Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 18/08/26...

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Atalanta reject €20m Fulham bid for wing-back Raoul Bellanova
Atalanta have rejected a €20m offer from Fulham for wing-back Raoul Bellanova after manager Maurizio Sarri deemed the 26-year-old defender indispensable to his squad. The Cottagers are the latest Premier League outfit to see their approach rebuffed, with Everton also failing with an earlier attempt for the versatile Italy international this summer.

Bergamo hierarchy blocks exit
The Serie A side have rejected a formal €20m (£17m/$23m) bid from Fulham to bring Bellanova to the Premier League. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the La Dea hierarchy has no plans to part ways with the 26-year-old Italian international during the current summer window. The firm stance follows direct intervention from new head coach Sarri, who urged the board to take the wing-back off the market.

Former coach limited minutes
The development marks a significant turning point for Bellanova, who found himself on the fringes under former boss Raffaele Palladino after making just 24 Serie A appearances last term. However, Sarri's arrival in Bergamo has transformed the player's fortunes, with the veteran tactician an avid admirer of the defender's work ethic, physical stamina, and explosive technical traits. The former Lazio manager is determined to make him a cornerstone of his tactical set-up next season, firmly shutting the door on Premier League interest following Everton's initial approach earlier in the window.

Flank depth remains essential
The decision to retain the former Milan and Inter wide player is deemed critical after Atalanta sanctioned young prospect Marco Palestra's move to Chelsea, leaving the Bergamo club unable to afford further departures at right-back. Furthermore, first-choice full-back Davide Zappacosta has now turned 34 and cannot reasonably be expected to shoulder a relentless fixture schedule single-handedly. Bellanova's blend of peak age, blistering pace down the flank, and sharp attacking instincts makes him the ideal long-term successor on the right side of Sarri's defence.

Busy opening schedule looms
Bellanova's tactical versatility and recovery from last season's hamstring issues will provide crucial defensive stability and attacking drive for Sarri's side across multiple competitions. Atalanta immediately turn their attention to continental duties as they host Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday, August 20. The Bergamo outfit then kick off their 2026-27 Serie A campaign by welcoming Sassuolo just three days later.



https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/atalanta-reject-fulham-bid-raoul-bellanova-maurizio-sarri/blt67d8b89473232957?utm_id=fa3iys5y8hyz9ezk&utm_source_platform=newsnow

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Stats that show Premier League is getting more competitive
Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Meanwhile, the teams in the bottom half finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves did it at the turn of the millennium.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy smaller clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to poach the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 – champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest – took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Competition comes at a cost
However, one place where the Premier League has become less competitive – likely because it has become more fiercely-contested overall – is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the last decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In fact, in the past two seasons promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points – the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day – often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gddjpjm49o

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Sources: Fulham's Luke Harris undergoing Wigan Athletic medical after deal agreed
Wigan Athletic have agreed a deal to sign Fulham starlet Luke Harris and he will undergo a medical on Monday, sources have told Football Insider.

The League One outfit are putting the finishing touches to a loan deal for the attacking midfielder after beating rival clubs to his signature.

Wigan have been keen to add another midfielder to their squad, and are now in the final stages of landing the 21-year-old.

Harris spent time on loan at both Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers last term, but will be part of Gary Caldwell's group at The Brick Community Stadium this time around.

The Wales U21 international managed two goals and two assists from just 19 games in League One last term, as he quickly became a regular starter for Wigan.

Harris has also enjoyed previous loan spells with the likes of Birmingham City and Exeter, and will now be returning to the third tier once again.

Wigan land Hindolo Mustapha replacement
Football Insider revealed at the start of July that Wigan were in talks to sign Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha on a season-long loan.

However, that deal didn't go to plan for the Latics, with Mustapha leaving the club before the opening league game of the season and immediately joining Notts County instead.

That left Wigan with a gap in their plans for the attacking midfield role, and they have now moved quickly to address that.

Harris has performed well in League One across several separate loan spells, and is an exciting talent for Caldwell and his staff to work with.

He is now set to take his talents to Wigan for this campaign, provided that there are no hitches with his medical on Monday.

Fulham eye deal to sign Oli Devlin
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Fulham and Newcastle have both registered their interest in Irish starlet Oli Devlin.

