Mateus Fernandes has been a rare shining light in what can only be described as a calamitous season for West Ham.
Eyebrows were raised when the Hammers paid Southampton over £40m for the Portuguese 21-year-old last summer, with the midfielder having just been relegated with the Saints.
But Fernandes has more than justified that price tag as the season has progressed, despite West Ham’s continuous struggle for form and results.
The midfielder has registered four goals and three assists in 33 appearances in all competitions, as well as provided a consistent, steely and classy presence in midfield with his physicality, passing range and dogged determination.
His performances this season have earned him a call-up to Portugal’s first-team squad for the first time and have already seen him being linked with a move away from London Stadium, even if the Hammers succeed in their fight to avoid relegation.
Before then, West Ham have five games to save their season, starting with the visit of David Moyes’ Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Fernandes reveals West Ham’s mission
The Hammers played out a goalless draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night, which gives them a two-point advantage over 18th-placed Tottenham, and Fernandes has told the club’s official website that while he and his teammates are a little disappointed not to have taken all three points from Selhurst Park, they’re relatively pleased with a point against a good Palace side.
He said: “We always go into games looking to get the win, but it’s a point and every point matters.
“We knew they were in good form and had some good results, but I think we started well in the first half. We created some chances and in these kinds of games you need to make them count, but I think their goalkeeper, Henderson, had a very good game.”
And Fernandes went on to reveal the mission given to the West Ham squad by manager Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of the final five games of the season, which sees the Hammers face Everton, Brentford, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leeds.
“Every team in the Premier League has quality players and every game is tough,” Fernandes added.
“I think we showed fight, quality and spirit to get a point, but we always want to do more because we know this club belongs in the Premier League, and it’s our mission to make sure we stay here.
“The gaffer has told us this is our job and our mission, now we have to recover and get ready for the next game.”
“The gaffer has told us this is our job and our mission, and now we have to recover and get ready for the next game. We can only focus on what we can control, and we have to be fully prepared because we know anything can happen.”
West Ham host Everton on Saturday, needing three points to ensure they end a third consecutive gameweek outside of the bottom three, leaving arch-rivals Spurs in a chasing position at such a tense period in the season.
However, Everton also need three points to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive. The Toffees succumbed to a late 2-1 defeat to rivals Liverpool last time out, but a win at London Stadium on Saturday could see them climb from 10th to 7th if other results go their way.
