Tuesday Fulham Stuff (18/09/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
How Uefa's plans for the 2021/2022 season could affect West Ham, Fulham & Watford in Europe

Plans to introduce a third competition just needs to be rubber stamped

Uefa have announced plans for a third European club competition.

Pending the final approval from the executive committee, the plans will come into effect from the 2021/2022 season and the new competition will sit alongside the Champions League as well as the Europa League which would then increase the overall number of clubs involved in European football to 96.

It's understood that the Champions League is unlikely to be altered, though the number of teams in the secondary European competition will likely fall from 48 teams to 32. in an attempt to spread the quality out.

That means sides from smaller nations will instead compete in the new tournament, which is apparently set to be shown largely on online platforms.

Juventus chief and European Club Association chairman Andrea Agnelli outlined more details on the proposal.

"These new regulations will be even more effective than the ones we had in place which delivered astonishing results which have just been announced by UEFA," said Agnelli.

"Pending approval of the UEFA ExCo, the 'green light' has been given to introduce a third competition, bringing the overall number of clubs to 96, as of the 2021/22 season.

"A detailed assessment of the existing International Match Calendar is required prior to presenting a new model post-2024. The current model needs modernising."


The UEFA Europa League Trophy (Image: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)

This idea was first being mooted back in 2015 and could allow the likes of Crystal Palace, Fulham, Watford, West Ham United - and any future promoted London side - better opportunities to reach the main stages of European competition.

In recent seasons, the Hammers have failed to reach the group stages of the Europa League, while the Cottagers did reach the final of the competition way back in 2010.

With the current top six set to dominate for the foreseeable future, the introduction of a third European competition would give the teams battling for a mid-table place an extra incentive to finish higher.



https://www.football.london/premier-league/uefa-latest-news-2021-2022-15136517

[WhiteJC]

 
VAR tested in five Premier League matches
Premier League understood to be happy with trial

The Premier League tested VAR in all five of Saturday's 3pm kick-offs and only one decision would have been overturned.

The tests revealed Leroy Sane's disallowed goal in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham would have been allowed to stand if a video assistant referee had been in use.

VAR will be used in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this seasons if the ties are being played at Premier League grounds.

Before the beginning of the season, clubs voted to not implement the system for league games.

It is understood the Premier League is happy with how the trial panned out over the weekend.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11500434/var-tested-in-five-premier-league-matches

[WhiteJC]

 
The key area Fulham should've done better in against Manchester City according to Ian Wright

The Match of the Day pundit pinpointed Fulham's inability to get close to Fernandinho during their 3-0 loss to Manchester City

Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright pinpointed the space Fulham allowed Fernandinho in the midfield as one of the main reasons for their 3-0 defeat on Saturday.

The Brazilian set up the first goal when he latched onto a sloppy Jean-Michael Seri touch within 90 seconds, and alongside Bernardo Silva, caused the Cottagers problems all afternoon in the heart of the midfield.

However, Wright believes that the amount of influence that Fernandinho had on the game could've been shackled somewhat had Kevin McDonald, Stefan Johansen and Seri gotten closer to him, instead of dropping into a flat three and allowing him time to receive the ball and turn.

Slavisa Jokanovic gave Johansen his first start of the season in the league at the Etihad, but both him and McDonald struggled to get near the likes of Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva and David Silva, with Manchester City's slick passing finding space and cutting the Cottagers to ribbons at times.

That improved slightly with the introduction of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the second half, who was able to press City's midfield more and get on the ball, but Jokanovic backed his team selection after the game.

However, Wright believes that getting tighter to Fernandinho would've given Fulham more of a chance to stop him.

He said on Match of the Day: "He was magnificent today and I was very surprised that Fulham didn't get closer or tighter to him because it was so easy for him.

"Seri, who has started very well for Fulham, gave the ball away and they were punished.

"You heard Fabian Delph say that they watched them and knew what they were capable of and they made sure they started very quickly.

"This is what I'm expecting from Fulham [getting tight to Fernandinho] but they didn't do it and you see the amount of time and space that Fernandinho had and when you give him that kind of space he's going to cause you problems.

"He was fantastic today and so were City."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/key-area-fulham-shouldve-done-15161064

[WhiteJC]

 
Sess: This Won't Define Us

Ryan Sessegnon says Fulham will stick to their guns despite the 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.

