Saturday Fulham Stuff - 26/08/23...

[WhiteJC]

Arsenal fans must not underestimate Fulham – Arteta definitely won't.....
It always worries me before any game when the Just Arsenal comments are full of predictions like "We always beat Fulham"; "We will win easily"; "Expect a ton of goals against Fulham"; "Our opponents are weakened right now"; etc, etc.

When we all talk like that, you can be damn sure that we are in for a much tougher game than expected. In fact last season at the Emirates, we only beat Fulham thanks to an 86th minute winner from Gabriel after we had to come back from a goal down. The season before was even worse, where Fulham were winning 1-0 until a Nketiah equaliser in the 97th minute!

So please let us all be a little more realistic and remember the fact that there is no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta obviously knows that, as he made clear in his pre-gane discussion: "I think what Marco and the coaching staff have done is remarkable. The way they played last season, where they finished in the Premier League and especially the way they did it, it was incredible.

"He is a coach that I always admire because they're really well organised, they have really clear ideas of what they want to do, and you can see his team exactly in the way that he wants them. Tomorrow, we're going to have a tough match."

".... as I said, it is a team that creates a lot of challenges and difficulties. It happened last year when we played there and at home and had tough moments. The way we won at home was in the last minute, and away we were really good in the first half but not so good in the second half, so tomorrow I'm expecting something very similar."

So, please, please, don't get carried away if we are not 3-0 up by half-time. Whoever our opponents, the team is still growing in fitness and learning Arteta's new tactical changes.

Please be patient, but we still need to make sure we get the three points!

COYG!



https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-fans-must-not-underestimate-fulham-arteta-definitely-wont/347328

[WhiteJC]

Arsenal v Fulham: Preview and Lineup – The Return of the Zinch, Big Gab and Maybe Even the Dancer
Here we go again, folks. PL#3 game is v Fulham and what a fine fixture this is. The Cottagers play fine football under Silva and Arsenal have made a good albeit not convincing start. We had to battle hard for those six points and lean heavily on our defence, but the boys did the job and the points are in the bag.

With the horrible red Mancs coming to the Home of Football next week, we need a really good win today to boost morale. And with two home games in a row (three out of four since the start) we have a great opportunity to build on those early wins. Of course, the biggest risk is to underestimate Silva's men, and with Palhinha returning to Fulham's midfield, they will make it difficult for us.

I wrote in a previous post that our left side is not ticking along as yet. We still miss Granit, and we need much more cohesion between the players there. A lot seems to be going through Bukayo and we have become a bit predictable as a result. Now, with the likely return of the Zinch as left back and possibly Gab Jesus, we should see an improvement, both on the left and through the middle. it has been a bit static until now, and with the added thrust of Zinchenko and movement up-front of Jesus, I think we will be dancing again.

Reading between the lines, I don't think Jesus -the Dancer- will start today, but it is good to know that he is almost fully fit again. Eddie really is the perfect alternative: more of a line-dancer than a specialist in the Charleston, but it works somehow. IF he was any better he would not be our backup CF, and yet he is good enough to do a more than decent job every time he starts. Eddie is also still young and will develop further, so all good.

No Tomiyasu, after a ridiculous double yellow on Monday, probably means another start at right back for Thomas. I am still struggling with playing him there, as I feel he needs to be the back up for Declan Rice, and we all know that Partey is injury-prone. But Arteta knows best of course.

I am hoping that Big Gab will start again and that there is no fall-out between him and the manager. For the rest I expect the same players starting as in previous matches.

Predicted (and hoped for) Lineup:

Ramsdale

White-Tequila-Big Gab-Zinch

——Declan Rice——–

–The Ode—–Havertz–

Bukayo—Eddie—Marti

Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners.



https://bergkampesque.com/2023/08/26/arsenal-v-fulham-preview-and-lineup-the-return-of-the-zinch-big-gab-and-maybe-even-the-dancer/

[WhiteJC]

Everton transfer news as Fulham competition emerges for Beto signature
Fulham are interested in Udinese striker and Everton target Beto, according to Messaggero Veneto.

The Italian news publication reported online (26 August) that the Toffees have made an offer worth £22.3million for the Portuguese striker, although this is not enough for the Serie A side to sell.

And they could now face competition from Premier League rivals Fulham, led by Marco Silva, who like Udinese's 25-year-old forward, is also from Portugal, and could use this link to attract the player to the club.

