Manuel Pellegrini defends Pablo Fornals following Everton display

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West Ham United manager Pablo Fornals has come to the defence of Pablo Fornals after his ineffective showing against Everton at the weekend.

The Spaniard was surprisingly named in the starting XI for the visit to the Toffees, with in-form Andriy Yarmolenko making way.

Fornals took up the Ukrainian’s wide right position, but was easily shackled by Lucas Digne at Goodison Park.

Fornals was replaced by Manuel Lanzini just after the hour-mark and left fans unimpressed with his display, but Pellegrini has urged patience over the attacking midfielder.

The Chilean told the club’s official website: “It is normal for a player that comes from another league to have some months to adapt to the different kind of games, different pace from the Spanish league.

“I am happy with him. As a manager, I am regretting missing the three points against Crystal Palace at home more.”

TBR’s view – Fornals at number 10?

Last term for Villarreal, Fornals mostly operated through the middle and perhaps he will get more joy there for West Ham.

Even though he has played wide before, against Everton he seemed somewhat lost.

The most important thing though is that fans don’t turn on the talented £24 million playmaker (BBC Sport) too quickly.

Potentially he can become a fine player in English football – it’s as Pellegrini says, he needs to adapt and get a feel for a foreign league.