Friends of Fulham

 
Wembley £600m sell-off under threat as Khan accused of corrupt practices at Fulham

October 10 – The English FA's controversial proposed sale of Wembley Stadium for £600 million to Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan could be scuppered amid emerging allegations of "systemic corruption" at the club.

The 127-member FA Council meets tomorrow (Thursday) in the first stage of the process of whether to approve the board's recommendation to sell Wembley. They will have two weeks following the meeting to make their decision.

However, allegations by Fulham's former assistant director of football, Craig Kline, of corrupt business practices at the club once again raise cast suspicion over Khan's Wembley acquisition and move the NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars to London in 2022.

Kline, a childhood friend of Fulham vice chairman Tony Khan, claims he has evidence of the "tapping up" of players as well as racism.

On Monday he tweeted: "Dear FA Council (+relevant police, MPs, regulators, press etc). I have key evidence of systemic corruption relevant to the Wembley vote which I'd like to submit. Please request this info from me."

He says that Khan had threatened him to keep quiet over his claims. Police officers had been called to Fulham's Motspur Park training ground last year following claims of threatening behaviour.

The FA said in a statement: "We have recently been contacted by Craig Kline who has made a series of allegations about Fulham FC. We are currently in the process of reviewing these allegations."

For his part Khan denies the allegations, saying via a spokesman: "This is nothing more than the same ongoing nonsense and bogus claims made by a former employee who left the club in 2017. Nothing here merits a further response."

Nonsense or not, the suspicions around the sale of Wembley remain, with the FA Council currently split over whether to approve the sale or not. The corruption allegations surrounding the buyer will need to be taken seriously, particularly with a Metropolitan Police investigation reported by the Daily Telegraph ass now being under way.

While money doesn't discriminate, the holders of it in this case are accused of exactly that. The FA will need to look hard at the integrity issues now surrounding Khan on top of the deal-making practices, and decide whether it is still appropriate to cash in on Wembley.



http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2018/10/10/wembley-600m-sell-off-threat-khan-accused-corrupt-practices-fulham/

 
Alan Shearer showed why he failed in management with Cyrus Christie criticism, says Martin O'Neill

Alan Shearer showed exactly why he only lasted eight games as a manager by criticising Fulham defender Cyrus Christie, according to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill.

The Match of the Day pundit singled out Christie in his analysis of Arsenal's emphatic 5-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, criticising the wing-back for failing to provide adequate defensive cover for his struggling team.

O'Neill, who manages Christie at international level, has responded by arguing that Shearer should have been more mindful of what Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic asks his players to do.

"When you play a wing-back role, the first thing people will now ask you is, 'What are the manager's instructions?'," O'Neill said. "Now, it is mostly that they ask the wing-backs to stay very high up the pitch and not worry about coming back.

"I've asked Cyrus about this because the first thing I thought of when Alan Shearer was having a go is, 'He hasn't thought this out'. Maybe that's why he only managed eight games [himself], that might be something to do with it.

"He should have prefaced things by saying, 'I don't know what the manager has said' because, at the end of the day, the manager has asked him to stay up the pitch and not worry about getting back.

"I don't think the severe criticism was warranted – that's my view."

Shearer's only experience of management was not a successful or enjoyable one – he replaced Joe Kinnear in charge of struggling hometown club Newcastle for the final eight Premier League matches of the 2008-09 season, but a 1-0 defeat to an O'Neill-led Aston Villa on the final day saw them relegated from the top flight.

In his assessment of Fulham's defeat on the show, Shearer said: "Arsenal identified a weakness, which was down Fulham's right-hand side, particularly Christie.

"And time and time again, whether it was Alex Iwobi, whether it was Danny Welbeck, they got into those areas and dominated in that position.

"Christie was constantly going forward, not worrying about defending. Three v three, look at Christie here... He's walking. His team is in trouble. His first thought has to be, get back and help.

"Now look at him on the halfway line there, he jogs, Nacho Monreal is away and all of a sudden he realises and it's too late. Ball into the box, first goal, punished because you're not thinking defensively. It was so alarming.

"I don't want to pick on him, but that was the side Arsenal looked at and that was the side that Arsenal dominated and were superb. They could have and should have scored some more."



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-arsenal-alan-shearer-cyrus-christie-martin-o-neill-match-of-the-day-highlights-a8576791.html

 
International Whites

Marcus Bettinelli will be hoping to go one better than his England call-up and earn his first cap for the Three Lions. The stopper could feature in England's away matches against Croatia and Spain in the UEFA Nations League, in which they lost their opener against Spain.


There are also other involvements in the England set-up as Ryan Sessegnon, Steven Sessegnon, Luca Ashby-Hammond, Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott will be representing their age groups.

Sessegnon's Under-21s face Andorra and Scotland in Group 4 of the European Championship Qualifying stages as they sit comfortably top of the group, with a six-point margin over Ukraine in second. His brother Steven, has two friendlies against Portugal and Macedonia on the horizon for the Under-19s.

Similarly, Ashby-Hammond has in-camp fixtures at St. George's Park against Sweden and Czech Republic. Carvalho and Elliott will both represent the Under-17s in the International Youth Tournament against Russia, America and Brazil.


Staying in Europe, and with the UEFA Nations Tournament, Cyrus Christie, Stefan Johansen, Kevin McDonald and Aleksandar Mitrovic will all be featuring.

Christie's Republic of Ireland will play Denmark and Wales in League C of the three team group stages. Denmark lead the way in pole position to advance to the next tier. Kevin McDonald has the differing task of Israel and Portugal in Scotland's game in the UEFA Nations League and a friendly match. Scotland sit top of their pool which also includes Albania.

Mitrovic has a top of the table clash in the larger four pool group of League C against Montenegro, then against Romania. Johansen has two home games for his group against Bulgaria and Slovenia.


The African Cup of Nations Qualifiers will be an active period for our boys, as Floyd Ayite, Neeskens Kebano, Ibrahima Cisse, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michaël Seri are all involved. Each team will play their opponents home and away in this set of International fixtures.

Cisse's Guinea and Seri's Ivory Coast will face off against Rwanda and Central Africa respectively in Group H. Guinea currently top the group with Ivory Coast occupying second spot.

Anguissa will be hoping to solidify Cameroon's spot at the top of Group B against Malawi.

Ayite's Togo sit bottom of Group D as Algeria and Benin occupy the qualifying spots. The will face Gambia in a must win clash. In a winner takes all game, Kebano plays Zimbabwe in what could see Congo through as qualified, should results go their way.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/october/10/international-whites

 
The Amazon Prime Premier League TV deal that's great news for football fans

Football fans will soon be able to watch Premier League games on Amazon Prime

Amazon managing director Alex Green has confirmed that Premier League games will come at no extra cost to Amazon Prime's UK members.

With game currently broadcast live on Sky Sports and BT Sport, it was announced back in June that the US company had won one of the final two packages up for grabs.

They will now show 20 Premier League matches a season from the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

The way it works is that Amazon will exclusively livestream all 10 matches for the first round of midweek fixtures in December, before then doing likewise for all 10 games on Boxing Day.

This will be the first time ever in Premier League history where all 10 games will be shown live in the UK.

Speaking back in June about Amazon's deal, Richard Scudamore, who is to step down from his role as Premier League executive chairman at the end of the year, hailed the partnership with the company.

"Amazon is an exciting new partner for the Premier League and we are very pleased they have chosen to invest in these rights," he said .

