Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 18/06/24...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Monday 17/06
Austria	0-1	France
Romania	3-0	Ukraine
Belgium	0-1	Slovakia

[WhiteJC]

Fulham considering Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg swoop
Fulham might pursue 28-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Joao Palhinha this summer.

According to a report by Give Me Sport, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Joao Palhinha. The 28-year-old Tottenham outcast has thus emerged as a viable target for the West London club.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and his Tottenham journey
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been on a rollercoaster ride since joining Tottenham from Southampton in August 2020. The Dane served the Saints as the club captain and also turned out for Bayern Munich before arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium nearly four years ago.

The 28-year-old hit the ground running at the North London club, becoming a pivotal figure in the middle of the park. However, Hojbjerg's stock has plummeted under Ange Postecoglou, with the Australian tactician preferring Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr in the Tottenham midfield to the former Southampton captain.

So, the Danish international could not muster 1,500 minutes of game time across 39 appearances in all competitions in the summer transfer window. Hojbjerg faces an uncertain future at Tottenham heading into the summer transfer window, with Fulham ready to offer him an escape route out of the North London club.

Set to move across London?
Fulham considered signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg last summer before he rejected a deadline=day move to the West London club. The continued interest in him is understandable, considering Joao Palhinha might not be at Craven Cottage when the 2024/25 season kicks off, with Bayern Munich closing in on securing his services.

So, several candidates, including Kalvin Phillips, have emerged on Fulham's radar. The Tottenham outcast is also a viable target for the West London outfit, although it is unclear if he is open to joining a club that will not offer any European football next season.

Hojbjerg, who wants to leave Tottenham in the summer transfer window, is also a target for reasonably high-profile clubs like Atletico Madrid and Fenerbahce. So, it will be interesting to see if Fulham can win the race to sign the 28-year-old Danish international.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/06/17/fulham-considering-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-swoop/

[WhiteJC]

Euro 2024: Saša starts in Serbia opener
Saša Lukić started in Serbia's opening game of Euro 2024 on Sunday evening, but it was England who ran out 1-0 winners at the Arena AufSchalke.

Our midfielder was part of the first ever Serbia XI to play at a European Championship, with their last appearance in the competition being as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 2000.

Saša played an hour of action on Sunday, before being replaced by Milan forward Luka Jović in an attacking change as Serbia chased an equalising goal. Saša was his usual busy self in the middle of the park, making a number of tackles to stop England counter-attacks, while he was also cool in possession.

England took the lead after 13 minutes in Gelsenkirchen as Jude Bellingham rose highest to powerfully nod home Bukayo Saka's cross from the right.

Serbia felt their way into the game and put the Three Lions under plenty of pressure in the second half. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to be at his best to tip over Dušan Vlahović's fierce left-footed strike from range, which came minutes after Serbia shot-stopper Predrag Rajković made an impressive save to push Harry Kane's header onto the bar.

Serbia couldn't find the equalising goal and Saša and his teammates will continue their quest for qualification from Group C on Thursday afternoon against Slovenia, who drew 1-1 with Denmark in their opening fixture.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/june/17/euro-2024--luk/

[WhiteJC]

Four potential Joao Palhinha replacements

In his debut article, Cameron Donaldson looks at who the Whites could look at to replace their Portuguese talisman.

In recent weeks it's become increasingly inevitable that Joao's going to get his transfer to Bayern Munich. The 28-year-old agreed the move last summer and did all the media with Bayern before we pulled the plug. This summer, personal terms have already been agreed but Fulham value the player at £60m. With Vincent Kompany's side currently offering around £40m, this fee could prove to be a stumbling block; however it is important to assess the replacements Fulham have been linked with and how successful they could be in filling the void left by Joao.

Kalvin Phillips

This rumour has recently been circulating in the past week, with Tony Khan assessing Kalvin Phillips's suitability. This rumour might worry Fulham fans, with Phillips's disastrous loan spell at West Ham his most recent exploit in the Premier League, conceding penalties and making game-changing errors before being dropped with 10 appearances in that loan spell.

