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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (11/07/18)...

Started by WhiteJC, July 11, 2018, 07:15:09 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Jean Seri to Fulham done deal claims refuted/player 'favours other clubs'

As per a report from RMC Sport journalist Loic Tanzi, Jean Michael Seri has not agreed to join Fulham, contrary to previous claims.

African talent

Seri, an 18-time capped Ivory Coast international, was one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 during the 2016/17 season, as Les Aiglons secured a shock place in the playoff round of the Champions League.

Controlling proceedings from the middle of midfield for the entirety of his side's stellar campaign, the diminutive 26-year-old playmaker racked up 7 goals and 9 assists, catching the eye of some of Europe's biggest sides in the process.

Suitors

All of Barcelona, Tottenham, AS Roma and PSG were subsequently linked with moves for Seri last summer, with the Blaugrana having even reached a deal with Nice, before pulling the plug on the transfer at the last minute.

Seri has since spoken out on several occasions regarding his immense disappointment at his dream move to the Camp Nou falling through in such agonizing fashion, with Barca having instead opted to bring in Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande last summer, and Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January.

Despite having struggled to make quite as impressive an impact this past season as he did last, Seri's signature is nevertheless once again being fought for by several European giants, with all of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Napoli named as admirers of the Nice star's talents.

Blues' move

A report courtesy of RTL journalist Christian Ollivier last month even went as far as to claim that Chelsea were in 'advanced talks' with Seri over a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with Blues' owner Roman Abramovich having personally chosen the African midfielder as an ideal signing:

Imminent?

Though it was initially thought that Ollivier's claim was wide of the mark, with the likes of Napoli and West Ham having since been touted as more likely landing spots, a number of updates yesterday evening insisted that Chelsea remained the clear favourites to land Seri.

After Yahoo Sports backed the story that the African midfielder is in 'advanced talks' with the Blues, Euro United subsequently went a step further, by claiming that Seri had in fact already signed a pre-contract agreement with the capital giants.

Craven Cottage bound?

As such, it was widely viewed as a mere formality that Seri would make the move to Stamford Bridge over the coming days or weeks.

However, in a shock twist this afternoon, highly-reliable Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio posted a bolt from the blue on Twitter, revealing that Fulham had not only taken the lead in the race for Seri, but the Cottagers had in fact secured a deal for the Nice star:

But, in what is quickly becoming one of the sagas of the summer, Loic Tanzi of RMC Sport has since claimed that, though the clubs are in negotiations, no agreement has been reached, with Seri favouring other destinations:



https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/seri-fulham-refuted/

WhiteJC

 
Away Days: Part Three

Fulham fans Jack Collins and Ian McCulloch look ahead to a quartet of mouth-watering away days, at Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal.


Jack Collins: Chelsea v Fulham (Stamford Bridge) – Saturday 1st December

Home of the auld enemy, Stamford Bridge is one of the away days you know the most about, considering the pubs and bars you'll be drinking in are probably the same as the ones you would for a game at the Cottage. Always nice to remind any Chelsea friends you might have that the ground was originally built for Fulham, but we didn't want to lose our Cottage home. Second best then, second best now. Fulham haven't had the best time up the road in recent years, with the last time we won at the old dog track way back in 1979 in a Division Two game, but word on the street is that it's a brilliant place to be an away fan if you can come away with all three points. The old Shed End, once one of the most feared terraces in football, houses away fans in the south-east corner, which is a strange paradox in itself, but views are decent from pretty much whatever part of the stand you're housed in. Whisper it quietly, but the rebuilt Bridge is a decent ground - concourses are spacious and considering it's in walking distance and the wait for a win there has been so long, there's the potential for a plucky underdog to come up trumps.


