Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2024

[WindyCity]

Sure, would like to see Andersen drop into the club, but if he doesn't, not the end of the world.  If FFC can bring him in at an acceptable price/arrangement, fine.  But I'm also ok with Diop in that position alongside Bassey.  Still a good tandem. Diop seems to be getting a lot of stick here.  I don't think it's necessarily warranted.  Sure, prone to the bad error/brainfart, but in my view, no more susceptible than was Adarabioyo.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Re. Andersen allegedly not being popular: https://twitter.com/justincorbin4/status/1822644386292707383?s=46

For what it's worth, I can believe this, that team had its problems but I too would have been a bit miffed if a loan player just brought into the club was made captain. But I don't know if the source is reputable so will give benefit of the doubt.

Anyway main issue for me as mentioned previously is that I see him signing as at best a sideways move, especially for the money involved.

[hopper]

Diop is prone to making mistakes that look very bad and much of the time when under little or no pressure but while these errors look horrendous how numerous are they over a season?

Does this cloud our judgement when it comes to his general ability, the marvellous blocks, tackles, headers etc he makes?

We shouldn't accept the mistakes and I do see the position as an area to upgrade but overall I see Diop as a decent PL defender 

Seems my opinion is against the consensus here, which is completely ok and I'm not trying to prove anyone wrong here or anything like that, but in my mind he made a lot of errors in limited appearances - so I went through his appearances to see what mistakes I could remember.

• Incomprehensible Brentford misplaced pass - cost us the game
• Push on Alvarez for penalty - City away (game was already lost)
• Daft penalty at Stamford Bridge - cost us the game
• Red card at home v City (game was already lost)

This is in 18 appearances and 1,425 minutes. Feels too many for me personally. Agree that in other games though he can be commanding - some excellent blocks (particularly from crosses/balls in dangerous wide positions) and performances.

Think those really bad errors in local derbies from drawing positions compounds it for me too

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Also it really does feel as if we are relying on Newcastle backing out of the Guehi deal for us to be able to get Andersen for the money we want. I'm not sure I like that strategy.

[Roberty]

Typical Fulham playing a game chess with clubs now, frustrating as a supporter isn't it.

Suppose only if ya look at it short term (or dont trust the overall strategy of course) imo. These players are hopefully with you for at least 2-5 years + so for the sake of 3 games (2 against promoted teams) it seems to make business sense.

I take the view that strong negotiations that have and can potentially lead to significant saved money, can mean more budget that can make us stronger all round  in theong run - with additonal signings elsewhere, or improved bids for other top targets etc. And of course ensuring long term sustainability and compliance with regulations that means we shouldnt be threatened with points sanctions etc.

Of course I appreciate its possible you may miss targets if someone moves quicker or gazumps you but thats all part of the balancing act. The hope is it pays off more often than it loses. Heres hoping🤞🏼

I think the idea of getting the "right player" for 2-5 years is undermined to a large extent by our tendency to bid simultaneously on multiple players in the same position, start with low (almost tentative) bids, remain uncertain as to who we'll get until the end of the window, and ultimately base the decision on who's "going cheap".

Surely if you're targeting a particular player, that's when you go in early, and assertively with your offer level. Our strategy is the opposite.

Duh - the decision on who comes in is ultimately up to MS and he said as much towards the end of the summers transfer window last season. When asked about a replacement for Mitro - he said that who ever came in would have to be approved by him and not be just any old replacement.
It makes no sense for TK and AM to bring someone in who is not approved by MS, the player will not get game time and they could have just kept the money in the bank.

You may have heard the phrase about not confusing value for money with cheapness ?
If I remember correctly someone on here reported that TK had said that waiting until the end of the window often meant that we were able to get better value for our transfer cash. He didn't say anything about cheapness.

Are you suggesting that we should pay top dollar and not negotiate? The effect of which will be to reduce the number or quality of players that we can buy.

[General]

As much as I'd love to see us re-sign Andersen, it's hard to see the appeal of him moving, it's at best a sideways move. I suspect he's using the move as leverage to get a new contract.

Perhaps he doesn't think Palace stand a real chance of progressing. Since he's been at the club they've not exactly set the world alight, most seasons struggling.

He may have kept in touch with some of the players at the club, heard good things about Marco and seen the results and stability on the pitch - e.g. winning at Utd, beating Arsenal and Spurs last year and thought he may be able to make a difference to us, and has fond memories of his time at the club.

This isn't intended to throw shade at Palace, which seem like a good honest club, but sometimes these things can make a difference.

He may prefer being west london based too. May prefer craven cottage as a stadium. He may have shared good memories with Hodgson when he managed.

