This season has started about as poorly as it could have for West Ham United.
As things stand, the East Londoners are stuck in the Premier League relegation zone, and while Nuno Espírito Santo earned a point in his first game, he's overseen three losses since.
However, there is a chance for the Hammers to steady the ship at home to Newcastle United this weekend, in a game that'll see Lucas Paqueta take one of his closest friends in Bruno Guimaraes.
Lucas-Paqueta
West Ham would love a player of his quality in their side, and while that is a pipe dream, they might have the next best thing.
Paqueta & Guimarães' relationship
Speaking ahead of the game, Paqueta did the usual of telling the West Ham website that the team are "all ready for a big battle," but he also went on to explain his relationship with Guimarães.
He revealed that the two of them are "like brothers" and that, thanks to their time on and off the pitch together, they are "best friends."
It's not all that surprising that the pair are so close, as on top of representing Brazil, they also spent time playing for Lyon.
Estavao, Vini Jr, Paqueta, Rodrygo, Guimaraes Brazil
In fact, between the 20/21 and 21/22 seasons, the duo made 42 appearances for the French side, in which they combined for one goal, but maintained a healthy average of 2.00 points per game.
On the international front, the duo have played 24 matches with both of them on the pitch, in which they've combined for two goals.
However, with 13 wins, six draws and five losses in those games, they've only averaged 1.88 points together.
You can only imagine how much better West Ham would be if Bruno were starting just behind Paqueta.
lucas-paqueta-west-ham
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta celebrates his goal against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.
However, while that is a dream, the club might have found their own version of the Toon star who could end up forming a similar relationship with Paqueta.
Paqueta's new Guimarães
While there are some talented midfielders in West Ham's squad, like Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa, it's Mateus Fernandes who could end up being Paqueta's new Guimarães.
Mateus-Fernandes
Now, while he isn't Brazilian, there are a few reasons why he fits the bill, with the first being that, like the Newcastle star, he is more than comfortable playing in central midfield.
Therefore, while he can play in the ten, he'd be just as happy to sit that bit deeper and allow the Hammers' Brazilian maestro to remain as the most attacking midfielder.
However, the most concrete reason why the "exceptional" former Southampton star, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, could become the new Guimarães is that he was one of the most similar players to him last season.
Yes, according to FBref, the Toon ace was the ninth most similar midfielder to the Irons' summer signing in the entire Premier League last season.
Fernandes & Guimarães
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Assists
Crosses into the Penalty Area
Switches
Shots Blocked
Interceptions
Aerial Duels Won
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season
To gain a better understanding of how such a conclusion was reached, it's worth examining some of the underlying numbers that led to the pair ranking so closely.
In this instance, these include specific attacking metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals, shots, shots on target, crosses into the penalty area, switches, and more, all per 90 minutes.
mateus Fernandes
Unsurprisingly, given that they are both central midfielders, they also rank closely for more defensive metrics, such as interceptions, aerial duels won, and shots blocked per 90.
Now, with all that said, it would be foolish to expect the former Saints ace to match the performances of the Newcastle star, but the fact that they are so similar, and he's six years younger, is certainly encouraging.
Ultimately, it may take some time for them to build a proper understanding, but so long as Nuno plays them both, there is every chance Paqueta could develop a similar understanding with Fernandes that he has with Guimarães.