News:

Use a VPN to stream games Safely and Securely 🔒
A Virtual Private Network can also allow you to
watch games Not being broadcast in the UK For
more Information and how to Sign Up go to
https://go.nordvpn.net/SH4FE

Main Menu


Thursday Fulham Stuff (09/08/18)...

Started by WhiteJC, August 09, 2018, 06:23:42 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 2018/19 preview: Home fortress, Dembele's successor and off-field success

After promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in May, Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham side will be looking to make an impression in the top flight this year.

Ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, we caught up with fan podcast Cottage Talk to get the low-down on progress made on and off the pitch...

What do you make of your club's pre-season preparations, both on and off the pitch?

Off the pitch Fulham have done very well bringing in players we were not expecting to see.

The signing of Jean Michael Seri was quite a signing for the club with many bigger sides being linked to him throughout the summer transfer window.

Fulham play a possession-based style and that type of central, creative player is exactly who they needed to upgrade.

It is the same situation with the goalkeeper. Nothing against Marcus Bettinelli but now we have Fabri.

You also look at some of the other players who have been brought in, such as Andre Schurrle on a two-year loan deal.

He is a player who is coming back to the Premier League with a point to prove after losing Chelsea and following a poor season in Germany.

Also, with the return of Aleksandar Mitrovic, the first team now has that much-needed focal point. Meanwhile, Alfie Mawson also arrived for a good chunk of change from Swansea City.

Many of the signings the club have made have been tremendous. They are acting like a team who want to compete, rather than one that just wants to survive.

On the pitch, I consider it to be a work-in-progress. You have a team that did well in the Championship but the Premier League is a major step up.

The team is clearly growing through a period of meshing the previous squad together with those players who are known to be able to compete in the top flight.

Which of your club's summer signing has you most excited about the new campaign?

It would have to be Seri. Forget about the price tag, it is all about what he can offer the team.

If you go back to when Fulham had Mousa Dembele, who is now at Tottenham, losing him several years ago changed how the club were going to go.

With him, I feel the club would have survived in the Premier League and what did happen wouldn't have. He was the creative midfield player in that team, playing at a very high level.

His departure changed the path of the club. He was the piece that could have kept the ageing squad, at the time, moving forward.

For me, Seri is a player who can succeed in Jokanovic's possession style. The club needs that. I've seen it already in his passing ability and his bravery/willingness to take chances on the ball.

Who's your club's young-player-who-could-make-a-breakthrough this season?

There are three names who are still a work-in-progress but regularly training with the first team.

Firstly, there is Ryan Sessegnon's brother, Steven. He has been played in both full-back positions. He is a different type of player to his brother, and hasn't progressed as quickly, but he has the ability.

Another is United States international Marlon Fossey. He played very well by all accounts against Sampdoria, at right-back. I hadn't been expecting him to breakthrough this quickly but he is showing up in pre-season and starting to make some noise. I think he will be part of the mix in Jokanovic's first team.

Finally, you have Luca de la Torre. Like Fossey, he started off in the academy and his worked his way up. He is very versatile and very creative. Unfortunately, there are other players ahead of him in the first team pecking order, but like Sessegnon and Fossey I expect him to be involved somehow this season.

What will be your club's biggest factor behind achieving its targets this season?

The biggest factor will be to make Craven Cottage a fortress. One of the main reasons Fulham were able to sustain a Premier League place for so long was the club's form at home.

They need to be able to beat the teams they are expected to and limit the draws when playing with that advantage. This is essential for progression.

Another factor will be how the players react to not have the majority share of possession like they did in the Championship – how will they set up without the ball?

I have seen a little bit of a 'Plan B' throughout pre-season, particularly against Lyon, and I can see them being dangerous on the counter, with the speed and quality they possess.

What will be your club's biggest barrier to achieving its targets this season?

Defensively. Because they play an aggressive style it leaves them open to counters and getting burned badly.

The style of play will require them to defend, which has held them back in the past, based on mistakes. We saw it in the Championship and it could undoubtedly impact them at a higher level.

Which club outside yours do you think has done the best business this summer?

For me, it's Wolves. They have added to what they've got and I think they've brought in some really good players.

