Sunday Fulham Stuff (25/03/18)...

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More to come from George Williams in a St Johnstone shirt


George Williams.

George Williams is starting to show why Tommy Wright brought him to St Johnstone on loan, according to the Perth boss.

And the Fulham man, who was impressive against Hibs a week ago, has even more in his locker for the remaining weeks of the season.

"George had his best game against Hibs and I think there is still plenty more to come from him," said Wright.

"He came to us having not played for a while so it has taken a little bit of time to get up to speed.

"But he's had a few games now and the sharpness is starting to come.

"When you sign players in January you're not getting people who have been up to speed and flying elsewhere so it takes time.

"He did well against Celtic in his first game and I think he took that up a level or two against Hibs.

"He is intelligent, he finds space well, has a good touch and he drives at people.

"The challenge for him coming up here is to put himself in the shop window for next season.

"He is coming out of contract at Fulham, although they have an option to keep him for another year, so it is a big few months for him.

"How he performs over the next run of games will determine what he does in the next couple of years.

"Whether that is go back to Fulham and get his chance there, go somewhere else in England or win a contract here with us."

Wright added: "Scottish football is a good place to build up your profile again and kick-start your career.

"I read Trevor Carson at Motherwell say recently that he's not playing any better than he did in League Two but because of the profile here, more big games, more games on television and the media coverage, he's getting much more publicity.

"Coming here had enhanced his profile so that shows the SPFL gives players a great platform for their careers."

Meanwhile, Wright revealed he has been speaking to chairman Steve Brown about their plans for next season and beyond.

"It is a big few months for everyone here," he said. "We have new contracts to give out to players so they are all in the same boat.

"We also need to look at the direction we are going in.

"I have been having positive conversations with the chairman about what we have done in the past and what we want to do in the future.

"We are sitting down assessing a lot of things and thinking how we can do things differently."



https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/623639/more-to-come-from-george-williams-in-a-st-johnstone-shirt/

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Everton hoping to seal summer move for impressive Fulham man

Fulham could be set to lose one of their star men this summer with the Sun reporting that defender Ryan Fredericks could be a target for Everton at the end of the season.

The impressive fullback has been a more or less ever present for the Cottagers as they have put together a good run of form which has propelled them to within touching distance of the second automatic promotion spot.

Despite a lot of the summer talk centering around Fredericks' teammate Ryan Sessegnon, the form of Fredericks has not gone unnoticed, and Toffees manager Sam Allardyce is reportedly keen to add the defender to his squad during the next transfer window, with the defender set to be out of contract.

Fredericks broke into football at Spurs after spending his youth days with the Londoners, but following a few loan moves, he sealed a permanent switch to Bristol City in 2015. However, his move to Ashton Gate lasted less than a month, and he joined the Cottagers after only four appearances for Lee Johnson's men.



Fulham could be set to lose one of their star men this summer with the Sun reporting that defender Ryan Fredericks could be a target for Everton at the end of the season.

The impressive fullback has been a more or less ever present for the Cottagers as they have put together a good run of form which has propelled them to within touching distance of the second automatic promotion spot.

Despite a lot of the summer talk centering around Fredericks' teammate Ryan Sessegnon, the form of Fredericks has not gone unnoticed, and Toffees manager Sam Allardyce is reportedly keen to add the defender to his squad during the next transfer window, with the defender set to be out of contract.

Fredericks broke into football at Spurs after spending his youth days with the Londoners, but following a few loan moves, he sealed a permanent switch to Bristol City in 2015. However, his move to Ashton Gate lasted less than a month, and he joined the Cottagers after only four appearances for Lee Johnson's men.

If Fulham can win promotion they will be confident of convincing Fredericks to sign a new deal, but the Toffees will also be confident of pinching their man, and will be banking on Fulham staying in the Championship to make any potential switch easier to complete.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/everton-hoping-to-seal-summer-move-for-impressive-fulham-man/

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Potential boost for Fulham as key man could choose to stay at club

There could be a major boost for Fulham come the summer if they win promotion, with the news that key attacking winger Ryan Sessegnon could stay at the club.

According to the Sun, the young winger could be happy to stay with the Cottagers if they win promotion at the end of the season, despite interest from the likes of Manchester United, Spurs, and Manchester City.

