West Ham midfielder Fornals sends Instagram message to Leeds star Hernandez

By Will Butcher

Pablo Fornals impressed for West Ham United against Leeds United on Friday night and has since sent a touching message to Leeds veteran Pablo Hernandez on Instagram – and the former Valencia man has since responded.

Fornals, 24, is finally showing the form expected of him at West Ham – having a hand in four Premier League goals during his 12 outings this season. Able to play out wide, or in the middle of the park, Fornals has become a regular under David Moyes.

Hernandez, meanwhile, has been out with an injury and only returned to the Leeds squad for the first time since angrily reacting to being substituted against Leicester City. He could be in line to feature against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

West Ham’s £24million (BBC) signing Fornals described Hernandez as a “childhood icon” in a touching Instagram message, posting a picture in the tunnel after the Hammers earned a 2-1 win over Marcelo Bielsa’s side at Elland Road.

Fornals and Hernandez – though 11 years apart – do have something in common, both originating from Spanish city Castellon and came through the ranks at Castellon – who currently play in the second tier of Spanish football.

Hernandez responded to the West Ham star’s post. He stated it was nice to have met the ex-Villarreal man and spoke of how both players originated from Castellon – with his post translated as: “A pleasure to meet again. Castellon in the Premier League.”