🌞Summer Silly Season Transfer thread 2026

[jayffc]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

[jayffc]

So..Tete vs Castagne.

Assuming we know one of them would be the backup to Andrei (if he comes in)...who do you keep as a backup?

I'm team Tete as a backup.   

Castagne, for all the reasons mentioned.

1. He's clearly Arbeloas favoured RB
2. He fits the way we want to play better than Tete as an attacking RB
3. Tete's injury record is sadly pretty abysmal at this point.
4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

In previous years, under a different manager, Tete would be the easy and clear winner, but we haven't, by Timmy's own words in an interview, been playing a system that suits him best under Silva. That's changed now, and he has been given "license to kill", get forward and attack, which is much more his bag than Tete's. For that reason, it seems likely it's Kenny that would be moved on. Uliamtely though whichever it is if we bring one in, we'll know we have good depth there still.

While I agree with #3...I don't think we truly know who the preferred Arbeloa RB is...and I disagree that in any world Castagne is faster at recovery than Tete.  Maybe if Tete is carrying a knock...but I don't think Castagne has more pace.

I also think Tete when healthy is clearly the better defender.

We don't know for certain. But Castagne has been starting over Tete throughout pre-season when it's got to the business end, and doing well with a number of assists, including a good game against Chelsea where he was the chosen starter.
The rumour had it that we told Everton that Castage is not for sale at all. If true, it suggests Tete is the one on the chopping block of the two- which would indicate Timmy is AA's preferred option, when added to the fact he's the one starting currently.

I agree Tete is clearly the better defender, when fit. But the "when fit" is an issue, and it's undeniably clear that Arbeloa's wing-backs play highly advanced up the pitch on both sides - He clearly is looking at their attacking contribution as the key factor...which is why all the wing-backs we've gone for aren't Tete types, but are pacey, attack-minded wing-backs first and foremost (Fort, Bellanova and now Ratiu)

[AnOldBrownie]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

Fair.

But is he a better defender than Tete?   Sure...Arbeloa is giving them a license to attack (the fullbacks) but defending is still a high priority for a fullback.

If we're talking about the "starter", I agree 100% that Castagne is the player we're going to have start.   If we're upgrading the spot with Andrei I'd much rather have Tete as the backup.   Less wear and tear on Tete's body...and we'll probably get more money for Castagne because of Tete's injury history.

[Deeping_white]

AA wants a RB version of Jedi, and you can see from the first couple of games + pre season that we need a RB who can fly up and down the right for 90 mins because FB's are integral to how we attack. Castagne and Tete are both solid FB's at this level, and I would say both are mobile rather than quick, and Ratiu is lightning quick which is something we will need to stretch teams on both flanks, and also have the ability to recover when we are stretched. People on here might not understand it and that's fair enough, but since AA has been here we've consistently been linked with RB's which shows he wants a new one, and if we're going to back the manager as we've said we would then we should probably give him the tools he thinks he needs for us to be successful. It will be a shame or either Tete or Timmy to leave as they've been solid and dependable for us, but sometimes you have to make big calls in the name of progress so if we can find a buyer then it's revenue in and a key position for AA replaced

[Chi_FFC]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

Yes, Tim is a more attack minded RB, that's always been the case (heck, Marco said as much). As far as pace, not a huge difference but we do have access to running stats now which show that Kenny definitely is the pacier of the two.

[jayffc]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

Fair.

But is he a better defender than Tete?   Sure...Arbeloa is giving them a license to attack (the fullbacks) but defending is still a high priority for a fullback.

If we're talking about the "starter", I agree 100% that Castagne is the player we're going to have start.   If we're upgrading the spot with Andrei I'd much rather have Tete as the backup.   Less wear and tear on Tete's body...and we'll probably get more money for Castagne because of Tete's injury history.

Again, I agree Tete is the better pure defender, but if that was Arbeloas key concern he wouldnt be playing our full backs as borderline wingers. As Deeping white says, Arbeloa's playing advanced wingbacks. He wants attacking output and threat in advanced positions as well as some ability to defend and get back and forth. It's no coincidence that the players we've been linked to are all attacking wingbacks first and foremost. They can all defend, but they all thrive in attacking positions and triangles. Of the 2 fullbacks we have, Tete is the better defender, and I'd say Timmy when utilised properly, is the one more suited to this new system and the better attacker - specifically for the way Arbeloa wants to play - hence he has started against Chelsea.

[WolverineFFC]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

Fair.

But is he a better defender than Tete?  Sure...Arbeloa is giving them a license to attack (the fullbacks) but defending is still a high priority for a fullback.