"Prime Video will be an excellent service on which fans can consume live Premier League football - including for the first time in the UK a full round of matches - and we look forward to working with them from season 2019/20 onwards."

BT has bought the other remaining rights package. They will be paying £90m per year for exclusive live coverage of 20 midweek games from the top flight of English football each season.

Supporters will be able to find out when they can watch their team on Amazon Prime in the middle of June when the 2019/20 fixtures are released.



https://www.football.london/premier-league/amazon-prime-premier-league-deal-15261536

 
Former Fulham player gives Forest Green Rovers boss 'a little dig in the ribs' after impressive display

Rovers drew 1-1 at Coventry City in the Checkatrade Trophy

Isaac Pearce has staked his claim to be given more first team opportunities, according to Forest Green boss Mark Cooper.

The 19-year-old former Fulham forward scored after coming off the bench in Rovers' Checkatrade Trophy match at Coventry City on Tuesday night, which they lost in a penalty shootout after it finished 1-1.

Pearce is yet to make an appearance for Rovers in League Two since joining them after a successful trial in the summer but has scored twice in three cup appearances, all as a substitute.

He was one of the smallest players in the box when he nodded home the equaliser against Coventry on 69 minutes from a Theo Archibald free-kick that was headed across goal by Lee Collins.

Cooper told the Forest Green website: "It's not often you get a 5ft 4in midfield player or whatever scoring a header is it?

"He's very good in the air for his size. People under-estimate how good he is in the air.

"He's given me a little dig in the ribs as if to say 'I do deserve to be in and around it' and one or two have.

"He's also a clever little footballer, he plays in little pockets in behind their defence, which is difficult to pick up and because he's small he's got a low centre of gravity and twists and turns."

League One side Coventry led through Dominic Hyam's deflected strike after just three minutes but Rovers came back into the game and Cooper felt they should have had all three points.

"I thought we were brilliant," he said.

"I thought we played some fantastic football. I thought we deserved to win the game. I'm really pleased.

"I thought the players put in a brilliant effort, some brilliant football and we probably didn't get what we deserved.

"Some of the football was outstanding and it was good for the boys who came into the team to get some minutes and show that they've got some ability as well.

"We had a great opportunity at the end. We had six attackers against two defenders and we picked the wrong option to kill the game.

"You've got to smell blood there and finish the game off and stop it going to pens."

Coventry came out on top 4-2 in the shootout with Matt Worthington and George Williams missing the first two before Dayle Grubb and Archibald scored from the spot.

Cooper said: "If you roll your penalty and the keeper guesses right he saves it.

"For me, I took my penalties with a bit of venom and if the keeper got in the way he was going in the back of the net with it and that's how I believe it should be took.

"For me it's the best way. Watch Stuart Pearce. You miss the odd one by putting too much on it but the rest fly into the back of the net.

"But I think when the pressure's on the players are going to do their own thing, as much as you practise and give them information they're going to resort to type and do what they've always done."

Forest Green still took a point away from the game to stay top of Southern Group E with one point needed to progress from their final game at home to Arsenal Under-21s.

Cheltenham Town are bottom with no points but still have to face Coventry and the Gunners at Whaddon Road.



https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-player-gives-forest-2093120

 
Fulham and Watford interested in defender as Cottagers ready to make 'super bid' after failed summer attempt

AC Milan signed Mateo Musacchio from Villarreal in 2017 and the centre-back was restricted to limited playing time in his debut season when he made only 12 starts in the league.

The Rossoneri replaced Leonardo Bonucci with Mattia Caldara and the latter's inability to adapt to four-man defence, coupled with his injury woes forced Gennaro Gattuso to field the Argentine in the heart of the back four.

He impressed with his displays and has started in seven games this season, while the former Juventus man is restricted to one appearance in the Europa League.

The South American defender's form for his club has seen him attract interest from the Premier League, according to Calciomercato.

It's claimed that Fulham and Watford are the two clubs interested in the player. The report also mentions that Slavisa Jokanovic's side made an approach for Musacchio, but failed in their attempts to sign him in the summer transfer window.

The Cottagers interest in the centre-half has not faded away and the Italian website suggests that they are ready to make a 'super bid', while the Hornets are also in the race for the Milan defender.

Luckily for Milan, their manager did not put the 28-year-old in the list of players that were transferable, which is why the English club failed to land him before the start of the season.

It is unlikely the San Siro outfit will consider parting ways with him, especially after his performances this season.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-watford-interested-defender-cottagers-ready-make-super-bid-failed-summer-attempt/

 
Fulham player ratings so far: Mitrovic and Vietto impress as Championship stars struggle

Here's how we've rated all of Fulham's players so far this season as we enter the international break

We're into the second international break of the season, so what better time to reflect and have a look at how Fulham's players have gotten on so far.

Looking at the Premier League table, the answer would be 'not so good'.

They sit just two points above the relegation zone having won just one game so far this season, with those three points coming in a 4-2 win over Burnley at the end of August.

Since then, Slavisa Jokanovic's have struggled, letting a 2-0 lead slip at Brighton & Hove Albion while getting demolished at Manchester City, Everton and at home to Arsenal in recent weeks.

Despite that, they've progressed to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup after wins against Exeter City and Millwall, but a trip to the Etihad stands between Fulham and the quarter finals.

Now seems the best time to look back on Fulham's start to the season and rate how each and every member of the squad has started life in the Premier League.

We'll start with the three goalkeepers and work our way through from there.

Marcus Bettinelli - 6

The 26-year-old found he didn't have a place in the squad at the start of the season but has done well to reclaim his spot.

That said, he's struggled to keep the goals out so far this season and has yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League so far this season and shipped five against Arsenal on Sunday.

His distribution has improved, however, and he looks like he's trying to prove to Jokanovic that he can be the ball playing keeper the head coach wants, especially with Sergio Rico waiting in the wings.

Fabri - 6

Fabri came in from Besiktas and started the first two games of the season, before being dropped for Bettinelli and then eventually being dropped from the matchday 18 altogether.

I think some of the criticism of Fabri over the course of those first two games were harsh - he made the most saves in the Premier League during those two performances, and despite some shaky spells did look good.

Like most of the new players, he was playing under a completely new system that required him to use his feet more and to have a better reading of the game - something you won't be able to do in just two games.

I think it was an okay start to life for the Spaniard, but I'm not sure if we'll see much of him again this season.

Sergio Rico - 5

He's won two Europa League titles with Sevilla, but so far we've only seen Rico in two Carabao Cup games.

The 25-year-old has impressed me in those two games, with his command of his box and ability to come for crosses a big positive, although I'm well aware it was against Exeter City and Millwall.

I'm not sure how much longer Jokanovic will be able to warrant keeping such a keeper out of a side that has shipped 21 goals in eight games, although Bettinelli has done nothing to warrant being dropped.

I'm looking forward to seeing more from Rico as the season progresses, however.

Denis Odoi - 7

I have to say, I've been pleasantly surprised by Odoi in the Premier League so far.

After that sending off in the play-off final, I thought he would find game time extremely hard to come back this season with the number of signings Fulham made, but he's stepped up once again to the challenge and has probably been the side's best centre back.

He hasn't looked too out of place in the top flight and has held down his spot in the side since coming back from suspension and missing the first two games of the season.

A good start from Odoi.

Calum Chambers - 4

It's not been a very good start to life at Fulham for Arsenal loanee Chambers, who has struggled to make much of an impact at the club so far.

He's featured in five league games for the side so far but hasn't looked comfortable in Jokanovic's system and it showed in the 1-1 draw with Watford, where he looked a liability in the heart of defence.

