Fulham hold trump card over Newcastle United as interest in Watford man looms: Opinion
Fulham face a tricky task as they prepare for life in the Championship.
As well as overcoming the setback of suffering relegation, a number of last season's first team players have moved on following the end of their loan deals, while there's also been a rather notable change in the managerial hot-seat.
Marco Silva has come into the club as Scott Parker's replacement and will be tasked with not only entertaining the supporters, but playing winning football that will see the Whites to promotion next season.
If he's to do that then he'll need players whom he knows and trusts.
Reports from the Daily Mirror have claimed that one player on the club's radar is Will Hughes.
The Watford midfielder is a familiar face for the Portuguese head coach after working with Silva during their time together at Vicarage Road.
Hughes has been a proven performer for the Hornets at both Premier League and Championship level, meaning that there's little doubt that he'd be an asset for any club in the top two tiers.
Newcastle United are also said to be keen on a move for the 26-year-old, and given that he has just 12 months remaining on his contract, it seems that Watford could be open to cashing in on the player for the right offer.
While Steve Bruce's side would obviously offer a platform to play in the Premier League, a move to Craven Cottage offers precious familiarity.
Silva's time at Watford was short-lived due to his much-publicised move to Everton, but there's no doubt that his time at Vicarage Road was both successful and eye-catching, at least in the early days.
That spell came in the 2017-18 season and while Hughes suffered problems with injuries during that time, he quickly became a crucial component for Silva's team when he was fit.
Hughes made just six appearances for the Hornets due to injury, however those fixtures brought him two goals and two assists as Silva very much built the Watford team around the technically-gifted midfield player.
They haven't played together since but this could be the chance to pick things up where they left off.
Fulham will be looking for technical players to implement Silva's style of play at Craven Cottage, and with Tom Cairney being linked with a move away, there's a potential vacancy in the heart of the Whites' midfield.
That relationship between Marco Silva and Will Hughes could prove to be decisive in this summer pursuit, and maybe it'll be a crucial component in seeing the 26-year-old drop back into the Championship as he looks to become an integral player for a successful team.
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-hold-trump-card-over-newcastle-united-as-interest-in-watford-man-looms-opinion/
U23 Pre-Season Tickets
Get tickets to watch our Under-23s' opening two pre-season friendlies, as they get prepped for the 2021/22 season.
Fulham Under-23s begin their series of pre-season fixtures on Wednesday 14th July, with a trip to National League South side Slough Town.
The match will kick-off at 7:45pm at Arbour Park. For access to tickets, please click here.
Directions to Arbour Park and parking options can also be found here.
Mark Pembridge and Colin Omogbehin's side will then head to National League outfit Bromley FC on Saturday 17th July, for another good test against a senior team.
The young Whites will travel to Hayes Lane, with kick-off at 3pm. For access to tickets, please click here.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/july/U23-Pre-Season-Tickets/
Fulham, Cardiff City joined by Celtic in race for Cameron Carter-Vickers
Celtic want to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, according to a report by the Daily Record.
Celtic are keen to lure the American international to Scotland this summer.
Carter-Vickers, who is 23-years-old, had an impressive last season on loan in the Championship at AFC Bournemouth.
The Cherries want him on a permanent basis and fellow second tier duo Fulham and Cardiff City have also been linked, according to SBI Soccer reporter Larry Henry Jr on Twitter (as per Wales Online).
Carter-Vickers may well be sold by Spurs after spending the past few years out on loan.
He has had spells at Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Swansea City, Stoke City and Luton Town over recent seasons and will now be wanting a new permanent home.
The centre-back seemed to enjoy his time at Bournemouth last term and played a key role in them getting into the Play-Offs.
Their new boss Scott Parker could try and sign him but there is competition.
Celtic are gearing up for their first season under Ange Postecoglou and have identified him as a potential summer addition.
Thoughts
There is no doubt that Carter-Vickers needs to leave Spurs for the sake of his career now and he has proved over his various loan spells that he is a solid player in the Championship.
