It’s perhaps an understatement to say that Pablo Fornals is excited for another European campaign.
Not shy to wear his heart of his sleeve, the Hammers No8 was one of the stars of our journey to the UEFA Europa League semi-final last season.
For Fornals, it was about being able to challenge himself against sides from across Europe - and this season promises to be no different.
“I like playing for a team which commands respect and fear from the big boys,” Fornals said. “We stood up to all the big teams last season, both home and away. I like to be part of a team which, while it’s not a ‘bad boys’ team, nobody would invite us to their party.
“I think we’ve earned our right to be up there with the big teams. European nights [last season] were something special because we played against teams that perhaps had a greater reputation than ours.”
After David Moyes’ men topped Group H – four wins, one draw and a defeat – the knockout stages saw east London captivated by European football.
West Ham defeated Sevilla in the Round of 16 and then Lyon in the quarterfinals, as the performances in those ties saw the London Stadium come into its own. The Hammers faithful generated an atmosphere fitting of the occasion - one Fornals believes got him and his teammates over the line.
“It’s awesome to see how both the team and the fans pull together, as was the case on numerous times last season,” he added. “There were certain moments when we felt unbeatable.”
Now into his fourth season in east London, Fornals has found himself at home – both on the field and off it since he moved to West Ham from Villarreal in 2019. The family ethos, Fornals says, has undoubtedly led to the feel-good factor on the field.
“At the beginning, I was a little afraid but, at the same time, I was excited,” he said on his move to West Ham. “I was afraid of leaving my home, my parents, my grandparents – everything. But I was excited to start playing and test myself in the best league in the world, as it was something that I had been wanting to do for a long time.
“I’m very happy and [everyone at the club] feels like family to me. I think all the supporters know about this feeling and they convey that to us as well – that we are a family – and we always try to do our best for the good of everyone.
“As far as my family and I are concerned, today and no matter what happens in the future, a part of us will always be cockney.
“What we are trying to do is to recreate that team dynamic, that family feel, and head into battle [on the pitch] because that’s what we want and like to do. I’m absolutely convinced that results will improve because the quality we have this year will allow us to compete much better."