Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 24/03/26...

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Jack and Loz at the Cottage - Blog 336
Date: 21st March 2026
Opposition: Burnley
Score: 3-1
Fulham goal scorers: Josh King, Harry F Wilson, Raúl Jimenez
Weather: blue skies and spring sunshine
Atmosphere: relieved
MOTM: it really was Josh King again on Saturday as our young starlet scored what should have been his second Premier League goal. This was a mature and composed performance from Josh whose relentless running set him apart from his teammates even more than his scrambled goal and stylish assist
Moment of the Match: Burnley scored in the 60th minute. We had half an hour left to save our season. And what a half hour it turned out to be
Lunch: Pret
Post-match drinks: by the river, in the sun
Dinner: La Parra Tapas

Fulham Football Club. Contrary since 1879. The tougher it gets, the better we seem to be. Give us a brutal run of fixtures and a threadbare squad and we'll laugh in the face of adversity while charging up the table. Give us games against relegation favourites and an easy Cup tie and we'll unravel fast, forgetting how to score goals in the process.

Since heaping misery on Spurs, we've crashed and Bernd against West Ham, embarrassed ourselves in the Cup and scraped a draw against stubborn Nottingham Forest. Whilst some of the issues can be blamed on Marco's revolving door starting line-ups and late, late subs, he's not on the pitch missing all the chances.

There been some fighting talk this week, mainly from Combatant-in-Chief Calvin Bassey, but it's been hard to see any real focus on Europe other than players planning to go to Spain for their holidays now Dubai is off the agenda.

The first half did nothing to dispel the holiday vibe - walking football in the sunshine which slowed to a stroll in front of the Burnley goal. There were some Moments of chaos in the box when it would have been easier to score than not, but play was so lethargic it was both excruciating to watch and easy to defend against. The midfield continued to refine their new favourite technique - giving the ball away all the time - while the defence just about coped with Burnley's below average attack.

With Fulham's best efforts a Harry Wilson sighter and a Rodrigo Muniz shot into the Putney End, Scott Parker - who had come, somewhat spookily, dressed for a job interview - would have been the happier manager at the end of the first half.

What happened at half-time was entertaining, heartwarming and a reminder of what football is really about. It was also a fitting prelude to the second half. The Fulham Badgers was the first dedicated Downs Syndrome team in England. Whilst there have been lots of amazing similar initiatives since, it's worth celebrating the fact that Fulham were the pioneers. The Badgers had great fun in their penalty shootout, their enthusiasm and attacking intent outshining their colleagues in the first team.

So perhaps we have the Badgers to thank for the step up in the quality of Fulham's football in the second half. Immediately, there was intent, urgency and a renewed sense of belief. The Fulham team that had gone AWOL for the last few matches was suddenly back. Josh was racing around the pitch, Alex was trying to make things happen, Harry was getting in dangerous positions. Even so, it wasn't easy. Oscar and Muniz somehow combined to miss two chances in one move, Castagne was struggling with Burnley's lively left-winger and Antonee was struggling to play football at all.

And because we didn't have a proper grip on the game, Burnley managed to score. It was a gallingly good goal, made worse by the fact it was scored by a man with a go-faster nose strip. The crowd were too disappointed to be angry.

Marco had already lined up Sess and Chukwueze to come on. They raced into action, both desperate to make an impact. Sess was a huge improvement on Antonee and Samu looked closer to his best. Whilst neither was directly involved in the first two goals, their introduction coincided with - and helped drive - a clear shift in momentum.

Burnley tried to slow the game down but, for the first time in three and half matches, Fulham shifted through the gears into a higher tempo. And Burnley couldn't keep up. Josh's goal was made by Sander Berge, who was quietly having a very good game. His floated forward ball dipped at the perfect Moment for Josh to pluck in from the sky and sweep it into the net. It didn't go quite that well but Josh wasn't to be denied and somehow smuggled the ball over the line.

