Monday Fulham Stuff (25/02/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Fulham fear Tottenham-linked Aleksandar Mitrovic will leave

Fulham are reportedly fearing an exit for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

According to the Daily Mail, Fulham are fearing that striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will be leaving the club at the end of the season if they are relegated.

Mitrovic, 24, helped Fulham win promotion from the Championship last season in a superb loan spell from Newcastle United.

Unsurprisingly, Slavisa Jokanovic fought to sign him permanently over the summer, paying a huge fee to sign his fellow Serbian, with The Guardian claiming the deal was £22million rising to £27million.

Jokanovic may have been sacked, but Mitrovic has been outstanding regardless, hitting 10 goals in 27 games whilst serving as the talisman for a struggling Fulham side.

Claudio Ranieri's men sit second bottom of the Premier League table after Friday's defeat at West Ham United, and are a huge eight points away from safety.

Now, the Daily Mail report that Fulham are fearing Mitrovic will move on this summer if they do go back down to the Championship, alongside Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney.

Given his exploits in the Premier League, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Mitrovic head back to the top flight, especially with links to Tottenham Hotspur emerging.

TEAMtalk reported just days ago that Spurs failed with a deadline day bid for Mitrovic, but they should absolutely return for the target man whether Fulham go down or not, and may hope that Fulham's potential relegation will help their pursuit.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/02/24/report-fulham-fear-tottenham-linked-aleksandar-mitrovic-will-lea/

[WhiteJC]

 
Cape Town City sign former Fulham winger as they eye final push for league title challenge

Cape Town City have signed former Fulham winger Chris David as they continue to build for a Absa Premiership championship push in the closing weeks of the season.

David, who is a Dutch national, plays predominantly as a right winger, but can also operate more centrally as City look for cover for injured Thabo Nodada and Roland Putsche, who are out for the rest of the season.

City signed former Ajax Cape Town midfielder Travis Graham to plug one of those holes last week, and will use David to cover for the other.

David, 25, came through the junior ranks at FC Twente and joined Fulham in the 2013/14 season, making his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace, scoring his first goal in a 2-2 draw.

He returned to FC Twente in January 2015 and later played for Go Ahead Eagles and Utrecht in the Dutch League.

He is also a Netherlands junior international and has dual Turkish citizenship.

City will hope to sort out his work permit as soon as possible with crucial home and away games against Mamelodi Sundowns and a visit to Bidvest Wits all in the next 10 days.



https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-02-24-cape-town-city-sign-former-fulham-winger-as-they-eye-final-push-for-league-title-challenge/

[WhiteJC]

 
EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham target twin brothers in £20million swoop

Tottenham are back in for Fulham brothers Ryan and Steven Sessegnon and hope to conclude a deal this summer, we can reveal.

Spurs have been tracking the pair since before they were teenagers, but Fulham's promotion to the Premier League meant they put a move on hold.

Now with Fulham's impending return to the Championship – Spurs are back in for the 18-year-old twins, who are both contracted to the Whites until 2022.

Mauricio Pochettino's men – who also showed an interest in Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in January – are ready to offer Fulham a deal worth up to £20million for the brothers.





https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-tottenham-target-twin-brothers-in-20million-swoop

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham Hotspur 'in for Sessegnon brothers'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly hopeful of signing brothers Ryan Sessegnon and Steven Sessegnon from Fulham in this summer's transfer window.

Ryan starred in Fulham's 2017-18 Championship campaign, scoring 15 times for the Cottagers as they secured a return to the Premier League.

The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in English football and the likes of Manchester United have recently been credited with an interest.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are determined to secure a deal for the left-sided player this summer, but the London club also want to sign his brother Steven.

Also 18, Steven has only played twice for Fulham's first term this season, while he has made the bench on just two occasions in the Premier League.

Tottenham's hopes of winning the Premier League title took a serious hit on Saturday as they lost 2-1 at Burnley.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/transfer-talk/news/tottenham-in-for-sessegnon-brothers_351356.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham hope to sign Sessegnon brothers in the summer

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to secure a double transfer swoop for Fulham brothers Ryan and Steven Sessgnon this summer, according to TEAMtalk.

