Credit: Getty Images

James Barker

Tue 24 March 2026 14:40, UK

Pablo Fornals has been shining for Real Betis this season, and the former West Ham United star would be in Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting lineup right now.

Having joined West Ham all the way back in the summer of 2019 from Villarreal, Fornals proved to be a fine servant for the Hammers during his four-and-a-half-year stay.

A versatile and attack-minded midfielder, he won numerous caps for Spain during his time with the Irons, and evolved into a key player during David Moyes’ tenure as manager.

Fornals was a key part of the West Ham side that lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy in 2022-23, playing 14 times in the competition that year, scoring three times and providing one assist.

However, after playing 23 matches in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign, Fornals was allowed to return back to his homeland, joining LaLiga outfit Real Betis in February 2024.

How has Pablo Fornals been doing at Real Betis this season?

Fornals’ West Ham exit was an emotional one, as he’d become a hugely popular player among the Hammers faithful, and was a cornerstone piece in Moyes’ team.

As such, he was sent on his way with nothing but admiration and well wishes from everyone connected with West Ham, and he’s been loving life back in Spain ever since.

Now 30-years old, Fornals has played 29 times for Real Betis in LaLiga so far this season, and has started 26 of those, as he’s been a key part of Manuel Pellegrini’s team since his move.

As per Sofascore, he’s taking an average of 62.7 touches per game this term, has an 84 per cent passing accuracy in the opposition half and has a long ball accuracy of 68 per cent.

However, he’s also been an important contributor in defence too, averaging 4.1 balls recovered, 1.1 tackles won and 1.0 interceptions per game, whilst also making zero errors leading to opposition shots or goals.

Splitting his time between both central and attacking midfield roles, he’s been a crucial part of Betis’ engine room, and is a big reason why his team are currently sitting fifth and have a huge chance of winning European football qualification.

Therefore, there’s surely no doubt that if he was still a West Ham player right now, Fornals would be in Nuno’s starting lineup for the relegation run-in.

West Ham fans could be seeing Fornals at the World Cup

West Ham fans always knew how talented a player Fornals was/is, but with only seven caps for his national team Spain under his belt, he’s perhaps not had quite the career with them that he would’ve hoped.

However, he now looks set to help his team compete for a World Cup win this summer, as Fornals has been called up by Spain for March international friendlies.

Spain play Serbia on Friday before taking on Egypt on Tuesday 31 March respectively, and so he’s clearly in Luis de la Fuente’s thinking ahead of the World Cup.

Should Fornals keep starring for Betis between now and the end of the season, then West Ham fans can expect to see him show his class on the world stage in a few months’ time.