Harry Wilson doesn't score routine goals. When he scores, it's rarely ordinary — always stylish, often spectacular, and usually when it matters most. Castagne, who was quietly having an average game, won the ball in midfield, Josh swung it out to Harry and the Burnley defenders, like so many before them, let Harry slide into his favourite part of the pitch and unleash his left foot.

The squad-wide celebration was as good as the goal itself, with the substitutes piling in for a group hug in front of H7. There were smaller Moments within it too — Raúl embracing Muniz, ESR making a point of finding Josh. This may not be the most talented group of players in the world, but it might just be the best team.

We'd like to say that after the second goal we never looked back, but we are Fulham so we can't say that. We rode our luck for the rest of normal time with Bernd Leno, who was quietly having a minor redemption, keeping us in the game.

The icing on the proverbial was when Raúl was shoved down in the box after latching on to a visionary pass from Samu. This was our Mexican's 14th Premier League penalty strike and, following the recent death of his father, this one clearly meant more than most as he fell to his knees, arms raised to the sky in a moment that said everything.

There could have been more goals in the closing Moments to help our goal difference in a quest for Europe that seems, most improbably, to be back on, but we'll take the come-back, the win and the reminder of what this team can be.

Random musings:-

Why were Burnley allowed to wear white shorts? We liked their duck egg blue socks though

New entry straight into the Fulham top ten: "You're going down with the Tottenham"

Muniz gave Raúl's goal a standing ovation and the two had another big hug after the final whistle

Tete seems to be injured a lot

Whose idea was it to have a wall of Josh and Oscar?

And what's going on with Pepi now???

Whilst this was a good win and another double, it's hard to get too excited about beating the team in 19th place. It does feel, though, that we might be back on track with Marco back to his pitch perfect best with the starting line-up and the subs, and the goal drought over.

Shahid Khan was at the Cottage for the win but is presumably in town for more serious business - contract negotiations are about to heat up and Mr Khan - who didn't become a zillionaire by accident - is a man who gets things done.

These are interesting times for Fulham, perhaps even pivotal ones. But as we watched the sun set and the moon rise over the darkening waters of the Thames it hardly seemed to matter — some things, after all, are already perfect.



https://werdsmith.com/p/qags4ERYhF8nHg

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Preston North End, Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday man finds new club as overseas transfer confirmed
A new club for the ex-PNE, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder

Former Preston North End midfielder Josh Onomah has signed for FC Dinamo Tbilisi.

Having been without a club for the past nine months, the 28-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal, with option for a further 12 months. Onomah left PNE's arch-rivals, Blackpool, last summer and had been on the search for a new club since.

The Georgian club's Erovnuli Liga campaign started on March 7, with three matches played. For ex-Aston Villa and Fulham man, Onomah, it represents his next opportunity after a challenging few years.

Preston snapped the former England youth international up, on a free transfer in January 2023. He played 13 games in the Championship for PNE but, after his short-term deal expired, fresh terms could not be agreed in the summer.

At the time, manager Ryan Lowe said: "We offered Josh a contract about a week before the season finished and we were in negotiations with Josh and his representatives. Josh's contract terms were agreed, but there's been a lot of complications with the deal regarding if and when he could sign, which was out of our control.

"Unfortunately, we've had to move on to other targets because we just couldn't wait any longer. We wish Josh all the best and hopefully he gets back playing somewhere because he's a talented boy. We just couldn't wait any longer in what was a difficult situation."

Onomah went on trial to Stoke City but did not land a contract there, but sealed a move to the Seasiders in October 2024 - a move which saw him reunited with old Sheffield Wednesday boss, Steve Bruce.

