Despite the Hammers languishing 18th in the Premier League, just a point shy of Tottenham, Fernandes has impressed under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who replaced Graham Potter in September.
Fernandes featured for only three minutes under Potter but has since racked up 2,506 minutes across 30 league games, contributing three goals and three assists.
The 21-year-old, who arrived at West Ham last August from Southampton for over 40 million pounds after initially joining the Saints from Sporting in 2024, praised Nuno’s impact on his development, insisting that the club should not be embroiled in a relegation fight.
West Ham’s turnaround has coincided with the arrival of assistant coach Paco Jémez, with the team suffering just three defeats under his guidance.
Fernandes’ consistent performances have not gone unnoticed at the international level – Roberto Martínez selected him for Portugal’s March internationals, signalling the start of what could be a pivotal chapter in the young midfielder’s career.
“Last year I had to find positive things. The daily work, the things we do off the field, the disconnection when we lose so we’re not always in a negative ‘vibe’. It was very important for me to consolidate myself at West Ham this year,” Fernandes explained.
“The arrival of manager Nuno also brought me a lot of stability. He trusts me a lot and when you feel the manager’s confidence, things happen naturally.
“I also know the size of the club, which is fighting for the top spots in the Premier League table. We’re not happy, but we have to turn things around.”