The quality is there with Chambers so it's strange to see him struggle so much at Fulham, it'll be interesting to see whether or not he ups his game and shows us the player that we all know he can be.

Tim Ream - 5

Last season's player of the year has only played two games so far this season, so to give him anything above an average score would be unfair on him and the other players in the side.

He has, however, come straight back into the side after that back injury and added some stability to the back line, with Fulham looking more comfortable on the ball with the American in the heart of defence.

Hopefully that back injury is fully recovered and we can see more of Ream after the break.

Maxime Le Marchand - 6

I think the Frenchman has started life fairly well at Craven Cottage, all things considered.

He came on the same day as Seri and was somewhat of a unknown quantity but has performed well for the most part, albeit with some mistakes.

Like most of the new faces, it's hard coming into a new-look back four and having very limited time to adjust and get up to speed on new tactics, but I think Le Marchand has done alright in that sense.

He's much better at centre back than he is at left back, but I don't think he will be testing the likes of Ream or Mawson for those starting spaces after the international break.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah - 7

Another good signing of the summer, Fosu-Mensah has made the right back slot his own with some impressive bits of full back play so far this season.

Ryan Fredericks' attacking style was such a large part of last season's success and Fulham have lacked that this season so far, although there have been glimpses that Fosu-Mensah is able to replicate that.

I think he's better defensively too, but like others in that back four needs to get to grips with how Jokanovic wants his players to play going forward from here.

It's a shame he dislocated his shoulder in the Everton defeat, just as he was starting to produce for Fulham after his deadline day signing.

Cyrus Christie - 4

The Irishman has struggled with life in the Premier League, with the performance in the Arsenal battering the worst I've seen Christie so far.

It's a shame - he had some good performances last season and bide his time as Ryan Fredericks' number two, but he just hasn't made the step up yet.

There is still plenty of time for Christie to improve, but he has to start showing he can compete at this level - and soon.

Joe Bryan - 5

An average start to life at Fulham due to his stop-start first few months.

He's been in and out of the team and hasn't really been able to get going yet, with being thrust into the game with Crystal Palace having had one day's training not a help.

He looked good deployed as a left wing back in the Carabao Cup win over Millwall, but injury at Everton has once again hampered his development and start at Fulham.

Alfie Mawson - 5

Defensive signings were vital to Fulham in the summer, and one of those was Mawson from Swansea City.

The jury is still out on the Englishman - he came to the club injured and seemed to be thrust right back into action after minimal training time, which doesn't seem to have helped his cause much.

He's been in and out of the team, with Jokanovic preferring the tried and tested partnership of Denis Odoi and Tim Ream at the moment, especially after his first half horror show against Watford.

There is certainly more to come from Mawson, we saw how good he was for Swansea despite them getting relegated, and because of that I'm going to give him an average 5/10 for his start.

Ryan Sessegnon - 6

It's taken Sessegnon a while to adapt to life in the Premier League as Jokanovic uses him at both full back and as a left forward in this early part of the season.

That said, he's starting to get to grips with the top division and I was very impressed with how he did at left wing back against Arsenal on Saunday - he dominated Hector Bellerin in the first half and that is no mean feat.

I think there was maybe too much expectation on the 18-year-old after his 16 goal season last year, the step up from Championship to Premier League is huge but I think in recent games we've started to see Sessegnon start playing to the standard needed.

Kevin McDonald - 5

The Scottish international has seen his game time limited after the arrival of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and by a change in formation by Jokanovic as he looks to solve the defensive issues.

The games he has played in, however, he's looked decent and seems to have continued his performance from last season, albeit it against tougher opposition.

There's been times this season when creative attacking midfielders, like Bernardo Silva of City, have exploited the space left between McDonald and the defence which is where he needs to improve this season.

A decent start to life in the Premier League.

Neeskens Kebano - 5

There's not much to say about Kebano this season - he's found game time extremely limited and was injured in his only performance of the season against Exeter in the cup.

I'm not sure how much we'll see of the DR Congo man in Fulham's Premier League team this season.

Stefan Johansen - 4

Like Christie, it looks like Johansen has struggled to make the step up from Championship to Premier League and has lost his place to Jean-Michael Seri as a result.

In his appearances, he's looked a yard off the pace required to play against some of the top opposition in the world and that has been clear to see, like in the loss at Man City.

We'll see more of Johansen in the coming season for sure, but I think his game time will be limited.

Tom Cairney - 6

The Fulham skipper started the season well and quickly adjusted to the Premier League, continuing to dominate the possession and get his side going in midfield.

However, the injury at the end of August put the brakes on his start to life back in the top division, which was unfortunate as Cairney was just starting to look a solid top flight player.

I think Fulham have struggled without their skipper too - Seri looks a better player with Cairney next to him and the side will be hoping whatever is keeping him out with injury isn't too serious.

Jean-Michael Seri - 7

Seri was probably the coup of the summer for Fulham, snatching him from under the noses of Chelsea and Arsenal in a big money move from Nice.

Everyone knew of the 27-year-old's quality before he started the season - you don't get called the Ivorian Xavi for nothing and his first few games at the club definitely showed what a good player the side had signed.

He started well - his box-to-box performance against the likes of Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brighton were all promising, with his ability to tackle and pick a pass the highlights.

His performances have died down somewhat in recent weeks - whether that's because of the new formation where he's played deeper or because he misses having a creative talent like Tom Cairney remains to be seen, but it's been a good start to life at Fulham for Seri.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6

Another big signing of the summer was Anguissa, with Fulham capturing his signature from Marseilles on deadline day.

It's been a bit of a hot and cold start to life for the Cameroon international, who has only just started to start regularly for Jokanovic in the holding midfield role, with Kevin McDonald keeping his spot at the start of the season.

At times, Anguissa has been the defensive midfielder Fulham had hoped for - big, powerful and able to dominate the midfield, but at other times he's looked sluggish and overrun, like in the Arsenal defeat.

I think there's more to come from Anguissa as he settles to life in England, but that will have to come soon as Fulham's play depends so much on the anchor role, as we saw with McDonald last season.

Ibrahima Cisse - 3

Yep, he's still at Fulham.

He played against Exeter in the cup and struggled at times to stop the League Two side from breaking through onto his centre backs.

Don't think we'll see him anywhere near the Premier League.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 8

Fulham knew exactly what they were getting with Mitrovic, and he hasn't failed to disappoint so far.

He currently tops their scoring charts with five goals in eight games, carrying on his red hot form from last season, where his goals were crucial in getting Fulham to where they are now.

He's scored the goals for the Cottagers and that's exactly what they need from him, while he also provides a physical outlet for the side's creative players.

There were question marks over whether he could do it in the Premier League - he's already answered those.

Floyd Ayite -5

We haven't seen much of the Togo man either with him missing the start of the season with injury.

He's not featured much for Jokanovic since then, playing bit parts for Fulham in the league campaign.

Andre Schurrle - 7

Schurrle has enjoyed his start to life back in England, and after a dodgy start against Crystal Palace has become one of Jokanovic's trusted starters this season.

He seems to have developed a good relationship with Luciano Vietto and the two look good together on the break and can interchange well.

I would say that his shooting has been a tad erratic so far this season and that he looks for the shot when there are better options on, but he has looked creative going forward and come up with some good goals.

Luciano Vietto - 7

I've liked what I've seen of Vietto - he looks comfortable on the ball, can accelerate away on his first touch and has an eye for an assists.