Ian McCulloch: Manchester United v Fulham (Old Trafford) – Saturday 8th December

It might be full of tourists, you might have to fight your way up from the south with the bulk of their fans, you might have to put up with the overwhelming superiority complex that the whole place exudes, but at the end of the day, this is one of the greatest stadia in the world belonging to the world's richest club. It is an amazing experience, and not to be missed. It's impossible not to be there and marvel at the sheer scale and magnificence of it all. I wouldn't want to go there every week, I prefer my football-watching experience to be a bit more down-to-earth, but it should definitely be on everyone's bucket list. I missed the Inamoto-inspired 3-1 thrashing, but I was there for Fulham's first ever Premier League game that might have turned out very differently if it hadn't been for some very questionable home-spun refereeing, and I was also present for the 1-0 Cup defeat in 1999. John Salako's miss that day still haunts my dreams.


Jack Collins: Newcastle United v Fulham (St James' Park) – Saturday 22nd December

Fulham's furthest away day of the year sees the Whites make a familiar journey to the North East to return to a spot that brought so many happy memories back in 2017, St James' Park. If the idea of Ryan Sessegnon getting to silence a crowd of 50,000 Geordie supporters again isn't enough to spark your interest, then let me put it this way - Newcastle is one of the most vibrant, exciting cities in the UK and the chance to spend even a day there should rarely be passed up if possible. Whilst potentially troubling for those with vertigo, the climb to the top of the Leazes Stand gives way to one of the most breathtaking views in football, with the pitch giving way to the Northumbrian skyline beyond. Newcastle remains one of the best away days going, with fantastic pubs dotted across the city and a raucous St James' Park atmosphere. Make a weekend of it if you can, you won't regret it.


Jack Collins: Arsenal v Fulham (Emirates Stadium) – Tuesday 1st January

Whilst heavily criticised for its lack of atmosphere and the struggles Arsenal have had with their premium tier, the Emirates has its plus points as well as the negatives. There's plenty of space for away fans, and padded seats as well; but the nature of a shallow lower tier stand means that views aren't always as perfect as you'd hope them to be. And remember that food inside the Emirates will burn a hole in your pocket. The Emirates is well-served by the tube, with the trip across London on the Piccadilly Line the preferred option, landing in Holloway Road or Arsenal; or else Highbury & Islington provides another walkable landing spot. Holloway Road has its fair share of decent pubs - the Coronet, although occasionally a partisan spot, is a Wetherspoons converted from an old cinema, the Horatia is a busy, solid sports pub, and across the way the Drayton Arms was always the away supporters' zone. Given it'll be New Year's Day, you'd imagine it'll be a friendly enough but bustling atmosphere, and hopefully one to remember from a Fulham perspective.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/july/10/away-days-part-three

WhiteJC

 
Fulham: Jean Michael Seri deal the coup of the summer
A midfielder worthy of building a team around, Fulham will pull off the coup of the summer if they can somehow get this over the line.

If reports from DiMarzio are to be believed, recently promoted Fulham have pulled off one of the transfer coups of the summer with the imminent signing of OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international has been linked with a number of top European clubs over the last year, with Barcelona rumoured to have seen him as a long-term successor to former midfielder Xavi. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all also been linked at various points over the last year, moreover.

While the deal is not yet complete, it seems as though Seri could be lining up for Slavisa Jokanovic's Cottagers this coming Premier League season. So, what should fans expect from him?

The archetypal midfield metronome
First of all, fans should not be expecting a lot of goals. Though any transfer fee is likely to be a big one, Seri is not a blockbuster, 15-goal-a-season midfielder. His top tally for a campaign was seven in 2016/17, accounting for half of the goals scored in his last five years at club level.

But Seri is the sort of midfielder you could build a team around.

While translating form from Ligue 1 to the Premier League has been an issue for some players in the past, if Seri makes the step up he could become the beating heart of this Fulham side.

KEY STAT: Jean Michael Seri averaged 2.1 key passes per game in Ligue 1, completing 90.4% of his passes.

This is because Seri's greatest asset from midfield is his ability to create. He's made more chances than any other Nice player in the previous two seasons - 74 in 2016/17 and 65 in 2017/18 - and this degree of inventiveness from midfield is something potential striker Aleksandar Mitrovic would benefit from.