The Coleraine midfielder is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Northern Irish league in recent years.

The 18-year-old is on the radar of several top Premier League clubs, but Fulham are one of the only sides to go public with their interest so far.

Coleraine are bracing themselves for offers to come in for Devlin, as Premier League clubs battle to secure him for the next stage of his development.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/fulham/transfers/sources-fulhams-luke-harris-undergoing-wigan-athletic-medical-after-deal-agreed

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Fulham
I'm always optimistic at this stage of the summer – but there's a bit of trepidation mixed in this time round. How on earth do you make an informed judgment on our chances when so much has changed? It's farewell (and thanks) to Marco Silva and a warm welcome to Álvaro Arbeloa, who brings with him a new set of backroom staff, a fresh approach and a determination to write a new chapter. Seems we're set for a new, dynamic strategy, one that'll keep us on the edge of our seats. In a good way, hopefully.

Key players/weak links We expect striker Gonzalo García (22) and versatile midfielder César Palacios (21) to hit the ground running. The Spanish duo have followed their former boss from Real Madrid knowing that running hard is part of the deal. Another midfielder, Shea Charles (22), also joined the fold, and, as well as helping to lower the average age of the squad, the trio will be eager to discard their "promising" tags by excelling in the top flight. Arbeloa may well turn to the youth ranks too, with 18-year-old winger Macaulay Zepa one to watch.

We still need to sign ... If Arbeloa gets his way there'll be further additions, probably to freshen up the back four. And maybe a younger keeper who's good with his feet to take over from Leno.

Our cult hero is ... For humour, the Naija Boys – Iwobi and Bassey – who will no doubt continue their off-pitch antics and comedic Instagram stories, although they're a man light now that Chukwueze has headed back to Milan. Unless someone else steps up, captain Tom Cairney remains the main man, still capable of scoring match-winning worldies after parking his antique bath chair at the side of the pitch.

If we could sign two players from our past ... Obvious goal-getter up front would be Louis Saha. And the super-strong Mousa Dembélé bossing things in central midfield would suit AA's style perfectly.

We will finish 14th. Top four: 1. Arsenal; 2. Manchester City; 3. Manchester United; 4. Chelsea. Bottom three: 18. Coventry; 19. Ipswich; 20. Hull. First manager sacked Matthias Jaissle.

David Lloyd @DMLTOOFIF



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/16/premier-league-fans-previews-our-club-by-club-guide-to-2026-27

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Exclusive: Fulham launch £900 a head Michelin-guide recognised hospitality at Craven Cottage
Premier League club Fulham FC will this week announce a Michelin Guide-recognised dining experience at their Craven Cottage home, City AM can reveal.

Adam Byatt-directed Constance – based at Fulham Pier under head chef Charlie Crote – will launch "Constance on Matchdays", beginning next Monday as Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham begin their Premier League season against Chelsea.

It will make the London club the only team in the UK with a Michelin Guide-recognised offering on its matchday. And fans can expect to pay around £900 per head for the privilege next Monday.

Michelin-starred dining in sport is usually reserved for golf courses while clubs such as French rugby team Toulouse have invited the likes of Michel Sarran to curate menus pre-match.

Byatt said: "Everything we've built at Constance comes from the same place – refined, seasonal cooking, delivered with consistency and care by a team that is here, day in and day out.

Fulham goes premium
Fulahm's new Riverside stand – opened fully last season – features caviar, margaritas and £20,000 season tickets. Their three-story Sky Deck offering is seen as one of the most premium experiences accessible to non-owners in the Premier League, with the wider stand not featuring a corporate box structure within its walls.

Emerging culinary talent will be hired throughout the season with changing menus for each fixture.

Fulham Pier's director Glen Sutton added: "Constance on Matchdays is a genuine shift in how premium experiences are designed and delivered in elite live sport. Matchday dining has too often relied on guest chef appearances or licensed concepts where the name turns up but the expected experience rarely follows.

"Because we operate Constance year-round, we can do something no other venue can: deliver the same standards, the same teams and the same restaurant on a matchday as on any other day."



https://www.cityam.com/exclusive-fulham-launch-900-a-head-michelin-guide-recognised-hospitality-at-craven-cottage/

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Experience Constance on Matchdays
Ahead of the 2026/27 season kicking off, Fulham FC and Constance will be launching 'Constance on Matchdays', making us the first Premier League football club with a Michelin Guide-recognised dining experience at the heart of our hospitality offering. 