However, I will say that his decision making can be better - we've seen what he is capable of with some really nice assists (like the one for Schurrle against Arsenal) but at other times, like against Everton, he doesn't pick his head up soon enough to see things around him.

That said, he does look like to make something happen whenever he is on the ball, and his flourishing relationship with Schurrle looks like it will wield results this season.

Aboubakar Kamara - 4

Has seen his game time limited in the Premier League this season after promotion from the Championship.

He looks to be another one that has struggled with adapting to life in the top division, where his pace isn't as much of a threat to experienced top flight defenders who know how to defend against it.

Kamara looked out of his depth against Arsenal and didn't do the defensive job required against Spurs earlier in the season - I think he's another we'll only see bit parts of this year.

Steven Sessegnon - 6

I've been impressed with how Steven has done in the centre back role in the two Carabao Cup games.

He looked more than good enough there against Millwall, winning a number of tackles while also dominating in the air, and if Fulham were a Championship team I think he'd be a regular starter.

It's a tough area to break into the team, especially in the Premier League, but with the struggles the side are having it's a great opportunity for Steven to fight for a first team place.

Luca de la Torre - 6

Another youngster I was impressed with in his Carabao Cup outing and he can consider himself very unlucky that he isn't getting nearer to the first team.

His running off and on the ball and eye to link play was very encouraging, and like Steven Sessegnon, he's another one who would probably be starting regularly if Fulham were still in the Championship.

It looks like his development is coming along nicely.

And finally - Slavisa Jokanovic - 6

The head coach hasn't been helped by injuries and late arrivals into his camp ahead of the Premier League season as he trues to get Fulham up and running in the top flight.

He's been forced to swap and change personnel more often than he would like, resulting in an unsettled side that hasn't helped the points tally.

His decision to sub Ream and bring on Kamara on Sunday was questionable, but with Fulham chasing the game it was the only sub he could've really made to try and change the shape.

We know he's a good manager, and I think once he gets a team together and instills his tactics on the, they'll be just fine.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-far-mitrovic-15261233

 
Who is Mateo Musacchio? A look at the AC Milan defender 'on the radar of Watford and Fulham'

The Argentine defender has been linked with a move to the Premier League in January.

It may only be October, but in the life of a football club the work behind the scenes doesn't stop.

With two months until the January transfer window opens, clubs up and down the country will be working hard to get a head start on potential acquisitions - and with the marketplace being so saturated, there's no short-cut when it comes to putting in the hard graft.

The Premier League is as competitive as they come, and for clubs such as Watford and Fulham, January could be pivotal in ensuring that they meet their goals this term.

One man who has been heavily linked with both clubs is AC Milan defender Mateo Musacchio.

But what do we know about him? Let's take a look.

(https://i2-prod.getsurrey.co.uk/incoming/article15261675.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Mateo-Musacchio.png)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)

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Born in August 1990, Mateo Musacchio started his career with River Plate before joining Villarreal as a 19-year-old.

Despite suffering a number of injury problems, the Argentine centre-back racked up almost 250 appearances for the Spanish side before moving on to Italian giants AC Milan in the summer of 2017.

He's made 29 appearances for Milan since joining the club and has also made six international appearances for Argentina.

How likely is a move to happen?

AC Milan are keen to keep hold of the central defender who has a contract until 2021.

Watford have been a long-term admirer of Musacchio having first enquired about his services during his time at Villarreal.

It was no secret that the Hornets were looking for a defender over the summer, and Musacchio was one of the names on the list of potential targets.

As for Fulham, it's reported that they had a formal offer for the defender rejected by AC Milan over the summer.

They moved on to sign other targets such as Calum Chambers, but it's thought that the club are still keen on securing a move for the international defender, with January being an option for a move.

Musacchio has been a regular for Milan in Serie A this term, meaning that it remains to be seen whether a move can be agreed in January.



https://www.football.london/watford-fc/news/mateo-musaccho-watford-fulham-transfers-15261677

 
Fulham's Neeskens Kebano can use international duty to force himself into starting line-up


Neeskens Kebano has not played a single minute in the Premier League this season for Fulham. Overlooked for the opening weeks of the season, the winger suffered an injury in the League Cup in late August that ruled him until this week.

Just in time for international duty, the Democratic Republic of Congo international has recovered from his ankle injury and must take advantage of his country's matches against Zimbabwe.

With a productive and eye-catching international break, Kebano can force himself back into Slavisa Jokanovic's first team plans for Fulham's upcoming matches.

The Fulham manager has shown a willingness to incorporate the squad's backup wingers, evidenced by his substitution of Aboubakar Kamara last week against Arsenal.

Kebano possesses searing pace and brilliant close control, and although he has never played in the English top flight, the winger can inject much-needed energy and creativity into the tired Fulham attack.

With just three goals in their last five matches, Fulham's front line is struggling, and Kebano's introduction could be the boost the Whites need to return to their high-scoring exploits of last season.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulhams-neeskens-kebano-can-use-international-duty-to-force-himself-into-starting-lineup/

 
Fulham dismiss claim owner Shahid Khan plans to develop 122-year-old Craven Cottage into flats

Exclusive: According to the club's former assistant director of football Craig Kline, Khan plans to move Fulham to Wembley should his proposed £600m purchase of the national stadium go ahead


Fulham have reiterated their commitment to Craven Cottage after a former executive claimed the club's owner Shahid Khan views the historic football ground as a "negative asset" and plans to develop the stadium into luxury riverside properties.

According to the club's former assistant director of football Craig Kline, Khan plans to move Fulham to Wembley and will develop the 122-year-old Craven Cottage into flats should his proposed £600m purchase of the national stadium go ahead.

After Khan's Wembley bid was made public in April he promised, unprompted, that it would "have no impact on Craven Cottage as the home of FFC", but Kline claims that Khan views the ground as a "negative asset" in one of the most expensive areas of London.

Kline has claimed that Khan's purchase of Fulham in July 2013 was motivated by a long-term strategy to move his NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars, to London in order to seize the initiative in the race into the NFL's relatively untapped European market and that moving the Jags from Florida to the UK remains his priority.

But while the Jags' potential relocation is no secret and has been widely reported, Kline's claims regarding the redevelopment of Craven Cottage are new and contradict Khan's April statement.

"They're going to develop the Cottage entirely into flats, that's the plan," Kline told The Independent. "It's a negative asset, it's sitting on one of the most expensive pieces of property in London."

He added: "The NFL has decided the north Florida market can't support two teams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, two of the worst markets in the NFL.

"The NFL entry into the European market is one of the biggest product market entries ever, the German and European television money is massive for occupying those time slots.

"I was privy to all this information a very long time ago, it didn't start out as secret."

(https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/02/28/22/p9-Shahid-Khan.jpg?w660)
Shahid Khan has owned Fulham since 2013 (Getty Images)

Kline, an American data expert, left Fulham under a cloud last November after clashing with other senior figures and following an incident in which he called police to the training ground. After his departure he tweeted a series of serious allegations about club practices which were later deleted.

On Monday he tweeted the FA Council claiming to have "evidence of systematic corruption" relating to the purchase of Wembley. The FA are investigating Kline's claims, all of which Fulham and Khan strenuously deny.

When contacted by The Independent, the club pointed to Tuesday's statement made on behalf of Khan: "This is nothing more than the same ongoing nonsense and bogus claims made by a former employee who left the club in 2017. Nothing here merits a further response."​

Kline was a longstanding friend of Fulham's vice-chairman Tony Khan, Shahid's son, since childhood and in a follow-up tweet on Tuesday he claimed that the pair of them had worked together to build a "paper trail" of evidence proving "so much fraud in football". However it is understood they have had no contact since Kline's acrimonious exit nearly 12 months ago and that Khan is dismayed to be linked in any way to the allegations.