Sessegnon has been in electric form for Slavisa Jokanovic's men this season, firing in 14 goals so far and delivering consistent performances which have seen many pundits and fans clamour for him to be included in Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup this summer.

Still a teenager, Sessegnon is regarded as one of the hottest properties in Europe in terms of talent, and a summer move to the one of the so called big boys on the continent would not be a surprise, with Fulham valuing the player at upwards of £30m.

However, a lot will be hingeing on the Cottagers and their finish to the season. They currently sit in third in the Championship but are still some way back from Cardiff City in second.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/potential-boost-for-fulham-as-key-man-could-choose-to-stay-at-club/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Ryan Fredericks could join Everton on a free transfer

Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks could end up joining Everton at the end of this season.

The Championship defender is out of contract at the end of this season and the Toffees are keen on landing him on a free transfer.

Back in January, Fredericks revealed that he is happy at Fulham and that he is looking to stay at the club. However, his contract situation has not been sorted yet and the defender seems destined to leave.

Everton are in need some defensive depth and Fredericks would be a decent addition for them.

Jonjoe Kenny and Seamus Coleman are the only right backs at the club right now. Coleman is a fantastic fullback, but he is 29 years old and Kenny is simply not ready to start every week.

The pacy defender was linked with a move to West Ham earlier this season and it will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually.

Everton need to add some depth to their left back position as well and the Toffees should look to take advantage of Luke Shaw's problems at Old Trafford and bring him to Goodison Park for a knockdown price.



http://sportslens.com/fulhams-ryan-fredericks-could-join-everton-on-a-free-transfer/228308/

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Fulham starlet Sessegnon ready to snub Tottenham and Manchester United

Ryan Sessegnon is prepared to turn down big money offers from the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham to stay at Fulham if they get promoted this season, claims The Sun.

The 17-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting talents in England this season and is already a transfer target for the likes of United and Tottenham.

Both clubs are expected to sign a new left-back in the summer and £30m-rated Sessegnon is being considered by both Premier League sides.

However, Sessegnon is ready to turn down both clubs and hand Fulham with a major boost ahead of the summer, although it hinges on whether the Cottagers can seal promotion this season.

Fulham have barely put a foot wrong since the turn of the year and Slavisa Jokanovic's side are currently third in the Championship and seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

In fact, the west London outfit would be four points clear at the top of the Championship if the league table started on January 1. 

Fulham are undefeated in this calendar year and Sessegnon has played a major part in their success this season. Only three players have scored more goals than Sessegnon (14) in the Championship this season.

The teen has received his first England Under-21 call-up as a result of his fine form and will aim to make his debut for Aidy Boothroyd's side on Tuesday.



https://www.whoscored.com/News/d5qlc7YtM0yV9CcpT0zY-Q/Show/Fulham-starlet-Sessegnon-ready-to-snub-Tottenham-and-Manchester-United

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Mitrovic Still Respects Newcastle Manager Rafa Benitez

It is a sign of Rafa Benitez' man-management when a player he has rarely played at Newcastle still speaks positively about the Newcastle manager.

Since Rafa arrived on Tyneside just over two years ago, he has not played Aleksandar Mitrovic much.

And while at Newcastle the Serbian striker has been frustrated at his situation, but very rarely says anything negative about the manager.

Mitro is now enjoying his loan spell at Fulham, where he's scored a good 7 goals in 8 appearances for the Cottagers.

And he's still saying that it was Rafa's right not to play him for the Newcastle first team – if that's what the manager wanted.

Here's what Mitro has said about Rafa and his current situation at Fulham:

    "I respect Rafa Benitez's decision not to play me and now I feel comfortable playing for Fulham."

    "I'm hoping that it will last. Every gathering and every match – and even friendlies – is a chance for me."

    "It's a new fight for a place in the team and I'm going to try and doing my best. Then the selector decides."

Rafa has always talked well about Mitrovic, and each respects the other.

But Rafa never lets any emotion enter into the football business and which player he will play in any game; he picks what he thinks is the right team to beat the opposition.

And he fails or succeeds with that selection.

Looking at Rafa's stellar career and record in football management he's made more of the right choices of his teams than the wrong ones.