Silva's side are in need of a new striker after Aleksandar Mitrovic left for Saudi Arabia to join Al Hilal, and the Fulham boss has already rejected a move for Juventus striker Moise Kean.

Pressure
Interest from another Premier League club in Beto will only increase the pressure on Sean Dyche's side to get a deal across the line. If they end up losing out on the player to Fulham, it will leave supporters feeling incredibly frustrated as a new striker is desperately needed at Goodison Park in order to avoid a third consecutive relegation dogfight.

Beto has scored 21 times across his two years in Italy's top flight, proving that he can hit the back of the net consistently at the highest level in Europe, and if he could successfully adapt to life in England, he would be a great bit of business for either of the two clubs interested in him.

It seems as if Everton's approaches are more advanced at this stage, however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting via Twitter (26 August) that the player has "already accepted the move" to the Merseyside-based club.

And they will now want to get a deal across the line swiftly in order to avoid a late hijacking from Fulham.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2023/08/26/everton-transfer-news-as-fulham-competition-emerges-for-beto-signature/

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham open to Adarabioyo and Dier swap deal with Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur are in negotiations with Fulham over a swap deal involving Tosin Adarabioyo, Eric Dier, and money as Ange Postecoglou looks to bring in defensive reinforcements, according to Football Insider.

The online news portal claims that a move could happen between both London clubs before the transfer deadline day on September 1.

Spurs have been one of the busiest sides in the window so far, having spent £165m on eight new players including James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski, and Guglielmo Vicario

Despite signing two defenders already this summer, Postecoglou remains interested in making a further addition to his defence that kept their first clean sheet of the season against Manchester United last weekend.

The North Londoners conceded too many goals last term which resulted in their 8th-placed finish. Spurs have already conceded two goals in their first two league games of the new season.

Postecoglou is revamping his squad this summer and Dier is deemed surplus to requirements at the club. The England international was not included in Tottenham's matchday squad for their league games against Brentford and Man Utd.

Dier, who has one year left on his remaining contract, has racked up 361 appearances across all competitions, scored 13, and recorded 12 assists.

Defensive reinforcement
Several defenders have been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Adarabioyo has emerged as a potential transfer target.

Football Insider claims that Tottenham are in talks with Fulham over a player-plus-cash swap deal involving Adarabioyo and Dier, and a move could suit all parties.

The Fulham centre-back has just one year left on his contract and is attracting interest from several clubs including AS Monaco, according to Football Insider. The Ligue 1 giants had an offer rejected by the Cottagers.

The 25-year-old is a key cog of Marco Silva's side and is a fan favourite at Craven Cottage. He has featured in 107 games and made five goal contributions in all competitions. Last season, he was ever-present for Fulham as he made 29 appearances and scored once as they finished 10th in the Premier League table.

He is yet to make feature for the club this season after missing their first two league games against Everton and Brentford. His one-year contract extension with Fulham was activated in January and the club does not want to lose him for free in 12 months' time therefore they are willing to cash in this month.

Adarabioyo is valued at just £14m by Transfermarkt and he'd be an excellent addition to the Tottenham squad if they could get a deal agreed.



https://football-talk.co.uk/190728/tottenham-open-to-adarabioyo-and-dier-swap-deal-with-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

The mighty £25m signing Fulham will replace Aleksander Mitrovic with - according to Football Manager

Where could Fulham turn after the departure of their star striker? La Liga, according to Football Manager 2023

Fulham's search for a replacement for Aleksander Mitrovic is an ongoing process in the real world - but the Cottagers have already made their move in the virtual transfer market.

The Serbian striker was a firm favourite with the Cottagers supporters after plundering his way to 111 goals and 22 assists in 206 appearances during a five-year stay at Craven Cottage. However, with Mitrovic now a thing of the past, thoughts are now turning towards his successor in the lead forward role in Marco Silva's starting eleven.

So, with the help of the world's most popular football management simulation, we see how Football Manager 2023 believes the Cottagers will fare in the absence of their former striker as the virtual Silva heads to La Liga to find his new striker.

Villarreal star Gerard Moreno was persuaded to swap life aboard the Yellow Submarine for a move to the Premier League as Silva saw off competition from Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester United to land the 17-times capped Spain international in a £25million deal - and he didn't take long to make an impact.

A debut from the bench - but goals and starts soon followed
After finding the net on four occasions in pre-season, Moreno had to be content with a place on the bench as the Cottagers got their season underway with a promising 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. However, the Spain star was named in Silva's starting line-up for the first home game of the season as Everton visited Craven Cottage and he rewarded his new manager with the only goal of the game.

