Pablo Fornals is more than ready for the remainder of West Ham United’s hectic 2021/22 schedule after enjoying time back in Spain during the mid-season winter break.
The Spaniard has played in all but two of West Ham’s 33 matches in all competitions so far this campaign, missing two Premier League fixtures over the busy festive period.
With just shy of 1,900 minutes of first-team action under his belt already this season, the 25-year-old and his partner took the opportunity to return to their native homeland last week and spend time with family and friends.
The trip also gave Fornals’ relations to spend more time with the newest member of the family, with the playmaker taking new-born son Martin to Spain as well.
“It was a really good break,” Fornals told whufc.com. “I went home to see my family and my family-in-law, showing our new baby our homeland and where we are from. We had a really lovely time.
“It was the second time our families got to see our baby and, with having a week away, if I hadn’t take our child back to Spain I think my mother and my mother-in-law would have killed us!”
With UEFA Europa League football being added to the schedule this season, West Ham United and Fornals have played more games than ever before, and the midfielder was grateful for the opportunity to rest up and reset, even for just a few days.
We’ve played a lot of games since the start of the season, but that’s not a bad thing. We’re a great team, and we are playing in Europe, so we have to play many games.
Pablo Fornals
“With the baby sleeping much better, we were able to catch up with some sleep ourselves. Obviously, I was doing some training every day while we were there, but I also had time to enjoy the sun and spend time with my missus, my family and my friends, so it was a really good time.
“Of course, it’s not quite the same as being in the off-season over the summer but it lets you come up for air a bit after three or four months of playing every three days.
“We’ve played a lot of games since the start of the season, but that’s not a bad thing. We’re a great team, and we are playing in Europe, so we have to play many games. But it was a week that we were free of matches, which allowed everyone the chance to go away and reset a bit, which was really nice for us all.”
Only six other members of the West Ham first-team squad have played more minutes than Fornals so far this season, but the No8 is always ready to play when needed to by manager David Moyes.
The Hammers travel to face National League North side Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday and Fornals knows that the non-league side will be eager to make the most of their opportunity against Premier League opposition.
He continued: “I’m a guy who always wants to play, and who wants to give his everything for the Club. I will be ready for the match if the gaffer needs me.
“I’m expecting a difficult game. When you’re in the FA Cup, teams from the lower divisions have the platform to really show how good they are, so it’s not going to be easy at all. We know Kidderminster will be up for this match, so it will be a big game for us.”
With the winter break firmly behind him, Fornals’ focus is now on what he hopes to be an exceptionally busy three months for the Irons.
The midfielder and his teammates will return to Europa League action next month while also seeking to progress even further in the FA Cup, while maintaining their challenge at the top end of he Premier League.
“I want to enjoy every game, play in as many matches as possible, and compete in every competition,” Fornals added.
“We’re into another three or four months where we have games every three days. We have the Premier League matches, with Watford on Tuesday and then Leicester City. We have the FA Cup, of course, and then the UEFA Europa League matches are coming up as well.
“It will be a very intensive four months and we want to finish up the league table as high as we can, be in the FA Cup as long as we can and keep progressing in the Europa League too. As a player, that’s what I play for.”