Friday Fulham Stuff - 19/06/26...

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World Cup 2026: Sander and Oscar off to winning start
Fulham duo Sander Berge and Oscar Bobb helped Norway begin their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Iraq.

Sander started in the heart of the Norway midfield, while Oscar was introduced for the final 15 minutes.

In from the off, Sander played his part in Norway's opener, their first goal at a World Cup since 1998. Driving through the centre of midfield, the Fulham man played in Antonio Nusa down the left, who waited for the overlapping run of Wolves' David Møller Wolfe before crossing for Erling Haaland to bundle home.

The scoreline was 2-1 when Oscar was brought on by Ståle Solbakken, and while he wasn't directly involved in either of Norway's two late goals, his low cutback was nearly converted by Kristian Thorstvedt shortly after being introduced.

Top of the group on goal difference, Norway face Senegal next up on Tuesday 23rd June, 1am BST kick-off.

On Monday, Timothy Castagne played an hour in Belgium's 1-1 draw against Egypt. With Timo playing at left-back, Belgium fell behind early to a crisp Emam Ashour strike.

But Belgium rallied in the second period, levelling through an own goal after Romelu Lukaku's pressure forced Mohamed Hany to turn the ball into his own net.

The Red Devils take on Iran on Sunday 21st June, 8pm BST kick-off.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/june/17/world-cup-2026-sander-and-oscar-off-to-winning-start/

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2026/27 Season Tickets on General Sale
Following the closure of the renewal window for Season Ticket Holders and the exclusive window for supporters who signed up to the Season Ticket Waiting List, a limited number of seats are now available to purchase on General Sale.

Secure your seat for all nineteen Premier League fixtures at Craven Cottage with a 2026/27 Season Ticket as another season of unmissable action awaits.

Along with your guaranteed seat for each fixture, you can enjoy a host of other benefits including priority access to away & cup fixture tickets, retail discounts, access to exclusive Season Ticket Holder events and much more!

Following high demand, we have now sold out of Season Tickets in the Johnny Haynes Stand for 2026/27. Supporters wishing to secure a Season Ticket can purchase seats in The Riverside, Hammersmith End or Putney End.

Only a limited number of Season Tickets remain throughout the stadium so act fast to avoid disappointment!

Further information on 2026/27 Season Tickets can be found here.

SECURE YOUR SEAT

HOW TO BUY

    Online at fulhamfc.com/tickets
    By calling the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810 (Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm)
    In person from the Fulham FC Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 10am-4:30pm)

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/june/17/2026-27-season-tickets-on-general-sale/

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Marco Silva handed chance to finally assess former Fulham target at Benfica
Fulham is no longer part of the equation. However, Marco Silva is now being given the opportunity to work directly with a player he once considered bringing to Craven Cottage.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia will return for pre-season determined to convince the club's new manager that he deserves a place in the squad.

The arrival of Silva has dramatically altered the 24-year-old's outlook. Previously, he had been informed he was not part of José Mourinho's plans.

Marco Silva changes the picture
According to the report, Silva already knows the player well and considered signing him for Fulham. He reportedly did so multiple times. A move never materialised. However, the Benfica coach is now expected to take a fresh look at Gouveia during pre-season before making a final decision on his future.

It is interesting because he appeared to be heading towards the exit door only a few weeks ago. So Marco Silva's arrival gave him a lifeline.

The winger is under contract until 2028 and returns after a disappointing loan spell with Nice. The French club had an €8m (£6.9m) purchase option but decided against activating it. Therefore, they sent the player back to Lisbon with his future unresolved.

Gouveia made 25 appearances for Nice last season, although only 11 came as a starter. His two goals arrived against Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League.

Before that, he had shown promise at Benfica. During the 2023-24 campaign under Roger Schmidt, he featured 26 times and was viewed as a useful squad option capable of playing in several roles. He was also a Leicester City target back then.

A difficult route into the Benfica side
Tiago Gouveia faces fierce competition if he is to force his way into Silva's plans.

On the right wing, Gianluca Prestianni and Dodi Lukebakio are currently ahead of him in the pecking order. However, there remains some uncertainty surrounding Lukebakio's future this summer.

Gouveia can also operate at right-back, but there he must compete with Amar Dedic, Alexander Bah and Leandro Banjaqui. Benfica are not expected to keep every option currently available in that position, which could create an opening.

For now, the key detail is that Silva appears willing to assess every player before making decisions. For Gouveia, that offers a route back into contention at Benfica.