Surprisingly, Fulham only lost one of their opening 13 Premier League games with Moreno on four occasions. Their momentum was somewhat stunted by the fact they also only won three of those fixtures as they became the draw specialists with nine draws. The highlights for Moreno were the winning goal in a 2-1 home victory against west London rivals Chelsea and a dramatic late strike that have his side all three points at Aston Villa.

A slump in form for Moreno and his side
As October turns to November, Moreno's attempts to continue making an impact were hindered by a groin injury he suffered in a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United. During his month-long absence both Raul Jiminez and Carlos Vinicius found the net but they were unable to inspire their side to a win as the Cottagers emerged pointless from away days at West Ham, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as home games with Manchester City and Brentford.

That run of form took Fulham on to the verge of a relegation battle by the time Moreno recovered to regain his place in Silva's side ahead of a Boxing Day visit to Brighton and Hove Albion.

New year, new promise
Boosted by the return of their £25m man, Fulham enjoyed an upturn in form as Moreno netted in an FA Cup third round win at Championship club Preston North End and a fourth round win at Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest. The striker also scored as Spurs were condemned to a 3-2 defeat in a league game at Craven Cottage and February began with another goal in another 3-2 win as Everton were beaten on their home patch.

Toffees revenge but an unbeaten run saves the season
After watching on from the bench as Fulham made their way into the FA Cup quarter-final with a win at Blackburn Rovers, Moreno found the net in successive league games as his side battled their way to a share of the spoils in draws with Liverpool and Brighton. However, his goal in the FA Cup quarter-final was not enough to send his side into the last four as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Everton just weeks after beating the Toffees at Goodison Park.

With relegation concerns lingering over them as the final six weeks of the season approached, Moreno hit form with a brace in a 5-0 hammering of Bournemouth and single strikes in wins against Brentford, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest that took the Cottagers into the safety of mid-table.

A promising first season in West London was rounded off by an late equaliser against Manchester City and a goal in a 2-2 final day draw with Arsenal. That meant Moreno ended the campaign with 18 goals and two assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/fulham/the-ps25m-signing-fulham-will-replace-aleksander-mitrovic-with-according-to-football-manager-4269789

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool put move for Brazil star on ice until January as Fulham transfer 'opens door' to top target
Liverpool are ready to turn their attention back to Ryan Gravenberch after having multiple bids for Andre rejected by Fluminense, according to reports.

The Reds made the perfect start to the summer transfer window with the additions of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to cover the losses of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who left on free transfers at the end of June.

But it was the unexpected departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia that saw Jurgen Klopp dip into the transfer market again to bring in Wataru Endo from Stuttgart in an £18m deal.

And Klopp and his Liverpool recruitment team are not done there yet with strong rumours that they are still hoping to bring in one more midfielder and a centre-back before the transfer deadline.

Fluminense midfielder Andre and Bayern Munich's Gravenberch have been particularly heavily linked over the last couple of weeks with reports of bids lodged for both players.

A report in ESPN earlier this week claimed that Fluminense have turned down a €30m (£26m) bid from Liverpool for Andre and that 'even if they up the offer' for the Brazil international 'they would not allow to player to depart now'.

Speaking about the Liverpool rumours, Andre told Globo Esporte: "It is obvious that it is normal to receive offers. Even more so with the team doing well, getting through in the Copa Libertadores, near the top of the Brasileirao.

"Not just for me, but it must have gotten to others as well. I am happy for the proposals that arrive, but my mind today is focused 100 percent on Fluminense."

And now Football Insider insists that Liverpool 'could now sign Andre in January' after seeing 'multiple bids' rejected this summer with Fluminense 'unwilling to sell'.

The report adds:

    'Fluminense are only willing to sell Andre in January as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the prestigious trophy for the first-ever time.

    'But Liverpool are keen to rectify their midfield shortcomings as soon as possible and are likely to look elsewhere before the summer window shuts.'

In another report, Football Insider add that Bayern Munich are 'planning a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as they prepare to offload Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch'.

It is understood that the Bundesliga champions 'will use the funds from Gravenberch's proposed sale to make a move for Palhinha' and that the 'door opens' for Liverpool to swoop for the Netherlands international.



https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-andre-fluminense-january-fulam-palhinha-bayern-munich-gravenberch

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham could offer versatile ace to sweeten the deal for 25-year-old target
Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to sign the Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

As per Football Insider, they could offer Eric Dier in exchange for the 25-year-old along with some cash. Adarabioyo is in the final year of his contract with Fulham and he is expected to move on this summer.