Just imagine Ryan Sessegnon, similarly, beating a defender one-on-one and side-footing home after being thread through by Seri. One can dare to dream.

Avoiding N'Golo Kante comparisons
The Premier League is a different beast entirely to the Championship. Take Bournemouth as an example. They won promotion using a possession-based style of football, but enjoyed just 48.5% of possession last season.

Fulham can't expect to see the same amount of ball (57.8%) as they did in the second-tier. Ultimately, the Premier League forces clubs to accept the status quo and, as a mid-table challenger, that's playing on the counter against a majority of teams.

Seri, however, isn't the greatest defensive contributor. But at five foot eight and moulding himself around creativity, you wouldn't necessarily expect him too.

Whilst he isn't the tenacious tackling and intercepting machine int he mould of N'Golo Kante - to whom comparisons will inevitably be drawn - his stature has resulted in the development of a similar style in possession.

KEY STAT: Seri ranked outside Nice's top ten in terms of tackles (0.8) and interceptions (0.8) made per Ligue 1 game.

He is not tall or particularly strong, but his low centre of gravity and excellent touch help him keep control of the ball when challenged by more physically imposing opponents.

Compatibility to Slavisa Jokanovic
To continue the Bournemouth comparison, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic earned promotion employing an attacking style of football and he's expected to continue that as best as possible in the Premier League.

Seri, therefore, is an extremely desirable player due to his compatibility to Jokanovic's footballing philosophy. For instance, the Ivorian is an able dribble, particularly in congested areas, and his number one priority is typically to move the ball forwards.

KEY STAT: Seri made 1.2 dribbles per game for Nice in 2017/18.

Moreover, he shouldn't have any systematic issues, having frequently played in a 4-3-3 at Nice.

Resilient against pressing, capable of turning defence into attack, and responsibly assured on the ball, Seri looks like an excellent capture for anyone, let alone a newly promoted side.



https://realsport101.com/news/sports/football/fulham-jean-michael-seri-deal-the-coup-of-the-summer/


WhiteJC

 
Southampton holding firm on Targett stance amid Fulham interest

Fulham are growing increasingly frustrated with their pursuit to sign Matt Targett from Southampton and are exploring other alternatives, according to the Mirror.

The Whites are desperate to sign Targett after the left-back impressed during a short-term loan spell at Craven Cottage last term, but it seems they are struggling to convince Saints to sell.

Targett spent the second half of last season on loan with Slavisa Jokanovic's side and played a key role as Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

It's believed that Saints declined the Whites' opening offer of £10m for Targett, with the Mirror again reiterating that the club are not in a hurry to sell one of their brightest young talents.

With talks stalling, it's claimed that Fulham are now being forced to look elsewhere, with Sweden international Ludwig Augustinsson now being lined up.

Targett is currently out in China with the rest of the Southampton squad as Mark Hughes continues to put his side through their paces in preparation for the 2018/19 season.



https://readsouthampton.com/2018/07/10/southampton-holding-firm-on-targett-stance-amid-fulham-interest/

WhiteJC

 
Landing Yann M'Vila would help Fulham retain Premier League status next term



Fulham fans in the Transfer Tavern can't wait for the Premier League season to begin and our punters are confident they can beat the drop next year.

Slavisa Jokanovic guided the Cottagers to promotion after beating Aston Villa in the playoff final. They earned plenty of praise for their style of football, but it remains to be seen how they will fare after stepping up to the highest level. With a few signings, Fulham will be confident of avoiding relegation.

Jokanovic is yet to make a signing this summer which is worrying with the transfer window closing at an earlier date of August 9 after clubs voted on the matter last season. Strengthening the squad will be vital given the strength of the promoted clubs and the finances available to the Premier League sides. The Cottagers should target a strong, combative midfielder to partner Tom Cairney in the engine room.

The perfect signing could be Saint Etienne midfielder – Yann M'Vila. Valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman is no stranger to life in England following a spell with Sunderland back in 2015. The 28-year-old was a key player for the Black Cats, making 37 appearances as they narrowly avoided relegation. The Sunderland faithful were outraged when they decided against making his stay permanent.

