Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 09/09/25...

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Kevin Scout Report At Fulham 2025/2026: Who Is The Cottagers Record Signing? – Player Analysis



Fulham were quiet for most of the summer until it emerged that they were interested in Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin.

It took until the final days of the window, but the Cottagers finally reached a deal.

The 22-year-old Brazilian ultimately cost Fulham £34.6m, the largest transfer fee ever paid by the West London club.

Many great Brazilian talents have come through Shakhtar Donetsk over the years.

Players like Douglas Costa, Willian, and Fernandinho have moved from Ukrainian giants to some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Kevin began his senior career at Brazilian side Palmeiras before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2024 for a fee of €12 million plus add-ons.

He was an absolute star for the one and a half seasons he spent with Shakhtar Donetsk, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists in 57 appearances.

With that being said, according to Transfermarkt, Kevin has an estimated transfer value of £10.4m.

So why did Fulham FC seemingly overpay for the talented Brazilian winger?

In this player analysis, we will examine how Kevin Santos Lopes de Macedo fits into Marco Silva style of play at Fulham.

We will also look at Kevin data profile from his one-and-a-half seasons with Shakhtar, his ability as an elite dribbler, and some areas for improvement as he makes the jump to the most difficult domestic league in world football.

Fulham Style Of Play
Before we scout Kevin, it's important to understand Fulham's style of play under Marco Silva tactics.

The Cottagers are a bit different because while most teams in modern football want to play through the central parts of the pitch, Fulham wants to play through the wide channels.

According to WhoScored, 75% of the Cottagers' attacks during the 2024/25 season originated from out wide, with 41% coming down the left flank.

Marco Silva's entire goal is to create four or five-man overloads in wide areas, play short passes through their opponents, and get the ball into the final third to send a cross into the box.

The Cottagers led the Premier League last season in both the number of attempts (894) and the number of completed crosses into the penalty area (108).

Most of their attacks came down the left side of the pitch, and Fulham have one of the best progressive left-backs in the Premier League, Antonee Robinson.

Last season, he attempted 19% of Fulham's crosses and led the Premier League for completed crosses into the penalty area.

Most importantly, he also led Fulham with 10 assists.

What Fulham has desperately needed for a while is a winger who can free up space for Robinson to make both overlapping and underlapping runs to be able to send in these types of crosses.

From their goal against Manchester United, it's clear that Alex Iwobi has been the player this season who has had to do most of the work in the wide left areas, a role in which he's very effective.





What is great about a player like Alex Iwobi is his versatility.

He can play as an attacking midfielder, right winger, left winger, or has even played in defensive midfield at the international level for Nigeria.

Before the international break, he was the one dropping deep in the midfield to create central overloads against Manchester United.



Because of this, I am sure Marco Silva would rather have him operate in this type of role than stick him on the touchline.

That is why Fulham were desperate to find wingers this summer that could hug the touchline and take defenders on 1-v-1 to create chances.

That is why they went after Kevin.

Kevin Data Profile
Kevin Stats At Shakhtar Donetsk



From his radar chart, Kevin was one of the best dribblers in the Ukrainian Premier League last season.

He averaged 8.63 successful dribbles per 90 minutes with a 52.3% successful dribble rate.

He does an outstanding job of creating his own shot off the dribble (averaging 3.68 shots per 90 minutes), but also sends in a high number of crosses (2.96 per 90 minutes), which is exactly what Fulham needs.

Those numbers look impressive, but are also against Ukrainian Premier League teams.

What is impressive about Kevin is that he's proven those types of numbers domestically are not a fluke.

In the UEFA Champions League last season, Kevin averaged 5.1 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.

That was the highest average among all wingers in the biggest club competition in the world.

He also averaged 4.9 progressive carries per 90 minutes, which was above the 90th percentile for the Champions League.

I think it's safe to say he's an elite dribbler.

Kevin Playing Style
Kevin primarily plays as a left winger, and his heat map shows that he tends to hug the touchline.

Kevin Heatmap At Shakhtar Donetsk 2024/2025



He is about as pure of a 1-v-1 dribbler as you'll find in world football.

Kevin made defenders in the Ukrainian Premier League look silly with his pace and acceleration when he played the ball behind them.

He loves the move of slowly holding up the ball and then playing it in behind defenders who are committed to trying to win it.

Kevin can certainly cut inside to get his own shot, but he really prefers to try to get to the byline to create chances for others.

