Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 29/04/26...

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea manager: Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso among candidates to replace Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge
Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso fit the bill of a proven track record and/or Premier League experience Chelsea are looking for to replace Liam Rosenior; Chelsea will not rush into an appointment, with Calum McFarlane expected to remain in charge until the end of the season

Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso are among the managers Chelsea are discussing as potential replacements for Liam Rosenior this summer.

Chelsea believe there will be a bigger pool of high-calibre managers available this summer than there were last time they appointed a manager between seasons.

When Enzo Maresca got the job in June 2024, Kieran McKenna was the other candidate on their shortlist and neither manager had Premier League experience at the time.

Chelsea now want someone with Premier League experience and/or someone with a proven track record at a high level.

Iraola has said he is leaving Bournemouth this summer, Alonso is out of work and Silva's Fulham contract runs out in two months.

Chelsea are not in a rush to make an appointment and Calum McFarlane will remain in charge until the end of the season.

Merse doubts big managerial appointment at Chelsea
Paul Merson doubts a 'top manager' will become the new Chelsea boss, with the next head coach 'grateful' to manage the club rather than the other way round.

Merson, who is a Chelsea fan, believes the days of the west London club appointing big-name managers, like Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, are over.

When asked who he would like to see given the Chelsea job, Merson told Sky Sports News: "I hear a few Newcastle fans about Eddie Howe being under pressure. I'd take Eddie Howe.

"My problem is at Chelsea now, and the way it is and the way it's all run is I think they'll always be getting a manager that's grateful to manage Chelsea. Instead of a top drawer [manager].

"I think the days of your Mourinhos, your (Antonio) Contes, your (Thomas) Tuchels, your Ancelottis, those top, top managers where the club are grateful for them being the manager of the club. I think now they'll be looking at managers who are grateful to come in and manage Chelsea because of the way they run the club and the way it is.

"(Andoni) Iraola at Bournemouth, very good manager, but these kind of managers will come, and they'll look, and they'll go, Chelsea have been outrun every single Premier League game this season. How do you turn that around? This is not an ageing football team. This is one of the youngest teams in the Premier League. So for them to get outrun in every single football match is worrying, so I think top, top managers will look at that and think there's a lot to be done.

"They need a couple of experienced players. There are a few players who shouldn't be there. They need players in.

"This is a big, big job and I'm not sure one of the big, big boys will take it."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/13537464/chelsea-manager-andoni-iraola-marco-silva-and-xabi-alonso-among-candidates-to-replace-liam-rosenior-at-stamford-bridge

[WhiteJC]

Coventry City, Fulham, Leeds United vying for Kevin Mac Allister
Coventry City, Fulham, and Leeds United are reportedly keen on signing 28-year-old Argentine international Kevin Mac Allister from Union Saint-Gilloise.

According to a TEAMtalk report, Coventry City, Fulham, and Leeds United are competing to sign Kevin Mac Allister to reinforce their defensive units ahead of the upcoming transfer window. However, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are also monitoring the situation, intensifying competition for the Argentine centre-back's signature.

Who is Kevin Mac Allister: A Profile
Kevin Mac Allister has made significant strides since arriving in Europe nearly three years ago. Born in Santa Rosa, the South American defender spent his formative years in his homeland before launching his professional career. The 28-year-old's stock has skyrocketed during his tenure with Union Saint-Gilloise, demonstrating consistent improvement across the past three seasons.

Despite his 5'8″ frame, Mac Allister has impressed scouts with his tough-tackling style and technical proficiency. The Argentine international has made nearly 150 appearances for Union Saint-Gilloise, contributing 8 goals and 2 assists from defensive positions. His consistent performances have attracted attention from several well-known Premier League clubs including Coventry City, Fulham, and Leeds United.

Premier League Transfer Prospects: Can Mac Allister make the step up?
Coventry City will enter the summer transfer window with the objective of transforming the first-team squad to sustain their Premier League status. Reinforcing the central defensive unit is paramount. Recent reports have linked the Sky Blues with John Stones, though Mac Allister is also an attainable option. Despite his diminutive frame, his well-rounded technical style and defensive positioning compensate for his height disadvantage.