Rafa has over a 50% win rate in managing over 1060 club games as a manager.



http://www.nufcblog.com/2018/03/24/mitrovic-still-respects-newcastle-manager-rafa-benitez/

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International Round-Up

It was a busy Friday evening for Fulham players representing their respective National teams with multiple Whites in action across the Globe.

It was not the return that Alex McLeish would have hoped for as Scotland manager as a first half Marco Urena goal was enough to see Costa Rica pick up a narrow 1-0 victory at Hampden Park.

For the hosts at Hampden, there were international debuts for Scott McKenna, Scott McTominay, Oli McBurnie and Fulham defensive midfielder Kevin McDonald in a new look, experimental Scotland side. McDonald completed the full 90 minutes and Whites skipper Tom Cairney, deployed on the right side of midfield played 58 minutes before being replaced by Callum McGregor.

The Fulham connections were strong in the encounter with Bryan Ruiz captaining Los Ticos and Under-21s manager Peter Grant in the Scotland dugout.

Scotland will look to bounce back on Tuesday night when they face Hungary.

Elsewhere, Bert van Marwijk's debut ended in defeat as Stefan Johansen captained a Norway side that dismantled Australia 4-1 in Oslo.

The hosts, who sit 20 places below the 37th-ranked Socceroos in the FIFA World rankings, dominated from the start and were full value for their win at a cold Ullevaal Stadium.

A hat-trick from Ola Kamara and a header from Tore Reginiussen after an early Jackson Irvine opener for Australia saw Norway cruise to victory. Johansen played the full 90 minutes and picked up a yellow card on the night and will be back in action on Monday night as they take on Albania.

Midfielder Hakim Ziyech scored one goal and set up another to help Morocco beat Serbia 2-1 in a friendly as both nations started their preparations for the World Cup in Russia.

Aleksandar Mitrović played the full match and was unfortunate not to grab a late leveller as he went close in the dying stages.

Mitro will be back in action on Tuesday when they face Nigeria in another warm-up at Barnet's stadium in London.

Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute as Mehmet Topal's volley condemned a new-look Republic of Ireland to a 1-0 defeat in Turkey on a night Martin O'Neill used to experiment with his squad.

Young White Ben Davis did not feature for Singapore as they ran out 3-2 winners against The Maldives in an all-island clash at The New Singapore National Stadium.

To round things off for Fulham representation, at youth level Marek Rodák played the full match as Slovakia Under-21s beat Albania 3-2.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/march/24/international-recap

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham must do everything they can to re-sign this Chelsea superstar in the summer

Why Fulham must do everything they can to re-sign this Chelsea superstar in the summer

Chelsea's system of loaning has often come under the scanner in the past years but one of their most promising prospects appears to be Lucas Piazon, who is currently serving a loan spell with Championship outfit Fulham. His performances have truly helped elevate the club's overall results but with this season coming to an end, it remains to be seen if Slavisa Jokanovic succeeds in getting him to spend another season at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are one of the hopefuls for securing a promotion to the top-flight but as per a report from Evening Standard, the player is uncertain about his future. To be fair, it is high time Antonio Conte uses him in the Chelsea squad.

Piazon is an excellent midfielder with a flair for playing attacking football and he is incredibly creative when it comes to orchestrating opportunities as well. In fact, he has all the qualities Chelsea need right now and yet, the club seems to prefer sending him out on loans.

Why Fulham must do everything they can to re-sign this Chelsea superstar in the summer

Chelsea's system of loaning has often come under the scanner in the past years but one of their most promising prospects appears to be Lucas Piazon, who is currently serving a loan spell with Championship outfit Fulham. His performances have truly helped elevate the club's overall results but with this season coming to an end, it remains to be seen if Slavisa Jokanovic succeeds in getting him to spend another season at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are one of the hopefuls for securing a promotion to the top-flight but as per a report from Evening Standard, the player is uncertain about his future. To be fair, it is high time Antonio Conte uses him in the Chelsea squad.

Piazon is an excellent midfielder with a flair for playing attacking football and he is incredibly creative when it comes to orchestrating opportunities as well. In fact, he has all the qualities Chelsea need right now and yet, the club seems to prefer sending him out on loans.

https://soccersouls.com/2018/03/25/why-fulham-must-do-everything-they-can-to-re-sign-this-chelsea-superstar-in-the-summer/