His pace and ability to get in behind not only put defenders on the floor but also can create space for others, with centre-backs having to rotate over to defend him.

You can see this recently against the Swiss side Servette in UEFA Europa League qualifying, where he can take on two defenders, play the ball past both of them, and simply use his pace to get in behind.







One of the underrated aspects of Kevin is his positioning in attack.

When he's not on the ball or the ball is on the opposite side of the field, he's always looking to get to a more central position when crashing the box.

This allows him to be a perfect option for cutbacks when the opposing centre-backs are focused on denying the striker any crosses.

One of his three goals against Beşiktaş shows him making a late run to the top of the 18-yard box, taking a full touch, and finding the top right corner.







This is especially important for Marco Silva's Fulham because they often cross the ball into the box.

He's perfectly capable of positioning himself at the back post for crosses.

Still, it's a real added benefit for a winger to have a striker's mentality of wanting to be in the best position possible.

His shot map from last season shows that many of his goals came from the centre of the box.

Kevin Shot Map At Shakhtar Donetsk 2024/2025



A goalscoring winger is something that Fulham desperately need.

Alex Iwobi scored nine goals last season, but drastically overperformed compared to the expected goals (4.7).

In fact, Alex Iwobi, Adama Traoré, and Ryan Sessegnon combined for 10.3 expected goals last season, which was 21% of Fulham's expected goals.

That indicates a slight overreliance on the strikers to generate most of the goal-scoring threat.

Kevin Room For Improvement
In terms of physical characteristics, he fits the normal size of a Premier League winger, but the question is, can he handle the physicality of the Premier League?

He certainly has the pace and agility to get past Premier League defenders, but will he be able to physically pass them?

Despite his impressive dribbling numbers, teams in the Premier League are unlikely to give him the same amount of space he had in the Ukrainian Premier League.

It's challenging to dribble in tight spaces and against low blocks in England.

Of his 26 successful take-ons in the Champions League, only six of them came against their best three opponents: Atalanta, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich.

Kevin is only 22 years old, but he has a year and a half of experience playing in Europe.

Asking him to walk in from day one and start dribbling past Premier League defenders at the rate he did in Ukraine may be asking a bit too much.

Conclusion
The Cottagers may have paid a big price, but Kevin fits Fulham's style of play perfectly.

His ability as a 1-v-1 specialist who can play both wide and also can add a bit of goalscoring prowess is exactly what Fulham were lacking last season.

Fulham averaged 1.26 xG per 90 minutes in the Premier League during the 2024/2025 season, placing them 13th for that metric.

Marco Silva has already established Fulham as one of the most solid defensive teams in England, but for Fulham to take the next step and potentially compete for a spot in Europe, their offence has to improve.

The signing of Kevin, along with Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan, gives Fulham more options and depth on the wings.

That is vitally important for a side that crosses the ball more than anyone else in the Premier League.



https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/kevin-scout-report-fulham-2025-2026-player-analysis-tactics

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Daniel Farke cannot repeat Jack Harrison error for Leeds vs Fulham, it was costly vs Newcastle
Jack Harrison's reintegration at Leeds United has caused a huge surprise.

An international break made to feel longer by Leeds' failed end to the summer window is nearly over, with Premier League action back this weekend.

Leeds make the trip to Fulham, looking to pick up their first win since their opening day triumph at home to Everton, while also looking to score only their second goal of the league campaign.

However, to achieve that, Daniel Farke simply must refrain from making an error with Harrison that he has already made this season.

Jack Harrison must only be used as a last resort at Leeds
Leeds United's goalless draw with Newcastle last time out was concerning enough; the decision made by Farke in the second half was the biggest worry of them all.

In a game that was there for the taking, Farke opted to sub Harrison on before anyone else, in a decision that just didn't pay off whatsoever.

Harrison's record in last three seasons, including current

    2025/26 – Three appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
    24/25 – 38 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists
    23/24 – 35 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists

That was despite the fact that Noah Okafor, Joel Piroe and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were all on the bench.

Leeds failed to bolster their attack in the latter stages of the window, meaning Harrison will be used, but to expect him to be a game-changer will end in nothing short of a disaster.

Farke received heavy scrutiny for his decision-making when it came to substitutions last season, and if he repeats the same error at Craven Cottage, that criticism will only grow, especially if the result doesn't follow.

