Winter Silly Season Transfer Thread 2025/2026

[FFC1987]

'Battling' isn't something I'd say Sterling has ever really had to do in his career. We could go and get Dele Ali as well if we're desperate I suppose. He's got a cracking record in this league and an England star. 

Surprised anyone's really excited about this but to each their own.

Suggesting sterling is comparable to delle Ali but not at all to Willian is pretty disingenuous man. Has far more in common achievements wise with the latter even if different strengths.

Achieved far more in this league than Delle did over many more seasons

Also saying anyone who's had that sort of career winning multiple league and cup titles and competing for a starting spot at top clubs has never had to battle also feels overly harsh. It takes huge effort to become a seasoned regular international. Now it's a different challenge in his career but agree with hopper...the price of adulation on the way up is people become hyper critical when ya fade or have poor times and are quicker to pile on with the "washed", "legs have gone" stuff.

It's very possible it doesn't work out for him, but for 6months instead of Adama? Why not? Worst case our other quality wingers start instead and we just sign a different player in the summer

Willian and Sterling are completely chalk and cheese though. Play styles, application to attitude, work ethics. The list can go on but there's ample evidence both on the pitch and off it to highlight they aren't similar at all. As for Ali, I was having a bit of fun but it should still highlight players can have really steep downward trajectories and Sterling is showing that. It's certainly a closer link than to Willian particularly with hindsight.

As for battling, Sterling has never been a 'battler' on the pitch was the point. And it's something for a mid table/bottom half of the table prem club like Fulham, we can ill afford. Sterling would be a luxury in that regard. He's not a keen press conference, he doesn't track back, so yeh I stick by the battler comment. He's been in incredible squads and his whole strick is to find pockets of space, work a channel and find a goal which he was excellent at. But his pace has seemingly reduced based on Arsenal performances and he's yet more unfit.

I don't really get the 'if Adama goes, it's alright'. Portion of his time will be getting fit, then up to speed with Silva who notoriously likes to slowly on board new players. Big wages. Losing Adama who, I know we were both vocally supportive of him previously has jumped significantly this year but he's still been ready for the squad at least. If we do any thing for Sterling here, it just feels like it'll be getting him training competitively for whoever signs him next season. He's not even been training competitively since last season with first teamers so unless your expectations of a high wage individual is going to be low, I think some perspective is needed here.

[bencher]

Ethan Nwaneri is apparently available for loan and is attracting interest from Brentford and Bournemouth. He hasn't featured as much for Arsenal this season but he has a lot of ability. He could compete with Wilson to play on the right, or play as a 10 or an 8. I would certainly be interested.

[AJW48361]

He's form at Arsenal and Chelsea doesn't fill me with optimism.

[bill taylors apprentice]

I can't get my head around the idea that Sterling would be a good signing under any circumstances.

[Coastwalker]

When did Sterling last kick a ball.

[South Coast White]

I can't get my head around the idea that Sterling would be a good signing under any circumstances.

I think if reports are correct and Chelsea are paying a massive chunk of his crazy salary, a loan to season end isn't a bad move.

[bencher]

He's form at Arsenal and Chelsea doesn't fill me with optimism.

His Chelsea output really wasn't that bad, and he was playing in the worst Chelsea side in a generation with total turmoil around him. 81 games, 19 goals, 12 assists. So 31 goals or assists in 81 games. But he was quite terrible at Arsenal last season and that would concern me the most.

[Super Mick]

He's form at Arsenal and Chelsea doesn't fill me with optimism.

His Chelsea output really wasn't that bad, and he was playing in the worst Chelsea side in a generation with total turmoil around him. 81 games, 19 goals, not sure about assists. But he was quite terrible at Arsenal last season and that would concern me the most.

Willian was also terrible at Arsenal to be fair.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

I wouldn't mind Sterling if Chelsea basically pay his wages during a loan.

More to the point, we have options at wing now and I'd rather we focus our energy and money on a striker and a Sidwell clone.

[FFC1987]

I also wouldn't blame Sterling sitting on his contract at Chelsea to train in the gym in the evenings on those sorts of wages. Even if I think the move is a bad idea, he always seemed a likeable guy, has a family to provide for and footballs an uncertain future. Appreciate some might judge him for that but I wouldn't personally.

[copthornemike]

A move to Fulham has potential to be good for all concerned provided we can achieve other transfer targets, it does not take up a squad slot and little financial outlay.
Just look how Calvert-Lewis is now suddenly staking a claim for England in a World Cup year?
The ability is there, but has it rusted away? A few weeks on the training ground would sort that one out.
He is not the only one, take Harvey Elliott at Villa. Captain of the tournament winning England U21 - now? On paper should be a candidate for the World Cup all things being equal.

[jayffc]

'Battling' isn't something I'd say Sterling has ever really had to do in his career. We could go and get Dele Ali as well if we're desperate I suppose. He's got a cracking record in this league and an England star. 

Surprised anyone's really excited about this but to each their own.

Suggesting sterling is comparable to delle Ali but not at all to Willian is pretty disingenuous man. Has far more in common achievements wise with the latter even if different strengths.

Achieved far more in this league than Delle did over many more seasons

Also saying anyone who's had that sort of career winning multiple league and cup titles and competing for a starting spot at top clubs has never had to battle also feels overly harsh. It takes huge effort to become a seasoned regular international. Now it's a different challenge in his career but agree with hopper...the price of adulation on the way up is people become hyper critical when ya fade or have poor times and are quicker to pile on with the "washed", "legs have gone" stuff.