Formerly known as The Gourmet, situated on Level One in The Riverside, Constance on Matchdays sets a new benchmark for luxury experiences in sports hospitality and will be delivered by the same team behind Constance - the critically acclaimed, Michelin Guide-recognised restaurant at Fulham Pier. Constance on Matchdays is a deliberate extension of that restaurant, bringing the impeccable standards, talented teams, and first-class expertise to matchdays at Craven Cottage.

Constance on Matchdays menus will be curated by Culinary Director Adam Byatt, an accomplished Michelin-starred chef with a passion for British food, best known for being the co-owner and chef patron of Trinity in Clapham. Adam will work alongside Head Chef Charlie Crote — who trained under John Williams at The Ritz — and General Manager Gavin Ross, whose experience spans the opening of Cameron House on Loch Lomond to the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. 

The partnership will also see the launch of 'Adam & Friends' a curated programme welcoming guest chefs and emerging culinary talent into select matchdays to create bespoke menus for each home fixture, appropriate to the season and timing of the match.

Constance on Matchdays will open for the first time when we take on Chelsea in our opening Premier League home fixture of the season on Monday 24th August, kick-off 8pm.

Supporters can secure their space in Constance on Matchdays on a seasonal basis by enquiring here, or on selected matchdays by reserving their space online here.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/17/experience-constance-on-matchdays/

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'No thank you' – Fulham initial approach for transfer knocked back
Fulham have been interested in Atalanta's Raoul Bellanova but the player's situation has taken a u-turn.

Over the last few weeks, Sport Witness have closely covered how the Bergamo club were keen on the right-back's sale. They weren't impressed with how he performed in the 2025/26 campaign and a host of English clubs were interested.

The Italian's valuation also appeared clear, with Fulham competing with Nottingham Forest for his signing.

Now, Atalanta have reconsidered and could keep Bellanova beyond this summer.

Player has convinced Sarri
Monday's print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport explaines Bellanova started pre-season as someone who was leaving Atalanta. New manager Maurizio Sarri was also convinced about the decision and Nicolo Savona was considered as a replacement.

Fulham were leading the way for Bellanova, even if Napoli had also made an enquiry.

Soon, things changed. The right-back impressed in training and started regularly in friendlies, which is a big sign of Sarri's trust in his abilities. Bellanova also benched Davide Zappacosta, who was a regular under Raffaele Palladino last season.

In the meantime, Fulham stepped forward for Bellanova's signature. They enquired about him but Atalanta's response was a straight up 'no thank you'.

Now, the former Inter player is set to start for Atalanta in their Conference League qualifier against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Our take: Fulham could've had a good deal
When Raoul Bellanova was up for sale, his valuation stood at around €25m.

That would've been a good deal for Fulham, especially as the 26-year-old can play on either side as a wing-back. He can also play as a winger and as a full-back, even if his best comes in a wing-back role.

He would've been a reliable squad player for Alvaro Arbeloa's side. Bellanova also has European experience, playing in the Champions League and Europa League in Bergamo.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/no-thank-you-fulham-initial-approach-for-transfer-knocked-back/

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Man City Receive Cash Windfall From Shea Charles' Fulham Transfer
Manchester City have been given a cash boost as a result of former academy star Shea Charles joining Fulham from Southampton for £30 million.

Charles has become the most expensive Northern Irish footballer in history by moving to West London to join forces with former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa and fellow Manchester City academy graduate Oscar Bobb.

The 22-year-old becomes the latest City Football Academy product to bring financial gain to his boyhood club as a result of a significant future transfer, with the Blues having shrewdly managed the departure of one of the best players their youth system has produced.

Southampton originally signed Shea Charles from Manchester City in July 2023 for an initial £10 million to progress his career with regular first-team opportunities on the south coast - in the same window that saw Cole Palmer join Chelsea for £40 million.

Man City fetch £4M owing to Charles sell-on clause
As reported by Alex James of the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City have been paid £4 million by Southampton as a result of Shea Charles' £30 million transfer to Fulham owing to a sell-on clause inserted into the 22-year-old's contract at St. Mary's.

