So, this is what Graham Potter meant when he welcomed Mateus Fernandes to the London Stadium before West Ham United’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
Fernandes adds a ‘different dimension’ to West Ham’s midfield, according to the man who helped lure the former Southampton ace to the capital.
That ‘different dimension’ was certainly in evidence on the banks of the Trent.
At the fourth time of asking, West Ham United won a game in the 2025/26 campaign. And what a way to end the wait.
A ‘world-class’ Jarrod Bowen broke Nottingham Forest’s resistance with a stunning first-time strike in the 84th minute. Yet, even at that point, few would have imagined what would come next.
Lucas Paqueta doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the blinking of an eye before supersubs Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson dazzled in a pair of scintillating cameos, the former setting up the first and the latter heading home the third.
Mateus Fernandes, however, was arguably the best player on the City Ground pitch, even on an afternoon with plenty of rival candidates.
West Ham United fans applaud Mateus Fernandes after Nottingham Forest win
It took only a few moments for the Portugal Under-21 international to show the visiting support what he is all about.
To paraphrase the great Tony Cottee, West Ham were crying out for some dynamism and speed in the centre of the park. Hence, the decision to make a certain Iberian sensation their most expensive signing of the summer.
Mateus Fernandes used the word ‘intensity’ when asked to describe his style of play in one word on Friday. This was a performance brimming with exactly that. A rapid-fire one-two with Lucas Paqueta early on was a sign of things to come, Fernandes driving through the thirds with a pace that Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez could only dream of.
Potter predicted in his pre-match press conference that the West Ham fans ‘will really like’ their new number 18. The manager wasn’t wrong about that, either.
“Yeah, £60 million would have been a fair fee,” one delighted supporter wrote on X, referring the initial price-tag Southampton reportedly slapped on the Algarve-born 21-year-old. “West Ham have robbed Southampton! Great debut from Fernandes. Can’t wait to see him progress further!
“An impressive performance all-round. We looked far more solid with a back four. Fernandes showed why he just might be worth £40 million,” another beams.
“Suddenly things look so much better now, right? A clean sheet for [Mads] Hermansen and our defence, a change of formation from Potter which worked wonders, Summerville and Wilson fantastic off the bench, and a very impressive debut from Fernandes
“Massive. Fernandes a revelation. And Summerville the sub we didn’t know we needed [or that he was even available]! Season starts today?”
“Fernandes, unreal debut.”
“Give Southampton another £20m for Fernandes.”
Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa could transform Graham Potter’s midfield
With Soucek and Ward-Prowse playing deeper, Fernandes slotted in on the left of an attacking trio alongside Bowen and Paqueta.
Following three successive defeats in a 3-4-2-1, a change in formation certainly had the desired effect, with Fernandes, Wilson and Summerville providing plenty of hope for a brighter future.
To think, Soungoutou Magassa is still to come.
“Fernandes is the answer in our midfield,” another fan writes.
“Upgraded our midfield tenfold.”
“There’s a player there, for sure. He will only get better. Definitely changes the dynamic of our midfield.”
“[Fernandes] brought energy and determination, along with good vision. Great addition on this showing.”
“Exactly what we needed. Wish it was done three, four weeks ago. Can’t wait to see the signing from Monaco.”
