Thursday Fulham Stuff - 09/04/26...

[WhiteJC]

Trophy lift awaits at Craven Cottage
Just five days to go until Fulham FC Women return to Craven Cottage to face Luton Town Women and it's set to be a very special afternoon at the Cottage.

After sealing the FA Women's National League Division One South East title with a 3–0 victory over Milton Keynes Dons Women, Steve Jaye's side will officially be awarded their medals and lift the league trophy in front of the Fulham fans after full-time.

Back-to-back promotions and consecutive league titles have made this a historic season for the team, and Sunday is the chance for supporters to come together and celebrate it on home soil with the team.

It's also the final home league match of the campaign, with the squad looking to finish strong and push for back-to-back invincible seasons.

There will be something for everyone across the afternoon, with a live DJ, plenty of pre-match atmosphere and post-match celebrations once the final whistle blows. Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and stay after full-time to see the team lift the trophy and be part of the celebrations.

Fans will also have the opportunity to collect a signed player card after the match from the players - rounding off what promises to be a memorable day at Craven Cottage for all.

Tickets are available now, priced at just £5 for adults and £1 for juniors.

Fans can buy online at fulhamfc.com/tickets, from the Fulham FC Ticket Office in person (Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4:30pm) or by calling 0203 871 0810 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm).

Let's pack the Cottage and make it one to remember.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/april/08/Trophy-Lift-Awaits-at-Craven-Cottage/

[WhiteJC]

Does Raul Jimenez deserve a new contract?
Has our Mexican done enough to warrant one more year?

To most football fans, the idea of renewing the contract of a highly-paid, soon-to-be 35-year-old forward may seem like a peculiar proposition.

With the Premier League being one of the most competitive leagues in the world, having Raul Jimenez continue continue to lead the line for Fulham is a bit of an odd suggestion.

Having been relied on so heavily for the past 18 months, barely getting any rest due to injuries and a lack of competition, Fulham fans have seen Raul huff and puff until he had no steam left. We've seen him track back so far he's nowhere to be found at the top of the pitch when needed. We've seen him snap at chances from open play when there have been better options, we've seen him out-muscled against larger centre-backs. He's had it tough - but despite it all he's flourished, with nine goals and five assists in his 25 Premier League starts this season

So, let's re-phrase the question. Rather than focusing on Raul as our number one striker, let's instead ask: can Raul Jimenez still add to this Fulham squad? And the answer has to be yes. If there is room for negotiation on his wages, and he's willing to be part of a team of three competent forwards, then he absolutely brings an essential level of experience and work ethic that can add to this Fulham team.

Even if Fulham put pen to paper with a Ricardo Pepi-esque level of forward, who is the best person to help embed that new striker into the Fulham squad? What happens when tactics need to be changed and they need to be taken off? Rodrigo Muniz is still young, and injury has disrupted his campaign, leading to just one goal and one assist in 574 league minutes this season.

Raul on the other hand is on track to match his previous season's total of 12 goals and three assists. Not only that, his link up play in the middle of the pitch, and even when defending, synergises well with Marco Silva''s fluent style of football. He's delivered this year.

Let's not forget the fact that he has also smashed the Premier League record for most consecutive penalties scored, as he sits three above previous record-holder Yaya Toure with 14 and counting. He offers a calm and collected leadership style and a cool head when needed, even when his private life was more than challenging following the passing of his father, he still stepped up to deliver for us against Burnley to finish the game.

And if we're really going down fantastical future possibilities, on the outside chance Fulham do succeed in achieving our European hopes, we're going to need a deeper squad to fight on all fronts. A competition such as the Europa Conference League, having the lower level of competitiveness compared to Europa league (and dare I say Champions League) would allow us to use a third striker that's competent without exhausting our leading striker that would be required to deliver in the league.

Like all of these things, time will tell. There are still a lot of things that are up in the air for Fulham that feel very much connected to where we finish at the end of the season.

My gut tells me that these are the final seven games we will get to enjoy seeing our Mexican forward play in a Fulham shirt, and I hope fans appreciate the workrate and performances he delivered for us. His return to form following his near-fatal head injury at Wolves has been another one of Silva's success stories. It's been brilliant to have him be a part of our squad that achieved our highest ever points tally - and he could help us repeat that feat this year. If he did, a new deal would be an apt reward.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/does-raul-jimenez-deserve-a-new-contract

[WhiteJC]

Everton, Fulham rival Chelsea in Said El Mala race
Chelsea could face stiff competition from Fulham and Everton in their pursuit of FC Koln attacking sensation Said El Mala.

Said El Mala's impressive rise has placed him on the radar of a number of clubs in the Premier League. Since he is expected to be on the move in the upcoming transfer window, there could be an intense transfer battle for his signature.