He returned to Saint Ettiene after leaving Rubin Kazan in January and made 15 appearances as they finished seventh in Ligue 1. M'Vila is excellent at winning the ball back and has an eye for a pass too; making him a great signing for Fulham.

His experience in the Premier League could be vital in the long-term as they look to maintain their Premier League status. The former France international is nowhere near finished and could turn out to be a fantastic signing.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulham/landing-yann-mvila-would-help-fulham-retain-premier-league-status-next-term/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham Preparing An Improved £16m Bid For Wolves Winger: Why Jokanovic Should Go All In!

Fulham made it to the Premier League the hard way, that is by winning the playoffs. They had a glorious chance to qualify directly as their rivals Cardiff City had dropped points on the final day and a win for the Cottagers would have seen them through. However, they stumbled and went on to lose against Birmingham City but didn't have to repent that chance as they ultimately made it through by beating Aston Villa in the playoff finals.

Slavisa Jokanovic will be aware that he will need to bring in reinforcements to the squad if they want to carry on their run in the Premier League for long. They are currently being linked with a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Ivan Cavaleiro. The West Midlands outfit won the Championship last campaign and the Portuguese winger played a crucial part in that triumph.

The 24-year-old was a regular feature for his side down the right wing as he racked up 46 appearances in all competitions. He managed a good return of 9 goals and 13 assists. However, Nuno Santo won't mind seeing the player go as Wolves have ambitious plans and are ready to sell him to fund new signings at the club.

The Lillywhites reportedly made a £12m bid for the player, however, it was turned down by Wolves. Along with them, Huddersfield Town are also said to be in the race to sign the player.

However, Fulham are not looking to back down after their initial offer was rejected and are expected to come up with a better offer of £16m for the player.

Cavaleiro was signed by Wolves from Monaco in 2016 and has gone on to be one of the most important members of their squad. He has represented Portugal at various youth levels and has made 2 senior team appearances but is yet to establish himself in the national side.

Fulham are currently lacking in the right winger department. With the exception of the youngster Luca De La Torre, no one can be classified as an outright right winger in the squad. The team will certainly benefit if they manage to sign a player of Cavaleiro's caliber. His acquisition will make them dangerous on both the flanks as Ryan Sessegnon will be expected to play down the left.

The Portuguese has bursting speed and when in form, he is almost unstoppable. The Cottagers will be hoping that their improved offer will be good enough to land him as the player will certainly be a great addition to Jokanovic's squad before the start of the new campaign.



https://the4thofficial.net/2018/07/fulham-preparing-improved-16m-bid-wolves-winger-jokanovic-go/


WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Chat With The Guys From Friends Of Fulham
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This episode was a chat with Scott Tanfield and John Cummins from Friends Of Fulham. The show began with a discussion on the speculation with Jean Michael Seri. After that, the guys shared their thoughts on the new contracts for Tom Cairney and Tim Ream.

Later on, we talked about the speculation of the potential new contracts for Slavisa Jokanovic and Ryan Sessegnon. After that, we discussed Scott Parker coming back to the club as a coach, and also that Stuart Gray has left the club.

We ended the show by answering a few questions from the listeners. We packed a great deal in this hour plus show, so I think you will enjoy it.

You can also listen to the show on Friends Of Fulham.

to listen, follow the link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/7/10/17556640/cottage-talk-chat-with-the-guys-from-friends-of-fulham

WhiteJC

 
24 Y/O Wolves Winger Now Red Hot On Fulham's Radar: Should Nuno Santo Let Him Leave?

Fulham are in pole position to secure the services of Wolves wide man Ivan Cavaleiro this summer. According to recent reports, the Cottagers are leading the race to sign the Portuguese winger during this summer transfer window. It is believed that the West Midlands outfit are prepared to cash in on their prized asset who signed for them in the summer of 2016 from AS Monaco for a then club-record fee of £7m.