The Whites stayed true to their passing game at the Etihad, but the Premier League champions were ruthless and deservedly took the win.

"Whoever the opposition, every game we play, we play the same way," Sessegnon told fulhamfc.com. "That's credit to the Gaffer and the way he sets us up.

"We don't want to play any different – that's the way we did it in the Championship and it's the way we'll continue to play.

"We did create a few chances against a top team and on another day we take those chances and maybe get something, but it wasn't meant to be and we were beaten by the better team.

"We tried to play our football against a possession-based team. There were a few mistakes in there but overall I think we can be satisfied with the way we played on the whole.

"There are a lot of things to improve on going forward. It obviously wasn't the best of starts, conceding a goal like that against a top team, it makes it hard for us to get back in it, but we can only learn from this."

The loss – our first in five matches – was hardly a disgrace against such high calibre opposition, and Sessegnon does not believe the result will dent confidence.

"I don't think so," he said. "We'll be disappointed with the manner of the goals we conceded but overall I don't think it will dampen the mood because obviously they're top players, a top team, but we'll be trying to cut out those mistakes for the next game.

"People can't really judge us against these types of teams. They're not the types of games that are going to define us this season.

"We do want to play against the big teams, that's why we're in the Premier League, but I don't think we can read too much into this result because they are a top side."

Sessegnon was deployed at left-back on Saturday, pitting him against the speed and trickery of England forward Raheem Sterling.

It was a stern test of the 18-year-old's credentials, but he stood up to the challenge well.

"It was difficult," Sess admitted. "He's such a sharp and fast player. I think I did alright first half, second half probably not so much. He's a good player and I can only learn from coming up against players like him.

"That's the only way you can improve, playing against top quality opposition week in, week out. I just want to keep improving."

The first opportunity to get back to winning ways comes this weekend, when Watford make the short journey down to SW6.

"Those types of games we'll be looking forward to and targeting three points," Sessegnon stated. "We're back at home, I think we need to start making Craven Cottage a fortress for us. It will be a packed Craven Cottage and hopefully we can get the three points."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/september/17/ryan-sessegnon-this-wont-define-us

[WhiteJC]

 
Ryan Sessegnon's start against Manchester City proves he was right to ignore Spurs this summer

Slavisa Jokanovic has continued to back Sessegnon while Phil Foden at Man City has struggled for minutes this season

Fulham's trip to Manchester City saw Ryan Sessegnon recalled by Slavisa Jokanovic to the starting XI, with the head coach trusting his 18-year-old at the home of the champions.

He hadn't started since the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, where he was played out on the right and tasked with dropping into a back six next to Timothy Fosu-Mensah while also trying to attack Ben Davies.

Sessegnon did fairly well - he found himself in some good positions and almost scored, but Hugo Lloris' rapid speed from his line stopped the youngster grabbing his first Premier League goal.

But then, the wonderkid was put on the bench, with Luciano Vietto starting up top with Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic, while Maxime Le Marchand Joe Bryan were the left back choices.

It led to disbelief from some quarters - after 16 goals last season in the Championship, how could Sessegnon not start for Fulham?

The answer, for some, was that Jokanovic had dropped him. That he wasn't ready for the Premier League. He was too young.

None of which are correct.

Jokanovic trusts his young wonderkid - he played in every game in the Championship last season and started the first two games of this campaign before being recalled for the biggest test of them all: Manchester City.


Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham and Raheem Sterling of Manchester City battle for the ball (Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

He faced off against another young man who has had to deal with the pressure of being billed as one of the best youngsters in the world in Raheem Sterling, and in parts did very well against the England international.

But the pressures placed on young English players mean they are added scrutiny when they don't perform how everyone is expecting them to.

Sessegnon had a fairly solid game, there were positives, like where he was able to stop Sterling with a perfect challenge and the time he went shoulder to shoulder with Kyle Walker and put the right back on his backside, but there were negatives to take from the game too, he dived in at Sterling when he was never going to get the ball which could've easily led to a goal.


(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

After the game, Jokanovic was asked how big the benefit of playing Sessegnon at the Etihad would be to the 18-year-old.