In between the player's exit from Preston and switch to Bloomfield Road was 18 months as a free agent. He played 18 games for Blackpool across all competitions, with injuries hindering his time on the Fylde coast.



https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/preston-north-end-transfer-news-aston-villa-spurs-tottenham-hotspur-6157876

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"Unpleasant situation" – Director explains why Ricardo Pepi to Fulham has collapsed
PSV Eindhoven technical director Earnest Stewart says Ricardo Pepi held 'no grudges' against the club after his January move to Fulham collapsed.

The Premier League side made two bids to sign the striker in the winter market, but PSV turned them down.

Fulham didn't give up and continue to chase Pepi, in their efforts to improve Marco Silva's attacking options next season.

The American scored 13 goals and contributed two assists from 28 matches this season and below are his stats per game in the Eredivisie.

League 2025/26

Big chances created	2
Key passes	0.6
Shots on target	1.2
Big chances missed	4
Goal conversion	23%

The London club have made concrete advances in their efforts to bring him to the Premier League.

Last Tuesday, Sport Witness relayed news from the Netherlands that Fulham and PSV reached an agreement in principle for €40m with bonuses included. A day later, he made a trip to the UK to undergo medical tests with the English club.

PSV manager Peter Bosz confirmed the 23-year-old returned to the club on Friday, after completing medical tests with Silva's side.

Pepi's transfer to Fulham off
At the weekend, a new development took place and the frontman's move to London is now off. ESPN NL caught up with Stewart, who explains why the deal broke down.

Fulham want to terminate the operation if he suffers an injury before the end of this season. However, the Eredivisie side aren't in favour of this, and the clubs couldn't come to an agreement.

"Ultimately, no agreement was reached regarding the moment at which responsibility for the player would be transferred," he said.

"We were, of course, already in talks with Fulham during the winter break, when they came just before the transfer window closed. We couldn't bring in a replacement anymore, so at that moment the transfer couldn't go through. But a week later we got back in talks and the process got underway.

"That responsibility for the player was a very important detail that always played a role. And while we did get a bit closer to each other in that regard, ultimately we remained too far apart."

Pepi keen on PL transfer
The Dutch club's official suggests the player can't pin the blame on them and still refuses to rule out a summer move to Fulham.

"Ricardo really wanted this. It is an unpleasant situation, especially for Ricardo. Of course, we are happy that we are retaining a good striker. He holds no grudges towards PSV..." Stewart explained.

"You should never do that [rule out move to Fulham]. If a player can make a good move and it is also good for the club, then we will go for it."

Fulham risk missing out on American
The latest decision from Marco Silva's side may not please Ricardo Pepi, who showed serious interest in the operation.

This could allow other clubs to now enter the battle, to try and convince him to change his mind, to join them.

Should Fulham return after the World Cup, there's a risk of Pepi's price rising further in the summer. In short, the English club now face the risk of completely losing out on him.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/unpleasant-situation-director-explains-why-ricardo-pepi-to-fulham-has-collapsed/

[WhiteJC]

Milan in talks with Fulham: Chukwueze set to return, with the expected fee to be received

Chukwueze is making a name for himself at Fulham: Milan are grateful and are set to receive a substantial transfer fee to reinvest in the summer transfer window

Samuel Chukwueze and Milan are close to parting ways, this time on a permanent basis. The Nigerian winger has literally been reborn in London in the Fulham shirt, where he has been reunited with two of his international teammates, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, and has earned the trust of the entire club. Now the Cottagers are increasingly convinced that they will exercise their option to buy him from Milan this coming June.

CONTACT WITH FULHAM
His brace against Manchester City on 2 December is undoubtedly the highlight of what has been a largely positive spell. Chukwueze would be more than happy to stay at Fulham next season and has already given the English club's management his provisional consent. Confirmation has arrived regarding the report in La Gazzetta dello Sport: in recent days, the agent who handled the deal last summer informed Milan of Fulham's intention to exercise their option to buy the former Villarreal player.