Khan's proposed Wembley purchase moved a step closer last month after it was approved by the FA board, to which he responded with a statement reaffirming his commitment to Craven Cottage: "The news from today's FA Board meeting is welcomed and encouraging. I understand the discussion was open and thorough. One cannot ask for more as we continue to work through the process with the FA Board, FA Council, Sport England, the Mayor of London's office and DCMS toward reaching an agreement that will serve English football for generations to come.

"Today's development has no effect on my plans to renovate Craven Cottage and, as such, has no impact on Craven Cottage continuing to be the permanent home of Fulham Football Club."

The plans will be presented to the FA Council on Thursday before a vote on 24 October.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-craven-cottage-shahid-khan-craig-kline-wembley-stadium-a8577406.html

 
The growing problems at Fulham

After what was a very promising summer for Fulham in terms of recruitment for life back at the top level of English football, the opening eight games of the season has been tough for the London club.

Manager Slaviša Jokanović has seen his team pick up only five points, losing five games and conceding twenty-one goals in these games thus far.

Defensively is where the team has really endured major troubles, Jokanovic has experimented with a different back four in each game and has even tried changing the shape resulting in the latest setback, which was the 5-1 defeat at the hands of in-form Arsenal.

On personnel available, the defensive problems that Jokanovic's team faces, getting the right balance within his back-line and what protection he has available to help them keep the opposition from hurting them. Moving away from the 4-3-3 shape that brought the results it did last season is certainly not the answer, but applying the right players in these areas is key to Fulham moving forward.

Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie are two players who defensively have struggled to make any impact at Craven Cottage this season, and when looking at the options available to Jokanovic, it might be his best option to play with restricted fullbacks who can and have played inside.

Callum Chambers joined for a season-long loan and with only a handful of great displays at central defence, it could be the best option to put the English defender back to right back, where the former England under 21 defender made his breakthrough while playing at Southampton.

Summer signing Maxime Le Marchand is another who does not look as influential playing at the heart of the defence, but has played left back on a number of occasions and could more beneficial playing in what is quite a troublesome position for Fulham, despite adding Joe Bryan from Bristol City to take this position.

This Fulham team needs consistency, and the defence needs to build partnerships and an understanding; moving forward, Alfie Mawson, who when he signed for the club, looked a bargain for 15 million in the summer from Swansea, needs a run of games and needs a partner who will compliment him well, especially if he had two defensive minded full backs. American defender Tim Ream would be the answer to partnering Mawson - good on the ball and not slow he would be the partner that Mawson would need at the heart of the Fulham defence.

The concern looking in at the club is that pressure does not intensify too much on manager Slaviša Jokanović. How often do we see newly promoted clubs feel a need to sack the manager in a desperate attempt to change their fortunes. Jokanović deserves time to mould so many new players into the system and philosophies in which he is wanting to play at the club.

Getting new signings Anguissa and Seri into the 3-man central midfield alongside a more creative Tom Cairney could be the real strength to this Fulham side. The two players brought in from Marseille and Nice respectively are both powerful athletic midfielders who can cover a lot of ground on the pitch. Anguissa was an important member of the Marseille team that got to the final of last season's Europa League and has a great awareness on the pitch.

His contribution thus far has not been of sufficient quality to merit him a place in the side, but the manager needs to stick with the powerful holding midfielder to allow him to build an understanding of the team and the league, and a partnership alongside Seri in the long term would flourish.

One of the rising stars in the English game, Ryan Sessegnon, is beginning to find his find after a slow start to life in the Premier League, but he has played left back and left wing back on occasion and we have not yet seen the best out of the future England international in an attacking sense.

Getting Serbia international Aleksandar Mitrović on a permanent deal was important to the club and he has shown to be an influential figure both on and off the pitch for this Fulham team. A return of five goals already in the Premier League shows just how important to this Fulham team if they are to fight off the threat of relegation.

Going forward is not a problem for Fulham especially when they have brought in Andre Schurrle and Luciano Vietto who can also contribute with goals.

One of the biggest decisions and perhaps controversial moves that Jokanović has made since the start of the season was the omission of England goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. Summer signing Fabri was favoured ahead of Bettinelli at the start of the campaign, but has since has lost his place.

One of the biggest surprises was that Fulham landed Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico in the summer on a loan deal, but the one time Spain goalkeeper has made just 2 appearances in a Fulham shirt, both coming in the EFL cup.

This is a goalkeeper who made 40 appearances in a Sevilla team that was competing in Europe last season. The 25-year-old needs to start in this team, he would add not only experience in the heart of this Fulham team, but his presence and stature. This is a goalkeeper who could play for the elite clubs in Europe, Fulham need to make use of such quality.

Despite a dreadful start to season, there are so many promising signs for Fulham moving forward, but the concerns are there, especially when you look at the amount of goals conceded. Keeping the manager at the club is essential for this group of players and for playing with such class in an attacking sense.

The team is not short on experience so would expect to see a change of fortunes moving forward for the rest of the season.



https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-growing-problems-at-fulham?key=newsnow

 
De La Torre: We Are Gelling

Luca De La Torre believes the amount of game time his side have being getting together stands them in good stead for the season.


His comments come following the Under-23s' 2-1 win over Birmingham City in the PL Cup on Saturday.

"It was good for us today, the boys played some good football," he told fulhamfc.com. "It was a lot tougher in the second half once they got back into the game, but we held on.

"Hopefully now the players are getting together more often with minutes under their belts we can start gelling to put a run together in the league. It's tough with younger players coming in and out of the group but now we are getting stability we can progress and move forward."

The midfielder opened the scoring in the win to set up a platform for Harvey Elliott's stunning volley, which proved to be the match winner. De La Torre was impressed by the young winger's performance.

"It's always good to score and today I could help the team in that way. Harvey's volley was excellent, the technique was great. He needs to keep his head down and keep working hard, he's young but he definitely has that ability.

"In the first half they sat in deep, but they came at us in the second once they were chasing the game. I think we dealt with both sets of tactics very well overall.

"The type of players we have are very technical, we want to pass the ball around, with risk at times. We need to play but we are becoming better at cutting mistakes.

After the International break, the Under-23s turn their attention back to the league campaign, when they face West Brom at Motspur Park.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/october/10/u23-reaction

 
Cairney, Bryan, Fosu-Mensah - Latest Fulham injury news and potential return dates

Fulham have a number of players in the treatment room at the moment - here's who is out injured

Fulham have suffered with injuries more than most at the start of their Premier League campaign - with a number of key players having spent time on the sidelines.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side went into the new season with last campaign's Player of the Year, Tim Ream, injured with a back problem, which proved to be a huge headache as the head coach had to field a completely new back four for the opening game of the season.

Since then, Ream has returned for one game only, but with the side's defence still yet to gel, further injuries to Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Joe Bryan couldn't have come at a worse time.

Fulham have still only won just once in the top flight this season, beating Burnley 4-2 at the end of August, drawing two and losing three of their previous five games - something that has left them in 17th place.

Some players have returned to fitness, with Neeskens Kebano fit enough for international duty with DR Congo, while there is bad news on the Tom Cairney front, with the skipper back out of contention at the club.

Here's a look at who is out injured and their possible return dates.