Palace have been consistent but stagnated and perhaps found their ceiling?

They've finished 10th/11th and 12th but always struggle to keep hold of their key assets.. Zaha left, Elise left.

In fact there are lots of similarities between us as clubs, I'm just hopeful that we've got more of a capacity to go on the upwards trajectory with the stability of Marco as our coach.

[hopper]

Think Joa also had a big row with some Palace fans after a game towards the end of Hodgson era if memory serves correctly. Maybe as General says he is attracted to the area, sure that can be a pull for some players.

[legana]

I saw that Gallagher's transfer to Atletico has stalled - anyone think he'll end up here for the season (a late loan perhaps)? Presumably Chelsea are trying to sell as they need to balance incoming signings with player sales though?

[AJW48361]

I felt Tim was definitely let down by Parker and Andersen joining on loan helped Benched Ream basically all the season.

[jayffc]

Typical Fulham playing a game chess with clubs now, frustrating as a supporter isn't it.

Suppose only if ya look at it short term (or dont trust the overall strategy of course) imo. These players are hopefully with you for at least 2-5 years + so for the sake of 3 games (2 against promoted teams) it seems to make business sense.

I take the view that strong negotiations that have and can potentially lead to significant saved money, can mean more budget that can make us stronger all round  in theong run - with additonal signings elsewhere, or improved bids for other top targets etc. And of course ensuring long term sustainability and compliance with regulations that means we shouldnt be threatened with points sanctions etc.

Of course I appreciate its possible you may miss targets if someone moves quicker or gazumps you but thats all part of the balancing act. The hope is it pays off more often than it loses. Heres hoping🤞🏼

I think the idea of getting the "right player" for 2-5 years is undermined to a large extent by our tendency to bid simultaneously on multiple players in the same position, start with low (almost tentative) bids, remain uncertain as to who we'll get until the end of the window, and ultimately base the decision on who's "going cheap".

Surely if you're targeting a particular player, that's when you go in early, and assertively with your offer level. Our strategy is the opposite.

Except all targets we go after are agreed to be the requisite level by all 3 departments (marco, stats and scouting). As someone else pointed out, marco stated explicitly he doesnt want to bring people in for the sake of it. So all these targets are approved be it anderson or carlos...and sometimes we wait it out a bit longer if theres a preferance or if we offer a valuation we deem fair early in the window but suspect the other club is over valuing their player at that point and it seems likely that valuation will drop.

We have an overall budget and presumably an idea of whos affordable within that structure depending on what ends up being spent where and how much clubs want for different assets... Then its a balancing act from there.

In very few negotiations and businesses do good businessmen go in leading hard with their big offer early. Its not as though weve offered poor amounts either. 25m is a club record for fluminese, no other club has offered them that this summer so clearly its a reasonable one at this stage. £25m rising to 30 is more than reasonable for Anderson offered a day after first bid rejected , theyre clearly considering it. Neither of these are petty change amounts or "cheap". The club may well have deemed these assertive bids at the top level were willing to pay. If they fall through there will be other targets on our list. Carlos is one, and well see what the DM option becomes if not Andre late on.

Where clubs have accepted decent offers for players theyve deemed surplus transfers are easier (ESR, cuenca) and we seem to have got good deals there. Is there risk to the strategy sure, but potentially big rewards too. Well see how it plays out but there is a budget and long game to consider for sure.

[bencher]

I felt Tim was definitely let down by Parker and Andersen joining on loan helped Benched Ream basically all the season.

Could it be more than a coincidence that we are going after Andersen after Ream has left the club?

[Hatch007]

Good point raised by Bencher.

Another issue perhaps worth considering that may play on Andersen's mind is the training facilities.

Ray Lew is a family friend and last year he told me Palace's training ground is so basic it's unbelievable. They only have two full size pitches, for example, and no full size indoor pitches for when the ground is frozen in the winter.

Considering footballers spend most of their working time on the training ground that's something I'd certainly imagine they factor in

[Count Flapula]

I always thought Palace could pay higher wages than us which is why whenever we were both linked to a player (similar to Westham before Europe success) it was us on the back foot. Maybe that's changed.

Possibly although supposedly ESR came here amidst interest there (will never know how far they got with their offers for him of course but it was rumoured they approached the player)

Palace have a smaller wage bill / structure to us. We generally pay more.

[Fulham Mike]

Silva having his press conference now so hopefully we'll get a bit of an update

[jayffc]

Silva having his press conference now so hopefully we'll get a bit of an update

Generals sharing it all in other thread
Some great insights in there and seems upbeat.

