Formed by Hammers supporters Jack Elderton and Callum Goodall to offer their fellow fans in-depth but accessible analysis of their team and its players, Analytics United provide content for the Club’s official website, app, Official Programme and social media channels.
Today, Analytics United use performance analysis and data to examine the contribution Mateus Fernandes could make to West Ham United…
West Ham United have announced the signing of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton. The 21-year-old midfielder joins after impressing for the Saints last season.
Fernandes consistently stood out as a diamond in the rough after signing from Sporting CP last summer. That came after a season-long loan with Estoril where Fernandes cut his teeth in senior football, often featuring in central midfield alongside Santos loanee Zanocelo and showing off his ability as a ball-winner and progressive carrier.
These qualities carried into his time in the Premier League where he was used across the midfield, out wide and even up front as Southampton desperately searched for solutions last season. Despite the positional switches, one thing that consistently stood out was Fernandes’ ball-carrying as he ranked in the top 11% for successful take-ons amongst midfielders and in the top 13% for carries into the final third. Comparing his 2.17 carries into the final third per 90 with West Ham’s top producers in this area last season, Fernandes outranks central midfielders like James Ward-Prowse (1.39) and Lucas Paquetá (1.29) and even bests squad-leader Mohammed Kudus (2.05).
One of the concerns heading into this season was the loss of the Ghanaian’s carrying qualities and West Ham risked becoming a bit predictable regarding access routes to the final third without him. In Fernandes, West Ham have not only recruited someone who can contribute some of what Kudus did but have added someone that can bring those qualities in more central areas in combination with significant off-ball activity that will help the team be just as dynamic out of possession.