It also means the former Fulham target will finally get the chance to prove himself directly to the manager who once thought he might fit at Craven Cottage.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/marco-silva-handed-chance-to-finally-assess-former-fulham-target-at-benfica/

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The FFC Rumour Mill: Arbeloa looks close as Manchester United target Fulham duo
Settle down for another weekly rumour round-up.

It's been a busy few weeks for the rumour mill with the managerial merry-go-round that seems to finally be coming to a halt... maybe. Departures are beginning to depart and murmurings about incomings and outgoings are starting to bubble. Let's take a look at how the land lies.

Incomings
The most obvious place to start is with Alvaro Arbeloa, whose move to Fulham seems a matter of when rather than if.

Talks are believed to have progressed smoothly, with Ben Jacobs suggesting the deal is almost done. Jacobs also reported that Fulham had spoke to Ange Postecoglou, (with TeamTalk reporting we even interviewed the Aussie) Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Frank Lampard and Ruben Amorim.

However, Tony Khan has attempted to slow the speculation, saying that there are two standout candidates for the role, saying on FFCTV:

"There are two in particular who have had multiple meetings with the board and who we really like, but we are open to more conversations and talking to more people. We are working on that process right now."

I wrote an article earlier in the week discussing my thoughts on Arebloa so will refrain from giving my thoughts once more, but I did find it interesting just how many people Fulham spoke to. Was Arbeloa the first choice? Was he even in the top five? I'll leave that to your imagination.

In the player department, Fulham have interest in multiple positions with Sky reporting that we are keen to add another right-back; I wonder what this means for Kenny Tete and/or Timothy Castagne. The same Sky article also says that Fulham are looking at 22-year-old attacking midfielder Luka Stojkovic. Matteo Moretto is also reporting that Fulham are interested in Girona defender Arnau Martinez with the Spaniard having an €8m release clause.

At the moment, I would take all player rumours with an extra pinch of salt, with nobody likely to come in until Arbeloa is confirmed. We don't know what areas he will look to strengthen and the type of players he wants to recruit. It could be quite an exciting time for Fulham.

Outgoings
Manchester United are keen to take two players off of Fulham's books this summer with Antonee Robinson the first of those. Sky Sports have reported that Manchester United are looking at either Robinson or Newcastle's Lewis Hall with £40m likely enough to take the American to Manchester. I think after a poor season, £40m could be very good business for Fulham and a valuation that could rise higher with a good World Cup.

The Athletic are reporting that Sander Berge has emerged as a potential target for Michael Carrick's side after West Ham's valuation of Mateus Fernandes was deemed too high. The article also claims that Fulham will be looking to make a profit on Berge after paying £25m for him two seasons ago. Similarly to Jedi, if we can make a profit on Berge I think we should look to take it. I'd be concerned if we gutted the squad too much but I wonder if we didn't take these potential offers now, would we ever get money like that for either of them again?

Elsewhere, Jorge Cuenca to Benfica is now off. SportsWitness has now reported that Fulham's valuation of £17m is deemed too high for Marco Silva and the 26 year old is looking more likely to stay at Fulham. That's good as far as I'm concerned; I think £17m would be a bit low for Cuenca, and he's a player who is always so dependable for Fulham. In a summer of transition, keep hold of Jorge.

Finally, in the academy, Olly Sanderson has left Fulham to join League One Stevenage on a permanent transfer. This was quite smart by Fulham as Sanderson was out of contract in the summer. Following a good year for Woking, the club have triggered an extension before getting some money for the 22-year-old forward.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/the-ffc-rumour-mill-arbeloa-looks

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€8m deal of interest to Crystal Palace and Fulham – Player set for departure
Arnau Martinez has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Girona and he can now end up at either Crystal Palace or Fulham.

The versatile full-back played 35 times in La Liga during the 2025/26 campaign. He couldn't stop them from getting relegated but Martinez still contributed to five goals, captaining the team on many occasions.

Some months ago, Sport Witness covered West Ham's interest in signing the Spaniard. They made contact for the full-back and it was always clear that his entourage was working to find a new club.

Now, like Girona, the Hammer are in the second division. Other suitors like Fulham and Crystal Palace are lining up to sign Martinez.

Deal very affordable
ASRomaLive take a close look at the Girona star's situation and how relegation has impacted it.

They note that Italian clubs have been linked with him but those suggestions may not be too concrete, for now.

Martinez has a release clause in his contract which will allow clubs to sign him for only €8m.

That is exactly why Fulham and Crystal Palace are well placed in the running. They are facing competition from Real Sociedad and Real Betis, with Roma also offered the chance to sign the player.

Again, it shows that Martinez's entourage is trying hard to find a new club and leave the trouble at Girona behind.