Joe Bryan

The summer signing from Bristol City opened his Fulham account in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Millwall but limped off with a hamstring injury in the 3-0 defeat to Everton.

It was his first league start since the end of August in the win over Burnley, but he limped off with just over five minutes remaining at Goodison after tweaking his hamstring.

After the game, Jokanovic confirmed the injury and that Bryan would be outside the squad for a 'few weeks': "Joe Bryan has a hamstring problem and will be a few weeks outside of the squad".

He's travelled to Barcelona during the international break to undergo tests on his injury and is now back in England to continue his recovery.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah

The Manchester United loanee was stretchered off at Goodison Park after landing heavily on his shoulder in the opening exchanges.

Jokanovic was unable to give further updates on the full back after the game, but Fosu-Mensah was taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

He faces a number of weeks out as he recovers, with November looking the most likely date at this moment in time, but didn't have to undergo surgery on the shoulder.

Fosu-Mensah has, however, been working in the gym at Motspur Park over the past couple of weeks in what is an encouraging sign for the youngster.

Marlon Fossey

Fulham's youngster impressed in the pre-season friendlies prior to the start of the season but picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training that has seen him ruled out for the foreseeable future.

He underwent surgery and has recently had his leg in a brace, but has been at Motspur Park working with Fulham's fitness coaches as he starts the long road to recovery.

Unfortunately, Fossey won't be back training with the first team until the New Year.

Tom Cairney

The skipper returned to the side for the trip to Everton, but missed the 5-1 defeat to Arsenal as Jokanovic confirmed he had suffered a set back in his recovery.

It seems that his ankle problem has cleared, but that he's still feeling some pains, similar to his knee injury he suffered last season in the Championship, where the problem was gone but the pain remained.

It's a concern for sure - last season Cairney missed large chunks as a result of something similar to this and Fulham need their best players available to them as they look to get out of a poor start to the season.

When he returns will depend on Fulham being able to diagnose what is causing him the pain and dealing with it, but sometime after the international break seems the most likely.

Players recently returned to first team action:

Neeskens Kebano (Ankle injury)
Alfie Mawson (back injury)



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-injury-list-cairney-bryan-15225190

 
Your Verdict On The Possibility Of Jokanovic Being Axed

Following the heavy defeat at the hands of Arsenal, at Craven Cottage, on Sunday, we asked a very pertinent question.

We wanted to know, following criticism of Slavisa Jokanovic, on social media Click Here, whether Slavisa's position as the boss of Fulham could be in doubt.

We gave you three options to choose from:

• Yes.

• No.

and

• Don't be so stupid.

Surprisingly, the result didn't produce the result we hoped.

Here at Vital Fulham, we're backing Slavisa to finish the job he's started, but only 36% agreed with that inference.

Worryingly, 32% were of the belief that he could be axed, but if that were the case who would the club turn to.

But, if the percentage split of the vote options above grabbed your attention, then perhaps the pendulum swings back towards Slavisa remaining in his role with 32% opting for the 'don't be so stupid' option when it comes to his job being in danger.

COYW's



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/your-verdict-on-the-possibility-of-jokanovic-being-axed/

 
Statement from the Fulham Supporters' Trust

Fulham Supporters' Trust Chair, Tom Greatrex said:

"Generations of Fulham fans have worked, campaigned and lobbied for many years to keep our club at its historic home - including during some very grim times when the future of the club itself was in jeopardy. Throughout that time, we have highlighted the link between the character of our club and its historic and much-loved home.

"The club has secured planning permission for a new stand, and committed this week again to construction work starting at the end of this season. We welcome this commitment to Fulham staying at Craven Cottage for the long term. As a Trust, we continue to press the Club on progress towards this goal, which will secure Fulham's future at Craven Cottage.

Fulham fans who are not already members of the Trust can join the Trust here




http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2018/10/10/statement-from-the-fulham-supporters-trust.html

 
Has Jokanovic done a Karanka and signed too many players?

Like Middlesbrough in 2016/17, Fulham were promoted to the Premier League with a clear sense of identity but a squad that, on paper, was not Premier League standard.

The style of football was markedly different; Aitor Karanka assembled a watertight side that struggled to score while Slavisa Jokanovic's side play a passing style but lack defensive quality.

Both managers' responses were the same; an all-out assault on the transfer market, aimed at accumulating quality and depth which would equip them for Premier League survival.

The logic is clear and the flurry of activity excites the fans; but the downsides can eventually lead to relegation.

At the Riverside, Karanka's transfer strategy was a complete failure. The raft of new arrivals created a divide in the dressing room; between those who sweated blood to take the club back to the big-time and those who arrived after to scoop the big wages.

The team spirit and playing style became fractured; were Boro still playing conservatively or trying to open up with their added quality?

Fulham have the same issue; their back four has improved quality but are all unfamiliar with each other. The new forwards do not have the same understanding as the front three did last season.

Jokanovic, like Karanka, had a good thing going at the Cottage. By being unable to resist the temptation to spend, he may have butchered it. Time will tell.



https://tbrfootball.com/has-jokanovic-done-a-karanka-and-signed-too-many-players/

 
Could Fulham's reported interest in Musacchio depend on Manchester United?

AC Milan's Mateo Musacchio reportedly interests Fulham but things would be made more difficult if Manchester United are involved elsewhere.

According to Calciomercato.com, Fulham, along with Watford, are interested in signing AC Milan's Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio.

That signing would be a real coup for Fulham as Musacchio carries a fair bit of top-flight experience, having played nearly 250 times for Villareal before moving to San Siro.

Last season saw him on the fringes of the squad, however, as he struggled to get in ahead of Leonardo Bonucci and Alessio Romagnoli, although the former's departure has allowed him to start regularly this year.

The very highly Mattia Caldara, who joined in the summer from Juventus, will likely take his place eventually, allowing Musacchio to leave - although that would be complicated if Manchester United get their wish.

ESPN reported earlier in the week that United and Jose Mourinho have pinpointed Romagnoli as one of their two key targets at centre back this January and, if the Milan captain was to push through any move, the chances of anyone signing Musacchio would drop significantly.

Fulham may have to wait and see on this one then, although it should be said that Milan would allow Musacchio to leave far easier than Romagnoli, who they awarded the captaincy to this summer and see their future in.

As long as everyone but United and Jose Mourinho get their way, Fulham could soon be getting a very good player.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/10/10/ac-fulhams-interest-in-musacchio-likely-to-depend-on-man-united/

 
Exclusive: Shahid Khan's letter to FA Council on Wembley plans and that pledges Fulham's future remains at Craven Cottage

Standard Sport has obtained a letter sent from Shahid Khan to FA Council members last week that outlines his plans for Wembley Stadium and pledges that the future of Fulham remains at Craven Cottage.

Khan's £600 million bid to buy Wembley is being considered by the FA Council on Thursday.

The Council will hear from FA executives, led by chief executive Martin Glenn, about why they believe the sale of Wembley to Khan would be in the interests of the national game.

Ahead of the crucial meeting, Khan wrote a letter to the 127 FA council members.

In it, Khan:

    Insists he will respect the history of Wembley and vows to bring the stadium in line with the best venues in the world.
    Reiterates that Craven Cottage will "always be the lifetime home" of Fulham and reveals that work to redevelop the Riverside Stand will begin next May.
    Outlines his idea to have a committee of FA Council members who would "play a meaningful advisory role" on all matters to do with the FA and Wembley.
    Says he understands the significance of the decision "to everyone who celebrates football in England".
    Pledges that, under his guardianship, Wembley will at all times be "the national stadium of England and the traditional home of English football".

