Fornals' Fantastic Year: From West Ham Cast-off to La Liga Maestro
Pablo Fornals has been reborn at Real Betis, becoming one of La Liga's most influential midfielders and earning his way back into the Spain squad after a four-year absence.
Pablo Fornals has transformed from Premier League benchwarmer to La Liga sensation in what can only be described as a proper career resurrection.
Betis’ Christmas cheer
The Betis squad are currently enjoying some well-deserved Christmas turkey, but they’ll be back at the training ground next week with plenty to smile about. The Seville outfit are sitting pretty in sixth place with 28 points, keeping their Champions League dreams alive and kicking.
They’re also waiting to discover their Copa del Rey round of 16 opponents on January 7th, while their impressive Europa League campaign has already guaranteed knockout football after going unbeaten and racking up 14 points - including that statement victory in Zagreb against Dinamo.
Fornals finding his feet
At the heart of this Betis renaissance has been Pablo Fornals, whose career has gone from strength to strength since leaving West Ham. The Spanish midfielder has been absolutely mustard this season, establishing himself as one of Manuel Pellegrini’s most trusted lieutenants.
The numbers tell the story:
- Third-most minutes in the Betis squad (1,651), behind only defender Natan and striker Cucho Hernández
- Appeared in 26 matches already this campaign
- Netted four crucial goals against Levante, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Getafe
- Contributed four assists to go with those goals
La Liga’s midfield maestro
Fornals isn’t just performing well for Betis standards - he’s among the cream of the crop in La Liga’s engine rooms. No midfielder in Spain’s top flight has more combined goals and assists than Fornals’ eight contributions.
The stats show he’s the complete package:
- Third in La Liga midfielders for progressive passes
- Third for shot-creating actions
- Third for goal-creating actions
- Third for through balls
- Fourth for key passes
Back in the Spain fold
Fornals’ stellar performances haven’t gone unnoticed at the international level either. After more than four years in the international wilderness, the 28-year-old earned a recall to the Spain squad last month, featuring against La Roja at La Cartuja on November 18th.
If he maintains this form, the Castellón-born playmaker could find himself on the plane to the next World Cup - completing what would be a remarkable career turnaround for a player many thought was on his way to the football scrapheap after his West Ham exit.