Joel Piroe needs to be utilised more at Leeds
Replacing Piroe was a priority for Leeds, but given the lack of quality they have brought in in the forward areas, the Dutchman needs to be used.

While there are concerns over his ability to transition into Premier League football, he scored 19 goals last season in the Championship and can change a game.

He has far more to offer than the likes of Harrison and Brenden Aaronson, and Farke needs to realise this.

Getting off to a good start at the weekend will be important, but if that fails, Farke cannot look to the likes of Harrison to make an impact off the bench.



https://motleedsnews.com/opinion/daniel-farke-cannot-repeat-jack-harrison-error-for-leeds-vs-fulham-it-was-costly-vs-newcastle/

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Rodrigo Muniz: Fulham 'planning' new improved deal for Brazilian striker after standout season
Fulham are reportedly preparing to offer striker Rodrigo Muniz a new contract that would see him earn significantly more than his current wage.

This follows what could be described as a subpar summer window, with the Cottagers making just four signings while around seven players departed.

However, the West London side managed to keep hold of Muniz despite persistent links with Italian outfit Atalanta.

According to Give Me Sport, Fulham now intend to reward the 24-year-old with improved terms, as his current deal does not reflect his importance to the team.

Fulham ready to reward Muniz with improved terms
Muniz was among Fulham's standout performers last season, netting 11 goals and providing two assists in 36 matches across all competitions despite starting only 13 times.

Having become a vital figure in Marco Silva's side, the Brazilian has yet to receive the rewards of his impact, as he remains one of the lowest earners at the club on £7,500 per week.

Now into the final 12 months of his contract, the hierarchy at Craven Cottage are determined to avoid the risk of him leaving as a free agent at the end of the campaign.

It is believed talks will soon begin over a more 'deserving' deal, with Muniz persuaded to stay in West London after being told he can become one of the first names on the team sheet.

Muniz's place in Silva's plans this season
After limited involvement in 2024-25, which was further disrupted by injury towards the end, Muniz appears to be earning Silva's trust this term.

The former Flamengo striker, who started only eight league games last season, has already featured from the start twice in three appearances this time around, suggesting growing faith from his manager.

His only goal so far came as a substitute on the opening day when he struck a late equaliser against Brighton, continuing a trend from last term when six of his goals arrived from the bench.

With Raul Jimenez still competing for the number nine role and new attacking arrivals on deadline day adding pressure, it remains to be seen whether Muniz will hold his place or reprise his impact role.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/he-deserves-more--fulham-set-to-reward-striker-with-new-deal_581005.html

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Ex-refs chief: Rob Jones should be suspended as Chelsea vs Fulham controversy takes new twist
Howard Webb must sanction Rob Jones following his role in Joshua King's disallowed goal against Chelsea, according to Keith Hackett.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Fulham's disallowed goal at Stamford Bridge should have further repercussions, following the punishment of VAR official Michael Salisbury.

Marco Silva was fuming with the decision, and understandably so, as the Cottagers went on to lose 2-0 on Saturday, 30 August, to a couple of controversial goals.

Reacting to the incident, the PGMOL was forced to apologise to Fulham, with Salisbury being taken off VAR and replaced for the huge clash between Liverpool and Arsenal the following day.

Howard Webb wants Rob Jones suspended after Fulham's disallowed goal
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

The PGMOL and Webb have gone quiet since punishing Salisbury, replacing him for a huge job at Anfield, while Jones has come out of the game relatively unscathed despite making the final decision.

Dominik Szoboszlai scored the only goal for Liverpool against the Gunners, with very little controversy in the game.

Hackett is keen for referees to take more initiative when going to the pitch-side monitor, and while they should still take VAR's opinion into consideration, it should not sway their decision.

That is exactly what appeared to happen between Chelsea and Fulham, and with five days remaining until the Premier League season resumes, supporters are still waiting to see what happens to Jones.

Rob Jones must miss out on the next round of Premier League fixtures
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about a potential punishment for Jones, saying: "We'll know this weekend, with the Premier League kicking off again. The ultimate decision maker is the referee.

"The PGMOL have admitted, although it had to be squeezed out of them, that the Fulham goal should have stood against Chelsea.

"The scoring of goals in the Premier League is difficult already, and the last thing you want is the referee to strike one out. Get the system right. Encourage referees to make the decision when going to the pitch-side monitor.