The outlet claims that Mauricio Pochettino's side have been tracking the youngsters for many years, but were unable to bring them in last summer after the Cottagers' promotion to the Premier League.

However, with Fulham seemingly set to slip back into the second tier, Spurs will go back in for them come the end of the season. Tottenham are ready to offer up to £20million for the brothers.

TEAMtalk's report also claims that the North London giants registered an interest in Fulham frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic in January.

Good move for Tottenham?

It's not quite certain whether this would be a good move for Tottenham in all honesty. Ryan has really struggled to make the step up to the top flight this campaign and has hugely under delivered on the massive expectations placed on him going into the season. He remains a huge young prospect and is obviously tremendously talented, but the shine has come off him to a slight extent in recent months. Steven is yet to make the breakthrough that his brother has, but is likely very talented as well. They would both be long term investments and would obviously improve under Pochettino's stewardship, but this isn't a sure fire success of a move.

Thus is Futbol rating: 6/10

Likely to happen?

Fulham seem destined to drop down to the Championship once again, meaning that their chances of keeping the Sessegnon brothers have likely faded. If Tottenham really want the duo then it's likely that they'll be able to bring them in this summer.

This is Futbol rating: 8/10



https://thisisfutbol.com/2019/02/blogs/premier-league/tottenham-hope-to-sign-sessegnon-brothers-in-the-summer/

[WhiteJC]

 
EXCLUSIVE: Fulham turn to Scotland in search for next boss

Fulham are already looking around for their next boss and won't be looking for Claudio Ranieri to bring them back-up, we can reveal.

Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic midway through the season, but the Italian has not been able to find any form.

Now Fulham are looking at their options and they are wanting a head coach – as they believe that would work better with their analytics department – rather than a manager who would want a huge say in the structure of the squad including transfers.

We can reveal that one name being considered is Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke – who has impressed hugely in Scotland this season.

Former Reading and West Brom boss Clarke would love the chance to work back in England.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-fulham-turn-to-scotland-in-search-for-next-boss

[WhiteJC]

Yet Another Promising Start Ruined By Defensive Blunders But Don't Blame Ranieri

Once again Fulham started strongly, looking like they were on a mission to score goals. After just a couple of minutes, Babel was put clean through with just the West Ham goalkeeper to beat, waited for him to move yet managed to lob the ball at his head and the attempt was cleared. Two minutes later Babel made up for his miss when he fired a shot past the keeper following a cross from Sessegnon to put the Cottagers one up.

For the first ten to fifteen minutes any neutral supporter must have been thinking if this was the transformation of this Fulham team, at last, looking comfortable on the ball and completely dominating affairs. This, however, as all loyal Fulham fans have come to expect, was not going to last.

West Ham took control of the game, Fulham getting deeper in defence by the minute. As usual, it didn't take too long before Hernandez 'dived' for a header and pushed the ball into the net with his hand. Where was VAR when we needed it? This followed another pathetic attempt at a punch away of the cross by Fulham keeper Rico, who only managed to push it up in the air and further into the danger area. All Fulham defenders just stood around looking bewildered and hardly managed a word with referee Lee Mason to dispute the clear handball. Only Ranieri on the touchline protested.

Rico was yet again to blame when another poor punch led to Diop towering above the Fulham defence to head in a second for West Ham after 40 minutes.

Fulham manager Ranieri was slated by the fans in the last home game when he neglected bringing on the young Ryan Sessegnon at half time. So he tried to make amends and please the supporters by starting him and captain Tom Cairney from the start. He has said that Sessegnon, although still a young player, had to get more physical for this tough league, and tonight those words were shown to be true. Sessegnon looks a gifted and neat player going forward, but he totally neglected all his defensive duties allowing the West Ham veteran Zabaleta to constantly break unmarked down the right touchline. It was one of these breaks that led to a goal by the home side.

Two substitutions at the beginning of the second half failed to bring any further attacking joy to Fulham, as West Ham casually cut out every attack the away side could muster. With time running out for Fulham, they passed the ball around getting nowhere, before another defensive shambles of marking players by three defenders gave Antonio a simple header to win the game.