"Huge" was the reply.

"It's a huge benefit for him, we are talking about Ryan and I defend the opinion about this player to be part of the national team for the World Cup.

"Behind him is 100 games in the Championship and now it's time to play in these places.

"I will repeat, the benefits are huge and he is not small kid, he's part of the game and part of the profession is win one, draw one and lose the game.

"Unfortunately we didn't surprise them today and if you analyse the game, Ryan play good game and I believe it's good for him and for his development and for his experience."

We could've seen two of the brightest young prospects in England face off one another, but while Jokanovic will continue playing Sessegnon, one player who perhaps should be playing but isn't is Phil Foden.

Only ten days separate the two players in age, but while Sessegnon has played 6206 minutes of senior football, with 287 of those coming in the top flight this season, Foden has played just over 300, with only eight to his name this season.

Pep Guardiola was asked about Foden after the Fulham game - with the side 3-0 and cruising against the west Londoners, the youngster still didn't get any game time.

"I feel guilty," Guardiola said.

"He deserves to play. The problem was the injury to Sergio Aguero, we didn't want to take a risk.

"Phil Foden will play a lot of games this season - I feel it.

"The guys after the game were so tired, we have games, games, games, he's going to play. I like him a lot. Every time he plays, he plays so good.

"He will play minutes."


Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur and Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham battle for the ball (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

The story of the two shows the story of young English footballers in the Premier League - with one breath, there are questions over whether Sessegnon is too young to start in the top flight, while in the other, there's outrage that Foden isn't playing more regularly.

It's a problem facing English football in general - players are looking abroad now to get first team football, with Jadon Sancho swapping City for Borussia Dortmund, a move that has seen him start regularly in the Bundesliga.

But the problem goes deeper than just managers - towards the end of Jokanovic's press conference he was asked whether it's too early for an 18-year-old to have an impact on the Premier League.

"No" came the response from Jokanovic, who went on to reiterate the benefit of playing Sessegnon in games like the City one.

And it's true - Sessegnon doesn't need to play in every game and at 18, won't have an effect on every single game he plays, but playing him in the Premier League will only make him a better player as each minute of top level football passes by.

Foden's potential is like Sessegnon's and Sancho's - the world is their oyster, but it needs to take someone like Jokanovic and Lucien Favre to give them the time on the pitch to continue their development.

It doesn't help that they're expected to light the world on fire immediately.


Ryan Sessegnon and Steven Sessegnon inspect the pitch at the Etihad (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Sessegnon scored 16 goals last season and had an extraordinary campaign, but he was never going to do that this season.

Like most of the Fulham side, he's never played in the Premier League and would find himself up against players like Sterling and Walker, players who have played and won at the highest level.

To think Sessegnon is 'overrated' or 'not performing how he should be' is a dangerous and naive mindset to take, and one that people seem to be taking after five games of the season.


(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Since making his debut for Jokanovic back in 2016, Sessegnon's learning curve has been huge and that will only increase in the Premier League.

But what is best for Sessegnon is that his head coach backs him to the hills.

"It's my opinion he should have been part of the national team for the World Cup," said Jokanovic after the game. "He has handled games in the Championship, and now it is time to play games in this type of place."

The club and the youngster were right to ignore interest from Spurs this summer - with Jokanovic at the helm of Fulham, Sessegnon will continue to play at Wembley, the Etihad and Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/ryan-sessegnons-start-against-manchester-15161325

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham captain Tom Cairney set to return from injury against Watford


On the mend: Tom Cairney ( Getty Images )

Fulham captain Tom Cairney is pushing to return from his ankle injury in time to face Watford on Saturday.

The midfielder missed Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City and it was initially feared he would be out until October with the problem he suffered before the international break.

However, Cairney now hopes to be fit to play against Watford at Craven Cottage.

Marcus Bettinelli, meanwhile, claims Fulham were too "knackered" to stand any chance of upsetting City, who opened the scoring after just two minutes.

That early strike wrecked Fulham's plans — and Bettinelli has revealed how the job of trying to keep City's stars at bay left the visitors totally exhausted.

"They're a fantastic side," said the goalkeeper. "Our plan was to keep them quiet for the first 20 minutes but we made a mistake and got punished. You spend a lot of time defending against teams like this and when you get the ball you are knackered."

