View: West Ham surely regrets selling top rated 1% player as Paqueta sale starts to look likely West Ham United will have Pablo Fornals regret as Lucas Paqueta exit development emerges
With Lucas Paqueta being linked from West Ham United to Manchester City, Pablo Fornals could have been perfect to step up to fill the void if he was held on to.
Rumours suggesting that the treble winners are after the Hammers’ talisman have come as a shock to fans this week (8 April). Santi Aouna of Foot Mecarto has taken to X to share the news that City are set to agree personal terms with the attacker.
Given the importance of the Paqueta under David Moyes this season, it may cause an issue this summer in the transfer market.
The fee paid by Man City is sure to be healthy. This will provide the opportunity to potentially replace the midfielder for the upcoming campaign.
With that being said, did West Ham already have an ideal alternative on their books at the beginning of the season?
Will West Ham United regret selling Pablo Fornals?
Although the Spaniard had some unproductive spells in his time at the London Stadium he was certainly a cult hero. He certainly played a role in the Conference League win, there is no doubt.
In the Premier League this campaign, Paqueta has registered six goals and four assists across 25 starts, according to FotMob.l
Although these aren’t the best numbers, his impact on the pitch is there for all to see without tangible results.
This compares similarly to Fornals who has only managed to score once in his time with Real Betis since moving in January [FotMob].
Although their stats might not compare in the sense of goal involvement, their underlying numbers are similar.
Looking at his Fbref profile, Paqueta attempts 53.42 passes, 6.77 progressive carries and 0.67 interceptions per 90. Comparing this to Fornals, he registered 50.55 passes, 6.57 progressive carries and 1.43 interceptions.
Fornals ranks in the top 1% of all players in Europe’s top five leagues for interceptions and similarly with Paqueta for tackles.
They are similar stats-wise wise and both have a work ethic which makes them useful, especially from a defensive standpoint under David Moyes.
The eye test tells you that they are both hugely different players but when Paqueta departs, the need for reinforcements is going to be huge. The Spaniard could have come in handy in those testing times.
With the Brazilian looking like his days at West Ham are numbered, will the Hammers regret letting Fornals go?
In other West Ham news, another exit-linked Hammers ace is shocked by the treatment he has received.