Fulham's reported interest raises some questions. Marco Silva currently possesses four centre-backs, with Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey among the Premier League's elite defenders. The Cottagers appear better served strengthening other areas, particularly full-back depth and midfield control, rather than pursuing another centre-back option.

For Leeds United, the situation differs. Daniel Farke's switch to the 3-5-2 formation demands depth in the central defensive unit, with three centre-backs required for regular rotation. Sebastiaan Bornauw faces an uncertain future at Elland Road, creating a genuine need for reinforcement. Santiago Bueno remains on their radar, though Mac Allister represents another viable option worth considering.

With five Premier League clubs closely monitoring the Argentine international, a departure from Belgian football appears increasingly likely. The allure of Premier League football typically appeals to foreign players, and the opportunity to become a regular starter for ambitious clubs presents a compelling prospect for Mac Allister's career trajectory.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/04/28/coventry-city-fulham-leeds-united-vying-for-kevin-mac-allister/

[WhiteJC]

Leeds United, Brighton, Fulham and Brentford 'carry out checks' on Kevin Mac Allister as Coventry City linked
Leeds United, Coventry City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Brentford linked with brother of Liverpool star

Leeds United are reportedly among the clubs to have checked out Kevin Mac Allister, the brother of Liverpool star Alexis.

The latter is the younger and more high-profile of the brothers but the former has been making swift progress in Belgium with Union Saint-Gilloise.

He was part of the club's Belgian Pro League title triumph last season and has joined his younger brother in the Argentina ranks.

Leeds United linked with brother of Liverpool star
It appears they could be reunited in England, with TEAMtalk having credited a clutch of Premier League clubs with interest.

Leeds are said to have carried out checks on the defender, who is also thought to have been eyed by Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

Championship promotion winners Coventry City have also been credited with interest as they put plans in place for life in the top flight.

Premier League scouts have reportedly been regular attendees at Union SG fixtures, casting their eyes over Mac Allister's performances at centre-back.

He is not the first Union SG defender to have been linked with Leeds, who have previously been reported to be admirers of Ross Sykes.

The English defender made the move to Belgium from Accrington Stanley back in 2022 and has sent his stock soaring.

A crucial summer ahead for Leeds United
Leeds are edging closer to Premier League survival, something that will ensure they can attack the summer transfer window with a considerable amount of aggression and ambition.

Although the bulk of the players they have been linked with have been attack-minded, talk of interest in defenders has picked up of late.

Leeds have been mooted as a potential destination for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ladislav Krejčí, as well as his teammate Santiago Bueno.

If the Whites are to cement their place in the top flight for years to become, lessons from the past must be learnt. After Leeds surged into the top half of the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, they followed the feat with an underwhelming summer of transfer business.

Leeds splashed out on Junior Firpo and Daniel James, made Jack Harrison's deal permanent and landed young prospects such as Kristoffer Klaesson, Leo Hjelde and Mateo Joseph.

It set the wheels in motion for an eventual relegation, which was confirmed in May 2023. Leeds took two years to bounce back, eventually securing the Championship title in 2025.

Leeds United's summer window predicted
In a recent interview with Football Insider, ex-Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness predicted there will be "three or four" additions to the Leeds ranks this summer.

He said: "The squad actually isn't too bad. There's certainly going to be some additions. We're looking at three or four, in my opinion, maximum. They are going to stick with Daniel Farke, which I think is the right decision. As any manager would do, he knows his players, he knows his squad, and they are going to need a bit more quality.

"That's what they've been missing slightly, because they've been close in a lot of games, but not close to be able to turn it into points, either into draws or wins. So it's a marginal game and they're not far away from it. So I just think three or four bits of quality.

"We'll be seeing some higher prices paid for some good talent coming in. About this summer transfer window coming up, it's going to be a buyer's market. I don't think there's going to be as much money around as there was last year.