Cavaleiro was an integral member of the Wolves squad which won a promotion back to the English top-flight last season. The Portuguese speedster had scored nine goals and made 12 assists in 42 league matches last season. However, some sources are now claiming that Wolves are ready to sell to him in order to generate some funds for new acquisitions. Nuno Espirito Santo's side has recently declined a £12m bid for Cavaleiro from the Cottagers and Huddersfield Town.

Recent reports have revealed that Fulham are ready to go back in with an improved offer of £16m to try and persuade Wolves to do business ahead of the new campaign. Cavaliero is exactly the kind of talent who can thrive at Craven Cottage under the guidance of Slaviša Jokanović.

The West Midlands side managed to win the Skybet Championship last season and earn a route back to the top tier of English football. However, their focus will now turn towards avoiding the drop next season which means that Nuno Santo needs to make some shrewd additions in this ongoing transfer period to ensure a successful season for the club.

Retaining some of their top players like Cavaleiro could go a long way in helping them survive in the English top-flight but if Santo has a suitable replacement lined up who can improve the Wolves team even more, then it makes sense for them to part ways with the Portuguese international.

At 24, Cavaleiro still has his best years ahead of him which the Wolves should look to benefit from, in the next few years. However, if the player wants to switch clubs as well, then his departure could be a good move for all parties. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Cavaleiro and whether he ends up making a switch away from the Molineaux Stadium before the start of the new season.



https://the4thofficial.net/2018/07/fulham-leading-chase-sign-24-yo-wolves-winger-nuno-santo-let-leave/

WhiteJC

 
22 Y/O Swedish International Red Hot On Fulham's Radar: Good Fit For Jokanovic's Plans?



Slavisa Jokanovic has a tough task in his hands this summer as he now has to add enough quality to the squad at Craven Cottage to help the side compete with the best teams in the country next season. So it does not come as a surprise that Fulham are linked with some of the finest stars in the game for a move this summer.

One such player they are now interested in is Ludwig Augustinsson.

Born and brought up in Stockholm, the player moved out of Sweden for the first time with Danish side Copenhagen, back in 2015. In his two years at the club, he slowly established himself as an effective left-back, registering some impressive performances in the top flight.

He did enough in his time in Denmark to earn a call-up to the senior national side and Augustinsson turned into a first team star for Sweden in the World Cup recently. He played five games in Russia, also scoring a goal but failed to take his side past England in the quarterfinals. However, reports suggest that Fulham had scouts present, looking over the full-back during the game against England.

It is understood that Augustinsson has impressed the hierarchy at Craven Cottage, who are now ready to push ahead to try and sign him this summer. He is regarded as an alternative for Matt Targett, the Southampton man, who is no closer to joining the Cottagers.

Fulham are desperate to re-sign the 22-year old, who spent the last season on loan with the club in the Championship. He was crucial in Jokanovic's plans as he made 18 league appearances, freeing up Ryan Sessegnon from his defensive duties. However, it is understood that the Saints are in no hurry to sell Targett, pushing Fulham into searching for alternatives.

Augustinsson, who joined Werder Bremen last summer, is now Fulham's top transfer target for this summer. He is strong and athletic, can be effective in the air and is hard to beat on one-on-one situations. He is also an excellent crosser and at just 24, has a bright future ahead of him.

He has no previous experience in England but has enough exposure at the highest level, to help him settle in at Craven Cottage quickly. He might not be the best option available in the transfer market for Jokanovic but if he failed to land Targett, Augustinsson is a decent alternative for the Southampton man.



https://the4thofficial.net/2018/07/22-yo-swedish-international-now-fulhams-radar-good-fit-jokanovic/


WhiteJC

 
Newcastle fans react as Seri seemingly agrees Fulham move

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Fulham have won the race to sign Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, rated at £27m by Transfermarkt.

Seri has been strongly linked with a move away from Nice over the last few months, but the speculation increased when he was left out of the French club's pre-season training camp.

