Only a few months ago, Lucas Paqueta was a Brazilian national team stalwart while former West Ham United teammate Mateus Fernandes was chasing a Portugal pipe dream.
Flash forward to early-April, just two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Paqueta is in danger of being omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad while Fernandes made his long-awaited Portugal debut during the recent international break.
Two careers moving in very different directions.
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What can Summerville do to snatch victory from Fernandes?
Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United celebrates his goal with Crysencio Summerville of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at the London Stadium in Stratford, England, on January 24, 2026.
Joe Cole, a West Ham United hero of another, bygone era, certainly feels that his old employers are in a better place now with Mateus Fernandes taking on the creative midfield duties previously bestowed upon Lucas Paqueta.
Joe Cole raves about West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes
Cole saw Fernandes score his fourth goal for the Hammers during Sunday’s blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final clash with Leeds.
“First of all, Fernandes is a phenomenal player,” Cole told TNT Sport. “For as talented a ball-player as he is, he gives himself to the team. He covers ground, he plays off both feet, and he’s a winner.
Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta during West Ham United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Playing further forward these days, in the sort of advanced role Paqueta held under lock and key before his January move to Flamengo, the 21-year-old is providing the influence and consistency his old mentor seemed incapable of during a difficult final few months in England.
“Paqueta is a wonderful footballer. But sometimes, he was the right player in the wrong place, it felt like,” Cole adds. “Changing him with Fernandes – who is young, vibrant, full of energy – really lifted the team.
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“I want to see Paqueta go and do his thing elsewhere, but it’s been a breath of fresh air having Fernandes in the team.”
How will you remember Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
A graphic showing Lucas Paqueta's all-time statistics for West Ham.
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/MB Media
Fernandes a frontrunner for 2026 Hammer of the Year award
Statistical site Data MB reveal that Fernandes and Paqueta are pretty much neck-and-neck when it comes to ‘key passes’ this season.
The former excels, however, in ‘progressive carries’ and ‘defensive duels’; a far more well-rounded, complete footballer than the Selecao specialist.
Hammers News asked our TalkingPoint readers last week who should replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the club’s Player of the Year. The majority picked Fernandes over Crysencio Summerville in second.
In contrast, Paqueta is already struggling to dispel the Flamengo flop label, though he did score in the Brazilian top-flight for only the second time during Sunday’s morale-boosting 3-1 win over Santos.
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