"I expect less activity, but I do expect higher quality and some better deals to be done. Leeds will be near the front of that queue. They'll be working right now on their targets.

"I'll have to do a bit more examination as to where I think Farke is going to make the move. I do expect them to be a very clear target for quite a few players."



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-brighton-fulham-brentford-coventry-city-kevin-mac-allister-7946265

[WhiteJC]

There are awkward conversations on the horizon at Fulham
As the summer approaches, a few chats need to be had.

There are four games left and everything to play for. The outcome of those four games will have a profound effect on our summer, but whatever happens, there are a couple of uncomfortable conversations that need to be had at Motspur Park during the close season.

Time up for Tete?
I've said it before, but in the modern game a side is only as good as its full-backs. And we have a problem on the right. (We also have an issue on the left, but I'll get to that.)

Timothy Castagne had by far his best game in a white shirt on Saturday, after coming in for so much criticism this season (though rightly so). But as Elizabeth pointed out on the post-Villa Quick Take, he really shouldn't be playing as much as he has been.

Tete has sat out at least a dozen games a season for each campaign since our Premier League return. It's not good enough.

Players can't help getting injured, of course, but the impact of Tete's injury record has to be acknowledged and, frankly, the club needs to take action if it wants to move to the next level.

That action could take one of two forms. We either move on from Kenny, who signed a new deal in the summer to much fanfare. That would leave us with a lot of work to do in finding a replacement of the same calibre, let alone for anywhere near the cut-price deal we found him for.

Or we offload Castagne and increase competition for that right-back berth. This option is a more straightforward, logical one. Any incoming player will see how much game time Castagne has got this term, and will be aware of Tete's patchy availability. They'll spot the opportunity - and I think we could really raise the level of quality in this area of the pitch.

Move on from Muniz?
There was no hotter prospect in the Fulham squad in the summer than Rodrigo Muniz.

21 goals in 69 games throughout 2023/24 and 24/25 catapulted him to cult hero status at Fulham and put him firmly in the crosshairs of clubs across Europe - mainly Atalanta in Serie A.

But Rodrigo was another player to commit his future to us, and after a last-minute equaliser on the opening day it looked like a shrewd move by everyone concerned.

But eight months later, the young Brazilian is struggling. Returning from injury, he's not been the same. He's playing like the NBA stars in Space Jam after the Monstars stole all their talent. There's a certain amount of grace that should be afforded a player coming back from a spell on the sidelines, but there's a cause for concern here.

Look, I'm not saying cash in on Muniz (not that we could at this stage). But I do wonder if he is the talismanic first-choice striker we believed he was when he inked his new deal.

We're clearly still interested in Ricardo Pepi, despite the lack of success on that front, and with Raul Jimenez almost certain to depart back to Mexico, we need two top-tier strikers to compete with Roddy next term. If this season has shown us anything, it's that having just two first-team strikers is detrimental in the top flight. Three is the magic number.

Adios Antonee?
So, to the left of defence. This one is, I think, the most straightforward of our conversation to have.

After six years, it's time to cash in on Jedi. He's in his prime; a few months off his 29th birthday. He's got two years left on the long-term deal he signed in 2023, and despite a sharp drop-off this season, he's still guaranteed to attract a host of suitors should the club make it clear we'd listen to offers.

Ryan Sessegnon has shown he's more than capable of picking up the mantle, be that in the short or longer term. That, plus a competitive understudy could have the same galvanising impact on the left at the right.

None of these discussion points are particularly palatable. I can see the Facebook comments now: "Just back the boys, FFS!". But if we're not thinking about these things then we're not looking to raise the floor of this squad in the summer - and that's unforgivable.

There are four games left and there's everything to play for. For some of our players, it's about more than just qualifying for Europe - much more.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/there-are-awkward-conversations-on

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea consider move for Fulham man this summer: report
Portuguese head coach Marco Silva is in his fifth season at Craven Cottage

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Chelsea's search for a new manager has begun following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, just 106 days into a six-year contract.