I'm really impressed with what they are building generally and I'm expecting top 10 from them next season – they're that good.

What they're doing at the Molineux is really special.

If you had to pick a six-a-side team from your club's current squad, who would be in it?


Finally, how do you think your team will have done come the end of the 2018/19 season?

When Fulham survived the great escape under Roy Hodgson in 2007, everyone believed they would only just manage to do the same again the year after – that didn't happen and they actually managed to come in the top 10.

With the club and the owner's ambition, with the clear motivation to do well in the top flight rather than just doing what's necessary to stay up, I think Fulham will be knocking on the door of the top half come the end of the campaign.

I think they can surprise many teams in the Premier League, so I'm saying 10th.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-201819-preview/

WhiteJC

 
Highly-rated Bristol City defender has rejected Aston Villa and is set to sign for Fulham

Highly-rated Bristol City defender Joe Bryan has rejected Aston Villa and is set to sign for Fulham, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Joe Bryan has walked out on a move to Aston Villa and is set to join Premiership side Fulham.

Aston Villa had beaten Newcastle United, Wolves and Derby County to sign highly-rated defender Joe Bryan from Bristol City and would have been a massive coup for Aston Villa, but Fulham have stolen him from them.

The deal Aston Villa agreed was £4million but would rise to £6million, but have struggled to agree personal terms with Fulham pouncing.

Fulham trying to sign the defender could be used as a smokescreen with Fulham instead choosing to pursue higher priority targets such as Matt Targett of Southampton, should they become available.

It looks like Bryan's future will not be resolved until the final hours of the window and a huge day lies in wait for the soon-to-be former Robin.

About Joe Bryan –
The left-back is a Bristol City academy product who suffered a leg break during the 2010/11 season.

After a multiple of impressive performances for the first team in 2014/15, Bryan was named in the PFA League One Team of the Season and earned himself a new deal until 2019.

Bryan continued his excellent displays a tier up and was awarded with the club's Young Player of the Year award for a second year running in 2015/16.

The versatile defender has proved useful in a number of positions but is now featuring most often as a left-back.



http://the72.co.uk/113221/highly-rated-bristol-city-defender-rejected-aston-villa-set-sign-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham make late move for Bristol City left-back Joe Bryan


Joe Bryan made 48 appearances in all competitions for Bristol City last season

Fulham have made a late move for Bristol City left-back Joe Bryan, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News understands Bryan has indicated to Aston Villa - where he was due to have a medical today - that he would prefer to play in the Premier League.

Sky reported on Monday that Bristol City had accepted a bid of £6m from Villa for the 24-year-old, who was a standout performer in last year's Championship.

Whites boss Slavisa Jokanovic wants three more signings before the end of the window, including both full-back positions and a defensive midfielder. They are also targeting a pre-deadline deal to sign Celta Vigo right-back Hugo Mallo.

Fulham have recruited heavily since returning to the top flight. Their signings include Andre Schurrle, Alfie Mawson, Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and most recently, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11466351/fulham-make-late-move-for-bristol-city-left-back-joe-bryan


WhiteJC

 
Fulham make late move to sign left-back targeted by NUFC – Another blow for Benitez

According to some big claims on Wednesday night, Bristol City's Joe Bryan is now set to undergo a medical at Fulham ahead of a £6m move – meaning that's yet another left-back that looks set to be scratched o Benitez's wanted list.

Bryan – who was one of the Championship's top performers in 2017/18 – had been strongly linked with a move to St James' Park last month – however it seems we were not prepared to pay £6m for a player in the final year of their contract.

Both the Bristol Post and The Chronicle had confirmed Rafa Benitez's interest, although a deal for PSG's Stanley N'Soki appears to have been pursued instead.

With a deal for the Frenchman now described as 'dead', many wondered if we'd go back in for Bryan – but it now seems as though we've missed the boat.

The 24-year old had looked all set to join Aston Villa, however journalist Pete O'Rourke has now revealed that he's 'walked out' on a move to Villa Park at the 11th hour, with him now set for a medical at Craven Cottage instead:



http://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/08/08/fulham-make-late-move-to-sign-left-back-targeted-by-nufc-another-blow-for-benitez/

WhiteJC

 
Is this the only way Tottenham Hotspur could spring a shock and sign Ryan Sessegnon on deadline day?
Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for the 18-year-old, but Fulham are hellbent on keeping him.