The Council is set to vote on the proposed sale on October 24.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/shahid-khan-outlines-wembley-stadium-plans-and-fulhams-craven-cottage-future-in-letter-to-fa-council-a3958911.html

 
Here are 2 top-class centre-backs who can solve Fulham's defensive woes including 27-year-old Celtic star

Two centre-backs Fulham must consider signing in January

Fulham have fought long and hard to return to the Premier League and must not give this moment up easily following their slow start to the season.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic wasted no time in overhauling his squad and brought in 12 new players in the summer transfer window to compete with the Premier League bigwigs.

Fulham were tipped for a strong season on their return to the English top-flight but things haven't gone as per plan and Jokanovic's men were handed a beating by Arsenal at Craven Cottage this past weekend.

On the evidence of the 5-1 thrashing at home against Arsenal, Fulham's defence needs further strengthening. The Cottagers signed the likes of Maxime le Marchand, Calum Chambers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Alfie Mawson in the summer but neither of them has truly made an impact this season.

Regardless of the club spending a lot of money on signing exciting crop of players, it looks like Jokanovic needs to persuade the Fulham's top brass to get their chequebook out in January. Here are two centre-backs Fulham must consider signing in January.

Dedryck Boyata (Fulham)
Scottish champions Celtic had rejected a bid from Fulham for defender Dedryck Boyata in the summer. But the time could be ripe in January for Fulham to reignite their interest in the Belgian defender.

Boyata could be a bargain for Jokanovic's side given that he is out of contract at the end of the season and may be available for a cut-price fee in January. The 27-year-old is a strong, powerful and aerially dominant defender who is also comfortable in bringing the ball out from the back.

Boyata is in the prime years of his career and a move for him should be a priority for Fulham when the transfer market reopens.

Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
To solidify the backline, Fulham should make an ambitious move for Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia in January.

Ranocchia, 30, has had a taste of Premier League football after joining Hull City on loan last year. While Hull ended up getting relegated, the Italian impressed with his performances at the back.

A strong and physically imposing centre-back with a good understanding of the game and ball-playing abilities, Ranocchia could be a fantastic buy for Fulham. Standing at 6ft 5in, the 30-year-old is dominant in the air and is also a goal threat from set-pieces.

Ranocchia's wealth of experience in playing at the very highest level with both Inter and Italy would surely prove to be a huge asset to a Fulham side lacking inspiration and real leaders on and off the pitch.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/10/11/here-are-2-top-class-centre-backs-who-can-solve-fulhams-defensive-woes-including-27-year-old-celtic-star/

 
The FA warn they face a £72m bill for Wembley Stadium upgrades if £600m sale to Shahid Khan falls through

    FA make last-ditch attempt to garner support ahead of meeting on £600m deal
    CFO Mark Burrows says FA would be 'better off' if they handed it over for free
    FA would spend around £18m on stadium upkeep in 2018 alone if they do not sell
    The claimed £72m is the expected cost of stadium maintenance over six years

The FA have warned that they face a £72million bill for upgrades to Wembley if they do not sell to Fulham owner Shahid Khan.

In an apparent last-ditch attempt to garner support for the £600m sale ahead of Thursday's crunch meeting on the proposed deal, the FA's chief financial officer Mark Burrows even claimed they would be better off 'handing over' the stadium than retaining ownership.

Burrows spelled out the expected costs during a presentation to county FA chiefs. With £2m worth of work needed on the floodlights — as well as improvements to the pitch, the roof, cabling and beer delivery systems — the bill would be around £18m this year.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/10/10/21/4935542-0-image-a-49_1539203503462.jpg)
Fulham owner Shahid Khan is attempting to buy Wembley Stadium for £600million

He said: 'Wembley is profitable and we do not need to sell — I would be happy to keep running it and would enjoy doing so. This is a serious and very credible offer and it's a far better deal than we would have got in the market. A forced seller would not get a deal like this.

'And the FA will save £72m in capital expenditure over the next six years. It's £18m this year. We are immediately off the hook for this and it's the biggest number in the turnover equation. So we would be better off by handing over the stadium to them, never mind the £600m.'

The FA are set to repeat these warnings at Thursday's FA council meeting about the potential sale, at which 127 councillors will hear details of the deal tabled by American-Pakistani billionaire Khan.

Although no decision will be made on Thursday — the councillors will return to vote on October 24 — FA chairman Greg Clarke will be keen to leave Wembley having persuaded those who are still opposed to the idea.

Clarke is not interested in rubber-stamping a deal if he can only achieve a small majority on the council and is aiming instead for a 'significant majority' amounting to a 60-40 split.

An insider told Sportsmail: 'After the council have heard the presentation, it will only be emotion that will stand in the way of the deal going through.'

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2018/10/10/21/4935416-6262533-image-a-36_1539203232056.jpg)
The FA will have to pay £2m to complete essential upgrade works to Wembley's floodlights

In addition to any concerns over the way the FA would spend the significant windfall from the sale, councillors are likely to be aware of claims of corruption at Fulham made by a former employee.

The FA and EFL are examining allegations by Fulham's former assistant director of football Craig Kline that he has 'key evidence of systemic corruption relevant to the Wembley vote'.

Police are also investigating reports by Kline of non-recent threatening behaviour by Khan and Fulham's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

A spokesman for Khan has dismissed the claims as 'nonsense' and 'bogus'.

Khan wrote a two-page letter to FA council members this week committing to being a 'responsible owner and operator of Wembley Stadium' if he is successful in buying it.

He also suggested the formation of a 'committee of FA council members who would play a meaningful advisory role on all FA-related stadium matters to guarantee that your voice and counsel will always be heard and respected.'

The Premier League and Sport England also wrote to the FA council.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6262533/FA-facing-72m-bill-Wembley-upgrades-sale-falls-through.html

 
Why former Swansea City skipper Alfie Mawson's start at Fulham really hasn't gone well

The centre-back left the Liberty in the summer but his move hasn't gone to plan so far

Once the final Premier League ball was kicked at the Liberty last season, you knew it would be the last time you saw Alfie Mawson in a Swansea City shirt.

Relegation would see Swansea's prized asset exiting stage right.

It was just a question of to who.

A protracted saga involving West Ham, Burnley, Leicester and the Cottagers played out in the media but the lure of London was always going to play a role in his move.

The defender revealed the motivation behind the £15million switch to the Cottagers.

Mawson was called up by England boss Gareth Southgate for friendlies against Italy and the Netherlands last March but he remained unused by the ex-Middlesbrough manager and missed out on World Cup selection.

The defender told the Daily Mail: "The last time I spoke to him I was at Swansea in the thick of things in the relegation battle and he said realistically if you want to get back into it obviously the Premier League is a must.

"My first and foremost thing is to get into this side and I'm sure if I do well and I play well then Gareth will make a decision. I respect whatever decision he makes but I've had a taste for it and I would like to get the full thing."

Mawson missed out on Southgate's latest squad and at present looks a long way outside the reckoning.

So what's gone wrong for him at Craven Cottage?

How has he done since he arrived?

It's been an iffy start for Alfie Mawson at Fulham. As Swansea fans will know, he came to West London with that knee injury he suffered at the end of last season and it took him a while to get over, not making his debut until the Exeter City game in the Carabao Cup.

I feel like he was rushed back into contention somewhat - he had only really started training again when he was picked for the cup game and he looked sluggish in the games after.