However, the lure of Celtic and European football could turn his head.
https://the72.co.uk/241767/fulham-cardiff-city-joined-by-celtic-in-race-for-cameron-carter-vickers/
Fulham will want these 3 transfer situations sorted before the season starts in under a month's time
Fulham will be looking to rebuild and go again under the stewardship of Marco Silva after the Portuguese boss came in as Scott Parker's replacement at Craven Cottage.
He inherits a team that is short on confidence after suffering relegation from the Premier League and the immediate target for the former Everton man will be to get the Whites back to the top flight at the first attempt.
The West London outfit are yet to have made any additions in the current transfer window and will be looking to make inroads towards bringing in fresh blood over the next few weeks after appointing Silva.
It is expected that the Whites will once again have sufficient resources to spend this summer, which makes their potential business even more intriguing from a neutral perspective.
Here, we take a look at THREE transfer situations that the club will want sorted before the season starts in under a month's time...
Sell Stefan Johansen to QPR
The Norwegian midfielder has long been linked with a permanent move across West London to join the R's and the Whites will be keen to get the 30-year-old off their books in the near future.
As per a recent report by West London Sport, QPR are aiming to sign the former Celtic player on a two year contract and are still working on getting the deal over the line.
It is hoped that the transfer will be completed prior to the start of the season, although it could well be delayed by the arrival of Silva.
Never the less it appears that Johansen's future lies away from Craven Cottage.
Clarify Tom Cairney's future
Speculation has been rife about the future of Tom Cairney in West London ever since Sheffield United appointed Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager.
It is said that the Blades are interested in signing the Fulham skipper this summer and it remains to be seen if he would be open to a reunion with his former boss at Bramall Lane.
The midfielder's current contract is set to expire in 2024, which means he would command a sufficient fee in the market.
It is as yet unclear as to whether the Whites would be open to selling the player or not.
Sign Will Hughes
The Watford midfielder is said to be a player that Silva is a big fan of and as a result the Whites could look to press ahead with a move for the 26-year-old.
Hughes is viewed as a like for like replacement for Cairney and with the player being at a younger age, there is seemingly a chance that the Fulham boss would like to reunite with the midfielder who he managed at Vicarage Road.
It is as yet unclear as to whether Hughes would be keen to drop down to the Championship again after getting promoted with the Hornets or not.
He is however now into the final year of his contract with the Premier League side, which could increase the possibility of the former Derby County man being sold on.
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-will-want-these-3-transfer-situations-sorted-before-the-season-starts-in-under-a-months-time/
Silva starts work at Motspur Park
New Fulham boss Marco Silva has begun his first day at Motspur Park observing first-team training.
The Portuguese head coach, who was formally appointed to succeed Scott Parker at Craven Cottage last week, has been working remotely until now as he quarantined after travelling from his homeland. The Athletic reported this morning that Silva asked for detailed reports on every member of the club's academy set-up.
UPDATE: There's some footage of Silva's first training session on the club's website.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/silva-starts-work-at-motspur-park/
Fulham set to win Ethan Horvath race
Fulham look on course to secure a deal that would bring Ethan Horvath to Craven Cottage this summer.
What's the talk?
That's according to a claim made by talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who revealed in a post on Twitter that Marco Silva's side look to have won the race for the former Club Brugge KV goalkeeper.
Crook goes on to state that Tottenham Hotspur, as well as a host of Championship clubs, had been linked with a move for the USA international this summer, however, the 26-year-old now looks set to join the Coattgers in the coming days.
Aside from Fulham appearing to have pipped Spurs to the signing of Horvath, the fact that the club look on course to land a 'keeper who has highly impressed during his time in Belgium, both domestically and in European competition, is sure to have left Silva buzzing.
Arguably the American's best season for Brugge came back in 2018/19, with the £1.08m-rated man keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding 30 goals over his 28 Jupiler Pro League appearances, playing a key role in helping his side secure a second-place finish in the top flight of Belgian football.
The man Edwin van der Sar dubbed an "ambitious" player also impressed over his three appearances in the Champions League that year, making an average of 3.7 saves per game and keeping three clean sheets in the competition, seeing him earn an average WhoScored match rating of 7.34.
As such, with a wealth of both top flight and European experience behind him, the £6.3k-per-week 26-year-old would very much appear to make an impressive addition to Silva's options between the sticks at Craven Cottage next season.