"They can go against what VAR is telling them. Did Rob Jones look at it properly? He made the decision. He made the call. So, for me, he'd be sitting on his hands this coming weekend, no matter what position he's in. Accountability is important."



https://www.footballinsider247.com/ex-refs-chief-rob-jones-should-be-suspended-as-chelsea-vs-fulham-controversy-takes-new-twist/

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Shock Leeds United transfer boost: Harry Wilson to quit Fulham in January
Leeds United pushed hard to sign Harry Wilson on transfer deadline day, and the winger was keen on the move. However, Fulham changed their mind about selling the Wales international at the last minute, and the potential move to Elland Road fell through.

The Whites are still dealing with the negative headlines that came with the club's failure to add even one more attacker to their squad on deadline day when Daniel Farke demanded two more attacking reinforcements.

Wilson emerged as the top target for Fulham in the final 48 hours of the window, but Leeds ran out of time to do anything once Fulham decided against selling the Welsh winger in the dying embers of the summer transfer window.

Leeds are expected to be active in the winter market when the transfer window reopens in January, and the club are expected to add to their forward line in the middle of the season.

Leeds United are on red alert as Harry Wilson will likely leave Fulham in January
Leeds still admire the winger, and he is one of the players we have listed as someone the Whites could sign in the winter window.

The Welshman's current deal at Fulham runs until the end of the season, and there is no sign that he is set to sign an extension with the Cottagers.

According to the Sunday Mirror via LeedUnited.News, Wilson will likely move on from Fulham in the January transfer window if an agreement over a new deal is not in place with Fulham.

The London club will be ready to sanction his sale in the middle of the season to ensure that they do not lose him on a free transfer next summer.

Leeds are almost certain to get back on the track to sign him if Wilson becomes available for the move in the middle of the season.

He was keen on a move to Elland Road last week, and there is nothing to suggest that he won't feel the same in the January transfer window.

Leeds must sign Wilson in January
The Whites have indicated that they would rather avoid signing anyone in the winter than make a panic buy in the middle of the season.

However, a move for Wilson would make sense, as he was a summer target and remains highly valued by Farke and the recruitment team.
With his contract expiring next summer, Leeds will also get a better deal on Wilson than they would have if Fulham agreed to sell him on deadline day.

It is a no-brainer for Leeds to sign the Welshman in January if he doesn't sign a new deal and is ready to move on from Fulham in the coming months.



https://www.theleedspress.com/shock-leeds-united-transfer-boost-harry-wilson-to-quit-fulham-in-january-44860/

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Ruiz: 'I don't regret Fulham move'
Former Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz has given an interview to the latest edition of Four Four Two discussing his move to Craven Cottage.

The Costa Rican international, who had a largely unfulfilled spell in SW6, revealed that he didn't originally want to join Martin Jol's side in the summer of 2011:

"Even before my third season at Twente started, there were already plenty of options for me to leave. Sevilla made an offer, which I was excited about because I'd always dreamed of playing in La Liga. But that didn't match what Twente wanted. I remember on the last day of the transfer window, Fulham called with an offer.

Honestly, I didn't want to go at first, but Martin Jol, who'd been Ajax's manager, convinced me to go to England to see the city and the club. When I got there, I saw Fulham's facilities, got a feel for English football, and since the manager knew me from the Eredivisie, I felt confident about the move. I don't regret it – I had some great moments at Fulham and got to play in the best league in the world."

Ruiz also talks about how he was shipped out by Jol's successor Rene Meulensteen, as the Whites battled against relegation in 2014.

"The World Cup was around the corner. Costa Rica were already qualified, so for me it was crucial to play those last six months. But I got three minutes in Rene's first two games. I told him I'd understand if he didn't want to use me, but I needed to know so I could stay fit for the World Cup. He told me, "Bryan, you're a great player, but your style isn't what I need right now to save the team from relegation." I think he wanted to play a more direct style. So I asked my agent to look for options and I ended up going to PSV for six months.

Fulham had big names like Dimitar Berbatov, Mousa Dembele and John Arne Riise – it was a strong squad, not one you'd expect to be fighting relegation. But it didn't start well, so they changed the manager and he had a different idea. We all wanted the best for Fulham; it was a big shame."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/09/ruiz-i-dont-regret-fulham-move/

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"It's 100% sure" – Fulham star insists Super Eagles will qualify for FIFA World Cup despite uphill task
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and are on the verge of missing out on the next edition in North America

Nigeria and Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze has declared with confidence that the Super Eagles will book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their stuttering qualifying campaign, Soccernet.ng reports.