If we're talking about the "starter", I agree 100% that Castagne is the player we're going to have start.  If we're upgrading the spot with Andrei I'd much rather have Tete as the backup.  Less wear and tear on Tete's body...and we'll probably get more money for Castagne because of Tete's injury history.

Again, I agree Tete is the better pure defender, but if that was Arbeloas key concern he wouldnt be playing our full backs as borderline wingers. As Deeping white says, Arbeloa's playing advanced wingbacks. He wants attacking output and threat in advanced positions as well as some ability to defend and get back and forth. It's no coincidence that the players we've been linked to are all attacking wingbacks first and foremost. They can all defend, but they all thrive in attacking positions and triangles. Of the 2 fullbacks we have, Tete is the better defender, and I'd say Timmy when utilised properly, is the one more suited to this new system and the better attacker - specifically for the way Arbeloa wants to play - hence he has started against Chelsea.

Injury risk is the only reason to favor Castagne over Tete in my opinion. Availability is a valuable asset and certainly Tete's main fault.

As far as in attack, Castagne is the more attack minded, but I've never thought he is really that good at it. I'd much rather be encouraging Tete to get forward more often than deal with Castagne's defensive and physical limitations all things equal. Unfortunately Tete's injury risk is a real factor.

[jayffc]

@WolverineFFC hard to judge when we never played to his strengths in this regard. He has spoken on this himself in interviews. His job has been to mostly sit back and allow Robinson to attack down the left and only occasionally given license to push forward, something that I think he's found frustrating but has quitely got on with. But that's not his ideal game, I think we're already seeing in pre season and against Chelsea he's more suited to Arbeloas system and that's why he's been one of our better players in most of the games he's played so far through pre season and into the chelsea game.

Anyway, all by the by, ultimately the decision is the managers and we'll see what we end up with

[AnOldBrownie]

4. He's marginally faster than Tete, and pace out wide is key to what AA wants.

I'd prefer keeping Castagne for a couple of reasons, but I think on the topic of pace it's the other way around.

Fair enough, marginal if so, main thing being how they utilise their runs in attacking spaces. Castagne seems to be more attack-minded in this regard, using what he has to good effect when getting forward and getting to byline/in behind.

Fair.

But is he a better defender than Tete?  Sure...Arbeloa is giving them a license to attack (the fullbacks) but defending is still a high priority for a fullback.

If we're talking about the "starter", I agree 100% that Castagne is the player we're going to have start.  If we're upgrading the spot with Andrei I'd much rather have Tete as the backup.  Less wear and tear on Tete's body...and we'll probably get more money for Castagne because of Tete's injury history.

Again, I agree Tete is the better pure defender, but if that was Arbeloas key concern he wouldnt be playing our full backs as borderline wingers. As Deeping white says, Arbeloa's playing advanced wingbacks. He wants attacking output and threat in advanced positions as well as some ability to defend and get back and forth. It's no coincidence that the players we've been linked to are all attacking wingbacks first and foremost. They can all defend, but they all thrive in attacking positions and triangles. Of the 2 fullbacks we have, Tete is the better defender, and I'd say Timmy when utilised properly, is the one more suited to this new system and the better attacker - specifically for the way Arbeloa wants to play - hence he has started against Chelsea.

Injury risk is the only reason to favor Castagne over Tete in my opinion. Availability is a valuable asset and certainly Tete's main fault.

As far as in attack, Castagne is the more attack minded, but I've never thought he is really that good at it. I'd much rather be encouraging Tete to get forward more often than deal with Castagne's defensive and physical limitations all things equal. Unfortunately Tete's injury risk is a real factor.

This is where I'm sitting.   I like Timothy...but if Tete could stay healthy I'm going to make him do what I expect Timothy to do.   Then I've got the better defender on the pitch where my defense is questionable.

The only reason I'm team Tete is because I think Andrei is an upgrade to both (I assume) and the plan is for him to be our leading right sided attacking wing back.

Tete will be a solid backup.

Castagne could be an all season starter on another team.

[jayffc]

https://x.com/jackellyffc/status/2093755856017822042?s=20

And there is your answer.
Tete has agreed terms with Everton.

Will add he's probably my all time favourite fulham RB and will be sorely missed. BUT, seeing as we presumably are getting a fee for him, well done to the club in that regard making money on him when he would have walked free last year to the same club.

[sarnian]

Good discussions about RB but where's our RCB who is much much more important.

[jayffc]

Good discussions about RB but where's our RCB who is much much more important.