There was an immediate upturn for the Blues, who beat Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final under the guidance of caretaker Calum McFarlane.

But the priority now will be to find a permanent replacement for Rosenior, and one capable of lasting longer than a few months.

Silva on Chelsea's radar
Fulham manager Marco Silva is by now a well-established Premier League head coach, having had spells with Hull City, Watford and Everton before his move to Craven Cottage.

The Portuguese has done a particularly good job with Fulham, taking them to the Championship title in 2021/22 and then helping them become an established Premier League side, all while playing free-flowing attacking football.

It is no surprise, then, that Chelsea are interested in taking Silva from their neighbours, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Silva is a 'genuine contender' for the Chelsea job, although the club are expected to 'speak to several managers' in a 'thorough process'.

Silva, 48, had spells with Sporting in Portugal and Greek giants Olympiacos prior to his move to England to join Hull in 2017.

Chelsea will hope his experience thus far translates well to a job that undoubtedly comes with more pressure and expectation.

But Silva is not the only candidate from a smaller Premier League club. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who confirmed earlier this month that he will leave at the end of the season, is also on Chelsea's radar.

It remains to be seen where the Spaniard will go next, but a move to Stamford Bridge would certainly represent a step forward in his career.

Iraola has guided Bournemouth to a 14-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, the longest current run of any club in Europe's top five divisions.

In FourFourTwo's view, both Silva and Iraola would be sensible appointments on paper for Chelsea, with the former perhaps a slightly safer bet than the more tactically high-risk Bournemouth head coach.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/coaches-managers/chelsea-consider-move-for-fulham-man-this-summer-report

[WhiteJC]

Next Chelsea manager: Blues 'take stance' over Marco Silva approach
Chelsea are reportedly interested in appointing Fulham boss Marco Silva as their next head coach.

With Calum McFarlane in interim charge for the rest of the season, BlueCo will conduct their managerial search over the coming weeks.

Silva has already attempted to distance himself from speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, with the Portuguese out of contract in June and having been at Craven Cottage since 2021, there is a natural desire to take on a new challenge at some stage.

According to The Standard, he can expect to receive contact from Chelsea over the coming weeks.

Chelsea take Marco Silva stance
The report says that Chelsea officials have already agreed to approach the representatives of the 48-year-old.

Blues chiefs want to gauge whether Silva would be interested in the role and whether he is a suitable choice to become the permanent successor to Liam Rosenior.

With Chelsea and Fulham currently battling for European qualification, it may prove to be a complex process.

Meanwhile, the same can be said with regards to Andoni Iraola, who will be leaving a Bournemouth side who sit above Chelsea in the Premier League table.

Iraola is mentioned in the same report as being among the early favourites to become the next Chelsea head coach.

Chelsea allegedly also intend to make contact with Xabi Alonso, who is available after his exit from Real Madrid earlier in the season.

How would Chelsea fans react to Silva appointment?
Across stints with Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham, Silva has a record of 89 wins, 49 draws and 105 defeats from 243 matches in the Premier League.

Furthermore, he has guided Fulham to four successive finishes of between 10th and 13th position in the Premier League, an impressive feat without making that extra step.

That could change over the coming weeks. Fulham sit just two points adrift of sixth place ahead of a run-in that features Arsenal, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.

Although Silva's appointment would not exactly capture the imagination at Stamford Bridge, he has performed above expectations at Fulham and will feel that he deserves a chance at a bigger club.

If Fulham qualify for the Europa League or Conference League, he may be tempted to stay put.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/news/chelsea-plan-to-reach-out-to-representatives-of-premier-league-manager_596567.html

[WhiteJC]

Latest: Chelsea "will explore availability" of Premier League coach many Blues fans don't want to see in charge
Marco Silva is a name on Chelsea's manager shortlist and the Blues will be reaching out to him this summer.

The initial rush in the reporting about Chelsea's hunt for a new manager was all about Andoni Iraola.

That makes sense – the Bournemouth coach has his team playing exciting football, he's young, he's got Premier League experience and he's out of contract. Chelsea fans aren't sure if it's a good idea, but they mostly can see the appeal.