And, with it being reported that the Portuguese manager looks set to offload the £45k-per-week Fabricio Agosto this summer, bringing in Horvath as his replacement would be the holy trinity. He's an upgrade on the ability of Fabri, a much cheaper option than the Spaniard and a player with a far greater resale value than the veteran shot-stopper.
https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-transfer-rumours/fulham-transfer-news-ethan-horvath-marco-silva-ffc-the-championship
Huw Jennings on how academies have helped England excel
Fulham academy director Huw Jennings has some interesting observations on how the changes to the English youth set-up have helped the national side do so well at the European Championships.
Speaking to the Independent, Jennings – a former teacher himself – identifies the ability to be open to new ideas as important as well as highlighting the extraordinary spell of possession England enjoyed at the end of extra time against Denmark as an indication of Gareth Southgate's side's development. That was probably the best period of keepball since Sven Goran Eriksson's side almost scored a magnificent second against Argentina in 2002.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/huw-jennings-on-how-academies-have-helped-england-excel/
Lack of Championship transfer action laid bare as six clubs yet to make any signings
The new season starts in less than a month and we've provided a run-down of every single signing made by second tier clubs so far this summer
The Championship campaign is four weeks' away.
Bournemouth host West Bromwich Albion on Friday, August 6 in front of the TV cameras in the 2021-22 curtain-raiser.
This summer has seen clubs enjoy a pre-season of a more normal length, following the tightly-congested campaigns last year.
However, transfer activity has yet to really get going in the second tier. Whilst the likes of Blackpool and Luton Town have been busy, with each side making seven signings apiece so far, there is still a huge chunk of the division who have yet to sanction any arrivals.
Six clubs - a quarter of the division - are back in pre-season training without any new additions. That includes newly-relegated Sheffield United and Reading, who were named as one of eight EFL teams that is under a transfer embargo.
Of course, the pandemic's effect has meant club's coffers are not as swell as in previous campaigns so that is perhaps understandable.
Here, we look at every signing made in the Championship so far.
Barnsley
Devante Cole - Motherwell
Birmingham
Ryan Woods - Stoke
Chuks Aneke - Charlton
Jordan Graham - Gillingham
Juan Castillo - Arsenal (loan)
Blackburn Rovers
NONE
Blackpool
Reece James - Doncaster
Daniel Grimshaw - Man City
Shayne Lavery - Linfield
Josh Bowler - Everton
Oliver Casey - Leeds
Callum Connolly - Everton
Sonny Carey - King's Lynn
Bournemouth
Emiliano Marcondes - Brentford
Bristol City
Matty James - Leicester
Andy King - OH Leuven
Rob Atkinson - Oxford United
Cardiff City
James Collins - Luton
Mark McGuinness - Arsenal
Ryan Wintle - Crewe
Coventry City
Ben Sheaf - Arsenal
Martin Waghorn - Derby
Simon Moore - Sheffield United
Derby County
NONE
Fulham
NONE
Huddersfield Town
Matty Pearson - Luton Town
Jordan Rhodes - Sheffield Wednesday
Lee Nicholls - MK Dons
Ollie Turton - Blackpool
Josh Ruffels - Oxford United
Levi Colwill - Chelsea (loan)
Hull City
George Moncur - Luton
Andy Cannon - Portsmouth
Randell Williams - Exeter
Nathan Baxter - Chelsea (loan)
Ryan Longman - Brighton (loan)
Luton Town
Fred Onyedinma - Wycombe Wanderers
Reece Burke - Hull City
Allan Campbell - Motherwell
Cameron Jerome - MK Dons
Henri Lansbury - Bristol City
Amari'i Bell - Blackburn
Carlos Mendes Gomes - Morecambe
Middlesbrough
Joe Lumley - QPR
Sammy Ameobi - Nottingham Forest
Lee Peltier - West Brom
Uche Ikpeazu - Wycombe
Millwall
George Long - Hull City
Scott Malone - Derby County
Dan Ballard - Arsenal (loan)
Benik Afobe - Stoke (loan)
George Saville - Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest
NONE
Peterborough United
Jorge Grant - Lincoln City
David Cornell - Ipswich Town
Jack Marriott - Derby
Josh Knight - Leicester City
Preston North End
Liam Lindsay - Stoke City
Sepp van den Berg (loan) - Liverpool
Izzy Brown - Chelsea
Matthew Olosunde - Rotherham
QPR
Jordy De Wijs - Hull City
Sam Field - West Brom
Charlie Austin - West Brom
Andre Dozzell - Ipswich
Jordan Archer - Middlesbrough
Reading
NONE
Sheffield United
NONE
Stoke City
Ben Wilmot - Watford
Jack Bonham - Gillingham
Mario Vrancic - Norwich
Swansea City
Joel Piroe - PSV
Liam Walsh - Bristol City
West Brom
Alex Mowatt - Barnsley
*All information correct at time of publication.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-transfer-every-club-signing-24499589
West Ham 'very interested' in frozen out player with Prem experience
West Ham are keen to give Alphonse Areola the chance to stay in the Premier League following his loan spell with Fulham, according to reports.
