Wednesday Fulham Stuff (01/08/18)...

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Wayne Hennessey hoping he has won Crystal Palace goalkeeper battle for Fulham opener

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey admits his place between the sticks is up for grabs.

The Eagles signed Spaniard Vicente Guaita to compete with the Wales international for the club's number one spot, but the former Getafe man has played second fiddle for most of pre-season – starting just once and failing to appear in Saturday's 4-0 win at Reading.

Hennessey said: "The [goalkeeper] shirt is up for grabs. Hopefully I can start the season."

One player who is certain to start the season for the Eagles is Wilfried Zaha, barring a big-money move away. The forward, who scored two stunning goals in the victory against the Royals, has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.

Hennessey is hopeful that the Ivory Coast international will still be a Palace player after the English transfer deadline on August 9.

"Wilf's been fantastic for us. Obviously there has been a lot of speculation about him and we hope as players that he stays. What a talent he is, though. He's enjoying his football and it's nice to see.

"You want to keep your best players, and he's certainly one of our best players. What he gives to Crystal Palace is massive."



https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/wayne-hennessey-hoping-he-has-won-crystal-palace-goalkeeper-battle-for-fulham-opener/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham poised to make Swansea's Alfie Mawson their latest signing

Slavisa Jokanovic's men have been active in the transfer market since they secured a Premier League return via the play-offs

Fulham's summer spending is set to continue with Alfie Mawson on the brink of joining from Swansea in a £15m deal, it's understood

Slavisa Jokanovic's men have been active in the transfer market since they secured a Premier League return via the play-offs, bringing in Jean Michael Seri, Maxime Le Marchand, Fabri and Andre Schurrle.

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic followed suit on Monday, returning to the club he became a cult hero on loan with last season in a deal worth an initial £22.5m.

Fulham are now set open their cheque book once again to bring in Mawson, with the Swansea defender understood to be undergoing a medical ahead of a £15m deal.

The move sees the 24-year-old return to his west London roots, with the defender coming through the ranks at Brentford before moving onto Barnsley and then Swansea in 2016.

Mawson has impressed across his two Premier League seasons to date, being named the Swans' young player of the year in his maiden top-flight campaign.

Capped at England Under-21s level, the defender was called up by Gareth Southgate's senior team for the first time in March but failed to make an appearance against Holland or Italy.

PA



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fulham-alfie-mawson-latest-signing-transfer-news-swansea-a8471421.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham eyeing a £8million move for Argentina fullback: Here's what he'll add to the team

After signing four players in the transfer window already, Fulham are looking for their fifth as they have put Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico on their radar according to reports.

Fulham will be competing with Newcastle United who are also interested in the left-back's services. The Cottagers will have to cough up around £8million for the 25-year old according to the Sun.

Nicolas Tagliafico – Fact file and what he'll add to Fulham

The left-back rose to prominence during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Before that, not many were aware of him and his ability. Argentina didn't really have a good World Cup but some of the players weren't as bad as the general public accused them of being.

Because of how little time and the type of players Jorge Sampaoli had with the team prior to the World Cup, he struggled to stamp his tactical authority. Tagliafico, however, was one of the better players for the side.

His consistency in the last few seasons was rightly rewarded with a place in the World Cup squad. Before moving to Ajax in January, Tagliafico mustered impressive numbers for Club Atlético Independent.

A pretty complete fullback, he often mixes caution with aggression and that can be seen in his numbers. Defensively, he mustered 2.7 tackles and 4.1 interceptions a game for Independiente. After his move to Ajax, he didn't let the numbers drop too much having managed 2.9 tackles and at least 2 tackles a game.

From an attacking perspective, Tagliafico is someone who is a good crosser. He has the pace to burn and that will help him in the Premier League where we see a lot of transitions happening during games.

Tagliafico often shows the eagerness to maraud forward when his side win the ball and because of how quick he is, he gets fouled often by the opposition players. He suffered at least 2 fouls a game last season while playing for both Independiente and Ajax.

Fulham already have a brilliant wide player in Ryan Sessegnon. He is pretty young – 18 – and using him as a left winger makes more sense as he'll have the freedom to use the best of his abilities, which is running at the opposition defence.

If Fulham can sign Tagliafico and use him as a left-back, they'll have good cover for Sessegnon on the left.

Stats via Whoscored



https://madaboutepl.net/2018/07/fulham-linked-with-a-move-for-argentina-fullback-nicolas-tagliafico/

[WhiteJC]

 
David Gill - the most influential figure in English football - stands in the way of FA selling off Wembley for £600m

    David Gill is English representative on FIFA council and hugely influential figure
    He is strongly opposed to FA selling off Wembley for £600million to Shahid Khan
    Approval for sale is problematic with Gill opposing Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn

The FA still have to convince the most influential figure in English football about the wisdom of selling Wembley for £600million to Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan.

It is understood that Manchester United director David Gill, who is England's representative on the FIFA council and the UEFA executive committee, is strongly opposed to the sale of the national stadium.

Gill, during his 16 years as finance director and chief executive of Manchester United, also has more experience of running a world-renowned stadium - Old Trafford - than anyone else at the top level of the FA.

And as long as Gill remains on the other side of the argument to FA leadership duo Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn, who seem hell-bent on selling the FA family silver, then getting the necessary full approval looks more problematic.

However, the revelation about Gill's stance on Wembley comes just when councillor opposition to the sale looks to be weakening, plus Glenn argued his case effectively in front of MPs a fortnight ago.

Arch traditionalist Barry Taylor, a life vice- president, was the only speaker who voiced any disapproval about the potential deal with Khan at the FA council meeting last week.

There hasn't been much to laugh about on Manchester United's gloomy pre-season tour under misery guts manager Jose Mourinho.

But there was amusement when Juan Mata and Ander Herrera chucked senior press officer Karen Shotbolt overboard as they pulled into the Marina del Rey in Los Angeles following an adidas promotional event on board a yacht.

The United duo helped Shotbolt back on board, but it's safe to say she was not impressed at the time.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6012525/David-Gill-stands-way-FA-selling-Wembley.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Full-Strength Fulham Host Sampdoria Tonight

Fulham are expected to field new signings Andre Shurrle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jean Michael Seri amongst a full-strength squad which faces Serie A side Sampdoria at the EBB Stadium tonight, Wednesday 1 August.

The Italians will also field a strong squad which includes Polish World Cup players Bartosz Bereszynski, Karol Linetty and Dawid Kownacki plus Uruguay international Gaston Ramírez and former Italy striker Fabio Quagliarella.

Kick-off is 7.45pm, with all tickets – priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions – available at the turnstiles.



https://www.theshots.co.uk/fulham-sampdoria-tonight/

[WhiteJC]

 
Sampdoria Tickets

Watch the Whites in pre-season action when we travel to Aldershot Town this evening to take on Serie A side Sampdoria.

With kick-off at 7:45pm, tickets will be available on the gate at the EBB Stadium, with cash turnstiles in operation.

Priced at £10 for adults and £5 for over-65s and under-18s head down and show your support for the boys.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/01/sampdoria-tickets