In November GSH posted a piece about Lucas Paquetá's eventual departure and how essentially searching for a new number 10 may have already been solved. Either way it wasn't going to be a problem tht needed to be addressed until after the season. We all thought Paquetá's pledge for one more season, mean the entire season, not just until January. Now in the midst of Paquetá's ongoing saga, West Ham United have come to reaslize their future number 10 seems to be ready to take over. We saw glimpses of it earlier this season, but with wins over Tottenham and Sunderland, Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes has seamlessly stepped into Paquetá's role. In a 3-1 win over Sunderland Fernandes dominated the midfield and lead the attack. In two matches Fernandes has done more to lead this team than Paquetá has all season.
Paquetá has been sidelined for recent fixtures amid speculation about a potential move back to Flamengo, with reports indicating he's been pushing for a transfer. His absence—marked by an "undisclosed injury" per manager Nuno Espírito Santo—has left a creative void in West Ham's attack. The Brazilian's playmaking prowess has been missed, but rather than falter, the team has adapted, with the 21-year-old Fernandes rising to the occasion under Espírito Santo's guidance.
The progression has been evident across the last three games. It began with the FA Cup third-round win against Queens Park Rangers on January 11, where Fernandes started in a more advanced position and provided an assist for one of the goals in a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Against Tottenham Hotspur the following week, he dictated play from the No.10 spot, completing a high number of progressive passes and contributing to both goals in another 2-1 triumph. By the time Sunderland visited the London Stadium, Fernandes appeared fully entrenched in the role, blending vision, energy, and goal threat.
""Mateus has shown great maturity. He's not just filling in; he's making the role his own. With Lucas out, we needed someone to step up, and Mateus has done that brilliantly.""West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo
The Sunderland clash was Fernandes' defining moment so far. Positioned just behind striker Taty Castellanos, he exploited spaces in Sunderland's midfield, constantly probing for openings. His highlight came in the 42nd minute: after a shot from Castellanos was blocked, Fernandes collected the loose ball 30 yards out and unleashed a venomous strike into the top-left corner, leaving goalkeeper Roefs with no chance. It was West Ham's third goal of the first half, following Crysencio Summerville's header from Jarrod Bowen's cross and Bowen's penalty.
Statistics underscore his impact: Fernandes completed four key passes, won three duels in advanced areas, and nearly added a second with a late effort that rattled the crossbar. His performance drew comparisons to Paquetá's best days, with Espírito Santo praising his composure post-match: "Mateus has shown great maturity. He's not just filling in; he's making the role his own. With Lucas out, we needed someone to step up, and Mateus has done that brilliantly."
Fernandes, who joined West Ham from Southampton in the summer of 2025 for around £38 million following the Hammers' relegation battle the previous season, had previously been deployed in deeper midfield roles. This shift to No.10 highlights his versatility and technical quality, honed during his time at Sporting CP's academy.
West Ham fans, weary from a season mired in the lower reaches of the table, have welcomed this development. The team now sits just two points from safety after back-to-back league wins, with Fernandes' emergence providing a spark of optimism. Paquetá's future remains uncertain, but if his departure materializes, Fernandes looks ready to inherit the mantle permanently.
As Espírito Santo's side pushes for survival, one thing is clear: Fernandes is no longer waiting in the wings, he's arrived and it means its time to let Paquetá go.