Who is to really to blame for this embarrassing first (and last) season return to the Premier League?

1 – Jokanovic? 1 win in his 12 league matches. He tried to get the team playing the style of football that won us promotion from the Championship. He was not given a squad of players that could do it in this league.

2 – Ranieri? 3 wins in 15 so far, but 1 win and 6 defeats in the 7 played this year. He ditched the possession style of last season and tried to make the team harder to beat by playing on the break. Had he actually seen what players he had at his disposal when he started? Hardly a defensive-minded squad here!

3 – The Players? Well, they are the only ones that can make a difference when they are picked to play. Too many have looked out of their depth. Players that looked brilliant in the lower division, or in their respective home countries, but not in the EPL.

4 – The Khan's and scouting team? YES, I would say, are ultimately responsible for the failure this season. They have brought in far too many players that lacked Premier League experience. With the exception of Chambers (from Arsenal) and Mawson (from Swansea) who started looking like a quality player before his injury, there hasn't really been anyone else that came in last summer who has looked worthy of a place in this highly competitive league?

Going forward, back into the Championship next season, we are likely to lose:

Ryan Sessegnon, Tom Cairney and Mitrovic to Premier League teams. They will be a sad loss. As for the new signings and loanees, most will leave Craven Cottage. We shouldn't be too bothered as they haven't lived up to the expectations the owners and the media suggested.

A new manager will be necessary next season. Preferably one that has experience and had success in this division before. A manager THAT MUST BE ALLOWED A SAY IN WHICH PLAYERS COME AND GO.

How really can Jokanovic or Ranieri be blamed for the poor recruitment this season?

Let's look forward to a new start, with a new Riverside stadium being built, and a new team/manager.

BRING ON 2019/2020 .............. COYW .....................



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/yet-another-promising-start-ruined-by-defensive-blunders-but-dont-blame-ranieri/

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Interview: Emilio Di Nello On Love Sport Radio
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This short episode is an interview with Cottage Talk co-host Emilio Di Nello on Love Sport Radio during their show "The Score". Emilio shared his view on the very disappointing loss for Fulham against West Ham.


You can also listen to this interview by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/2/24/18238511/cottage-talk-interview-emilio-di-nello-on-love-sport-radio

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle must snap up Bryan

Newcastle United must fuel Fulham's reported fear that they will lose several players if they suffer relegation from the Premier League by snatching Joe Bryan from them in the summer.

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies' Premier League rivals believe that key players could depart their club if they're set to play in the Championship next season.

Claudio Ranieri's side look destined for the drop as it stands as they're eight points off safety, so it's fair to say that they're currently heading towards being relegated.

Given that Rafa Benitez's side were keen on left-back Joe Bryan, according to The Sun, ahead of him joining Fulham, then they should make the Cottagers' worst nightmare come true.

The 25-year-old flyer has shown glimpses of his talent while playing 17 times for the London club this season, and that's quite hard to do when you consider how badly they are struggling.

Bryan seems defensively capable, especially compared to some of his Fulham teammates, and has blistering pace to burst up and down the wing.

The left-sided flyer is also capable of playing in midfield which means signing him, would give Rafa Benitez options on how to deploy him best to help the team.

Bryan is the ideal player for the Magpies to snatch from Fulham in the summer not just because of his talent, but because of his potential price and the fact the Magpies need a new left-back.

Benitez's side need to sign permanent cover for first-choice option Paul Dummett as currently their back-up is Antonio Barreca who is only on loan from Monaco as it stands.

Also Bryan is likely to be available at a reasonable price if Fulham are relegated as they won't be in a strong position to negotiate given that some of their players, such as the left-back, will be trying to force a move to a Premier League club.



https://thisisfutbol.com/2019/02/blogs/premier-league/newcastle-must-snap-up-bryan/

[WhiteJC]

 
Many West Ham fans want Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic after Friday's display

West Ham United beat Fulham 3-1 on Friday evening.

West Ham United picked up a victory on Friday night, beating London neighbours Fulham 3-1 at the London Stadium in a come-from-behind win.