He missed the trip to Everton with a back injury, so his start to life here has been marred by injuries if you want, something that is less than ideal when trying to get on board with Slavisa Jokanovic's tactics in a new-look back line.

What happened against Watford that meant he was hooked at half-time?

In a nutshell, it looked like he'd never met Calum Chambers before, let alone played football with the Arsenal loanee.

Jokanovic used the pair on the opposite side of the centre-back pairing, so Mawson played right centre-back being left footed and Chambers played left centre-back.

It was a shambles, there was no communication between the two and their awful start just bred more nerves through the back four that wasn't sorted, to a degree, until Denis Odoi came on at half-time.

The whole 45 was a surprise considering how highly-rated Mawson, and Chambers, were before coming to Fulham.

Why isn't he starting?

I think it's mostly down to fitness and how well Odoi has done at centre-back. Like I mentioned previously, I think Mawson was rushed back a bit to try and cure the defensive issues, but at a cost to how good he could perform. Now Tim Ream is back from injury, he's slotted straight back into the centre-back role like he was always going to do after his performances last season, while Odoi has surprised everyone and started really well.

I do expect Mawson to win a place eventually, but only when Jokanovic feels he's fully fit and on board with the tactics.

Why have Fulham been so shakey at the back?

They had to completely rebuild the defence over the summer, with Matt Targett returning to Southampton after his loan spell and Ryan Fredericks moving onto West Ham. Ream got injured at the start of the season while Odoi was suspended for the opening two games, meaning Jokanovic had to play a new back four with players who had only been at the club a matter of days.

He's still trying to figure out who fits in where and what formation he should play, all things that are usually done in pre-season, but because there were 12 new faces with five of those arriving on deadline day, Jokanovic has had to do it on the fly and as a result, it's taking Fulham longer to get some solidity at the back.

Is Mawson suited to the style?

I think so - we haven't seen much of Mawson yet as a result of those injuries and being kept out of the squad, but Jokanovic has seemed happy enough with his centre back when I've spoken to him.

Like with any new style and system, it will take a player a while to get used to it, but having seen him for Brentford's development team, Wycombe Wanderers and Barnsley, I think Mawson will do just fine once he gets up to speed with how Jokanovic wants his players playing.

------------------------------------

Are Swansea missing Mawson? With one of the best defensive records in the league you'd have to question that, but there is no denying that if he was still here he would be the mainstay of the side.

The partnership between Joe Rodon and Mike van der Hoorn has flourished, and with Cameron Carter-Vickers as back-up, Graham Potter has options at the back. Whether they are enough is open to debate.

Mawson's move was inevitable once relegation was confirmed and he wasn't the only departure.

Federico Fernandez's Newcastle are struggling, like Fulham are, but the Argentine seems to have hit the ground running on Tyneside.

Mawson is a quality player but he seems a little off the Premier League pace at present.



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-swansea-city-skipper-alfie-15260157

 
Shad Khan's Wembley letter to FA Council obtained by Sky Sports News

Read Shahid Khan's Wembley letter to the FA Council obtained by Sky Sports News.

Dear FA Council Member:

I thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Shahid Khan and this month you will take under consideration my proposal to the Football Association to purchase Wembley Stadium. I am humbled to have earned the faith of the FA to advance the discussion to the FA Council next week in London, and I thank you for taking a moment to hear from me ahead of the hearing.

I first want to say that while I know your service to football is certainly appreciated by the FA and your FA Council constituents, it is also true that I deeply respect your personal commitment to the mission of the FA and to every level and facet of the game. Thank you for all you do.

I also want to assure you that I thoroughly understand the significance of what this means to everyone who celebrates football in England, from its history and traditions to the game today and its long-term future. And that's why, as I explored the possibility of private ownership of Wembley Stadium under my stewardship, I was inspired and even driven to present a worthy financial offer to the FA that would provide vital, remarkable and tangible benefits to the game and everyone who plays or simply loves it, for generations to come. I have tried my best to accomplish that and am confident that if my proposal is accepted, the positive impact the FA can make in all areas of the English game will be immediate and lasting.

This must not be merely about funding for football, however. I owe it to you to be a responsible owner and operator of Wembley Stadium, which under my guardianship will at all times be three things - the national stadium of England, the traditional home of English football, and one of the world's finest venues for sport and entertainment. It will always be Wembley Stadium, and it will have no peer.

I will also owe it to you to be an outstanding neighbour and citizen. It's all I know and, I promise, it is who I will be in my care for Wembley Stadium. I take my citizenship responsibilities seriously wherever I call home or conduct business, from dozens of cities around the globe where I operate automotive plants, to my experience in Jacksonville with the Jaguars, and most recently here in London with Fulham Football Club, which offers some similarities to today's storyline with Wembley Stadium.

When I was privileged to become chairman of Fulham in 2013, I immediately encountered rumours as to what this meant for the future of our home ground of Craven Cottage and, for that matter, the Club itself. My word at the time was I would invest in the Club and the renovation of Craven Cottage so it would always be the lifetime and spiritual home of Fulham, but only in a manner that would be respectful of the neighbourhood while also delivering economic and quality of life benefits that would serve all Londoners every day of the year. Committing to doing the right thing, and then doing it right, was the only path I would consider.

I am happy to say that after years of careful planning and communication with every stakeholder imaginable, the necessary approvals have been granted and work on the new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage will begin in May, as pledged, ensuring stability and sustainability for our Club and a future on the banks of the Thames longed for and deserved by our supporters. While it may appear that Craven Cottage and Wembley Stadium have little in common, in fact both have histories that should always be honoured as well as challenges capable of threatening their respective futures.

Gratefully, a new era for Craven Cottage is on the horizon but with Wembley Stadium, we must acknowledge that certain elements of the venue are already a stage or two behind newer stadiums that have opened recently in Europe alone. Wembley Stadium must be the global standard in every sense - technology, hospitality, the visitor experience, the athlete expectation and much more. As I've done with my investment in the NFL stadium in Jacksonville and we are about to see with Fulham and Craven Cottage, I will protect what we all agree is wonderful about Wembley Stadium and be steadfast, and respectful, in making sure the Wembley Stadium of the future will never have an equal. I owe that to the home of English football, to the FA, to London and to all of England.

I also owe it to you to be your partner. Through the national asset that is Wembley Stadium, together we have the opportunity if not the obligation to collaborate on initiatives that can deliver resources and benefits to the game that transcend the proposal in front of you this month. I'll count on you to help all of us determine what those ideas or community programs may look like, and then we can work together toward making them a reality.

As an example, I'd like all of us to explore a committee of FA Council members who would play a meaningful advisory role on all FA-related stadium matters to guarantee that your voice and counsel will always be heard and respected. I'd ask for your input as to how such a committee would be selected and governed, or we can certainly entertain other ways to ensure that FA Council members remain active and involved. In summary, it goes without saying that you and all FA Council members will always be welcomed as our guest for FA events at Wembley. But more than being a guest, I hope you'll arrive as our partner.

No one knows better than you that this is a matter of exceptional public interest, so to what degree I can be of assistance in the days ahead, please know I am always here for you. A bright tomorrow for the game of football in England will require teamwork and partnership, to which I am fully committed.

Above all, I am sincerely grateful for the consideration you have afforded me today and throughout this process. Thank you very much and my best regards to you and your fellow members of the FA Council in the important days ahead, and always.

Sincerely,

Shahid R. Khan



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/11523227/shad-khans-wembley-letter-to-fa-council-obtained-by-sky-sports-news