Clubs have nothing to lose
Martinez is a good age at 23 and is versatile. He can play further forward and can also play on either side of a centre-back role. This makes him someone who can be a useful asset for many clubs.

He has captained Girona many times and that is another attraction for suitors. The defender also has the experience of playing in the Champions League.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/e8m-deal-of-interest-to-crystal-palace-and-fulham-player-set-for-departure/

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Fulham Held 'Exploratory Discussions' With Boss Before Turning To Alvaro Arbeloa
Fulham held 'exploratory discussions' with Raffaele Palladino as part of their managerial hunt, amid Alvaro Arbeloa now closing in on the job.

A new era is set to begin at Craven Cottage after Marco Silva departed at the end of his contract to take charge of Portuguese giants Benfica.

The Portuguese tactician guided the Cottagers to an 11th-place Premier League finish in his final campaign, though former Premier League forward Charlie Austin was among those critical of Fulham's style of play, branding them boring and overly cautious.

Several names were considered as potential successors, but Arbeloa, who recently took charge of Real Madrid, is now closing in on the role at Craven Cottage.

That shortlist also included Palladino, with the Italian having been 'also evaluated' by Fulham as a possible candidate.

The Italian tactician's 'modern' and 'proactive' approach is claimed to have appealed to the Cottagers, while his work with Atalanta further strengthened his credentials.

According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Fulham held 'exploratory discussions' with Palladino, however, they ultimately opted for Arbeloa, as an official agreement is expected in the coming days.

Raffaele Palladino's managerial history

Club	Years
Monza	2022-2024
Fiorentina	2024-2025
Atalanta	2025-2026

Palladino arrived in Bergamo last November when Atalanta were sitting in 13th place and guided them to a seventh-place finish and qualification for the Conference League.

Despite that turnaround, the Italian was dismissed at the end of the season and is now assessing fresh opportunities elsewhere.

Meanwhile, regardless of who occupies the dugout, the Cottagers are already active in the transfer market and are expected to make an offer for defender Mariano Troilo.

Another player on their radar is Auxerre attacker Lassine Sinayoko, though several fellow Premier League clubs are also involved in the race for his signature.

Whether Fulham's decision to turn to Arbeloa rather than Palladino proves the right one will become clearer over the course of the season.

The Spaniard has just six months of senior managerial experience to his name, and how he copes with the demands of Premier League football remains to be seen.

He does though have experience of playing in the Premier League, earned at Liverpool.



https://insidefutbol.com/2026/06/18/fulham-held-exploratory-discussions-with-boss-before-turning-to-alvaro-arbeloa/717379/

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When are the new Premier League fixtures released? Match dates for 2026-27 season to be confirmed
The dust has only just settled on the previous Premier League season, but clubs are already turning their attention to the new campaign.

Particularly, the release of the fixture schedule for 2026-27.

Arsenal are the team to beat after they ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title, dethroning Liverpool as they held off a resilient fight from Manchester City.

After three seasons finishing as runners-up, Mikel Arteta's side finally got over the line to pick up English football's biggest prize.

City are gearing up for another title fight but, for the first time in a decade, without Pep Guardiola as manager. The Catalan has stepped down, and been replaced by Enzo Maresca.

Liverpool and Chelsea will also have new managers, with Andoni Iraola swapping the Bournemouth south coast for Anfield as former Reds star Xabi Alonso rocks up at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United have given Michael Carrick the full-time manager's job after impressing on an interim basis by securing a third-placed finish, and a return to the Champions League.

Tottenham's late-season appointment of Roberto De Zerbi saw them avoid relegation on the final day of the last Premier League season, and the manager has already added three new faces to his squad as he aims to climb up the table.

Ipswich, Hull and Coventry are the three promoted teams, the latter returning to the top-flight after 25 years away.

When are the Premier League fixtures released?
The Premier League will release the fixtures for the 2025-26 campaign on Friday, June 19, 2026.

The official reveal for the 380 matches is set for 10am BST.

When does the Premier League start?
The first match is currently pencilled in for Saturday, August 22, a week later than usual due to the 2026 World Cup.

However, Friday night curtain-raisers are becoming more common and the opening game is expected to take place the day before, on August 21.

Over the Christmas period, no clubs will play more than once within a period of 60 hours, and there will be no Christmas Eve fixture.

The final round of games is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2027.

Which Premier League games are on TV?
Sky Sports and TNT Sport will announce their first picks for televised coverage shortly when the fixtures are released.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/when-are-the-new-premier-league-fixtures-released-b1286629.html