when taking on Doku 1v1 was exactly what you wanted to see. Yet, the reckless tackle below that led to a free kick was far from textbook and needs to be reeled in. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--E1MTIucG5n.jpg) Fernandes’ aggressive tackle against Doku led to a free kick. Fernandes’ propensity to over-pursue after being flat-footed and to negligently unleash his tackles at the last moment also made an appearance during the Villa match. In a tackle that looked more like a karate chop live, Fernandes tracks the ball carrier from behind after realizing he needs to get back from his offensive attack. Again, the pressure on the ball carrier was essential, and getting back to it was a good display of his work rate. But his out-of-control tackle, drawing an advantage, was unnecessary and needs to be addressed, as it can be a liability. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--EwNTEuZ2lm.gif) Three slides of Fernandes pursuing the ball late and making a poor, stabbing tackle. ## Mateus’ Evolution Fernandes first drew attention from the EPL during an Estoril season in which he impressed. During that loan spell, Fernandes ranked second among all players in the Portuguese top flight for chances created with 39, and led Estoril in successful passes in the opposition half with 534\. Estoril reached their first cup final in 80 years largely because of his outstanding output. Beyond the numbers, he was tagged, unsurprisingly, for his aggressive, technically gifted style, excelling in possession and passing, as well as his tactical intelligence and passing range. Last season at Southampton, Fernandes won both Player of the Season and Fans’ Player of the Season awards, standing out as the best performer on a side that had very few bright spots heading into relegation. His 34 chances created were joint-most at the club alongside Ryan Manning. However, standing out practically every week as a player who clearly didn’t belong in a relegation situation meant he wasn’t going to be at Southampton much longer after they dropped. West Ham then paid up the ying-yang for Fernandes, only for the Portuguese to stand out and find himself in the same spot as last season – in an unwanted relegation battle. As the two spider web charts show, Fernandes’ offense and defense skills are evolving, but is it into a hybrid midfielder that many believe he is destined to be? On offense, the first thing that grabs your attention is the dramatic drop in accurate crosses per 90 over the past two seasons. Although Mateus’ cross production has taken a dip, his increase in Key Passes per 90 indicates he is looking to feed the offense in different ways, whether through long passes, as mentioned above, or by getting the ball to an open winger who can then whip it into the box. An uptick in Goal Involvement per 90 and xA per 90 also suggests that Fernandes is getting involved on offense, a trend that should continue to drive him over the next decade. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--IyODIucG5n.png) Fernandes’ offensive percentiles in key stats over the last two seasons. On defense, a regression in duels per 90 will draw the most concerns. To add to that, Fernandes is also seeing an increase in fouls committed and cards per 90, further illustrating his lack of drive to defend. When he does engage, he does so recklessly, often resulting in a foul or, worse, a card. However, when Fernandes does tackle, and it's not a foul, it seems successful, ranking amongst the best in the league. Additionally, Fernandes seems to be using his body more to get in front of shots, leading to a huge jump in blocks per 90. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--I0MDEuYm1w.jpg) Fernandes’ defensive percentiles in key stats over the last two seasons. Taking in these fluctuations in offense and defense stats, the consensus still seems to be that Fernandes’ emergence as a hybrid midfielder looks promising. Although his offensive skills are clearly evident, his defensive acumen is still developing and needs some coaching. However, the stats above show that a natural defender could be brewing within the young Portuguese prospect, adding that extra inkling that Fernandes is worth taking an expensive risk on. ## Fernandes vs. Top EPL Midfielders It is fitting that fellow countryman **Bruno Fernandes** tops the list amongst the Top 13 EPL midfielders in Average Player Rating according to [Footystats.org](http://footystats.org/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com). Mateus has [openly expressed](https://www.abola.pt/noticias/mateus-fernandes-a-inspiracao-de-bruno-fernandes-e-a-saida-do-sporting-2026032410060959544?srsltid=AfmBOoolpDCS%5FmNgCZErRmiRzZykxj-jfmPDAkaZgjz5o4GqejgZ8LnI&ref=pitchsidedocket.com) that Bruno has inspired his play and that he wants to “learn from him” to become the next driving force in the midfield for both his team and his country. While he is still quite far from challenging the midfielder who many consider one of the best overall players currently in the EPL, the fact that he is on this list amongst some of the world’s best midfielders is quite a telling statement. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--I0NzkuYm1w-1.jpg) Despite my qualms with what I witnessed regarding his techniques when pursuing the ball, Fernandes’ defensive actions per 90 (tackles per 90 + interceptions per 90) rank only second to **Everton's** **James Garner** amongst midfielders with at least 800 minutes played and an average overall rating higher than 7.0\. And although his place on the chart below will be too far to the left for the liking of many, the potential for him to inch closer and closer to his idol, Bruno, is certainly present. ![](https://www.pitchsidedocket.com/content/images/2026/09/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic--I0NTYuYm1w.jpg) ## Which Clubs Will Come Knocking This Summer? It should come as no surprise to the masses that [**Arsenal**](https://westhamworld.co.uk/arsenal-consider-summer-move-mateus-fernandes/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) and [**Manchester United**](https://strettynews.com/2026/03/14/manchester-united-mateus-fernandes-west-ham-transfer-premier-league/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) are already vying for the Portuguese midfielder. However, playing time should factor into Fernandes’ decision, and it’s hard to imagine him cracking the Starting XI with the names currently ahead of him in the charts above on those rosters. Teams outside of England are also keeping tabs on Fernandes. [**Atlético Madrid**](https://the72.co.uk/2025/07/30/southampton-rebuff-west-ham-interest-mateus-fernandes/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com), [**Real Madrid**](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/west-ham-respond-as-27m-mateus-fernandes-transfer-update-emerges/?ref=pitchsidedocket.com), and [**AC Milan**](https://www.football365.com/news/man-utd-west-ham-mateus-fernandes?ref=pitchsidedocket.com) have all sent scouts to assess Fernandes to see if he is a good fit for them next season. With a contract that runs until 2030 and West Ham already valuing Fernandes at between €65–75 million, the value of this Portuguese is only set to rise further, especially with the potential he most certainly will bring to Portugal for their World Cup run this summer. The Inverted Fig is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.