West Ham United’s Pablo Fornals wants action in Australia

The Spaniard played 79 minutes in Monday’s 4-1 win at Boreham Wood, before the squad jetted Down Under for games against A-League side Perth Glory on Saturday and Tottenham on Tuesday (July 18).

And Fornals, 27, is hoping to play his part as preparations continue for the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.

“It was a good game [at Boreham Wood]. We had a few days of training and then we’re back in a game, which gives us the minutes we need to build on our fitness,” he told whufc.com. 

“It was good to get out there. We all came back with a smile. All the lads are pushing each other because we all want to play.

“It’s going to be a beautiful trip to Australia. It’s a place where most of us haven’t been before and it will be an amazing experience.

“It’s going to be great to enjoy another continent. We want to compete in the games we play and prepare properly for the start of the season.”

Fornals joined the Hammers from Villareal for £24million in 2019, becoming the club’s second most expensive signing at the time.

And the creative playmaker has gone on to make 180 appearances in all competitions, netting 23 times.

“For me it was unreal to join West Ham. I’m heading in to my fifth season here and it means I will have played more professional seasons in England than in Spain, but I’m really happy,” he added.

“Every season is special and I have to try and do my best. What I try to do every single day, in every training session and game, is work hard and push hard, and make even more special moments.”

Last season produced the obvious highlights of his time in claret and blue as Fornals netted the goal in the semi-final second leg at AZ Alkmaar which clinched West Ham’s place in the Europa Conference League final.

And he came off the bench in Prague as Jarrod Bowen snatched an historic last-minute winner against Fiorentina to secure the club’s first piece of silverware in 43 years.

That memorable night was followed by another unforgettable day as Fornals tied the knot soon after. And he is looking to create more lasting memories moving forwards.

“It was a summer I would never have dreamt of,” he said. 

“It was an unreal month and we finished the season really well, with the final which made each of us so happy and proud. My wedding was beautiful as well, so it was a very good month.

“In football it’s really difficult to think backwards. Everything to come is happening in the future. Everyone is happy and proud with what we did last seaso,n but we have to carry on and look forward.

“We want to be as competitive as we can be in all competitions. West Ham is growing and we’ll be playing in Europe for a third season in a row. 

“We have to learn from it and carry on because we want to compete in all four competitions this coming season.”