The three-time African champions have endured a rocky journey so far. They managed just three points from their opening four matches, leaving their hopes in jeopardy.

However, since the arrival of Malian coach Eric Chelle, fortunes have begun to shift. Nigeria have collected seven points from their last three fixtures, including Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo.

That resurgence has lifted the Super Eagles from fifth to third in Group C, though the challenge remains daunting.

Nigeria sit on 10 points, six behind group leaders South Africa, who top the table with 16. Only victory against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday will keep their qualification hopes alive.

Despite the pressure, Chukwueze is adamant the team has what it takes to deliver.

    "South Africa is a strong team. They have a good team as well," Chukwueze told the NFF media team.

    "They are first in the group but we are Nigerians and we have a good team also. So, we can compete with them. By the grace of God I think we will win and get a good result here.

    "The most important thing is for us to come here and win. We are really focused on that. We will be at the World Cup. It's 100 percent sure. We all just need all Nigerians' support. It's not one person rooting for us.

    "But it's up to us to make it. I believe in this team. We have so many great talents. And we have to qualify. That's the most important thing."

Nigeria's head-to-head record offers a glimmer of encouragement. In 16 previous meetings with Bafana Bafana, the Super Eagles have won eight and lost only twice, with six draws. Notably, they have never lost to South Africa on South African soil.

Chelle's men must now call on history, talent, and resolve to carve out a result that would reignite their push for the expanded 2026 World Cup, set to host 48 nations across the United States, Canada and Mexico.



https://soccernet.ng/2025/09/fulham-super-eagles-fifa-world-cup.html

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Fulham and Leeds United 'monitoring' £2.5m West Brom gem as January transfer touted
Premier League clubs are circling a West Bromwich Albion star ahead of the January transfer window.

West Brom may have a tough job retaining one of their star players this winter as a host of Premier League clubs are reportedly keeping close tabs.

The summer window has only just come to a close but that doesn't mean the transfer speculation will die out entirely. That's especially the case when West Brom are doing well, as that typically means players are performing at a high level.

In Albion's case, it's been a top team effort to win three of the opening four to go second in the Championship, but one player has stood out. The Baggies' top scorer so far with three goals, Isaac Price has been simply sensational so far. It's still early days, but his current form is building excitement not only among The Hawthorns faithful, but also for clubs looking on from afar.

Fulham and Leeds eye West Brom transfer
Premier League clubs could come knocking sooner rather than later, as Fulham and Leeds United are reportedly among several English top-tier sides keeping a close eye on Price. EFL Analysis reports Fulham and Leeds are joined by Burnley, Brentford and Crystal Palace in the race for the attacking midfielder.

All five teams have been impressed with what they've seen so far and are said to have considered summer moves. One, several, or all of the clubs keen are still 'watching him closely' and could follow up their interest with bids once the January transfer window opens.

As much as Price has built a solid rapport with Albion supporters in the past nine months, a transfer to the Premier League could prove too tempting. It could also depend on where West Brom are in the Championship standings come the start of 2026. If the Baggies are right up in the mix for promotion, then he could be more likely to snub interest.

Why Isaac Price is so in demand
Price, signed in January from Standard Liege for a fee Birmingham World understands was in the region of £2.5 million, has seen his stock rise astronomically in the past few months. Just 21 years of age, the midfielder has become one of the first names on Ryan Mason's team sheet and that's not just been because of his goals.

Predominantly a number 10 so far this campaign but also capable of playing as an eight, a six, as a wide midfielder or even as a wing-back, Price offers supreme versatility. The former Everton man has a great engine on him, too, while his technical ability really stands out.

The signs were always there for Price to succeed this season, as his underlying statistics ranked him among the most creative attacking midfielders in the Championship last campaign. On average every 90 minutes, Price was in the top 20 per cent for chances created (1.79), the top 11 per cent for successful passes (30.2) and accurate crosses (1.36). Meanwhile, Price's 2.39 successful long balls per 90 put him in the top four per cent.

Price has not only impressed in the Championship, but also at an international level. Price recently became the youngest Northern Ireland player to score 10 goals, and he's managed that in just 24 appearances. His most recent goal was a cracker as he netted a sweet volley in the 3-1 defeat to Germany in Cologne.

