West Ham star Pablo Fornals receives Spain call-up after COVID-19 case
West Ham star Pablo Fornals has received a shock international call-up by Spain after their squad was forced into quarantine following a positive COVID-19 case.
Fornals, 25, has not played for his national side since 2018, when he was still playing for La Liga side Villarreal.
He moved to east London in 2019 and has not played for La Roja since.
However he is in line to make just his third senior appearance after Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
That has forced Spain’s squad to go into isolation, and as a result they have called up four new players.
They detailed on their official Twitter profile that Fornals, Rodrigo Moreno, Carlos Soler and Brais Mendez would begin training on Tuesday, June 7, and the explanation on their official website said “its definitive incorporation to the Euro 2020 list will be evaluated based on the results obtained in the coming days.”
Fully deserved
Getting into the Spanish national squad is no mean feat given their array of talents and Fornals has had to work exceptionally hard for this opportunity.
He may not have taken much of the limelight this past season, owing to the magnificent form of Jesse Lingard, Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice, among others, but he certainly played an integral role in our qualification for the Europa League.
He came as a silky Spanish talent known for his dribbling and creative eye, but what we’ve been most impressed with is his work ethic and desire to put a shift in for the side.
Some attacking players or wingers can shirk their defensive responsibilities but not Fornals, who has shown he can do the hard yards as well as contribute further forwards.
That’s why he featured in 33 Premier League games last season, and he showed on the last day of the season against Southampton exactly what he needs to do in order to take his game to the next level.
He scored twice in our 3-0 win at the London Stadium, but he had only scored three prior to that clash, so there is room for improvement.
We’ll be delighted to see another Irons star at EURO 2020 if he does get the nod.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUemployee delivers transfer update on 22y/o international Irons supporters will love.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.