Player Analysis: Pablo Fornals

West Ham manager David Moyes has developed a habit of slowly introducing new signings into his starting line-up. The Scotsman, well-known for slow-balling recruitment processes at his clubs, tends to take a while to warm to unfamiliar personnel. Pablo Fornals – now a full international – was not an exception to the rule.

Although Fornals arrived at the London Stadium several months before Moyes returned, the Spaniard’s first season in England’s capital was frustrating. He was substituted 17 times, the most of any West Ham player, and made a further 12 appearances from the bench. It was impossible for the then Premier League rookie to find his flow – and it showed in his attacking output. 

Fornals contributed just two goals and five assists in league play during 2019/20. Two years earlier, then 21-years-old, he led La Liga in assists (12), ranked fourth in division for expected assists (12 xA), and placed eighth for goal-creating actions (18) and progressive passes (45). In other words, the boy from Castellon had emerged as a ball-playing tour deforce – a midfielder already capable of being his team’s creative focal point.

However, Moyes was unmoved by Fornals’ record with Villarreal and Malaga, with it taking until the Spaniard’s second season in East London for him to break into his manager’s circle of trust. In 2020/21, Fornals made 31 starts in the Premier League, increasing his playing time by over 400 minutes on the season before. Though his raw numbers improved (he notched five goals and four assists in the top-flight), it was developments in his all-around game that saw his relevancy increase.