Pablo Fornals believes West Ham United’s strength in depth will improve every player this year, and that competition for places is higher than it has ever been in his time in east London.
The No8 replaced Maxwel Cornet in the first half of our 2-0 win over visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on Saturday.
First Premier League goals of the season from Gianluca Scamacca and Jarrod Bowen secured the Hammers a third consecutive home win over Wolves, with David Moyes’ outfit keeping their second clean sheet of the league season.
Fornals says the quality of the squad means that competition for places will help the Hammers battle in both Europe and the Premier League this season.
“This is not Pablo Fornals’ team; this is West Ham United,” Fornals explained, selflessly. “Pablo is just one player on this team. It's about competition, and I think competition is going to improve everyone.
“We made some really good signings in the summer. They have given different points and different styles to the team. And people who have been here for more time have to show everyone they deserve to start now. So obviously, we are always in a positive mood because we are a team, and we 100% agree that this is going to help us.
“Whether people start or don’t, have more minutes in the league or in the Europa Conference League, this is competition. Everyone in the team is going to improve [because of that.]”
Such competition has been aided by a strong summer window from West Ham United that saw eight new arrivals move to east London.
The hard-working Spain midfielder sees this as a huge positive. “As a player,” he stated, “I always want to play with the best.”
“It’s difficult in this league to get a European spot and we did it again [last year],” Fornals explained. “I am pleased for the team because the players want to come, the big players want to come to West Ham. I think this is very good for West Ham, the crowd, and the Club. Players from big teams, they wanted to come here.”
Fornals was particularly happy for Scamacca, who netted his first Premier League goal for the Hammers on his first league start at London Stadium.
The Italy striker did it in some style too – a neat touch, and then a powerful strike set the tone for victory in east London.
“The strikers we say make their living from the goals they score,” he added. “His confidence after tonight is going to be even better. But I think Gianluca has a strong personality. He doesn't need to score a goal [to be confident]. Before the goal, he was really good for us too.”
The Hammers will now travel to face Belgian side Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday 6 October, before our next Premier League match against Fulham at London Stadium three days later.
And Fornals wants the Hammers to build momentum from the Wolves' victory.
“Hopefully, this is the thing we needed to come back [from our start], he remarked. “It’s what I said: we needed this win, as we did, in front of our crowd. This win is going to help us.”