West Ham United and Chelsea have been strongly linked with the Ivory Coast international, whilst Everton and Newcastle United are also believed to be admirers.

Premier League new boys Fulham appear to have won the race, however, in a deal that would certainly sent shockwaves around Europe.

Fulham are seemingly going to pay £35m to sign Seri, and the news has not gone down too well with a selection of Newcastle fans, who feel that the failed deal is just another example of how they cannot compete with their Premier League rivals for big signings.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/newcastle-united/newcastle-fans-react-as-seri-seemingly-agrees-fulham-move

WhiteJC

 
Jean-Michael Seri headlines our Rumour Mill as Fulham close in on Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool target

The summer transfer window is open and across the globe there is a frenzy of speculation as players and coaches look for their next moves.

There is plenty of activity and stories that have football fans talking.

Here, we look at the latest transfer deals that could happen very soon.

Let us know your thoughts via Twitter and Facebook.

JEAN-MICHAEL SERI
Fulham have sensationally beaten Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Roma and Napoli in the race to land the Nice midfielder, according to Sky Sport Italy.

The Ivory Coast star, 26, is reportedly set to join the Cottagers in a deal worth £20 million (Dh86m), plus add-ons.

Seri's capture would represent a sizeable coup for the newly-promoted Premier League club who appear to be going from strength to strength under boss Slavisa Jokanovic.

Sources close to Seri have revealed that he sees the Whites as the perfect side in which to kick-start his career in England and wants to be based in London.



http://sport360.com/article/football/transfer-news/293046/jean-michael-seri-headlines-our-rumour-mill-as-fulham-close-in-on-chelsea-arsenal-and-liverpool-target

WhiteJC

 
Ludwig Augustinsson signing could prove smart business for Fulham

The 24-year-old has just starred at the World Cup for Sweden.



Over the past couple weeks, Fulham have been linked with a swoop for Werder Bremen left back Ludwig Augustinsson, who recently starred for Sweden in the World Cup.

On Tuesday, Bleacher Report's Dean Jones tweeted that the Cottagers were confident of securing a deal for the 24-year-old full-back, a hugely encouraging sign.

The transfer would be one of the best pieces of business Fulham makes all summer, as the acquisition of a top-class left-back allows teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon to play in his favoured left wing position.

Last season, Fulham saw a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes after Matt Targett was brought in on loan during the January transfer window.


(Photo by Anne-Christine Poujoulat/Getty Images)

After the Southampton left back joined the Whites, Ryan Sessegnon was allowed to express himself in an attacking manner, freed from the restriction of a defensive role.

Sessegnon's best performances have come when he has been stationed on the left wing – the remarkable displays against Newcastle United and Sheffield United spring to mind.

The Whites have tried their best to retain the services of Targett but, despite tabling a £10 million bid for the Englishman, Mark Hughes seems unlikely to let the defender leave St. Mary's.

    "He had a very good tournament: it took him a moment to arrive, but then he was in good shape. His performances were tactically astute, he was offensive, and he dominated his flank. "

– Werder Bremen coach, Florian Kohfeldt after Augustinsson's World Cup display.


Due to the unavailability of Targett, the signing of Augustinsson takes on renewed importance for Tony Khan and the Fulham recruitment team.

Not only would the Swede allow Sessegnon to operate at his full potential, he also offers an impressive pedigree of his own.

Very much the modern full-back, Augustinsson is as comfortable going forward as he is at the back, known for his set piece delivery and knack for drifting forward into dangerous attacking positions.

This impressive duality was on show during the World Cup this summer, as he was part of a Sweden side that advanced all the way to the quarterfinals while conceding just four goals all tournament.

He also bagged an important goal in Sweden's 3-0 win over Mexico. Not bad for a defender in his first World Cup.

If Fulham manage to secure the signing of Ludwig Augustinsson, they would receive both an exciting left back and a new lease of life for Ryan Sessegnon.



https://tbrfootball.com/ludwig-augustinsson-fulham-summer/