It's also notable to say that although Phillips played some very good football when he was deployed in the six at Leeds United, some of his best football came at Euro 2020 when he played in the eight for England, receiving plaudits for some of his displays. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that although Phillips has some potential to fill some of the void left by Joao, his lack of quality recent football and the notion that he may not be an out and out combative six as Joao was, indicates that this transfer would be a risk.

Vinicius Souza

Although this name may fill some with dread, noting Sheffield United's disastrous season, it's important to indicate that Joao's biggest rival in tackling stats in the Premier League this season has been the 25-year-old Brazilian. Souza is a combative presence, with 125 tackles in the league last season and a 61% tackle success rate. He also made 981 passes, with an 80% pass accuracy for the Blades. Therefore, the Brazilian may be ideal to break down the play and launch Fulham attacks, similar to Joao.

Souza also stands at 187cm, with Joao at 190cm, with the similar height therefore indicating potential for a similar aerial presence. Should Souza look for a move this summer, Fulham could prove to be an ideal location, however with the number of Sheffield United players out of contract this summer, it may take a sizeable fee for Chris Wilder to part ways with the midfielder.

Andre

Yes, it Is the return of the Andre transfer saga, with Fulham seemingly launching another bid to capture the Brazilian. With a potential £20–30m fee, many Fulham fans have been excited about the potential opportunity to secure the young Brazilian's services. The midfielder has impressed for Flamengo in the league, as well as against Manchester City in the Club World Cup.

Many have concluded for a while that Andre would be a talented and shrewd investment for the Whites, with huge potential for growth in the future, however there may be doubts about his ability to solely replace Joao. Some have indicated that he may be an ideal box to box partner for Joao, rather than a deep-lying defensive midfielder and the transition from Brazilian football to Premier League football is a notable one, however due to the massive potential provided by this player, Fulham should look to push for a deal on this one.

Morten Hjulmand

Another move that has been rumoured to be on the cards is that of Morten Hjulmand. This move may be unlikely as the 24-year-old Dane was pivotal to Sporting Lisbon's success in the Liga Portugal last season, and also happens to be the club who provided us with Joao – so they may be reluctant to further boost our armoury. Hjulmand had a 62% tackle success rate from last season with Sporting, as well as 87% pass accuracy, both of which are higher in comparison to Joao for Fulham, however it's important to note the dominance that Sporting had in Liga Portugal last season, which Fulham will not be able to offer. With Hjulmand being 24, the Dane has a few more years before he hits his prime and therefore with the opportunity for growth, this could be a shrewd investment.

It's clear that the Whites are busy looking at Palhinha replacements, with some names linked being more credible than others. Joao will provide the club with a sizeable fee and Marco has shown he has an ability to adapt and help the club overcome the losses of notable names, so fans will be hoping that we sign a big name and Tony Khan provides Silva with all the tools for another successful Premier League season.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-06-17-four-potential-joao-palhinha-replacements/

[WhiteJC]

CONFIRMED: Fulham continue talks with Andre over move as Fluminense await offer
Fulham continue to ponder a move for Andre Trindade as a potential replacement for Joao Palhinha, FootballTransfers can confirm.

The West London club have maintained dialogue over a possible switch for the Brazil international for the past three windows and it's thought a departure of Palhinha could accelerate an offer.

Fulham have a long-standing interest in Andre while they see him as an ideal candidate to fulfil the No.6 role at Craven Cottage.

Indeed, Marco Silva's side considered acquiring the 22-year-old during the winter transfer window and they have maintained their interest as Palhinha continues to be linked with a move to Bayern.

Andre's contract at Fluminense expires in 2026 and we are told that his current club are receptive to offers.

Fulham made a return to Andre in the January window but ultimately did not conclude a move for the youngster.

Fulham have done legwork for Andre
FootballTransfers previously reported i Andre engaged in discussions with Fulham manager Silva, and was encouraged by the project on offer. Alistair Mackintosh, the club's CEO, also played a role in the negotiations, holding talks with Fluminense during his visit to Brazil following the 2023 Copa Libertadores final.