Even at his current level, it's no wonder Price is of interest to Premier League clubs. But what makes him so sought-after is the fact that he's likely to improve a great deal. It depends on the individual, of course, but midfielders typically reach their peak in their mid-to-late twenties, so Price has a long time to fulfil his potential.



https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/west-brom/transfers-fulham-leeds-united-west-brom-isaac-price-january-5307491

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Premier League make new referee decision following Chelsea vs Fulham controversy
Referees for Brentford vs Chelsea and other Premier League fixtures this weekend have been confirmed

Michael Salisbury, the video assistant referee (VAR) responsible for Fulham's incorrectly disallowed goal against Chelsea, will not officiate in the Premier League in any capacity this coming weekend.

In the last round of fixtures in the new campaign before September's international break, Chelsea hosted and beat local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca's side prevailed 2-0, with goals from Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez settling the London derby.

However, the end result was not without controversy as Fulham's 18-year-old starlet Josh King was denied a first-ever top-flight goal that would have put Marco Silva's men ahead with 21 minutes played.

A coming-together of Cottagers striker Rodrigo Muniz and Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah saw Salisbury recommend to on-field referee Rob Jones that he review the incident using the pitchside monitor. This action was taken, and King's strike chalked off.

Providing an in-stadium announcement, Jones said: "After review, Fulham number nine commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal and we restart with a Chelsea free-kick."

However, Howard Webb - the head of PGMOL, the referees governing body - has since admitted this was an incorrect application of VAR.

On Match Officials Mic'd Up - a television programme that analyses VAR decisions over set intervals of the season - he explained: "It wasn't controversial, it was wrong. We've established some principles in terms of how we officiate in the Premier League and how we use VAR.

"They sit around a high threshold for penalising contact, aiding the flow, rhythm and tempo of the game. We've also established a high bar for intervention with VAR.

"In this situation, that guidance wasn't followed properly. There was a misjudgement by the officials involved in this situation about how that contact happened between Muniz and Chalobah.

"The officials got super focused on that contact, without looking at the full context of how it happened."

Salisbury had been removed from VAR duties for Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool the day following Chelsea's win over Fulham, now with the Premier League's announcement of the officials who will take charge of fixtures on match week four, his name is absent again.



https://www.football.london/premier-league/premier-league-make-new-referee-32438091

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Former coach explains why Fulham star has been successful
Sander Berge has firmly established himself as one of the most accomplished Norwegian footballers, enjoying a period of stability at Fulham following several moves earlier in his career. After spells at Sheffield United and Burnley, the midfielder finally joined Fulham last season, where he has settled comfortably and become a key figure in their squad.

Career Progression and Premier League Journey
During his time at both Sheffield United and Burnley, Berge was frequently linked with moves away when the transfer window reopened, reflecting his value and the interest he attracted across England. Despite experiencing relegation battles with his previous clubs, he has consistently demonstrated his quality, emerging as one of the Premier League's most reliable midfielders. His performances at club level have also translated to the international stage, where he remains a pivotal player for the Norwegian national team.

Berge's journey to the English top flight began five years ago, following a productive three-year spell at Belgian side Genk. While his achievements in England are well-documented, his early development in Norway laid the foundation for his success. Starting his career as a youngster in Asker, he was guided by coach Svein Roger Pettersen, who played an important role in shaping the midfielder's professional attitude and approach to the game.

Attributes Behind Berge's Success
Pettersen, reflecting on what makes Berge a standout footballer, told TV2: "Humble towards his surroundings, coaches, teammates and the club. He was humble in terms of learning, wanting to develop and get better. He always looked at himself first and never blamed anyone else."

This combination of humility, dedication and self-awareness has been central to Berge's career progression. From his formative years in Norway to competing at the highest level in England, he has consistently prioritised improvement and responsibility, traits that have allowed him to thrive despite the challenges of moving between clubs and facing the rigours of the Premier League.

Berge's story is a testament to perseverance and professional growth. While many players struggle to adapt to new environments or rebound after setbacks, he has consistently demonstrated the character and mindset required to succeed. At Fulham, he is now enjoying a period of stability and performance, further solidifying his reputation as one of Norway's finest football exports.



https://www.footballnorge.com/posts/former-coach-explains-why-fulham-star-has-been-successful/