Premier League star told he should be at World Cup despite club facing relegation

Mateus Fernandes can consider himself unlucky not to play at the World Cup – West Ham would have been sunk ages ago without him.

That is the verdict of European football expert Andy Brassell, who claimed that he represents the very best of what Portugal can be.

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The 21-year-old has been one of the standout Premier League midfielders this season, despite West Ham’s struggles this term.

His five goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions earned him a senior international call-up in March.

Fernandes made his Portugal debut in a 2-0 win over the USA, but over a month later was left out of the final World Cup squad.

Mateus Fernandes left out of Portugal’s World Cup squad

And Brassell exclusively told talkSPORT.com that Fernandes, in particular, can feel extremely hard done by to have been left behind.

“I think Mateus Fernandes would have been a great player to take,” he explained. “I think form is so important as well.

“I know international coaches are naturally a little bit conservative and that they want to stick with what they know.

“He’s not the most experienced, we know that at an international level. But he’s been really good, in a not very good side this season.

“West Ham would have been sunk ages ago without him.”

“He’s inventive, he’s quick, he represents the very best of what Portugal can be,” Brassell continued on Fernandes.

“I suppose your argument is you’ve got Pedro Gonçalves, who does a lot of what he does and scores more goals.

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“So maybe he’s your midfield bang off the bench, and maybe it’s not worth taking both of them.

“I think if you wanted someone to score your goal, it’s Pedro Gonçalves, no doubt about it. He’s technically excellent.

“They’re quite similar in that sense, but I think Mateus Fernandes, especially as he’s played in the Premier League, can give you that little bit of bite in midfield.

“He can play deeper as well. There’s so much variety to him.”

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Mateus Fernandes transfer latest

Fernandes’ week could get even worse if West Ham’s Premier League fate is sealed on the final day of the season this Sunday.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side must beat Leeds at the London Stadium and hope Tottenham lose at home to Everton to avoid the drop.

talkSPORT understands Fernandes, who arrived from Southampton last summer, plans to leave West Ham if they are relegated.

Manchester United are among the clubs that have scouted the £42million star, with Arsenal also credited with an interest.