Discussions between the player and the club progressed well but no bid was forthcoming.

Andre made his first-team debut for Fluminense midway through the 2020 season and soon became a key member of the squad.

His displays even led to Liverpool targeting him during the last summer window, but a move to Anfield broke down, too, and the club instead secured a move for Wataru Endo, who arrived from Stuttgart in August.



https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/exclusive-newsnow/fulham-transfer-news-cottagers-continue-talks-with-andre-over-move-as-fluminense-await-offer

[WhiteJC]

Milan considering terminating Origi and Ballo-Toure contracts
Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure will both return to Milan after failing to impress in the Premier League and the club are open to terminating their contracts.

The Belgian striker spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Nottingham Forest and showed nothing of note, managing just one goal and one assist across 22 matches, making just six league starts. He never managed to impress with the Rossoneri, and his career has slumped since leaving Liverpool.

Things were even worse for Ballo-Toure, who was hardly given a chance at Fulham after arriving on loan, seeing a paltry 230 minutes of action across eight matches. Only two of these appearances came in 2024 and he was out of the squad for the majority of the final stage of the season.

Milan redundancies
Page 33 of today's Tuttosport details how Milan have no intention of keeping Origi or Ballo-Toure and have already informed their representatives to start looking around for a new club this summer.

Should the pair fail to be sold, the Rossoneri would even be open to terminating their contracts, allowing the players to leave as free agents in order to save on their salaries.



https://football-italia.net/milan-considering-terminating-origi-contracts/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League club reignite interest in Manchester City midfielder after removal of key contractual barrier
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has re-emerged as a transfer target for Premier League side Fulham this summer.

The 28-year-old is expected to leave the Etihad Stadium again this summer, having spent the second-half of the recent campaign on loan with West Ham at the London Stadium, making eight Premier League appearances for the Hammers before returning to the Etihad Stadium to undergo rehabilitation for a hamstring injury.

Phillips made 10 appearances for the Sky Blues before moving to east London in January, with the midfielder's last appearance coming during Manchester City's victorious FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia before Christmas.

The Englishman was awarded a Premier League medal following the Blues' title triumph last month, and despite making just six starts since his move from Leeds United for £42 million in July 2022, Phillips has successfully won six trophies with Pep Guardiola's side.

Phillips has lifted the UEFA Champions League, Emirates FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup alongside winning successive Premier League titles with Manchester City.

Everton and Leeds United have both been linked with the 28-year-old, with West Ham unlikely to consider re-signing the midfielder after an underwhelming spell at the London Stadium which included an angered incident with Hammers supporters at St James' Park.

HITC claim that Fulham could renew their interest in Phillips should João Palhinha complete an exit from Craven Cottage this summer, with Marco Silva having previously identified Manchester City's midfielder as a replacement for the Portugal international.

Fulham could facilitate a season-long loan for the England midfielder after Manchester City reportedly agreed 'to cover all of Phillips' wages' in an attempt to get the player off the books at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City could also sanction a loan move for full-back Sergio Gomez, after the 23-year-old made just four starts for Guardiola's team during the 2023/24 season, and was even omitted from the matchday squad for the Premier League finale clash against West Ham in May.



https://cityxtra.co.uk/14216/premier-league-club-reignite-interest-in-manchester-city-midfielder-after-removal-of-key-contractual-barrier/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham could offer West Ham flop huge lifeline with £40m transfer
The Manchester City man endured a loan spell to forget at West Ham over the back end of last season.

Fulham could offer West Ham flop and Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips a lifeline this summer as a potential replacement for key midfield man Joao Palhinha.

That's according to a new report from GIVEMESPORT who have named the former Leeds United man as a target for Marco Silva's side. Phillips joined Manchester City for £45 million in 2022 but has so far failed to muscle his way into Pep Guardiola's starting XI.