It's very possible it doesn't work out for him, but for 6months instead of Adama? Why not? Worst case our other quality wingers start instead and we just sign a different player in the summer

Willian and Sterling are completely chalk and cheese though. Play styles, application to attitude, work ethics. The list can go on but there's ample evidence both on the pitch and off it to highlight they aren't similar at all. As for Ali, I was having a bit of fun but it should still highlight players can have really steep downward trajectories and Sterling is showing that. It's certainly a closer link than to Willian particularly with hindsight.

As for battling, Sterling has never been a 'battler' on the pitch was the point. And it's something for a mid table/bottom half of the table prem club like Fulham, we can ill afford. Sterling would be a luxury in that regard. He's not a keen press conference, he doesn't track back, so yeh I stick by the battler comment. He's been in incredible squads and his whole strick is to find pockets of space, work a channel and find a goal which he was excellent at. But his pace has seemingly reduced based on Arsenal performances and he's yet more unfit.

I don't really get the 'if Adama goes, it's alright'. Portion of his time will be getting fit, then up to speed with Silva who notoriously likes to slowly on board new players. Big wages. Losing Adama who, I know we were both vocally supportive of him previously has jumped significantly this year but he's still been ready for the squad at least. If we do any thing for Sterling here, it just feels like it'll be getting him training competitively for whoever signs him next season. He's not even been training competitively since last season with first teamers so unless your expectations of a high wage individual is going to be low, I think some perspective is needed here.

Where's the idea sterling has no work ethic coming from? Just don't really agree there, peps side was well known for it's press and plenty comments out there from pep interviews like "he's been incredible with his work ethic" etc.

At Liverpool he was mostly acceleration but at man city he developed his game to make smarter movements/cut ins + much better pressing. Never been a major tackler but he's a winger/second striker... Wilson or adama hardly renowned for their defensive work.
raheem would be here to play off the bench when we need a goal not when we need to shut out a game...we can throw Castagne and diop on and go back 5 if we wanna do that

One doesn't need sterling to literally be Willians skillset incarnite in order to successfully revive a career similarly at Fulham? Plenty other different players have adapted their game later in career.

Replacing Adama currently means being fit enough to play about 15mins initially (if any). I think he can manage that whilst we develop his match fitness. Plus Marco actually plays players relatively quickly that are older & have history in the prem, the longer delays come from players outside the league and youth.

If ya go back and watch the compilations if his 100+ goals for man city post liverpool, pace isnt really the biggest factor in most of them, it's positioning and skill. Hes scored many Willian esque cut in and shoot far post goals too.

On comparable wage to Adama if reports to be believed as we also pocket 2-3m for a player leaving free in summer anyway.

So Replacing our current third string winger that everyone complains can't shoot for one who's bagged an average of 1 G/A every 2 games over his career just seems worth a punt in my opinion. What do we lose at this point given no fee up front? It's not a high risk move with chuk returning in a month or so. Worst case he's on similar wages as an out of form adama and plays about as much? Best case he refinds form and surprises people with a big impact

Also, how the fact he was a regular starter and contributor to one of the best teams in premier history is a negative against him I don't get tbh. He was a big part of that side being as successful as it was. Will he get same amount of oppurtinites at Fulham? Probably not but doesn't mean he can't offer something positive until the summer.

Anyway, ya feel differently but I just don't get how a low risk move like this would be a negative personally. Id be happy with George or Bobb but can easily see why this would make plenty sense given the context as a low risk high reward punt for 6months.

[Craven Mad]

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2006445713857913196?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

This would be very interesting. Louza is a real goal threat from CM, and can thread a decent pass too.

Exactly what we need

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/2006691969398198699

[jayffc]

https://twitter.com/fulhamtransfer/status/2006691969398198699

Silly season in full affect with the random links to random players well never hear of again 😅

*Sigh*
Ya gotta love it

[SerbianLad]

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2006445713857913196?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Best player in the Championship, imo. The trouble is, he'd be very expensive, probably. Watford are in play-off spots right now and he's by far their most important player.

[SerbianLad]

This would be very interesting. Louza is a real goal threat from CM, and can thread a decent pass too.
Exactly what we need

6 goals and 6 assists and he's played as the deepest midfielder in certain games. In terms of the profile of player we need he's exactly what we need imo. Much better defensively than Iwobi when he plays in the middle too.

[FFC1987]

His two spells at Chelsea and Arsenal is where that comes from. Plus the backend of his spell at City. So largely what, since 2022? Arteta made comments about his need to work harder, Chelsea comments were made by numerous managers then the club itself. If we were signing the Sterling from those videos of 4+ years ago, I'd be all over this (but we wouldn't be an option for him anyway) but we aren't which is really the point.

Sterlings not a pacer, but he has a quick step of pace which sniffs out the space. He showed none of that and if anything, showed his legs in quite serious decline at Arsenal if you actually watched him much? As I did, and that's why I'm concerned in replacing Adama, a known athlete, with Sterling for similar wages (or likely more), with a guy who hasn't trained competitively in over a season. And someone who went from being tipped as one of the best in his positions to a guy who can't train with his first team to now being looked at as a potential squad player for a short while this season.

What you lose as a low risk transfer, I disagree. If we'd be giving him game time over others who are long term committed and on half his wages for low outlay but high cost, and a potential disrupter to the dressing room (people won't be happy seeing a player on his wages playing 15 mins or on the bench ch behind them) then I just don't see the worth. Plus he doesn't suit our style.

Lots of good reasons to disagree with you Jay. Sure you made some points I could play along with but I just don't agree so happy to leave it there. 

[alfie]

It really doesn't matter who is right or wrong in these matters, the only matter that is of concern is what Silva thinks, if he believes that he can get Sterling performing to an acceptable level, that is all that matters, of course he might fail with this and whatever the outcome is, that is what he earns the big bucks for.

[hovewhite]

Change of manager at the neighbours will that scupper Stirling?