Despite his side's comprehensive win, Pep Guardiola offered a ringing endorsement of Fulham as he predicted they would stay up. "They have courage and personality to play and that is why they are in the Premier League," he said.

"They didn't come here to defend. I am sure they will be in the Premier League [next season]."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-captain-tom-cairney-set-to-return-from-injury-against-watford-a3937791.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic Could Give Chelsea A Cutting Edge In The Premier League Title Race

Rumours are rife that fast starters Chelsea are currently deciding whether to make a move for Fulham's in-form striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January transfer window.

The Cottagers frontman has been in fantastic form for the capital club since he joined on loan from Newcastle back in January, a move which was then made permanent in the summer for £22 million after he signed a whopping five-year deal.

However, the Daily Mirror reports that Chelsea could attempt to snatch the Serbian from their West London neighbours when the window re-opens its doors, and given his superb start to the season, his transfer fee will now be significantly higher than it was in the summer.

Chelsea have been switching between strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, but while both players are a force on their day, neither has proved to be an out-and-out goalscorer for the Blues.

Meanwhile, the red-hot Mitrovic has already smashed home six goals in five games for Fulham and Serbia this term, and at the time of writing only Eden Hazard has more Premier League goals to his name so far this campaign.

Last season the 24-year-old played a pivotal role in leading Fulham up into the Premier League, and between February and April he scored 12 goals in just 13 games.

Chelsea could now be eyeing him as a future long-term option, with Mitrovic's style often compared to that of a former Blues striker in Diego Costa who left a gaping hole in attack following his return to Atletico Madrid last summer (2017).

However, there may well be concerns that a potential switch in January could come too soon for the Mitrovic, who was not wanted by Rafa Benitez at Newcastle. Although if Chelsea do ultimately decide to come calling he'd no doubt be very tempted to listen to what they would have to say, especially if Maurizio Sarri's men remain in the hunt for the title.

The Italian has enjoyed a cracking start to life in the Chelsea dugout, having won all five of his matches to date, with the 4-1 hammering of Cardiff propelling the Blues to the summit of the table.

Mitrovic's eye for goal, dynamism, and physical presence - he scares the life out of defenders - could well prove to be a valuable asset at the Bridge as the club looks to regain the title, although Fulham will understandably be determined to hold onto their man.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/why-fulham-striker-aleksandar-mitrovic-could-give-chelsea-a-cutting-edge-in-the-premier-league-title-race

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic's comments highlight Fulham's biggest problem that needs sorting quickly

Fulham have conceded the most amount of goals in the Premier League this season and it's something that is concerning Jovanovic

Slavisa Jokanovic's post-match comments show he is under no illusion that Fulham's leaky defence is the biggest problem facing the side - and that it needs sorting as soon as possible.

In five games so far this season, the Cottagers have conceded 12 goals - the most in the Premier League.

West Ham and Huddersfield are next on the list with 11 goals conceded, but both teams sit below Jokanovic's side in the table for the time being.

It's a concern for Fulham, they've yet to keep a clean sheet this season and look suspect to shipping goals as a completely new back four continues to gel and learn how Jokanovic wants the side to play.

However, there's not been a single game that Fulham haven't conceded less than two goals in yet this season and at no point so far have the side looked defensively comfortable, either at Craven Cottage or away from home.

Something has to change - Fulham can't continue leaking goals at this rate if they want to fulfil their aspirations of a safe mid-table finish, and it's something Jokanovic is determined to find a solution to on the training pitch.

He said: "It was good, when we play in these places he [Marcus Bettinelli] has many job and we made some kind of the mistakes and he didn't be involved so much.


(Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

"We have conceded 12 goals in the beginning of the Premier League and this is not good news for us.

"We must find a way to be more solid and stronger and faster and stop this kind of the situation.

"In this way, we attack good and have some chances for offensive transition.

"It's normal for City to take off possession but this conceding goals is concerning."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovics-comments-highlight-fulhams-15162932

[WhiteJC]

 
Bettinelli: Aim High

Marcus Bettinelli wants Fulham to keep their heads up after Saturday's defeat to champions Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's dazzling team had too much in the tank for the Whites at the Etihad, but Bettinelli wants to remain upbeat.

