'Real Betis could be the Spanish West Ham' - Pablo Fornals compares clubs ahead of UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea
Published 27/05/2025 at 14:48 GMT+1
Pablo Fornals was a part of the West Ham squad that won the UEFA Conference League final back in 2023, and on Wednesday he will have the chance to lift the trophy again. He looks set to be part of the Real Betis side who will take on Premier League giants in Wrocław. The Spanish midfielder compared his current and former clubs ahead of the European final.
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Pablo Fornals believes there are striking similarities between Real Betis and his former club West Ham United ahead of the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday.
Fornals was part of the Hammers squad who defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the 2023 final, and he now looks set to feature in the Betis side who will face Chelsea in Wrocław on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
West Ham's win two years ago ended their 43-year wait for a trophy, while Betis will be hoping to taste European glory for the first time, and Fornals insists there are similarities between the two clubs.
"Yeah [there are similarities], I used to say to my ex-teammates at West Ham that Betis could be the Spanish West Ham," he said.
"Well, it is quite similar for an English guy to understand [how big a club Betis are], anywhere in the world that you are, you have Betis badges, and you have people who support us.
"It is the same. I remember being in Thailand with my wife on our honeymoon and there were lots of West Ham fans over there, anywhere in the world you can find West Ham fans.
"Betis are the same."
Betis are currently managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, who guided the Liga side to the 2021/22 Copa del Rey as well as four consecutive seasons in Europe.
Fornals believes Pellegrini is the most successful manager in Betis' history.
"If I am not wrong, since they have been here at Betis they have qualified for European football in all of the seasons," he said.
"They have won the Copa del Rey, so I do not think it is luck.
"It is massive for this club, I don't think there is any coach in Betis history that has done better than him."
Chelsea are favourites to win the Conference League final after a dominant campaign in the competition.
However, Fornals insisted that Betis have every chance of upsetting their English rivals.
"Of course [Betis can compete with Chelsea], I don't think there can be a favourite in a final because it is just one game," he added.
"I think we did pretty well in La Liga, competing with the best teams in the league for just one game.
"So, I am quite confident about this game."
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