The midfielder was shipped off to West Ham in January to work under David Moyes in what was touted as a chance at redemption ahead of Euro 2024 but the temporary switch didn't work out. Phillips made just 10 Hammers appearances in a stint that was shrouded by a red card and moment of tension with supporters

Phillips is now back at the Etihad Stadium, where he has another four years left on a six-year contract. However, he is expected to be offloaded this summer with Fulham now linked.

Manchester City forked out £45 million for his services two years ago but reports suggest the club could accept a fee as low as £25 million to move the player on.

The Cottagers are facing serious transfer interest in the services of Palhinha from Bayern Munich this summer. The German giants almost signed the player last year before a deal fell through but are believed to have multiple bids again this year.

Fulham could receive over £60 million for Palhinha, who was one of the club's standout players once again last season. A large chunk of that money could go into a new midfielder but there are other areas to strengthen too with Tosin Adarabioyo leaving for Chelsea while Willian and Bobby De Cordova-Reid are yet to sign new deals.

GIVEMESPORT also name Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg as a potential Palhinha replacement. The Danish star did make 36 Premier League appearances under Ange Postecoglou last season but a large proportion of those were cameos from the bench.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-could-offer-west-ham-flop-lifeline-with-ps40m-transfer-4668783

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham 'In Talks' with Former Liverpool Target as Joao Palhinha Replacement
Analysing Fulham's Strategic Pursuit of Andre Trindade Amid Palhinha's Potential Exit

Fulham Football Club's management of their squad dynamics, particularly their ongoing interest in Andre Trindade, reveals a strategic approach to squad building that is worth dissecting. As reported by Football Transfers, Fulham have been engaged in talks to bring the Fluminense midfielder to Craven Cottage, especially as uncertainty surrounds the future of Joao Palhinha, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

Fulham's Midfield Conundrum: The Need for Stability
The departure of a key player like Palhinha can unsettle the balance of a team, making Fulham's pursuit of Andre not just desirable but necessary. According to Football Transfers, "Fulham continue to ponder a move for Andre Trindade as a potential replacement for Joao Palhinha." This statement underscores the urgency and the strategic foresight of the club's recruitment policy. It is essential for teams like Fulham, who need to ensure continuity and stability, to have replacements lined up before their stars depart.

Andre, at 22, not only brings youth to the squad but also a promise of longevity and potential growth. His performances at Fluminense have evidently caught the eye of top European clubs, with Liverpool previously showing interest. The fact that Fulham have been consistent in their pursuit over three transfer windows indicates a well-thought-out plan to integrate him into their setup.

Andre's Role in Fulham's Tactical Setup
Marco Silva's system at Fulham demands versatility and discipline from its midfielders. In the role of a No.6, Andre's responsibilities would not just be to shield the defence but to facilitate transitions from defence to attack. The original article notes, "Fulham have a long-standing interest in Andre while they see him as an ideal candidate to fulfil the No.6 role at Craven Cottage." This role is pivotal, especially in the physically demanding environment of the Premier League, where midfield stability can often be the difference between winning and losing points.

The potential acquisition of Andre also signals an evolution in Fulham's tactical approach, likely gearing towards a more robust midfield presence that can handle both defensive duties and contribute to the attack.

Strategic Negotiations and Player Interest
The negotiations between Fulham and Fluminense, as well as the engagement with Andre, have been handled with a notable degree of professionalism and strategic insight. As per the report, "Fulham manager Silva, and Alistair Mackintosh, the club's CEO, played a role in the negotiations, holding talks with Fluminense during his visit to Brazil following the 2023 Copa Libertadores final." Such high-level involvement underscores the importance of this transfer for Fulham, highlighting the club's commitment to securing their target.

Andre's reception to the talks, feeling encouraged by the project at Fulham, is a crucial aspect of the negotiations. It suggests a mutual interest and a shared vision, which are often key to successful long-term signings.

Conclusion: A Transfer That Could Shape Fulham's Future
As Fulham await a formal offer and possible conclusion to these protracted discussions, the strategic implications of this transfer are clear. Bringing Andre to Craven Cottage could not only fill the potential void left by Palhinha but also add a new dimension to Fulham's midfield dynamics.