"They're a fantastic side," he admitted. "They did what they did last year for a reason. Our gameplan was to try to keep them quiet for the first 20 minutes.

"It didn't work. We made a mistake early on and got punished. That's what happens when you play against teams like this.

"But there will be a lot of teams who go there and get beaten. We have to go again, we can't get too disappointed about this.

"We showed what we are about, that we like to get forward, [although] I don't think we backed ourselves enough to get forward and create chances.

"You spend a lot of time defending against teams like this and when you get the ball you are knackered."

There was nothing Bettinelli could have done about any of the goals, in fact the England squad member was one of his side's brightest performers, pulling off a number of impressive stops to keep Fulham in the game.

"Yeah I was pleased to keep the score down," he said. "I'm happy with the way I played but, at the same time, we lost and conceded three. We win as a team and lose as a team.

"So we kept it down to three but we didn't just come to keep the score down. It's disappointing but we have to put it behind us and prepare for Watford now."

Five fixtures down and the Whites sit 15th in the standings. And while avoiding relegation is the primary target, Bettinelli has loftier ambitions for the season.

"We have to aim higher than that," he stated. "If our only aim is to stay in the league then we won't do ourselves justice.

"We have to aim high. You look at Burnley last season, what you can achieve if you believe and put the hard work in. We're a good side, we showed that against Burnley in our last home game.

"The owners have invested in the squad and we are here to do well. We're optimistic we can aim high and start to move up the table.

"That will mean hopefully when it comes to the last three or four games of the season, we are not still fighting to avoid relegation. Hopefully we'll be mid-table, that's what we need to aim for."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/september/17/marcus-bettinelli-aim-high

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to offer England goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli new contract

    Fulham to offer Marcus Bettinelli a new contract before the end of September
    The goalkeeper's current contract expires at the end of next season
    Fulham have the option of extending Bettinelli's contract by a further month
    The Cottagers are determined to keep Bettinelli, who was in the England squad

Fulham will make England international Marcus Bettinelli the offer of a new contract by the end of the month.

The Cottagers are desperate to persuade the goalkeeper to sign an extension to his existing deal that expires at the end of next season.

Fulham do have the option of extending the contract by a further 12 months, but the Craven Cottage club want to avoid any uncertainty over Bettinelli's future.


Fulham will offer England goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli a new contract by the end of the month

Bettinelli has re-established himself as Slavisa Jokanovic's No 1 in recent weeks having started the season on the bench.

Since then the 26-year-old's stock has soared considerably after he was handed a shock call up by England manager Gareth Southgate for the previous games against Spain and Switzerland.

Talks over a new deal commenced before his surprise call, but the fact he is firmly on Southgate's radar will serve to strengthen the keeper's position in trying to negotiate the best possible deal.


Bettinelli's stock has soared considerably after he received a shock call up for England

Fulham have made clear their intention to offer Bettinelli an improved deal, though it remains to be seen what financial terms the Cottagers offer.

The club's wage ceiling currently sits at around £60,000-per-week and given his standing as one of England's best emerging shot-stoppers, Bettinelli can expect a deal approaching that figure.

Bettinelli was the subject of interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham over the summer - and rival clubs could come knocking again if any uncertainty surrounds his future.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6177429/Fulham-offer-England-goalkeeper-Marcus-Bettinelli-new-contract.html

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk: The Player Ratings Show: Manchester City vs. Fulham
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This is a new feature on Cottage Talk that focuses on player ratings for the Fulham players. During the show, we discussed the ratings and commentary of Ryan O'Donovan from Football.London for Fulham against Manchester City..Co-host Max Cohen from The Boot Room commented on his ratings ,and also shared his own

This is a brand new feature, so please let us know what you thought of this episode?

you can listen to the podcast here...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/9/17/17870774/cottage-talk-the-player-ratings-show-manchester-city-vs-fulham

[WhiteJC]

 
Roy Hodgson is reunited with a familiar face from his Fulham days at Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have revamped their recruitment set-up in recent weeks

Experienced scout Barry Simmonds has linked up with Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson again after joining the Eagles' recruitment and scouting department.

Simmonds, who worked with Hodgson during his time at Fulham and England, has teamed up with the 71-year-old once again after joining Palace, following the recent departure of chief scout Tim Coe.