However there is another candidate who would be less popular who the Blues are also going to reach out to.

Marco Silva not an option thrilling Blues fans
The Evening Standard are reporting that Marco Silva "is a candidate" for the job and that Chelsea "will explore his availability." Silva is not as young as Iraola and doesn't play such exciting football. He is very experienced as a Premier League manager though.

We'd imagine that Silva is near the bottom of the list, with the likes of Xabi Alonsi and Cesc Fabregas at the top. But once the biggest and best options have indicated they're not interested, we may get closed and closer to Silva as a real option.



https://chelsea.news/2026/04/latest-chelsea-explore-availability-premier-league/

[WhiteJC]

What Fulham sources are saying about Marco Silva as Chelsea set to open talks
Chelsea have seemingly started their search for a new manager after sacking Liam Rosenior, with Fulham boss Marco Silva one of the leading contenders to take over at Stamford Bridge.

With Rosenior sacked last week, Calum McFarlane has taken over as interim manager and will remain in charge for the remaining five games this season. That includes the FA Cup final, after beating Leeds.

Sunday saw McFarlane mastermind a 1-0 win over the Whites. But the interim manager is not expected to remain as manager beyond those five matches, and another new gaffer is set to arrive in West London.

Plenty have been linked with the vacant role. Yesterday, it was reported that Chelsea had opened talks with Andoni Iraola's representatives, and now, Chelsea are expected to start talks with another manager.

Chelsea set to open talks as Fulham stance on Silva emerges
Marco Silva has been in the Fulham job since taking over in the summer of 2021. Of all of the seven clubs he has managed, he has remained at Fulham the longest, clocking up a total of 225 games as manager.

In that time, Silva is one win away from 100 victories as Fulham boss. Throughout his career, Silva has won the Championship, the Portuguese Cup and the Greek Super League during his time at Olympiacos.

The Standard now claim that Chelsea will open talks to hire the former Everton and Watford manager. The same report says that Iraola remains high on the list of candidates, while Fulham's stance is also detailed.

Indeed, it is reported that Fulham actually expect Silva to sign a new contract, with his current Cottagers deal due to expire at the end of the season. Xabi Alonso is another that Chelsea are set to check on.

If Chelsea want Premier League experience, Silva is the man
The last two managers hired by Chelsea have both made their Premier League debuts as managers following their appointment at Stamford Bridge. This time, Premier League experience should be crucial.

Chelsea need a manager who knows how to handle the pressure of England's top flight. Enzo Maresca started well, but it quickly unravelled, and clearly, Rosenior could not handle being manager of Chelsea.

Silva changes that. The Portuguese gaffer is just seven games away from managing a total of 250 times in the Premier League. Others are being considered by Chelsea, aside from Iraola, Silva, and Alonso.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/what-fulham-sources-are-saying-about-marco-silva-as-chelsea-set-to-open-talks/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eye €30m deal for ex-Nottingham Forest man – Huge opportunity to move for in-form midfielder
Fulham are now firmly in the picture for Danilo, with the midfielder once again becoming a talking point for a Premier League club.

The 24-year-old has rebuilt his reputation at Botafogo after returning from Nottingham Forest, and his current form is turning heads across multiple markets. He is producing at a level that puts him among the most effective midfielders in Brazil right now.

Across all competitions in 2026, Danilo has 10 goals and 3 assists in 23 matches. In the league alone, he has 7 goals in 10 games, which is an outstanding return for a central midfielder. He is scoring once every 3.14 shots and averages 2.22 shots per 90 minutes.

His impact goes beyond goals. He completes around 45 passes per match with an 86.58% accuracy rate, while also producing 1.72 key passes per game, regularly creating chances for teammates.

All of that has pushed him firmly into Brazil's plans. He is now seen as a near-certain name in the squad for the upcoming World Cup, which only boosts his visibility and market value. That sets the scene for the latest development.