According to a report from Sport Bild, Chelsea are keen on signing the German youth international, as they consider him an ideal fit for their project. However, they will have to battle Everton and Fulham, who are potential suitors for the teenager.

Said El Mala has come up the ranks at FC Koln. Following an impressive rise, he was promoted to their first team in the summer of 2024, and he has not looked back since. The teenager has been involved in 30 matches in the ongoing campaign. While he has only had just over 1,500 minutes, the 19-year-old still has ten goals and four assists to his name.

The teenage sensaation prefers playing out wide on the left, but he is comfortable enough to feature anywhere in attack. El Mala has the pace, dribbling, and knack to take on defenders. His abilities, along with his massive potential, make him a top target for a number of clubs.

Multiple clubs in England are gearing up to battle it out for his signature. While Brighton & Hove Albion have been working on a potential transfer for weeks, they are yet to strike a deal, giving the likes of Chelsea a chance to snap up the youngster.

Chelsea, Everton, and Fulham are after El Mala
The Blues do have a stacked attack, but they are always on the lookout for young players with massive potential, and El Mala certainly fits the bill. They are yet to make an offer for him, but could soon intensify their efforts.

However, Chelsea might have to battle Fulham and Everton, who are also keeping tabs on him. The two mid-table clubs could end the race for his signature and offer him a prominent role on their first team to try to lure him.

While the youngster's contract at Koln runs until 2030, they seem willing to negotiate his departure this summer as long as their demands are met. The German outfit want at least €50 million for their academy graduate.

The club's sporting director, Thomas Kessler, and Tim Steidten have been in talks with other clubs and agents ahead of a potential transfer. They seem ready to cash in on the teenager and use the funds to revamp their squad as a whole.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/04/08/everton-fulham-rival-chelsea-in-said-el-mala-race/

[Marcus]

Does Raul Jimenez deserve a new contract?
Has our Mexican done enough to warrant one more year?

To most football fans, the idea of renewing the contract of a highly-paid, soon-to-be 35-year-old forward may seem like a peculiar proposition.

With the Premier League being one of the most competitive leagues in the world, having Raul Jimenez continue continue to lead the line for Fulham is a bit of an odd suggestion.

Having been relied on so heavily for the past 18 months, barely getting any rest due to injuries and a lack of competition, Fulham fans have seen Raul huff and puff until he had no steam left. We've seen him track back so far he's nowhere to be found at the top of the pitch when needed. We've seen him snap at chances from open play when there have been better options, we've seen him out-muscled against larger centre-backs. He's had it tough - but despite it all he's flourished, with nine goals and five assists in his 25 Premier League starts this season

So, let's re-phrase the question. Rather than focusing on Raul as our number one striker, let's instead ask: can Raul Jimenez still add to this Fulham squad? And the answer has to be yes. If there is room for negotiation on his wages, and he's willing to be part of a team of three competent forwards, then he absolutely brings an essential level of experience and work ethic that can add to this Fulham team.

Even if Fulham put pen to paper with a Ricardo Pepi-esque level of forward, who is the best person to help embed that new striker into the Fulham squad? What happens when tactics need to be changed and they need to be taken off? Rodrigo Muniz is still young, and injury has disrupted his campaign, leading to just one goal and one assist in 574 league minutes this season.

Raul on the other hand is on track to match his previous season's total of 12 goals and three assists. Not only that, his link up play in the middle of the pitch, and even when defending, synergises well with Marco Silva''s fluent style of football. He's delivered this year.

Let's not forget the fact that he has also smashed the Premier League record for most consecutive penalties scored, as he sits three above previous record-holder Yaya Toure with 14 and counting. He offers a calm and collected leadership style and a cool head when needed, even when his private life was more than challenging following the passing of his father, he still stepped up to deliver for us against Burnley to finish the game.

And if we're really going down fantastical future possibilities, on the outside chance Fulham do succeed in achieving our European hopes, we're going to need a deeper squad to fight on all fronts. A competition such as the Europa Conference League, having the lower level of competitiveness compared to Europa league (and dare I say Champions League) would allow us to use a third striker that's competent without exhausting our leading striker that would be required to deliver in the league.

Like all of these things, time will tell. There are still a lot of things that are up in the air for Fulham that feel very much connected to where we finish at the end of the season.

My gut tells me that these are the final seven games we will get to enjoy seeing our Mexican forward play in a Fulham shirt, and I hope fans appreciate the workrate and performances he delivered for us. His return to form following his near-fatal head injury at Wolves has been another one of Silva's success stories. It's been brilliant to have him be a part of our squad that achieved our highest ever points tally - and he could help us repeat that feat this year. If he did, a new deal would be an apt reward.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/does-raul-jimenez-deserve-a-new-contract

If not for H, Raul would be my player of the season. Worth another year I would say, if only for the penalty shoot out in the FA Cup Final!