Pablo Fornals started for West Ham away at Chelsea today, and once again he looked to be well off the pace.
The Spaniard joined the Hammers from Villarreal for £24 million in the summer. He arrived with a big reputation, but he has desperately failed to establish himself at the London Stadium.
Fornals seems to be struggling with the physicality of the English game. He certainly hasn’t been helped by Manuel Pellegrini playing him out wide. But as things stand it seems as though West Ham might have bought a dud.
The Hammers played much better today against Chelsea, and they thoroughly deserved their victory against the Blues.
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The 23-year-old West Ham man was once of the few players who disappointed for the east London outfit, however.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: West Ham United’s Pablo Fornals during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on November 30, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Fornals, who earns £60,000 per week according to Football Insider, did rack up an assist against the Blues, but that should not mask the fact that his all round performance was very poor.
If he is to be a success in the Premier League, he must improve the physical side of his game. And that might be something that proves very difficult indeed.
Some West Ham fans took to Twitter and reacted to Fornals’ poor display…
Fornals just needs to get use to the strength of this league. Too easily knocked off the ball but I think he will come good soon
— Hammer93 (@Hammer_1993_) November 30, 2019
Definitely fornals a yard off the pace
— Stuart Absolon (@STUART_PHOTO) November 30, 2019
To be honest, I’m not sure Fornals is ready for the Premier league. I know it sounds crazy, but it may be worth sending him on loan to a Championship team a la Grady in the next window for some seasoning.
— Steve Eisner (@1westhamfan) November 30, 2019
Fornals , Cresswell , Balbuena OUT
Haller , Masuaku , Cardoso/Reid IN— Whufct (@whufct) November 30, 2019
Bring Masuaku on for Fornals, stick him out on the left and we get something this game 100%, best half I’ve seen in WEEKS.
— Teegr0🚀🇬🇮 (@xTylerJ) November 30, 2019
He’s been so weak on the ball. Needs to get his body in the way and protect the ball more!
— Luke Wheeler (@LukeWheelerr_) November 30, 2019
Key points from that 1st half:
• David Martin has done really well and is 100% our new number 2
• Fornals is absolutely fucking shit
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) November 30, 2019
Why did Fornals not just run then, such a waste. Slowed down the attack for no reason, had open space in front of him.
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) November 30, 2019
Because he has no pace and to be honest isn’t very good
— Lewis Allen (@_Lewis_A) November 30, 2019
Fornals looks like a boy playing men’s football completely out of his depth
— Andy Silvester (@Andysilve1) November 30, 2019
Yeah he’s struggling Fornals is, Arthur will drove forward more
— Calum Starling (@cstarling9) November 30, 2019