Areola spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Craven Cottage, making 37 appearances in all competitions. Despite Fulham's relegation, he was one of their better performers. However, he has been unable to earn another chance at parent club Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG will sign Gianluigi Donnarumma as a free agent after the conclusion of Euro 2020. They will also retain Keylor Navas, meaning there is no space for Areola back at his hometown club.
Therefore, the 28-year-old may have to leave them again. In doing so, he could end up back in the Premier League – and in the same city where he was last season.
West Ham were mentioned as contenders for his signature back in April, while the season was still ongoing. Now, as Areola's future becomes a more pressing issue, their stance has now been clarified.
According to Foot Mercato, West Ham are "very interested", so much so that they want to complete the deal "in the coming days".
The Hammers currently have Lukasz Fabianski as their number one, but are looking for another option. Now in his mid-30s, the Poland international has signed a contract for next season, but someone else may arrive to take his role as first choice.
That man could well be Areola, with Foot Mercato predicting a loan with an option to buy.
The three-cap France international knows his future lies away from PSG, but it may not be a permanent exit initially. However, if he was to do well, there could be a chance to make such a move a longer-term one.
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/west-ham-very-interested-alphonse-areola-transfer-psg
How fixtures lists are really put together and debunking the 'computer' myth
We find out the level of planning involved in putting together fixtures lists for all 72 EFL clubs each season
It's one of the most anticipated dates in the football calendar.
For many fans, that magical day in June when the fixtures are released marks the true start of a new campaign.
And it will no doubt have been welcomed this year more than ever, with a light at the end of the tunnel following games played behind-closed-doors over the past year. But how do they come to sort out every single fixture for each of the EFL's 72 clubs?
Well, contrary to what some may think, it isn't a case of chucking the teams into the 'fixture computer' and seeing what it throws out.
Rather, it involves a working party made up of a cross-section of clubs, and a representative from the Football Supporters' Association. The aim is to try and ensure a fair outcome for all the sides involved.
It is a painstaking process and often leads to supporters ruing the fact they're away on Boxing Day or have a long trek on the final day.
Now, the brains behind the EFL's system has given an insight into the work that goes into compiling 1,600 games each year.
Paul Snellgrove, the EFL's Competitions Manager, outlined the process in the summer edition of the EFL Magazine : "At the outset, fixtures are generated randomly, although there are a number of stages and processes to follow to make sure we can get it right for clubs and supporters.
"The process starts with a draft schedule.... The calendar for all national and international games is hugely congested, so drafting out potential domestic combinations from the outset is vital to getting the best outcome."
Of course the process is such a vast one, and complicated further due to the geographical issues. For instance, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are never both at home on the same day, as the strain on local police services would be too much.
Likewise, to balance it out no team is ever drawn to play three consecutive match days at home or away. To this end, the EFL makes sure any five-game sequence has a two-to-three split, either way.
Paul also says that major events such as the Notting Hill Carnival or the Boat Race have to be taken into consideration.
He said: "Fixture questionnaires are sent out to all clubs, and the police, so they can identify high-profile fixtures which may have an impact on this area. For example the Boat Race or any number of marathons have to be considered to ensure clubs are not playing at home on a day when roads may be congested for other reasons."