Tottenham need to improve their defensive options and the Englishman could prove to be a quality acquisition. They had a vulnerable defence last year and they conceded 63 goals in the league.

They will have to improve defensively if they want to get back into the Champions League. Signing a quality central defender should be a top priority for them.

Spurs already have Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as reliable defenders and they should look to add more quality and depth to the position.

Adarabioyo is well-settled in the Premier League and he could make an immediate impact at Tottenham if the transfer goes through.

Meanwhile, Eric Dier is in the final year of his contract with Tottenham as well. The versatile England international can operate as a right-back, central defender, as well as a defensive midfielder.

Spurs want to cash in on him this summer as opposed to losing him for free next year. If Tottenham can convince Fulham to accept Dier as a part of the deal for Adarabioyo, it would help save them some money while bringing in an upgrade.

The 29-year-old Tottenham defender was quite mediocre last season and it makes sense for the north London outfit to cash in on him.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/08/26/tottenham-could-offer-versatile-ace-to-sweeten-the-deal-for-25-year-old-target/

[WhiteJC]

Wing-back Steven Sessegnon joins Wigan Athletic from Fulham
Wigan Athletic has announced the signing of wing-back Steven Sessegnon on a two-year contract, subject to EFL and FA approval.

Sessegnon, who is the twin brother of Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan Sessegnon, arrives at the DW Stadium from Premier League side Fulham.

The 23-year-old made a string of impressive performances last season following a loan spell with fellow Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic, where he played more than 30 games.

Hailing from Roehampton, Sessegnon went through the youth ranks of Fulham and made his professional debut in an EFL Cup defeat to Bristol Rovers in 2017.

He went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions for the Cottagers, with the majority of those coming in the Sky Bet Championship.

He then had successful loan spells at Bristol City, Plymouth Argyle and most recently Charlton Athletic.

Sessegnon has represented England at all youth levels and featured five times for England in the U17 World Cup in India, including a start in the final, as England lifted the silverware.

He scored his first international goal for England U19s against Moldova, before he was included in the England U21 squad for the first time in 2019, making his debut during the 3–2 U21 Euro qualifying win against Turkey.

Sessegnon is predominantly a right wing-back, but he spent the majority of his loan spell at Charlton Athletic at left wing-back.

He will now link up with Shaun Maloney's squad, becoming the club's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.

Sessegnon said: "I am very happy and very excited to be here. I can't wait to meet everyone – players, fans and staff. I can't wait to get going.

"The manager played a big part in my move. The way he sets out his team and how he said I would fit into it, is what I found perfect for myself, for my development and for my career.

"I can bring a lot to the team not just on the right side, but on the left as well. I had a good year playing on the left side last year so hopefully I can continue that good form here.

"I can grow as a player not just individually, but help the club grow as well and I look forward to everything that comes with playing for Wigan Athletic."

First team manager Shaun Maloney said: "I am pleased that Steven has decided to join our club.

"Steven has all the attributes that our team needs in both full-back positions. He is aggressive when defending one-on-one and is technically very good when in possession.

"He has experience both at a Premier League club in Fulham, as well as playing in the Championship and League One. I am convinced Steven has the potential to develop further and I look forward to working with him.

"Steven will spend the coming weeks doing conditioning work and integrating into full training, so I look forward to seeing him in a Wigan Athletic shirt in September."

Sessegnon will wear the number five shirt and will be welcomed to the DW Stadium crowd at half-time during Latics' home clash with Barnsley on Saturday.



https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/wing-back-steven-sessegnon-joins-wigan-athletic-from-fulham-4269985

[WhiteJC]

Many hats! Tony Khan leads AEW to historic Wembley Stadium wrestling show with over 80,000 tickets sold... all while handling the final week of the transfer window as Director of Football for Fulham and helping run an NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars

    There aren't enough hours in the day for Fulhams Director of Football Khan
    All Elite Wrestling are putting on a record-breaking wrestling show at Wembley

There aren't enough hours in the day for Tony Khan. Fulham head to Arsenal this Saturday with just under a week to go in the transfer window where as Director of Football, Khan, is tasked with replacing talisman Aleksandr Mitrovic following his departure to the riches of Saudi Arabia.