This afternoon saw a transfer rumour that appeared dead for this summer reemerge for Tottenham Hotspur. The rumour involved Fulham's dazzling left-sided talent Ryan Sessegnon.

Earlier this summer Tottenham were heavily linked with the Championship Player of the Year. The Times have reported Fulham want as much as £50 million for the teenager, after his excellent form in the Championship.

But it was made very clear early on this summer that Sessegnon was going nowhere. With Fulham promoted to the Premier League, the talented 18-year-old drifted out of Tottenham's reach.

Then, suddenly, Tottenham were linked again today. As reported by Bleacher Report, Fulham had a 'concern' that Sessegnon could be the subject of an improved bid from Tottenham on deadline day.

A BBC journalist then stated that a deal had been proposed a few weeks ago, involving Danny Rose going the other way, but no deal could be reached. Sessegnon looks set to stay, with Fulham's chairman Tony Khan insisting so on Twitter.

However, stranger things have happened and with Tottenham needing to placate fans frustrations, could they put a bid together in time.

Any permanent deal would have to involve Rose heading in the other direction. Another option, so Fulham would not need to find a replacement, would be for Tottenham to agree a deal which sees him remain at Fulham on loan.

Such deals have happened before. With Spurs struggling for a buyer for Rose, it would give them another year to find a party to take the England international on board.

Sessegnon is also much more than just a left-back, so Fulham could happily take Rose as part of any deal now, with Sessegnon still remaining at Craven Cottage. Tottenham have the impressive Kyle Walker-Peters waiting in the wings at left-back.

It seems unlikely. But Tottenham love to spring a deadline day shock. Could they do it with Sessegnon this summer?



https://tbrfootball.com/way-tottenham-hotspur-spring-shock-sign-ryan-sessegnon-deadline-day/

WhiteJC

 
Mitrovic will be 'crucial,' claims Mawson

Alfie Mawson believes Aleksandar Mitrovic will be 'crucial' to Fulham's prospects as they return to the Premier League this season.

Fulham's new signing might be set to miss at least the first month of the new season but he has enjoyed watching the former Newcastle United striker pick up off where he left off at Craven Cottage last term. Mawson, speaking to Talksport this afternoon, shared his enjoyment of Mitrovic's pre-season exploits and believes his fellow centre halves won't be looking forward to facing Fulham's number nine this season:

    He is a big man! He's 23 years old and built like a body builder and is as strong as an ox. Against Celta Vigo on Saturday, their centre half has looked to go tight on him – but he's thrown the defender off the ball and wrapped one in from about 25 yards. It's always good to have that because this club is renowned for its ball playing ability but to have a target man like him will be crucial this season.

The former Swansea City defender also feels that German winger Andre Schurrle is ready to make his mark on English football again after an underwhelming spell with Borussia Dortmund.

    Schurrle obviously speaks for himself. He's a World Cup winner and has played at some top clubs. He's been in London in his career already and he's made a decision to come to a club that is more suited to him. We're expecting a lot from him and he's going to thrive off that.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/08/mitrovic-will-be-crucial-claims-mawson/


WhiteJC

 
Fulham move to hijack Joe Bryan's £6m switch to Aston Villa

    Fulham returned for Joe Bryan on Wednesday with a bid which was rejected
    The 24-year-old was heading for Aston Villa preparing to take a medical
    Bryan has indicated to Villa he would like the chance to play in Premier League
    Fulham improved their offer for standout performer in last year's Championship

Fulham moved to hijack Joe Bryan's £6million move to Aston Villa on Wednesday night and are hopeful of persuading Marseille to sell £25million-rated Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa.

The Craven Cottage club had grown frustrated in their attempts to sign Southampton's Matt Targett and made enquiries for Bryan initially last month.

They returned on Wednesday with a bid which was rejected while Bryan was heading for Aston Villa preparing to take a medical.


Fulham moved to hijack Joe Bryan's £6million move to Aston Villa on Wednesday night

Bryan though has indicated to Villa he would like the chance to play in the Premier League and Fulham improved their offer.