City are expected to make significant strides in the final weeks of the transfer window, having secured the arrivals of Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Monga and Geromino Rulli so far under Enzo Maresca.

The Blues remain in advanced negotiations with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Rodri's heart set on a move to Barcelona and the two clubs agreeing on a fee north of €75 million as a total package for the 30-year-old Spain international.

The pursuit of a new right-back has cooled in east Manchester, with Rico Lewis likely to be given a new lease of life under Enzo Maresca, whom the 21-year-old shares a strong relationship with going back to the Italian's previous first-team stint as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager during City's 2022/23 treble-winning season.

What does the sell-on clause mean in the wider content of City's transfer window?
Those within the Etihad Stadium had expected further transfer business to have been wrapped up by this stage, with Manchester City failing in their hope of a first piece of silverware under Maresca, as they fell to a damning 3-0 defeat to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday.

Uncertainty over the future(s) of a series of current first-team stars is the main reason behind a dormant few months on the incomings front, with Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho ready to leave the club before the transfer deadline to Al Qadsiah and Tottenham respectively.

Manchester City remain on the lookout for a new winger and that pursuit will expedite if Spurs strike a deal for the Brazilian winger. The Blues are also exploring a sensational swoop for Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, despite an internal deadline at Stamford Bridge expiring over a £120 million fee that would permit an automatic exit for the player.

Maresca is understood to be spearheading Manchester City's pursuit of Fernandez, and Shea Charles' move to Fulham gives the Blues greater financial leeway as sporting director Hugo Viana and co. enter the business end of the transfer window.



https://cityxtra.co.uk/news/why-manchester-city-have-received-4m-from-shea-charles-fulham-transfer

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Fulham season preview: How will Arbeloa fare in West London?
Fulham have a new manager in Álvaro Arbeloa and a new-look attack, but will they be able to adapt to life in the Premier League?

For the first time in five years, Fulham begin a season with a new manager at the helm. With Marco Silva joining Benfica, the West London side have recruited Álvaro Arbeloa, who most recently managed Fulham's new boss at Real Madrid.

The new coach has brought multiple players who were part of his squad in the Spanish capital, as Fulham begin a new era with some exciting young attackers at their disposal.

However, they have also lost a lot of goals, with both of last season's top goalscorers leaving at the end of their respective contracts.

The Cottagers have finished mid-table in each of the four seasons since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022. It is difficult to predict whether this trend will continue, with lots of questions left unanswered.

How will their youthful additions perform? How will Arbeloa fare in the Premier League?

This article will attempt to provide answers by looking at Fulham from various points of view to find out what fans can expect from them this season.

Written by Kimi Head

     2025/26 season recap

Fulham secured a comfortable mid-table finish in the 2025/26 Premier League season, ending the campaign in 11th place. All that stood in the way between them and European football was a solitary point and a poorer goal difference in what was a very tight race.

Under Marco Silva, Fulham enjoyed a rather successful season, especially at Craven Cottage, which they turned into quite a fortress. The Cottagers picked up eleven victories at home, including over London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham enjoyed runs in both cup competitions. They made it to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, where they were eventually eliminated by Newcastle. In the FA Cup, the fifth round was where they met their match, falling to defeat against Southampton.

Harry Wilson was undoubtedly the standout performer for the Cottagers throughout the 2025/26 season. The Welshman found the back of the net eleven times in all competitions and assisted a further eight goals. Fulham certainly have a void to fill following his move to Leeds United on a free transfer.

Overall, it was a strong season for Fulham under Silva, who has now left London to take over at Benfica. Under new management, they will be hoping to continue their stability in the Premier League.

Written by Harry Day

     Transfer activity

The transfer window has been exciting for Fulham, with a focus on bringing in youth to replace some major losses.

Two crucial players from last season have left the club on free transfers. Raúl Jiménez, who had to lead the line on his own for large parts of last season, scored nine league goals while Rodrigo Muniz was out injured. He left the club on a free transfer and returned to his former club, Wolves.

Player of the season Harry Wilson also left the club to join Leeds after an unbelievable season. The Welshman had 17 goal contributions in the league and scored a few contenders for goal of the season.