HOW MUCH DOES MILAN EARN?
The news received by Milan in recent days is unofficial and not yet final, which is why the club is awaiting the next steps. They hope that these intentions will soon be formalised with signatures on contracts. Furlani was convinced that Chukwueze's move to Fulham would be a win-win deal, given how the Premier League could serve as a showcase to relaunch a player coming off two disappointing seasons with the Rossoneri. Milan are now beginning to do the maths: Chukwueze will bring in a fee of €24 million, which, with bonuses, could rise to €28 million.



https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/milan-in-talks-with-fulham-chukwueze-set-to-return-with-the-expected-fee-to-be-received/blt5b14a1e4aadd2e94?utm_id=fa3iys5y8hyz9ezk&utm_source_platform=newsnow

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GdS: Fulham inform Milan of intention to buy Chukwueze – the figures of the deal
This afternoon, AC Milan's summer funds have been improved, thanks to the pending sale of one of its loanees – Samuel Chukwueze.

There has been a lot said about Milan's loanees this season, and how they would potentially provide a lot of riches in the summer. Of course, this is all hypothetical until it happens, though. However, the first step has been made today.

Chukwueze to go
As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, via MilanNews, contact has been made between Fulham and the Rossoneri, with the East London outfit stating their intention to buy the Nigerian winger in the summer.

Of course, a buy clause was inserted into the deal, which is valued at €24 million, and it is unlikely that that will be changed. If it is, though, it is unlikely that the club would take anything less than €20m from Fulham or any other suitors.

In terms of his future, it is difficult to see a role for Chukwueze at San Siro, given Massimiliano Allegri's constant usage of the 3-5-2. Put simply, Chukwueze is not someone who would benefit from playing in this system.

So, the news of Fulham's intentions is only good from a Diavolo perspective. Hopefully, others on loan will also have confirmations of their future, too, so the planning can really begin.



https://sempremilan.com/fulham-inform-milan-intention-buy-chukwueze

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Report Chukwueze to Fulham will give Milan €24m windfall
There are reports Fulham have decided to activate their purchase option for Samuel Chukwueze, bringing €24m to the Milan coffers.

The wide striker had been a €21.1m plus up to €7m add-ons signing from Villarreal in 2023, but flopped badly and failed to make an impact at San Siro.

Chukwueze scored just eight goals and assisted six more in 70 official appearances for the Rossoneri.

Fulham happy with Chukwueze
He was loaned to Fulham in September 2025 with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Despite a not particularly impressive contribution of three goals and four assists in 19 competitive games, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Fulham have decided to buy Chukwueze outright.

That could represent a significant boost for Milan's finances, as although not quite the €30m that was rumoured initially, this should provide €24m in fresh funds.

The highlight of the Nigeria international's Fulham career so far is the brace scored in the Premier League against Manchester City.



https://football-italia.net/report-chukwueze-to-fulham-milan-e24m-windfall/#google_vignette

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How Champions League could see SEVEN English teams qualify next season and as many as 11 play in Europe
Who has the best chance of reaching the Champions League next season? Why could Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa winning European trophies mean there are 11 teams in Europe in 2026/27? Will England's co-efficient give them five qualifying league positions?

It's been a tough time for English teams in the Champions League with four of the Premier League's six representatives dumped out of the competition in the last 16.

But hope for next season still remains - with as many as SEVEN teams still able to reach the 2026/27 competition.

How could the Premier League have seven teams in the Champions League?
Glad you asked. There is a specific but very possible outcome by which England could have seven teams in next season's tournament - almost a fifth of the overall contingent in the league phase.

It would require Liverpool to win the Champions League this season while also finishing in the top five in the Premier League. Because of their qualification as holders the free spot given to their league position (assuming the Premier League retains five qualifying spots next season, more on that later) would pass down to the team in sixth, in theory.

If Aston Villa occupy that sixth position and win the Europa League - which they are favourites to do, according to Opta - they too would automatically qualify for the Champions League. Leaving the team in seventh, currently Brentford, to sweep up and reach Europe's premier competition as one of a record-breaking seven representatives.

