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Pablo Fornals is ready to play the West Ham way

By Scott Johnson

VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Pablo Fornals of Villarreal CF reacts during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images)
VILLAREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 11: Pablo Fornals of Villarreal CF reacts during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final First Leg match between Villarreal and Valencia at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 11, 2019 in Villareal, Spain. (Photo by Fotopress/Getty Images) /
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West Ham have made two big signings this summer, and one of them is young Spaniard Pablo Fornals. Can he add to the Hammers attacking armoury?

If there’s a player that West Ham fans enjoy having, it’s got to be either a no nonsense defender or a technically gifted mifielder. Pablo Fornals is clearly in the latter category, and could well prove to be one of the best buys of recent seasons. As long as Pellegrini can find the right way to use him, we could see the Spaniard playing with a big smile on his face in East London.

Whilst the youngster hasn’t played in the Premier League before, I have no doubt that his passing and dribbling abilities will help him look right at home. He loves to take players on and his movement off the ball is evident even when his teammates aren’t finding him. So how will he fit in at the club?

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Well I’ve already written an article looking at how he compares to Lanzini, and showed that even compared to the Argentine his creativity is excellent. But in that article I tried to explore more how they would do in competition. What Pellegrini has hinted at so far is how they may work together.

With Wilshere and Rice as the base of the midfield, it is excepting to think of a Fornals, Lanzini and Anderson midfield trio behind Haller. Fornals and Lanzini will occupy more central roles, rotating across and dropping wide to occupy space left by Anderson who will swap wings as he feels. Forget False 9. This will will be False 10. And with his dribbling ability Fornals will be hard to get the ball back off of.

If you haven’t seen Fornals mesmerise the Athletico Bilbao defence in the corner, then head over to youtube and treat yourself. And there was the little flick in the recent match against Fulham to hint at his talent. So with Anderson, Lanzini and Fornals in the midfield with the ball at feet there isn’t a nutmeg match we won’t win. And their ball retention skill will allow us to create more chances for Haller, as well as releasing our pacey full backs to get in on the action. Fornals is key, and he should make you excited.

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Obviously he is still getting used to his new team mates and there will be a lot of pressure on him. But he can cope with it. With Pellegrini at the helm and the signings we’re making I’m very excited to see how the season unfolds, and I’m sure Fornals will be central to our success and the ability to play our way no matter who the opposition is.