In conclusion, Fulham's pursuit of Andre Trindade is a case study in strategic sports management, reflecting a proactive approach to squad building and player integration. As they continue to navigate this transfer saga, the outcome will likely have a significant impact on the club's performance in the upcoming seasons.



https://eplindex.com/112950/report-fulham-in-talks-with-former-liverpool-target-as-joao-palhinha-replacement.html

[WhiteJC]

Hull City: Jay Stansfield pursuit surely means the end of the road for Liam Delap return: View
Jay Stansfield would be a statement signing for the Tigers, but could spell the end of the road for Liam Delap

    Hull City aims for promotion with a new manager and potential signing of Jay Stansfield from Fulham.
    Possible departure of Liam Delap due to Stansfield deal despite Delap's past contributions.
    Stansfield's impressive stats and potential signing would make a statement under new manager Tim Walter.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali made it clear that the Tigers have promotion ambitions when he sacked popular manager Liam Rosenior after the Yorkshire outfit missed out on last season's play-off spots by just three points.
 New manager Tim Walter will be hoping to assemble his own squad this summer in an effort to lay the foundations for a 2024/25 promotion challenge and more forward firepower will surely be on the new boss' radar.

According to Hull Live, the Tigers are eyeing a move for young Fulham forward Jay Stansfield, who spent the last campaign on loan at Birmingham City.

Stansfield deal will surely prevent a Liam Delap return
While Liam Delap proved to be a useful asset during a loan spell under Rosenior last season, as he scored eight goals and created two assists in 31 Championship appearances, if the Tigers sign Stansfield, it is difficult to envisage the Manchester City youngster returning again.

 The Yorkshire side are keen to retain the striker's services, as the Hull Daily Mail reported last month that club vice-chairman Tan Kesler confirmed that transfer discussions with the Premier League outfit had taken place.

Alan Nixon revealed via Patreon that Man City are looking to sell their starlet rather than sending him on loan again, while he also wrote in The Sun that Pep Guardiola's side want £10m for Delap's services, so it appears unlikely that the Tigers will fork out that kind of money when they are looking to sign Stansfield on loan.

And while Delap has not ruled out staying at the MKM Stadium, as per the Hull Daily Mail, the Tigers may find it difficult to retain his services amid transfer interest from Serie A duo Bologna and Fiorentina, which has been reported by Football Italia.

But the argument could be made that Stansfield is a better forward than his Manchester City counterpart, as he scored 12 goals in the Championship last season despite the Blues' relegation to League One, largely thanks to Wayne Rooney's disastrous time in charge of the Midlands outfit, so perhaps Hull shouldn't be too disheartened by the fact Delap seems unlikely to make his return.

 Furthermore, Stansfield has a stronger goalscoring track record in the Football League than that of his fellow 21-year-old, as Delap's tally of eight goals is the highest he has ever scored in a single season, whereas the Fulham man scored nine during a 2022/23 loan spell at League One side Exeter City before bagging 12 Championship goals last term.

Stansfield would be a statement signing for Walter
Former Tigers boss Rosenior was a manager who some of the most talented players in the Championship wanted to play for, as he pulled off the loan signings of Liverpool starlet Fabio Carvalho, and Burnley ace Anass Zarorury.

 Walter may take some time to earn the same sort of second tier credentials as his predecessor, but the signing of Stansfield would show that he is already capable of snapping up a player who was one of the Championship's finest young talents last season.

Bringing the 21-year-old to the MKM Stadium would be a solid start to the transfer window, and if signings of a similar calibre follow, then perhaps owner Ilicali will be able to assemble the sort of promotion winning squad he is dreaming of.

Walter has a long road ahead of him if he is to land a play-off spot or better with his new club, but bringing Stansfield to the fold would be a great start in his pursuit of lofty ambitions.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/hull-city-jay-stansfield-pursuit-surely-means-end-of-liam-delap-return/