West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes seems to get better with every passing game and he’s left a notable impression upon Premier League pundit Troy Deeney.

While West Ham United’s immediate focus will obviously be on Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Burton Albion, ensuring Premier League survival is the clear priority during what remains of the season.

How does Mateus Fernandes compare to a young Declan Rice? 🇵🇹

What can he still IMPROVE upon?

Fernandes will be crucial to that. The former Southampton midfielder has delighted supporters here in east London with some fine performances of late and he appears to have grown in importance in recent weeks.

Indeed, Fernandes is emerging as West Ham’s most important player, and that really is saying something given how the team are playing right now.

Deeney, in fact, believes he’s so good that he’d have been infuriated if he’d played against him.

Troy Deeney’s view on Mateus Fernandes’ style of play

The former Watford striker selected the midfielder in his Team of the Week following the Premier League action across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

While the Hammers dropped yet more points from winning positions on a damp night in Stratford, Fernandes still impressed during West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Deeney selected him in his team and added that he’d have been annoyed if he either played with or against the Portuguese midfielder.

In his BBC Sport column, Deeney wrote: “He’s one of those players that looks like he would infuriate me, both to play with and against.

“He did all the ratty things really well. He’s got high energy, he’s young, talented and he’s the heartbeat of the team. He gets caught up sometimes in silly moments, trying to buy fouls when he doesn’t really have to. I thought it was his best performance for West Ham this season – a very mature performance.”

It is Deeney’s view that Fernandes is a nuisance off the ball, though he did suggest that a perceived tendency to try and buy fouls would wind him up if he were his teammate.

Serious question – are you taking a peak Mateus Fernandes or a peak Lucas Paqueta in your dream midfield?!

Mateus Fernandes’ fighting spirit proven in key statistic

The 22-year-old is a warrior in the middle of the park, there’s little doubt about that.

While Fernandes also boasts exceptional quality with the ball at his feet, he’s clearly someone who is up for the scrap, too.

Only seven players across the entirety of the Premier League average more tackles per game than Fernandes (2.8).

Fernandes looks a cut above a relegation battle, frankly. If he, along with others, continues to shine, then West Ham fans can genuinely start to dream about staying up this season.