West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes is in line for the ultimate reward on an imminent basis during the international break.
Indeed, Fernandes has been an excellent signing for West Ham United, and the midfielder has enhanced an already good reputation during his time here in east London.
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Malick Diouf playing for West Ham against Newcastle United. Mateus Fernandes playing for West Ham against Tottenham.
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This season, Fernandes has scored four goals while registering four assists in 34 games, but those metrics alone really do not tell the whole story.
The former Southampton midfielder has dominated Premier League games at times and it now seems as if he will be handed his Portugal debut.
Fernandes set to make Portugal debut
Fernandes is highly rated by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, but was overlooked for their draw with Mexico last weekend despite the fact that the ex-Everton boss made nine changes during the game.
However, it now seems as if the 21-year-old will get a chance to try and press his case for inclusion in Portugal’s World Cup squad.
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Only debate is Dinos or Todibo….
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According to leading Portuguese outlet A Bola, Fernandes is set to make his debut for his country when they play the United States at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the American state of Georgia.
It’s added that “only bad luck” could prevent Fernandes from becoming an international footballer relatively soon.
Mateus Fernandes during Fulham v West Ham United - Premier League
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It’s not yet clear whether Fernandes will start the game but this is clearly not ideal for West Ham.
Though it’s brilliant to see a key player rewarded, Portugal’s friendly does not take place until the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time, which does not give him a lot of time before the Hammers play an FA Cup quarter-final against Leeds on Sunday.
Perhaps Nuno will rest the midfielder for that game anyway, but that amount of travel just before the final few games of a huge campaign for the club is hardly ideal.
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