West Ham’s Regret: Pablo Fornals’ Stellar Form Rivals Lamine Yamal
West Ham United’s struggles in the Premier League have been compounded by the departure of attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals, who was sold to Real Betis in January 2024 for £6.8m. Fornals’ impressive form for the LaLiga outfit has left many questioning the Hammers’ decision.
Fornals spent four-and-a-half years at West Ham, playing a crucial role in their Europa Conference League triumph in 2022/23. His departure has been felt, with the team struggling to score goals, managing just 13 league goals this season.
In contrast, Fornals has thrived at Real Betis, matching the impressive statistics of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, one of Europe’s top young talents.
Fornals vs. Yamal in LaLiga (2024/25)
Statistics | Fornals | Yamal |
---|---|---|
Games played | 13 | 12 |
Minutes played | 952 | 975 |
Goals per shot-on-target | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Pass accuracy | 77% | 77% |
Shot-creating actions per 90 | 5 | 5.7 |
Passes into opposition’s box | 27 | 30 |
Progressive passes per 90 | 7.4 | 5.5 |
Crosses per 90 | 4.3 | 2.3 |
Fornals’ impressive displays have earned him praise, with journalist Karl Matchett labeling him “unbelievable.” West Ham’s decision to sell him has been questioned, especially given their current struggles.
What Could Have Been
Had Fornals remained at West Ham, he might have helped alleviate the team’s attacking woes. His creativity and vision could have complemented manager Julen Lopetegui’s tactics.
Instead, West Ham’s loss has been Real Betis’ gain. Fornals’ departure serves as a reminder of the importance of retaining key players.
Conclusion
Pablo Fornals’ stellar form at Real Betis has left West Ham United wondering what could have been. His departure highlights the importance of careful decision-making in the transfer market.
References:
- FootballFanCast
- Valnet Publishing Group
- FBref
Related Articles:
- “West Ham United’s Transfer Mistakes: A Post-Mortem”
- “Pablo Fornals: The Unsung Hero of West Ham’s Europa Conference League Triumph”
- “Lamine Yamal: The Rise of Barcelona’s Young Star”