The usual string-puller, Manuel Lanzini is out for the foreseeable future with a collar-bone injury so it’s now up to Pablo Fornals to orchestrate West Ham’s attack.
Can the Spanish youth star outshine the Argentine Jewel that is Manuel Lanzini? Well, West Ham are going to need him to! Despite his poor form this season, Lanzini is massively important as a creator and goal-scoring threat that has to be taken into consideration by every opposing manager; replacing him will be crucial to the Hammers’ success this season.
His CV is good, too, coming into this situation (Premier League experience aside). As a 22-year-old in La Liga last season, Fornals played a whopping 50 games and chipped in on the score sheet with five goals and six assists in all competitions. This includes three-and-three in 12 Europa League matches with Villareal.
In the U-21 World Cup Fornals was a breakout star alongside fellow Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos of Arsenal (loanee). Both players were over-agers but able to play due to their nation qualifying with them in the squad within the age limits. His goal record for the U21 team is two in 17 matches, but his real eye-catching play came from his dominance in the midfield and his ability to link the transition play of the eventual champs.
The struggle for Fornals with West Ham has been the physicality of English football and being able to sustainably run with the ball. Part of this is to blame on his manager who has played him at left-mid, right-mid, central-mid and attacking-mid a minimum of two times each. For a player looking for confidence and to grow into a new league stability and routine should be leaned upon, with this haphazardly deployment neither have been provided.
His competition in the #10 position comes from Robert Snodgrass and Jack Wilshere. While both are seasoned in the Premier League, both are past their prime and Fornals is the future of this position in East London. Snodgrass has been on good form so he could get the start against Spurs, but Wilshere has been injured and is still a question mark as far as health is concerned.
Whether or not Fornals can outshine Lanzini in his absence Hammers supporters will get to see their new signing as the new focal point of the team for the foreseeable future. If Fornals can take his chances, run with the ball, be confident in his abilities, and give 100% when he’s on the pitch, his natural ability will make him a star for the Irons.