And another four in Europe overall - so 11 in total?!
Yep, more than half of the Premier League could be playing in Europe next season if everything falls into place.

Should the Premier League earn those seven Champions League spots, that still leaves two Europa League qualifying places and a single Conference League space up for grabs, dropping all the way down to 10th in the table.

Should Crystal Palace win this season's Conference League - which again, they are favourites to do - that will earn them another Europa League place. If they were to do that and finish outside the top 10, that would make 11 English teams in Europe next season.

How likely is the Premier League to have five Champions League qualifying spots?
Despite such a poor week for English clubs, the Premier League still has more teams left in Europe than any other country apart from Spain, and currently leads the co-efficient rankings across the continent in the race for one of those two top spots to secure an extra Champions League place.

The main issue facing their hopes comes from England having only two clubs remaining in the Champions League, with the competition offering the most points for every win, draw or round progression compared to the Europa League and Conference League.

On the plus side, the chances of another country knocking England out of the top two is also reduced with only one representative left in the Champions League from each of Germany, Portugal and France.

Who is in the mix to qualify for the Champions League?
Assuming England earn five Champions League places through league position again, there are eight teams with at least a five per cent chance of qualifying, though that will of course increase in the event the Premier League ends up with more than five places.

Though they are given just a fractional chance of qualifying, even Newcastle down in 12th sit only seven points off the all-important fifth spot with as many games to go.

A lot will come down to the run-in. Looking specifically at those teams currently in the top five and the two closest to them, Chelsea and Brentford, here's how their final fixtures are looking...



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13523499/how-champions-league-could-see-seven-english-teams-qualify-next-season-and-as-many-as-11-play-in-europe

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UEFA Confirm How Premier League Could Have Seven Teams In Next Season's Champions League
Brentford and Everton are on the coattails of the top five and may harbour ambitions of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

With only seven games of the Premier League season to go, the Bees and the Toffees sit in sixth and seventh in the table, just three points off fifth-placed Liverpool.

It is all-but guaranteed that fifth will qualify for next season's Champions League, given England's status in UEFA's association coefficient ranking system. But there could be more places up for grabs via the Premier League and that has handed Brentford and Everton a real boost.

Premier League Clubs Could Become Champions League First-Timers
And not only them, but Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Bournemouth are all not too far behind in the table either, with fifth to 13th separated by seven points.

Six English clubs played in this season's Champions League, although after a bruising round of 16 only two remain - Arsenal and Liverpool.

But there is an outside chance we could have as many as seven teams in next season's competition, although it relies on a very specific set of circumstances taking place.

According to UEFA rules: "If a club allocated a European Performance Spot (EPS) also qualifies for the UEFA Champions League qualifying phase or play-offs, its place in the qualifying phase or play-offs is allocated to the club that finishes the same association's domestic championship in the highest position of all those that qualify for the league path of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League.

"If a club allocated an EPS also qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, its place in the UEFA Europa League is allocated to the club that finishes the same association's domestic championship in the highest position of all those that qualify for the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League."

Liverpool and Aston Villa Play a Big Part
An EPS spot refers to the fifth place qualification as a result of England's coefficient ranking with UEFA.

What it essentially means is that if Liverpool win this year's Champions League and finish fifth or sixth in the Premier League, qualification for next season's premier European competition will drop down one more place.

Also, if Aston Villa were to win this year's UEFA Europa League and therefore qualify directly for the Champions League, and they were to finish fifth or sixth, Champions League qualification would drop down another spot, meaning seventh would get into the Champions League.

Villa are currently fourth, five points clear of Liverpool, who currently sit fifth. So it is not beyond the realms of possibility that this happens. Villa are favourites to lift the Europa League, although Liverpool do face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.



https://www.givemesport.com/uefa-champions-league-premier-league-everton-brentford-qualify/