“West Ham EXPLODES with Joy! Fernandes SHOCKS Everyone with Bold Rice Claim After Red Card Drama, While Paqueta’s STUNNING Header Steals the Show!”
West Ham’s excitement grows as Mateus Fernandes delivers a display suggesting the club has finally found their long-awaited Declan Rice successor.
Lucas Paquetá is on his way back to London after completing his Brazil duties without any issues, offering West Ham a timely boost ahead of their biggest game of the season so far against Tottenham.
West Ham’s 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest before the international break was far more than just their first win of the season.
It was a performance that gave supporters real belief again after nearly two years of frustration.
From defensive solidity to Paquetá’s inspired display and Crysencio Summerville’s return, there were countless positives.
Adding to the excitement was the debut of Mateus Fernandes, the £42m summer signing from Southampton, who immediately justified Graham Potter’s long pursuit.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder has already drawn comparisons with Declan Rice. Fans were quick to highlight his all-action style, drive, and attacking qualities, which some suggest even surpass Rice’s.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez urged Fernandes to move to the Premier League to prepare for next summer’s World Cup, and it is already clear why.
West Ham supporters are convinced he is the player the club should have signed when Rice left for Arsenal in a £105m deal two years ago.
Instead, much of that money was squandered on short-term, ineffective additions, leaving the midfield stagnant.
That picture has changed dramatically. Fernandes looks like the long-awaited heir to Rice, combining physical power, speed, and technical skill.
Footage from his dominant display in Portugal Under-21s’ 2-0 win over Scotland – where he was everywhere on the pitch, breaking up play, driving forward, and even taking on multiple opponents – has only fuelled fan excitement.
Although he was later sent off for overzealous tackling, the suspension only applies internationally, so he is clear to face Spurs.
Alongside Fernandes, West Ham can count on Paquetá, who has returned in fine form. The Brazilian midfielder scored in his nation’s 3-0 win over Chile on his comeback from the spot-fixing case ordeal.
Despite Brazil’s subsequent defeat in Bolivia, new manager Carlo Ancelotti showed faith in Paquetá by keeping him on the pitch for the full match.
His fitness and confidence will be vital for Potter, who needs to prove the Forest result was no one-off.
The only concern for West Ham is striker Niclas Füllkrug, who picked up a calf injury on Germany duty without featuring for Julian Nagelsmann’s side, making him doubtful for Saturday.
Even so, the clean bill of health for key players like Paquetá and Fernandes has lifted spirits.
With Tottenham next at the London Stadium, excitement is building.
After years of searching for Rice’s replacement, West Ham might finally have found him in Fernandes – and with Paquetá in top form, Spurs have reason to be wary.