Augsburg are in process of signing Bah at RCB... which appears to clear the way for a target we've made contact with recently according to FFN, Matsima,

Currently the list we've been in talks with is extensive and we're doing our usual thing of pushing deals along and seeing which of our targets sticks and is available to us.

List goes:

Matsima
Le Guen
Mbow
Ait Boudlal
Javi Rodriguez
Jake O'brien

Certain we'll get one in.

[FFC007]

Fulham after Tosin...

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2093715233390944527?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[FFC007]

So it could be Adarybioyo, Nwanieri and Javi in the door.

[jayffc]

Fulham after Tosin...

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2093715233390944527?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Think we probably file this under - teamtalk rubbish. Doubt there's much substance to it.

In terms of seeming most likely to me as things stand...

RCB: Matsima
RB: Ratiu
CM: Cestero/Manuel Angel
RW: Who knows, Nwaneri the only serious link we've heard publically recently, but straight loan seems unlikely. Imagine much like Ratiu there will be players that pop up that we have gone under the radar of mainstream until they land out of nowhere. Much like Cuenca did too

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

Fulham after Tosin...

https://x.com/FulhamTransfer/status/2093715233390944527?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Think we probably file this under - teamtalk rubbish. Doubt there's much substance to it.

Yeah reeks of lazy link

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

AA wants a RB version of Jedi, and you can see from the first couple of games + pre season that we need a RB who can fly up and down the right for 90 mins because FB's are integral to how we attack. Castagne and Tete are both solid FB's at this level, and I would say both are mobile rather than quick, and Ratiu is lightning quick which is something we will need to stretch teams on both flanks, and also have the ability to recover when we are stretched. People on here might not understand it and that's fair enough, but since AA has been here we've consistently been linked with RB's which shows he wants a new one, and if we're going to back the manager as we've said we would then we should probably give him the tools he thinks he needs for us to be successful. It will be a shame or either Tete or Timmy to leave as they've been solid and dependable for us, but sometimes you have to make big calls in the name of progress so if we can find a buyer then it's revenue in and a key position for AA replaced

I get it. And I hope Arbeloa's ideas are successful. I'd just feel a lot less trepidatious about it if he had any sort of track record of success.

[WolverineFFC]

@WolverineFFC hard to judge when we never played to his strengths in this regard. He has spoken on this himself in interviews. His job has been to mostly sit back and allow Robinson to attack down the left and only occasionally given license to push forward, something that I think he's found frustrating but has quitely got on with. But that's not his ideal game, I think we're already seeing in pre season and against Chelsea he's more suited to Arbeloas system and that's why he's been one of our better players in most of the games he's played so far through pre season and into the chelsea game.

Anyway, all by the by, ultimately the decision is the managers and we'll see what we end up with

I hope to be proven wrong and there will be more product from him attack wise in this setup.

I do think it interesting in the previous regime that Robinson was given license to get up and down considering his known limitations. The RB's however were asked not to do so. I could see this as a tactical choice. I also wonder if it was a decision based on lack of confidence in the RB's ability to positively impact the game enough forward to justify the risk of them being caught out.

[onecupsoon]

I get it. And I hope Arbeloa's ideas are successful. I'd just feel a lot less trepidatious about it if he had any sort of track record of success.

Success - he got a job at Fulham!

[jayffc]

@WolverineFFC hard to judge when we never played to his strengths in this regard. He has spoken on this himself in interviews. His job has been to mostly sit back and allow Robinson to attack down the left and only occasionally given license to push forward, something that I think he's found frustrating but has quitely got on with. But that's not his ideal game, I think we're already seeing in pre season and against Chelsea he's more suited to Arbeloas system and that's why he's been one of our better players in most of the games he's played so far through pre season and into the chelsea game.

Anyway, all by the by, ultimately the decision is the managers and we'll see what we end up with

I hope to be proven wrong and there will be more product from him attack wise in this setup.

I do think it interesting in the previous regime that Robinson was given license to get up and down considering his known limitations. The RB's however were asked not to do so. I could see this as a tactical choice. I also wonder if it was a decision based on lack of confidence in the RB's ability to positively impact the game enough forward to justify the risk of them being caught out.

TBH I think he'll only be number 2 anyway. We are clearly bringing in someone we want to be a starter. But Im massively encouraged by what I've seen so far of Timmy when the breaks are taken off. Onwards we go ay. Looking forward to seeing what Ratiu can offer with some serious pace on both flanks now assuming it is him. Bobb linkup could be really fun