The 24-year-old was a standout performer in last year's Championship and impressed against Manchester City and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Cameroon international midfielder Anguissa was due to fly in from France on Wednesday ahead of talks with Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic keen to add extra bite to his team.


Bryan has indicated he would like chance to play in Premier League and Fulham improved offer

Jokanovic has seen Andre Schurrle, Alfie Mawson, Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and most recently, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers all arrive this summer but still wants to strengthen the spine of his team.

Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico is joining on loan while Celta Vigo right-back Hugo Mallo has also been targeted but could be offered a new contract to stay in Spain.

Jokanovic ideally wants greater experience wary that his young squad could suffer with nerves on the Premier League stage. Fulham though have been keen to invest in youth.


Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico is joining on loan as Slavisa Jokanovic continues to add to squad



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6041295/Fulham-hijack-Joe-Bryans-6m-switch-Aston-Villa.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham in talks with Anguissa

Marseille midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa has flown to London to hold talks with Fulham over a possible £25m transfer deadline day move, according to the Daily Mail.

The Cameroon international has been linked with a transfer to a number of European clubs after emerging as one of Europe's brightest midfield talents since making his breakthrough at Marseille. The 22 year-old established himself in Les Olympiens' first team during an excellent 2016/2017 and then was a key part of the side that reached the Europa League final last term, where they lost to Atletico Madrid.

The defensive midfielder, who has won eleven caps for his country, made 36 league appearances last season as Marseille finished fourth in Ligue 1. He credits his club coach Rudi Garcia for gradually turning him into more of a box-to-box midfielder and his rampaging style has been described by L'Equipe as being made for the Premier League. Anguissa, who counts former Manchester City Yaya Toure as among his heroes and has admitted that he would be attracted by the prospect of playing in England.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has highlighted the anchor role in midfield as an area where the club need reinforcements – reminding the press after last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo that he does not have a top quality understudy for Scottish international Kevin McDonald. Capturing Anguissa would continue the newly-promoted club's eye-catching summer transfer window, which has already seen them surprise most of Europe by swooping for Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/08/fulham-in-talks-with-anguissa/

WhiteJC

 
Joe Bryan having medical at Fulham ahead of move from Bristol City


Joe Bryan made 48 appearances in all competitions for Bristol City last season

Bristol City left-back Joe Bryan is having a medical at Fulham this morning, according to Sky sources.

The Whites have agreed a deal to sign the 24-year-old.

Bryan was close to joining Aston Villa on Wednesday - where he was set to do a medical - but he is understood to prefer a move to the Premier League.

Sky reported on Monday that Bristol City had accepted a bid of £6m from Villa for Bryan, who was a standout performer in last year's Championship.

Whites boss Slavisa Jokanovic wants three more signings before the end of the window, including both full-back positions and a defensive midfielder. They are also targeting a pre-deadline deal to sign Celta Vigo right-back Hugo Mallo.

Fulham have recruited heavily since returning to the top flight. Their signings include Andre Schurrle, Alfie Mawson, Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and most recently, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11466420/joe-bryan-having-medical-at-fulham-ahead-of-move-from-bristol-city


WhiteJC

 
Report: André-Frank Zambo Anguissa flies to London for talks with Fulham ahead of proposed £25m move

Fulham are reportedly close to signing the Marseille midfielder.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Fulham are closing in on a deal to sign Marseille star André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, after the defensive midfielder flew in to London for talks with the Cottagers last night.

The 11-capped Cameroon international is a powerful and tenacious central midfielder, and he seemingly possesses all of the attributes required in order to be a success in the Premier League.

Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović has already been extremely active during this summer's transfer window, bringing in a whole host of new names including Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson.

The Serbian will still be keen to bolster his central midfield department, however, and the Daily Mail claims that the Cottagers are closing in on a deal to sign Anguissa, after the Cameroonian jetted into London late last night to begin talks with the west London outfit.

Fulham seem to be in great shape to take the Premier League by storm this season, and if they manage to add the Marseille midfielder to their already strong group of players at Craven Cottage, Jokanović will surely be extremely confident in his side's chances of success this term.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/08/09/report-andr-frank-zambo-anguissa-flies-to-london-for-talks-with/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham v Crystal Palace – Mike Dean | The Man In The Middle

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: Robert Jones

A London derby to open the 2018/19 campaign – mouth watering.