Issa Diop has also left West London after four years to join newly promoted Ipswich. The defender struggled for starts throughout his time at Fulham, and after a great World Cup with Morocco, decided to leave and seek first team football elsewhere. He will be joined by his former teammate, Sasa Lukic, who has also moved to the newly promoted side.

The latest addition to the squad is Shea Charles, who was an important part of Southampton's play-off charge last season and the scorer of the winning goal in the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Arbeloa has decided to bring a few players he knows well with him from Real Madrid. Cesar Palacios is an attacking midfielder who came through the youth academy while the Spaniard was coaching them, and Gonzalo García — a highly rated striker who had a brilliant Club World Cup in 2025. He struggled to kick on last season but still managed to score six league goals while playing limited minutes.

Written by Rian Fearnehough

     Player to watch - Josh King

Studying Josh King's debut season in SW6 is an extremely interesting exercise.

The 19-year-old did not have a bad season at all. He kept Fulham's second most expensive signing out of the team for the first few months of the 25/26 campaign, he had a brilliant goal egregiously disallowed against Chelsea and he delighted supporters with his forward-thinking attacking intelligence and genuine passion for his boyhood club.

However, his stats do not back up what most Fulham fans viewed as a very positive season. In 32 Premier League games, he scored one goal and provided two assists. For a number 10, these stats are not particularly strong.

Marco Silva's preference for players with Premier League experience enabled Emile Smith Rowe to reclaim his place in December 2025 and rarely lose it thereafter.

The England Under-21 international faces stiff competition from Smith Rowe and new signing Cesar Palacios for Fulham's number 10 slot this season. Arbeloa knows the latter well, having coached him during his time at Real Madrid.

However, King can fit into this new Fulham system. His balance, calmness on the ball, and his ability to thread passes between defensive lines and dictate tempo under pressure make him a strong candidate to be at the centre of the Fulham attack.

Written by Thomas MacDonald

     Strongest XI

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Charles, Berge; Bobb, Iwobi, Palacios; García.

Similarly to Marco Silva, Arbeloa predominantly utilises the 4-2-3-1, which has been clear to see in pre-season.

There will be no change between the sticks for the Cottagers. Bernd Leno has proven himself as a reliable Premier League goalkeeper over the last eight years.

Antonee Robinson may return to the left of the defence having started four of five games for the USA at the World Cup. The American will be hoping for an injury free season after struggling last term. Timothy Castagne and Kenny Tete will compete to play at right-back.

Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey frequently partnered each other in the centre of the defence in over 50% of Fulham's Premier League games last season and should be favoured again.

Going forward, there is likely to be change to the front six with multiple incomings and outgoings under the change in management.

Norwegian Sander Berge should retain his spot in the double pivot, and he may be partnered by new signing Shea Charles.

2025/26's top goalscorer Harry Wilson has joined Leeds, so January arrival Oscar Bobb could take his place off the right.

The experienced Alex Iwobi may have a place behind the nine, while the Cottagers have signed duo Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo García from Real Madrid on long term contracts. The Spanish youngsters will be expected to make an impact in attack.

Written by William Fortune

     Tactics

Although he has been the head coach at the biggest club in world football, Alvaro Arbeloa returns to the Premier League in the infancy of his coaching career.

It was only in 2025 that the former Liverpool full-back took charge of Real Madrid B team, RM Castilla, and in the senior side Arbeloa was gifted with players where he was expected to dominate most games.

Now, he will have to showcase his coaching skills as Fulham seek to keep their heads above water in an ultra-competitive Premier League.

As a defender under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, it should come as little surprise that Arbeloa's ideas are built around structure and spatial awareness.

As he told the Coaches Voice when coaching Castilla, "[One] of the most important things that I emphasise with my players is to know that you can have a great game defensively, a perfect game, without ever winning the ball."

Leading a Fulham side who are a solid mid-table outfit, with flickering aspirations of Europe, Arbeloa's ideas on setting up solidly could help them take on teams stronger than them.

He said: "One: it is very important that they [stronger teams] don't overrun you. Two: don't put your foot in because they are always going to be quicker than you. Three: force them to come towards you."

As for his work at Fulham thus far, his Mic'd Up training session offered insight into his potential approach in possession.