The pair worked alongside each other at Craven Cottage, and were responsible for the signings of such players as Mousa Dembele, Zoltan Gera and Chris Smalling at Fulham.

And now, the Daily Mail is reporting that Simmonds has linked up again with Hodgson as part of a revamp of Palace's player recruitment staff, which has been overseen by sporting director Dougie Freedman.

Simmonds has previously worked with Palace and Cardiff City earlier in his career before spending time abroad, working on the coaching side of things and in player recruitment, working at Fulham for seven years before joining Norwich City in 2014, where he spent less than a year as head of recruitment and scouting.

He then spent time working with the FA during Hodgson's time in charge of the Three Lions, assisting with preparations for the European Championships in 2016.

But now, he is back at Palace and back working with Hodgson as part of the Eagles' recruitment set-up.



https://www.football.london/crystal-palace-fc/news/hodgson-reunited-familiar-face-fulham-15164195

[WhiteJC]

 
Comparing Fulham's £25m powerhouse to Liverpool's £52.75m superstar – Stats show the former has outperformed the latter

Comparing Jean Michael Seri to Naby Keita – Who has performed better?

Liverpool have made the best possible start to their Premier League campaign with five wins out of five and the Reds still boast of a perfect record under Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool's high-intensity football has been a treat to watch and they are on the right track to mount a significant challenge for the Premier League crown this season.

While Liverpool seemed like title contenders even before the start of the season, Fulham were expected to fight for their survival in the Premier League, following a successful season in the Championship. But the Cottagers haven't disappointed their fans. Although they haven't been as clinical and consistent as the top teams, Slavisa Jokanovic's men have shown plenty of character in their first five games.

Klopp was on a spending spree in the summer, making him the highest-spending manager in England. The manager signed the likes of Naby Keita, Alisson Becker, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho. Until now, all of his new signings, barring Fabinho, have made an instantaneous impact.

Similarly, Jokanovic brought in a lot of reinforcements to bolster his squad. Fulham made headlines in the transfer market with the mega-money signings of Aleksandar Mitrovic (loan deal made permanent), Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle.

Out of the summer recruits for Fulham and Liverpool, two players have been standout performers for their respective teams – Naby Keita and Jean Michael Seri. Both were brought in to add substance and solidity to the midfield and they have been top-notch so far.

While Keita has played a key role for Liverpool in the centre of the park with his all-around abilities, Seri has been Fulham's heartbeat. To put things into perspective, Keita's performances have forced Jordan Henderson to start from the bench in most of the Premier League games.

In Keita, Liverpool have found a more balanced central midfielder when compared to Henderson. The Guinean has read the game well in the midfield, breaking up play and cutting out the opposition's attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions.

Furthermore, he has helped the team in counter-attacking situations with surging runs forward. His presence has allowed the likes of James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum to drift wide and link up with the forward line.

Now, let us make a detailed comparison of Keita and Seri according to the statistics.

Keita has averaged 51.3 passes per game in the Premier League so far, with a pass success percentage of 88.8. Meanwhile, Seri boasts of an average of 76.8 passes per game with a success percentage of 90.9.

There is little to choose between the two based on that but a more detailed analysis shows that Seri has had a more profound impact in the attacking third as compared to Keita. To go along with his remarkable pass success rate, Seri averages 2 key passes and 5.5 successful long balls per game as compared to Keita's 0.8 key passes and 0.8 long balls per match. Furthermore, Seri already has a goal and an assist to his name so far.

There is not much of a difference if we look at their defensive contributions but Seri just about edges out Keita yet again. While the Ivorian has managed 2.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 0.5 blocks in the midfield, Keita has matched Seri in terms of tackles (2.3 per game) but has fallen behind in terms of interceptions and blocks. The Guinean only averages 0.5 interceptions and 0.3 blocks per game.

To sum it up in simple words, both the midfielders have been pivotal to their teams' successes but the man from Ivory Coast, Jean Michael Seri, has managed to make more of an impact.



http://www.mediareferee.com/2018/09/18/comparing-fulhams-25m-powerhouse-to-liverpools-52-75m-superstar-stats-show-the-former-has-outperformed-the-latter/