Lovers of football will be thrilled to see top flight fare back at the Cottage, and Fulham have also done some solid business in the summer.

Jean Michael Seri was a target for Barcelona this time last year and is a superb exponent of the creative midfield art, whilst Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic will provide power and goals up front.

Their back line will be tested against Palace, with Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha in particular looking to make inroads from the wide areas.

Lights, camera.... Action! Mike Dean takes centre-stage in the first London derby of the 2018/19 campaign.

For all of his eccentricities, he remains one of the better referees in the division, and the biggest surprise of the weekend will be if he has any problems here.



https://theref.online/fulham-v-crystal-palace-mike-dean/

WhiteJC

 
Why Joe Bryan's deadline eve U-turn was the final piece of the puzzle for Slavisa Jokanovic and Fulham

The Bristol City left-back's decision to snub Aston Villa rounds out Fulham's defence and means Ryan Sessegnon will not be required to fill in at full-back

Joe Bryan's dramatic deadline eve U-turn might be the story of this transfer window. The Bristol City left-back underwent a medical at Aston Villa on Wednesday and was all set to complete a £6m move when the phone rang: Fulham, offering more wages and the irresistible lure of the Premier League. Bryan and his agent told Steve Bruce he'd changed his mind, hopped back in the car and drove down to west London.

Bruce's betrayal was Slavisa Jokanovic's coup – and it might be the final piece in Fulham's carefully constructed transfer window.

Much of last season's defensive unit from which their slick football began was quickly dismantled this summer. Ryan Fredericks moved to West Ham on a free transfer; Tomas Kalas returned to Chelsea; Matt Target returned to Southampton. And although Denis Odoi stayed, he has a two-game suspension after his red card in the play-off final and will miss Saturday's opener at home to Crystal Palace.

But some times things need to be be broken apart and reassembled. Slowly, Jokanovic has rebuilt his base with shiny new pieces: Alfie Mawson signed from Swansea for £15m, and is nearing a full recovery from knee surgery. Maxime Le Marchand joined from Nice for £3.6m, an experienced centre-back who can play across the back. Arsenal's Calum Chambers moved across London on a a season-long loan having formed a fruitful partnership with Mawson at the U21 European Championships last year.

With right-back Cyrus Christie and centre-half Tim Ream still at the club the defence was almost complete – except at left-back. There were worrying signs in pre-season that Ryan Sessegnon would have to plug that particular leak, especially should Le Marchand be needed in the centre, but that was up until the moment Bryan made his impulse move to Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

Now, not only are Fulham signing one of the most highly rated young players in the Championship, someone with an eye for goal who fits perfectly into Jokanovic's demands for attacking full-backs with technical quality, but in doing so they have ensured Sessegnon's precocious talents are released further forwards with full license to ruin Premier League defender's afternoons.

Late on Wednesday night Tony Khan tweeted, Trump-style: "We're not selling @ryansessegnon. We've never considered it! I couldn't sit back and read these false rumors anymore, had to say something. Ryan's key to this @fulhamfc squad; he's one of the top young talents worldwide and in our plans for @premierleague success. Come on Fulham!" Provided Fulham hold firm through Thursday – Tottenham have long held an interest and Daniel Levy is no stranger to deadline day bids – the retention of Sessegnon will be as significant as their new arrivals.

Fulham's transfer window is beginning to look like one of the success stories of the summer. The £27m signing of Jean Michael Seri was particularly eye-catching, a player who has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Andre Schurrle is a smart loan move for a player who, at 27, still has plenty to offer and something to prove in west London. Aleksandar Mitrovic has not come cheap at £18m but showed last season that he is the perfect battering ram in front of Fulham's flurry of feather arrows which rain down from all directions.

There is a positivity around the club, a sense of optimism that they can take on the Premier League their way and succeed in what sounds a relatively straightforward task: to finish above three teams. It will be a fascinating journey, and for Bryan the opportunity was impossible to resist.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-joe-bryan-transfer-news-aston-villa-bristol-city-slavisa-jokanovic-a8483701.html