He explained to wide men Oscar Bobb and Ryan Sessegnon the importance of "patience" and playing "between the lines", suggesting there is also compactness when progressing the ball but a degree of fluidity within that.

Furthermore, he told Harrison Reed how he "always" wants someone in the centre, likely to keep a tight unit when in possession. The Cottagers' new signings suggest this too, with the likes of Shea Charles and Gonzalo García providing very different profiles though both helping to mainline the middle of the pitch.

Although Arbeloa deployed wide wingers at Madrid and is blessed with talent in those areas in west London, knitting together moves infield will likely be the order of the day.

Written by Brandon Williams

     Expectations for the season

This forthcoming season feels like a genuine step into the unknown for the Cottagers.

They had been under the watchful eye of Marco Silva for five years before his departure this past summer to join Portuguese giants Benfica, and it really does feel odd that they will be without him this time around.

New manager Álvaro Arbeloa, while an attractive name given his playing career, is largely untested at this level, with just four-and-a-half months in charge of the Real Madrid senior squad and some time with the Castilla side on his CV.

That, coupled with the exit of talismanic figures Harry Wilson and Raúl Jiménez, and their replacements being talented but extremely green players, could mean a season of struggle for Fulham.

Of course, the ambitious Khan family, Fulham's owners, will not want to be involved in a relegation battle; it looks as though circumstances may dictate that this is the scenario they find themselves in.

Ultimately, they will be seeking a comfortable mid-table season finish, but in reality, survival has to be the aim as they enter this new era.

Written by Matthew Shotter



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/17/fulham/1268207-fulham-season-preview-how-will-arbeloa-fare-in-west-london.html

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Tracker: César Palacios shines and Gonzalo García impresses in Fulham's preseason finale
The two former Real Madrid prospects offered an exciting glimpse of their quality as Fulham defeated Stuttgart 1-0

Fulham wrapped up their preseason with a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart at Craven Cottage, but for Real Madrid followers, the result was secondary to an encouraging showing from two familiar faces.

César Palacios and Gonzalo García, two of Álvaro Arbeloa's key additions for his new adventure in London, both started and left their mark against Champions League opposition. Palacios in particular continued what has been an impressive preseason, looking increasingly comfortable operating between the lines and taking responsibility in possession.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was one of Fulham's most interesting players on the afternoon. There was an authority to his game that went beyond simply producing a few nice touches. Palacios consistently looked for ways to advance Fulham's attacks, receiving in pockets, turning quickly and attempting passes that could eliminate Stuttgart's defensive lines.

His best moments came through his distribution.

Shortly before halftime, Palacios spotted Antonee Robinson's run and sliced Stuttgart open with a perfectly weighted pass that sent the left-back through on goal. Robinson could not finish the move, with Fabian Bredlow making the save, but the sequence highlighted one of Palacios's most intriguing qualities: his ability to see and execute passes before a defence has time to adjust.

He produced something similar immediately after the break, disguising a pass to release Oscar Bobb into a dangerous position. Once again Bredlow prevented Fulham from converting the chance.

Those moments helped explain the positive reaction Palacios received from Fulham supporters on social media. It is still preseason, and conclusions should be tempered accordingly, but there is already plenty to like about the personality with which he is playing.

Palacios has never been short on technical ability. The more important question at this stage of his career is whether he can impose those qualities consistently at senior level. Against Stuttgart, he played with the confidence of someone who wanted the ball and believed he could dictate what happened next.

Gonzalo García, meanwhile, provided a different type of threat.

The former Real Madrid striker was lively in his appearance at Craven Cottage and continued to show the movement and attacking instincts that have defined his development. Gonzalo does not necessarily need an attack to be constructed around him to influence games. He moves constantly, occupies defenders and looks for opportunities to attack spaces around the box.

His best opportunity arrived midway through the second half when he found enough room to fire from roughly 20 yards. The effort took a deflection and went narrowly wide of the near post.

It was not the spectacular introduction that a goal would have provided, but Gonzalo's activity complemented Palacios nicely. Where Palacios wants to find the spaces from which he can create, Gonzalo provides a moving target ahead of him.

That relationship will be worth monitoring.

Fulham were the better side for long stretches and could easily have won by more than the eventual one-goal margin. Sander Berge appeared to have scored in the first half when his header was cleared after seemingly crossing the line, but with no goal-line technology available, play continued.