Paul adds that once a schedule is drafted, it is sent off to the original working part and the police, before being signed off.
He adds: "The whole process is lengthy, taking each club from an initial random selection to a suitable schedule.
"Our aim is to ensure the end result is a fixture list that is fair and equitable for all 72 clubs and their supporters each season."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fixtures-lists-debunking-computer-myth-24500280
Silva: 'Easy decision' to join Fulham
Marco Silva insists it was an 'easy decision' to join Fulham and believes his first-team squad has 'great quality' as he aims to take the club back to the Premier League.
The Portuguese head coach, speaking at the end of his first day at Motspur Park after what said had been a difficult quarantining period, revealed that he was attracted by the prospect of managing again in England and the history of Fulham. He told the club's official website:
"To be honest, it was an easy decision. I had some offers from different clubs and different cultures as well. I had the first contact with the director of football and then the chairman, personally. The way the club approached the project and showed the trust in us to come to Fulham Football Club and create the conditions to be successful in the end of the season, it was really, really good. They play a key role in my decision, even if to be honest, Fulham as a football club makes every manager feel important. When you come here, you are talking about such a historic club that gives me the opportunity to come back to England and when I looked at the project I am really confident that we can create something really important in this football club. The first aim for us is to get promoted at the end of the season – even if you know that it is a tough competition but you are confident you can achieve that."
Silva sounded pleased by what he saw during his first day in charge of training – although he admitted there would be plenty of hard work ahead.
"I'm happy with what I've seen from them. In football, you can achieve something if you work hard. You can talk about quality, you can talk about commitment, but before that always comes what work. What I saw from them today ... they were happy, working in a good environment but in the meantime working hard because it will be a tough competition. A long competition. We need to be together, fight together. I saw good things from them as well."
He is encouraged by the ability in the first team squad and detailed his preferred style of football, insisting that only promotion could be considered a success in his first season at Craven Cottage.
"We have quality. A big part of this squad got promoted two seasons ago. For us, it was not a good season last season. But you are here to change things again and to compete every single match to win the football matches."
"I think all of you now I like my teams to have control of the game. I like my team to play offensive style of football – it it is true, but I don't like to lose the balance. You can play a good style of football if you have the right balance. You have many ways to win football matches. Each manager has his way. I think in eight to ten days I will know better all of our squad and it will be a moment for us to take some decisions as well. This is a moment for me to see all of them and I have the backing of the board and owner to change the squad if I need to. I know they will do that."
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/silva-easy-decision-to-join-fulham/
Fulham's 2020/21 Player of the Season Alphonse Areola linked with West Ham
West Ham are 'in talks' to sign PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan this summer – the Frenchman spent last season on loan with Fulham.
Areola, 28, featured 36 times in the Premier League for Fulham last season. He thoroughly impressed and was voted Fulham's Player of the Season after they succumbed to an immediate relegation.
Now though, reports from Mail Online suggest that West Ham are 'in talks' with PSG over a loan deal for the shot-stopper, with a view to a permanent move.
The French outfit are 'prepared' to let Areola leave this summer as they get ready to welcome Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Fulham have since seen Scott Parker head for Championship rivals Bournemouth, bringing in former Everton boss Marco Silva in to replace him.
Thoughts?
Fulham never looked likely to bring Areola back to the club following their relegation back into the Championship but one Marek Rodak might have a chance to break back into the side now – he shone during their promotion season back in 2019/20 but would be exiled in the top flight.
Now though, the Slovakian international has the chance to impress new manager Silva and could play another key role next season.
As for Areola, a move to West Ham would be a really exciting one and he has his experience at Fulham to thank for his likely English return.
https://the72.co.uk/241837/fulhams-2020-21-player-of-the-season-alphonse-areola-linked-with-west-ham/
Fulham scout joins Arsenal
Arsenal have appointed Fulham's James Ellis as their first team scout, according to reports this morning.
Ellis, who will report directly to Arsenal's technical director Edu, has been Fulham's first team scout for the UK and Europe since 2015. He had previously been a senior scout in the UK, Europe and the United States for Swedish side Ostersunds.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/fulham-scout-joins-arsenal/
Cauleys coming home.