Why Mateus Fernandes should stay at Southampton FC – There are 5 obvious reasons
Mateus Fernandes won over Southampton supporters’ hearts more than any other player did the previous season.
During a disastrous campaign, he won over the Saints’ supporters with the calibre of his performance and his
unrelenting running.
Rumours of interested teams have been circulating since the summer transfer season started. The talented
Portuguese midfielder has been linked to Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace.
It is hardly shocking given the 20-year-old’s performance from the previous campaign in relation to other attacking
midfielders. Fernandes has exceptional tackle strength and is an excellent ball passer.
Fernandes has been away on international duty with the Portugal under-21 team, where the Netherlands eliminated
his nation in the quarterfinals.
There are five compelling arguments for the Saints to try to hold onto Fernandes despite his clear potential.
Fernandes could have a very successful season in the Championship
Fernandes could do well in the Championship after his stellar performance in the top division of English football.
He should be well-suited to the challenges of a league where power and endurance are just as crucial as technical
skill because of his variety of passes, driving runs, and intense approach.
Fernandes’ progress might be severely hampered by a transfer to a Premier League team that is having trouble. He
obviously has to increase his output by adding goals and assists. This was difficult for a Southampton side that spent
the majority of the previous season playing defence.
Playing in a lower division for a team expected to be among the front-runners should present Fernandes with more
opportunities to get on the scoresheet.
Still has a great track record of nurturing new players. In recent years, Still has been trusted with the services of
Uzbeki defender Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester City, Juma Bah of Manchester City, Kevin Danso of Tottenham
Hotspur, and Valentin Atangana, a highly regarded defensive midfielder from Stade de Reims.
Fernandes’ chance to continue growing under Still at St. Mary’s should guarantee that he advances quickly and joins
a successful squad. If Southampton is promoted, this would be fantastic news for both the player and the team.
| Mateus Fernandes’ player ratings by position – 2024/25 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Apps | Goals | Assists | Rating |
| AMC (Attacking Midfielder Centre) | 18 | 1 | 2 | 7.02 |
| MC (Midfielder Centre) | 12 | 2 | 3 | 6.55 |
| ML (Midfielder Left) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 7.07 |
| Sub (Substitute) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6.35 |
| FW (Forward Centre) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.19 |
| MR (Midfielder Right) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5.63 |
| Statistics as per whoscored.com | ||||
Fernandes’ salary is well within budget
According to capology.com and their projections, Fernandes has four years left on his contract and makes only
£20,000 per week, therefore there is no financial need to sell him.
It’s reasonable to argue that St. Mary’s salary bill is excessive at the moment. Fernandes isn’t one among the club’s
top earners, though. Right now, the focus should be on getting people like Joe Aribo and Jan Bednarek off the books.
Although a bid of up to £30 million is conceivable, it might be more costly to replace Fernandes.
It is likely that Fernandes’ value will climb
Fernandes’ value and reputation will only increase with a successful Championship season. As Leeds, Forest, and
Palace wait in the wings, the local press is already reporting numbers above £30 million.
Fans must first observe how Still positions his team. In fact, the Portuguese star might be competing for a spot in the
number 10 spot against Tyler Dibling, a mercurial teenager.
Southampton may be well-positioned for a second go at the Premier League in 2026–2027 if they have the depth to
carry both players through this season.
Fernandes is loved by the fans
According to the Daily Echo, Fernandes has a strong bond with his supporters and was an immediate hit with them.
He said, “The [Southampton] fans are very important to me,” in an interview with the local newspaper.
Selling a fan’s favourite rarely boosts season ticket sales, and keeping Fernandes makes a big impression on waning
fans who are debating whether or not to renew.
Read more news on https://www.sportupdates.co.uk/
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