Saturday Fulham Stuff - 04/01/25...

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Silva: 'Ambitious' Ipswich will make it difficult
Marco Silva is in no doubt that an 'ambitious' Ipswich Town outfit will make life difficult for his Fulham side at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Kieron McKenna's Town earned their first Premier League point against the Whites at Portman Road in August and have won two of their last four fixtures, including an impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea over the festive period, to give their battle against relegation a real boost.

Silva told his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon:

"It'll be a really difficult game, I don't have doubts about that. Not just because they won against Chelsea, but they have been showing the quality to win games. They have good organisation, are well-managed and have very good players. What they did last summer showed their ambition as a club. They have some young players in certain areas of the pitch who can punish you at any time. They are really aggressive on and off the ball and they are always trying to match any team in this league.

Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap are both top players. I know that they are different, playing in different positions, but they have been doing so well. Delap was on loan at Hull last season, but he has adapted so quickly to the quality and demands of this league. They are difficult players to control, they work hard both on and off the ball and have the right mentality to be strong in all parts of the game. As a team, they are a good side and they've been showing that.

"We went there on the third game of the season and we drew the game, but if we play at our best level then we can win."

Silva also offered an update on the members of his squad currently sidelined through injury.

"Harrison Reed is [now] back in the [training] sessions. He now needs time to get the right fitness levels and to be confident again. Sander [Berge] needs a little bit longer, Reiss Nelson and [Kenny] Tete too. I believe that Sander is closer [to a return]. I wouldn't want to put a timeline on it but if he's not available for the FA Cup [fourth round tie against Watford], then maybe in contention for the game after. Reiss will be a little bit longer."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/01/silva-ambitious-ipswich-will-make-it-difficult/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham turn down £16.5m Palmeiras bid for Pereira
Fulham have turned down an offer worth £16.5m from Palmeiras for their Brazilian attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to BBC Sport.

The former Manchester United midfielder has been a key player under Marco Silva since he left Old Trafford for the Whites in the summer of 2022. He has been the subject of frenzied transfer speculation since giving an interview expressing an interest in a move away from Craven Cottage in November and Palmeiras are pushing to make him their marquee signing ahead of the new Brazilian domestic season.

But Fulham are not willing to sell Pereira during the January transfer window as Silva sees the Brazilian playmaker, who has started fifteen of the nineteen league games this term, as crucial in the Cottagers' push for Europe as they sit eighth in the table at the turn of the year. The BBC report also says that Marseille, whose manager Roberto di Zerbi is known to be an admirer of the midfielder, have cooled their interest in Pereira.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/01/fulham-turn-down-16-5m-palmeiras-bid-for-pereira/

[WhiteJC]

Matchday Preview: Ipswich
🆚 Ipswich Town
🏟 Craven Cottage
🏆 Premier League
🗓 Sunday 5th January
⏰ 2pm (BST)
#️⃣ FULIPS

The opposition

Out of three teams that were promoted from the Championship last term, Ipswich are currently best placed to avoid an immediate return to the second tier. The Tractor Boys are in the bottom three but two wins in their last four games has seen them close the gap to 17th to just a single point.

It took Kieran McKenna's side until November 10th to claim their first Premier League win but they have picked up two thirds of their current points total since then, highlighting their improvement. Monday's 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Portman Road was their first home win the top flight in 22 years and certainly their most impressive result of this Premier League campaign.

Team News

Kenny Tete, Sander Berge and Reiss Nelson remain in the treatment room. Harrison Reed is back in training although needs time to build up his fitness.

Axel Tuanzebe and Chiedozie Ogbene are long-term absentees. Conor Chaplin is set to miss a couple of weeks of action with a knee injury.

Tickets

Tickets are still available to purchase.

Kits

Fulham will be sporting their home kit this weekend, while Ipswich will be wearing their pink third strip.

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid, while the game will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, and on Peacock in the United States.

Weather

It will be a mild January afternoon at the Cottage, with highs of around 11 degrees. However, there is likely to be light rain throughout the afternoon.

Matchday programme
Saša Lukić is the main interview in the official matchday programme.
 
The midfielder has become a cornerstone of Fulham's success this season, blending resilience from his roots with top-tier performances in the Premier League. From historic wins to adapting to London life, Lukić reflects on a remarkable journey and shares his ambitions for the future.
 
Elsewhere in the publication, Antonee Robinson answers some very random questions and Rufus Brevett looks back on his memorable spell in SW6 ahead of receiving the Forever Fulham award.
 
Meanwhile, Michael Cole recalls spells at Fulham and Ipswich Town, Marco Silva, Tom Cairney, Robert Wilson and Gentleman Jim supply their regular notes and Women's star Betty Barron-Clark is the subject of our Getting To Know feature.
 
Packed with a tonne of content, the 104-page programme will be on sale around the ground on Sunday priced £4, or you can pick up a copy online.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2025/january/04/matchday-preview-ipswich-/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham reject £18m bid from Palmeiras for Andreas Pereira with midfielder open to staying in west London

    Andreas Pereira has 18 months left to run on his current deal at Fulham
    The 29-year-old is open to discussing new terms with Premier League club

Fulham have rejected a £16million offer from Palmeiras for midfielder Andres Pereira.

The 29-year-old has 18 months left on contract and is open to discussing new terms but Fulham have yet to open negotiations.

Pereira, who joined Fulham from Manchester United for an initial fee of £10million in July 2022, has played 17 games for the west London club this season.

The Brazilian, who has been capped nine times by his country, was dropped by Fulham head coach Marco Silva for their draw with Tottenham in December after he was quoted as saying he wanted to join Marseille.

Pereira slammed the 'malicious' article and has since returned to the first-team fold.

He stated: 'I would like to address the article recently published about me.

'Unfortunately, the piece contains statements attributed to me that I did not make, and the translation into English was done in a malicious and inaccurate manner, completely distorting my words.

'In the interview, I clearly expressed my happiness and satisfaction with being at Fulham and my gratitude for everything the club and the staff have done for me, emphasising at all times that I still have two years remaining on my contract and that I am fully focused on the club.'

Pereira rose through the ranks of Man United's academy after joining from PSV Eindhoven as a highly-rated youth prospect.

He was loaned out to Granada, Valencia, Lazio and Flamengo during his time at Old Trafford before leaving on a permanent basis in 2022.

Fulham host Ipswich Town on Sunday.

Palmeiras, meanwhile, were pipped to the league title by Botafogo in the 2024 league campaign.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14249471/Fulham-reject-18m-bid-Palmeiras-Andreas-Pereira.html