The Hammers were back in action after an extended break, but their time away didn't seem to do them much good early on as they started poorly at the London Stadium.

After missing a huge opportunity, Ryan Babel did put Fulham into the lead, firing home from close range from a fine Ryan Sessegnon cross.

However, the goal sprung West Ham into life, and the equaliser came controversially as Javier Hernandez handled the ball into the net from an Angelo Ogbonna flick-on.

Issa Diop added a second before Fulham grew back into the game in the second half, only for Michail Antonio to wrap up the win for West Ham in the dying embers of the game.

Fulham are running out of time to save themselves from the drop, and if they do return to the Championship, then top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic will surely be returning to the Premier League.

The Serbian has hit 10 goals this season in a struggling side, and was again starved of quality service against West Ham, though his hold-up play and physicality posed their defence problems throughout.

After the game, a host of West Ham fans took to Twitter to call for the club to sign Mitrovic this summer, feeling that he is a 'beast' and must be brought in to bolster Manuel Pellegrini's options.

Some think he can be a fine replacement for Marko Arnautovic or an upgrade on Andy Carroll, with many supporters impressed with his display despite failing to find the net.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/02/24/many-west-ham-fans-want-fulham-ace-aleksandar-mitrovic-after-fri/

[WhiteJC]

 
Opinion: Leicester should move for former Fulham man to take over from Puel

Leicester City parted ways with manager Claude Puel this weekend as a heavy defeat to Crystal Palace proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

The former Southampton manager had been on the ropes for some time as Foxes boss, and this weekend proved a straw too far for the Leicester board and fans, who watched on as Palace ran riot in a 4-1 win at the King Power.

Puel was brought in as a steady hand, but he has seemingly lost his way a bit at the club, with results suffering along the way.

However, the club must move on quickly, and we here in the Tavern think a move for former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic might be the way to go for Leicester, at least in the short term.

The former Watford and Chelsea man lost his own job earlier in the camapaign oweing to a run of poor form at Craven Cottage, but there were other factors in that sacking too, and Jokanovic might be worth a crack by another Premier League club.

Leicester have little to lose in setting him on a short term assignment, and he could well prove to be the man to take the club forward and get the most out of what is a group of exciting attacking players at the club.

Last season he had Fulham playing some of the best football in the Championship, and if he can replicate that with the Foxes, it could well bring exciting times back to the former Premier League winners.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/uncategorised/opinion-leicester-should-move-for-former-fulham-man-to-take-over-from-puel/

[KJS]

EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham target twin brothers in £20million swoop

Tottenham are back in for Fulham brothers Ryan and Steven Sessegnon and hope to conclude a deal this summer, we can reveal.

Spurs have been tracking the pair since before they were teenagers, but Fulham's promotion to the Premier League meant they put a move on hold.

Now with Fulham's impending return to the Championship – Spurs are back in for the 18-year-old twins, who are both contracted to the Whites until 2022.

Mauricio Pochettino's men – who also showed an interest in Fulham's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in January – are ready to offer Fulham a deal worth up to £20million for the brothers.





https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-tottenham-target-twin-brothers-in-20million-swoop

This story is the same one as the one which appeared on that joke site 18 months ago

[Bill2]

EXCLUSIVE: Fulham turn to Scotland in search for next boss

Fulham are already looking around for their next boss and won't be looking for Claudio Ranieri to bring them back-up, we can reveal.

Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic midway through the season, but the Italian has not been able to find any form.

Now Fulham are looking at their options and they are wanting a head coach – as they believe that would work better with their analytics department – rather than a manager who would want a huge say in the structure of the squad including transfers.

We can reveal that one name being considered is Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke – who has impressed hugely in Scotland this season.

Former Reading and West Brom boss Clarke would love the chance to work back in England.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-fulham-turn-to-scotland-in-search-for-next-boss

Sorry but this must be a a no, wasn't he with us in the past and he has failed at numerous other clubs. Said in another post, look at the talent around in the lower divisions managing clubs without the financial clout we have, le Johnson springs to mind. Bristol City have punched above their weight for several seasons so he is doing a good job.