Acknowledges plenty to do before end of the month but makes it clear hes confident we absolutely will do business before the end of the window. Classy individual, looking forward to seeing how we end up more than than ever!

[btffc]

Silva having his press conference now so hopefully we'll get a bit of an update

Generals sharing it all in other thread
Some great insights in there and seems upbeat.

Acknowledges plenty to do before end of the month but makes it clear hes confident we absolutely will do business before the end of the window. Classy individual, looking forward to seeing how we end up more than than ever!

Definitely a change in demeanor compared to last season when he seemed pretty upset about how slow the transfer progress was at the same point. He seems almost upbeat about it this year so I take that as a good sign. Also, probably helps we got ESR in relatively early who was reportedly his #1 target.

[Tabby]

Happy to hear that Stansfield is staying.

[Lighthouse]

Oh dear - I think it is pretty clear that no coach in a club that is the size of Fulham. World ever be stupid or ignorant enough to demand one player at any price in any position. Which is why a number of players are often linked. All of whom would have the ok from Silva and some would have been his suggestion.

[Roberty]

Typical Fulham playing a game chess with clubs now, frustrating as a supporter isn't it.

Suppose only if ya look at it short term (or dont trust the overall strategy of course) imo. These players are hopefully with you for at least 2-5 years + so for the sake of 3 games (2 against promoted teams) it seems to make business sense.

I take the view that strong negotiations that have and can potentially lead to significant saved money, can mean more budget that can make us stronger all round  in theong run - with additonal signings elsewhere, or improved bids for other top targets etc. And of course ensuring long term sustainability and compliance with regulations that means we shouldnt be threatened with points sanctions etc.

Of course I appreciate its possible you may miss targets if someone moves quicker or gazumps you but thats all part of the balancing act. The hope is it pays off more often than it loses. Heres hoping🤞🏼

I think the idea of getting the "right player" for 2-5 years is undermined to a large extent by our tendency to bid simultaneously on multiple players in the same position, start with low (almost tentative) bids, remain uncertain as to who we'll get until the end of the window, and ultimately base the decision on who's "going cheap".

Surely if you're targeting a particular player, that's when you go in early, and assertively with your offer level. Our strategy is the opposite.

Duh - the decision on who comes in is ultimately up to MS and he said as much towards the end of the summers transfer window last season. When asked about a replacement for Mitro - he said that who ever came in would have to be approved by him and not be just any old replacement.
It makes no sense for TK and AM to bring someone in who is not approved by MS, the player will not get game time and they could have just kept the money in the bank.

You may have heard the phrase about not confusing value for money with cheapness ?
If I remember correctly someone on here reported that TK had said that waiting until the end of the window often meant that we were able to get better value for our transfer cash. He didn't say anything about cheapness.

Are you suggesting that we should pay top dollar and not negotiate? The effect of which will be to reduce the number or quality of players that we can buy.

I'm not suggesting anything, my personal preference/style would be to identify exactly who we want and be prepared to pay a reasonable premium on market value to get them, but I respect the arguments for the alternative, more opportunistic 'moneyball' type approach. My point was just that they're two mutually exclusive alternatives and you can't, without some cognitive dissonance, simultaneously praise us for these shrewd, less discriminate money-saving tactics on the one hand whilst simultaneously saying our emphasis is on narrowly and very specifically targeting certain individuals for specific long-term/project needs.

As an aside, saying Marco has some say is frankly meaningless, it goes without saying. Even Symons had some say under the infamous 'three ticks' model together with scouting and the stats team. That doesn't tell you whether Marco is able to say "I want Andre, do what it takes to get him" or does he just get to say, "I want a DM" and AM says "ok, we'll look at Andre, McTominay and Phillips and see which makes the most economic sense."

So you're not suggesting anything, but your personal preference is to over pay and sign fewer or lesser quality players? Have I understood that correctly now?

You need to listen when MS speaks and stop making up your own narrative:-
From today's Press Conference.
On Emile Smith Rowe: "The main thing for me was his desire to join our football club.
"At his best level, he is going to be a great player for us.
"When I saw a player of his talent and his desire to come to Fulham, that's what pushed me to sign him."
Of course he could have no say in who TK and AM sign - but he uses ME and seems to want to own the decision.

[General]

I don't trust the source necessarily, but this article suggests we're offering £10m for a loan for Kalvin Phillips.. seems like an expensive loan when the player was bought for £45m and hasn't played for a while..

https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/fulham/stunning-ps10m-loan-signing-fulham-could-land-shock-transfer-rivals-4741466