The breakthrough eventually arrived through Timothy Castagne, who met Alex Iwobi's corner at the near post and produced a clever looping header to give Fulham the lead.

Stuttgart threatened sporadically, forcing Bernd Leno into a couple of excellent saves, including a superb reflex stop after Badredine Bouanani directed a volley back across goal. But Fulham controlled enough of the contest to deserve the victory and ended their preseason by beating a Champions League opponent.

For Arbeloa, however, one of the most encouraging takeaways was the contribution of two players he knows well.

Gonzalo gives him intensity, movement and a natural instinct for finding scoring opportunities. Palacios offers imagination and technical quality between midfield and attack.

The latter may be particularly intriguing.

Palacios's pathway at Real Madrid was always going to be complicated given the amount of talent ahead of him, but his ability has never been difficult to see. A move to England offers him something he desperately needs at this stage: senior minutes, responsibility and an environment in which mistakes do not necessarily send him immediately back to the bench.

Performances like this one are precisely why the move could be so valuable.

There will be considerably more difficult tests once competitive football begins, but Palacios has already started showing Fulham supporters what made him such an interesting prospect in Madrid. He plays with his head up, searches for progressive options and, perhaps most importantly, does not appear intimidated by the responsibility of trying difficult things.

Alongside Gonzalo, he gives Arbeloa two young players with whom he already has familiarity and trust.

Preseason performances should never be overstated. But as Fulham turn toward the competitive calendar, both former Real Madrid prospects have given their new supporters reasons to be excited — and Palacios, in particular, is beginning to make people take notice.



https://www.managingmadrid.com/latest-news/111425/tracker-cesar-palacios-shines-and-gonzalo-garcia-impresses-in-fulhams-preseason-finale

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Luke Harris set to join Wigan Athletic as loan deal agreed
Wigan Athletic have agreed a deal to sign Fulham midfielder Luke Harris on loan, with the 21-year-old expected to undergo his medical on Monday before completing the move.

According to Football Insider, the League One club have beaten competition from several rivals to secure Harris as Gary Caldwell continues strengthening his squad for the new campaign. The Wales Under-21 international will join on a temporary basis and provide Wigan with another creative option in attacking midfield.

Wigan agree Luke Harris loan
Wigan had been searching for another midfielder after their proposed move for Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha fell through. The Latics had initially arranged a season-long loan for Mustapha, but the move collapsed before the opening league fixture and the youngster subsequently joined Notts County.

That forced Wigan back into the market, with Harris emerging as an attractive alternative because of his previous experience at League One level. The Fulham prospect spent last season on loan with Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers, continuing a development pathway that has also included temporary spells with Birmingham City and Exeter City.

He registered two goals and two assists across 19 League One appearances last term and has demonstrated his ability to operate as an attacking midfielder capable of contributing between midfield and attack. Provided there are no problems during Monday's medical, Harris will now become part of Caldwell's squad at the Brick Community Stadium.

Fulham continue Harris development plan
For Fulham, another loan provides Harris with an opportunity to accumulate the consistent senior minutes that could be difficult to guarantee at Craven Cottage. Despite being only 21, he has already gained considerable experience across the EFL, and another full campaign in League One could prove important for his development.

Wigan should also provide him with a realistic opportunity to compete for a regular starting position rather than simply offering squad depth. Fulham, meanwhile, continue looking towards the next generation themselves. They are among the Premier League clubs interested in highly-rated Coleraine midfielder Oli Devlin, with Newcastle United also monitoring the 18-year-old.

This looks like a sensible move for all parties as Harris has reached the stage where regular senior football is far more valuable than another season on the fringes at Fulham. His previous League One experience should also mean he requires relatively little time to adapt.

For Wigan, losing Mustapha left a clear hole in Caldwell's plans, but Harris represents a strong alternative with considerably more senior experience. If Monday's medical goes smoothly, the Latics will have secured an exciting creative option for the season ahead.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/08/17/luke-harris-set-to-join-wigan-athletic-as-loan-deal-agreed/

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FUL ACCESS: Friendly win at the Cottage
Go behind the scenes from our win over Stuttgart in the final pre-season fixture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OafbuJI_Mx4



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/17/ful-access--friendly-win-at-the-cottage/