[Nero]

EXCLUSIVE: Fulham turn to Scotland in search for next boss

Fulham are already looking around for their next boss and won't be looking for Claudio Ranieri to bring them back-up, we can reveal.

Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic midway through the season, but the Italian has not been able to find any form.

Now Fulham are looking at their options and they are wanting a head coach – as they believe that would work better with their analytics department – rather than a manager who would want a huge say in the structure of the squad including transfers.

We can reveal that one name being considered is Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke – who has impressed hugely in Scotland this season.

Former Reading and West Brom boss Clarke would love the chance to work back in England.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-fulham-turn-to-scotland-in-search-for-next-boss

Sorry but this must be a a no, wasn't he with us in the past and he has failed at numerous other clubs. Said in another post, look at the talent around in the lower divisions managing clubs without the financial clout we have, le Johnson springs to mind. Bristol City have punched above their weight for several seasons so he is doing a good job.

Didnt we have him lined up before and he decided to stay at Reading

[LittleErn]

Yet Another Promising Start Ruined By Defensive Blunders But Don't Blame Ranieri

Who is to really to blame for this embarrassing first (and last) season return to the Premier League?

1 – Jokanovic? 1 win in his 12 league matches. He tried to get the team playing the style of football that won us promotion from the Championship. He was not given a squad of players that could do it in this league.

2 – Ranieri? 3 wins in 15 so far, but 1 win and 6 defeats in the 7 played this year. He ditched the possession style of last season and tried to make the team harder to beat by playing on the break. Had he actually seen what players he had at his disposal when he started? Hardly a defensive-minded squad here!

3 – The Players? Well, they are the only ones that can make a difference when they are picked to play. Too many have looked out of their depth. Players that looked brilliant in the lower division, or in their respective home countries, but not in the EPL.

4 – The Khan's and scouting team? YES, I would say, are ultimately responsible for the failure this season. They have brought in far too many players that lacked Premier League experience. With the exception of Chambers (from Arsenal) and Mawson (from Swansea) who started looking like a quality player before his injury, there hasn't really been anyone else that came in last summer who has looked worthy of a place in this highly competitive league?

Going forward, back into the Championship next season, we are likely to lose:

Ryan Sessegnon, Tom Cairney and Mitrovic to Premier League teams. They will be a sad loss. As for the new signings and loanees, most will leave Craven Cottage. We shouldn't be too bothered as they haven't lived up to the expectations the owners and the media suggested.

A new manager will be necessary next season. Preferably one that has experience and had success in this division before. A manager THAT MUST BE ALLOWED A SAY IN WHICH PLAYERS COME AND GO.

How really can Jokanovic or Ranieri be blamed for the poor recruitment this season?

Let's look forward to a new start, with a new Riverside stadium being built, and a new team/manager.

BRING ON 2019/2020 .............. COYW .....................

Seems like a fair analysis to me. I doubt that any manager could have saved us with the current crop of defenders. A fit Mawson might have made a difference, but it was so obvious against the Hammers that our defenders are too short and not strong enough. Of course, they were badly organised as well - which must be down to Ranieri - but that was just as bad with Joka. 

[Woolly Mammoth]

EXCLUSIVE: Fulham turn to Scotland in search for next boss

Fulham are already looking around for their next boss and won't be looking for Claudio Ranieri to bring them back-up, we can reveal.

Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic midway through the season, but the Italian has not been able to find any form.

Now Fulham are looking at their options and they are wanting a head coach – as they believe that would work better with their analytics department – rather than a manager who would want a huge say in the structure of the squad including transfers.

We can reveal that one name being considered is Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke – who has impressed hugely in Scotland this season.

Former Reading and West Brom boss Clarke would love the chance to work back in England.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-fulham-turn-to-scotland-in-search-for-next-boss

Sorry but this must be a a no, wasn't he with us in the past and he has failed at numerous other clubs. Said in another post, look at the talent around in the lower divisions managing clubs without the financial clout we have, le Johnson springs to mind. Bristol City have punched above their weight for several seasons so he is doing a good job.

Agree

[hovewhite]

Lee Johnson he's the change we need or Wagner for me.