Seems like a good time to put on a record-breaking professional wrestling show at Wembley in front of 80,000-plus fans then, right?

All Elite Wrestling, Khan's nearly five-year old wrestling promotion, is making its debut in the UK this weekend and they couldn't have possibly done it any bigger.

World Wrestling Entertainment, the market leader in pro wrestling, have held successful shows at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and The O2 in London in the past 12 months, but neither of those events will touch the attendance at Wembley on Sunday.

With the UK a booming market for the genre, AEW have long been keen to make their mark in it. COVID put paid to their original idea of a muti-show, multi-city tour in 2020, but the continued progress of their weekly TV shows and quarterly pay-per-views has garnered them a lucrative TV deal in America.


There aren't enough hours in the day for Tony Khan, who is hosting a wrestling show at Wembley
 

The Fulham Director of Football is also overseeing transfer business this summer
 

Aleksandar Mitrovic made his move to Al-Hilal this summer and Fulham seek a replacement

With that comes business stability. Even so, the Khan family's pockets are deep enough to start 10 wrestling promotions should they choose to; earlier this year, his father Shad Khan - who co-owns the company with son Tony - was reported to have a net worth of over £9.5b.

But this is no passion project or fun on the side - it's a business. AEW made just over £79m for 2022 and Khan revealed earlier this year that with the launch of their Saturday show Collision, the company would be paid per show by Warner Brothers Discovery.

So it's understandable the confidence Khan would have to take on Wembley for his first wrestling venture on UK soil, the scene of the legendary SummerSlam event in 1992 that hasn't hosted the profession since.

But he can't afford to have tunnel vision like most of us. Khan not only operates as a key decision maker at a Premier League club, he is also the chief football strategy officer for NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars - also owned by his father.

The Jaguars made the playoffs for the first time in four years last season and Khan is thought to be a leading thinker behind their analytics team. Fulham bounced back to the Premier League last season and their recruitment department made immense strides compared to their previous efforts in the top-flight.

That turnaround saw them finish 10th in England's top-tier, their best finish in 11 years. Considering all of his projects are carrying tangible momentum, it's admirable to see AEW achieve such a landmark moment so early in their existence; let alone the justification of a near sell-out.

Legendary names like Chris Jericho, Sting, Big Show, Bryan Danielson and CM Punk have all been seduced by Khan's new vision for a major pro wrestling company and all but the injured Danielson are in town to make history in London.


Legendary names like Chris Jericho will take to Wembley Stadium for the show

The card will be headlined by the engrossing duo of Adam Cole and company centrepiece, MJF. The pair have gone from bitter rivals to best friends, but now the AEW World Championship stands between them reverting back to their previous hatred.

From a British perspective, Will Ospreay faces off in a first-time ever dream match with industry giant, Jericho.

Ospreay, a 30-year-old from Essex who has dominated Japan over the past seven years, is arguably the best in-ring performer in the entire industry.

It's perhaps today's best versus one of the all-time greats in which Ospreay, revered the world over for his performances inside the ropes, showcases his talents on the biggest stage of his career yet - and there is no talents more deserving.

Nearly selling-out Wembley (and there'll probably shift more tickets on the day) feels like the crescendo of a story.

The apex of a journey with an exclamation point, too. Except, it's the opposite. It's a testament to what AEW has managed to build in a matter of years. It's a statement of what the company is capable of for anyone unaware.


CM Punk will also take to the ring at Wembley Stadium this weekend

WWE is the market leader and a global powerhouse. They have over 40 years worth of foundations that have led them to the record profits we see today (and their hottest product in years spearheaded by the fantastic Bloodline story).

But AEW has always felt like a company for the fans. It started with All In back in 2018 where The Elite - Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and, at the time, Cody Rhodes - decided to prove journalist Dave Meltzer wrong and draw over 10,000 people to an independently run show.

Khan, seeing the traction The Elite had with die-hard wrestling fans, the merchandise they were able to move and the wealth of talent operating outside of WWE, decided to finally follow through on his dream of running his own promotion with those five performers installed as executive vice presidents.

Rhodes would head back to WWE in 2022 to follow his own dream of becoming their world champion, but the momentum of AEW has never relented.

Khan's meticulous nature and incessant drive has served him well in changing the fortunes of the Jaguars and Fulham; ironically, the evidence is in the data. But his boyhood passion for wrestling is what could push AEW past them both.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wwe/article-12448043/Tony-Khan-Elite-Wrestling-Wembley-Fulham.html

[WhiteJC]