Fulham ready to move with serious offer
According to Globo Esporte in Brazil, Fulham have already signalled willingness to invest around €30m (£26m) for Danilo. It is not the first time the Cottagers try a move for him.

The structure would include €22m (£19m) guaranteed plus €8m (£7m) in bonuses, putting them level with Zenit, who are also pushing with a similar package. Brazilian side Palmeiras remain interested as well, but a domestic move is seen as more complicated.

That price point puts Fulham in a strong position, especially given Botafogo's financial situation, which is increasing the chances of a sale in the summer window.

Context: instability at Botafogo
Danilo's rise in 2026 explains why Fulham are moving now. Beyond the stats, he has also become a key figure behind the scenes at the club. Especially in a dressing room dealing with uncertainty around finances and ownership.

And that explains why Fulham's timing is not random. Botafogo are dealing with financial issues, and Danilo is seen internally as one of the club's most valuable assets. Selling him is viewed as a way to generate funds.

There has already been tension earlier this year. His camp even threatened to terminate his contract due to delayed image rights payments. While the situation was later resolved, it showed the instability around the club.

As we covered earlier, there was also a failed attempt to send Danilo back to Nottingham Forest in January. That deal, which also involved Álvaro Montoro, was blocked after legal intervention prevented John Textor from completing transfers without approval from the club's social arm.

Textor has recently been banned from the club. And in practical terms, that means their debt will be looked at with more seriousness and caution. So they do need to generate income heading towards the summer.

Fulham could benefit from timing
All of this creates an opening. Danilo had previously decided to stay at Botafogo until the World Cup, believing a January exit would not benefit his career. Now, with his value rising and interest building, the summer window looks like the natural moment for a move.

From Fulham's perspective, this is a player entering his peak, with Premier League experience, strong current form, and a clear desire to return to Europe.

And importantly, this time the move would come under very different conditions compared to his Forest spell.

Fulham are putting themselves in position to act.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-eye-e30m-deal-for-ex-nottingham-forest-man-huge-opportunity-to-move-for-in-form-midfielder/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea already risk making same Liam Rosenior mistake as manager search continues
Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of managers to replace Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge, and one potential appointment, Marco Silva, would go down like a lead balloon.

Rosenior was sacked by Chelsea last week following five successive Premier League defeats, with the Englishman only lasting 104 days in the dugout.

The former Hull City boss turned out to be a disastrous appointment, despite showing some early promise, and now BlueCo are looking for his successor.

Andoni Iraola is one manager on Chelsea's radar after he confirmed he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the campaign, and he is one of multiple candidates.

Chelsea sporting directors want Marco Silva
The Blues have identified a three-man shortlist to take over at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 season, including Xabi Alonso, Marco Silva and Iraola.

Alonso, who achieved an invincible campaign to win the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, is arguably the manager supporters want to be appointed.

But, according to The Telegraph, Chelsea's sporting directors agree that Fulham head coach Silva should be a candidate for what is seemingly a poisoned chalice.

Silva has done a tremendous job at Fulham during his five years at the club, establishing the Cottagers as a top-half Premier League side.

Chelsea's West London rivals even have a chance to finish above the Blues this season as they're currently level on points with them in 10th position.

That being said, news of Silva potentially taking over at Stamford Bridge is a risk BlueCo can ill-afford to take, regardless of whether they qualify for Europe.

Silva would be another Liam Rosenior appointment
Chelsea should be challenging for the Premier League's top four, at the very least, and some would even argue that a squad assembled for over £1bn should be competing for the league title.

As it stands, though, the Blues are only two points above 12th position and risk finishing in the bottom half of the top division for the first time since 2022/23 when Frank Lampard was in charge.

That should arguably give BlueCo even more motivation to hire a proven winner, someone who already has experience of winning trophies in the top leagues.

Rosenior didn't fit that criteria, and neither does Silva, so appointing the Portuguese tactican would be another underwhelming decision from the board.

BlueCo must take inspiration from what Roman Abramovich used to do at Stamford Bridge and hire a top-level manager, instead of taking a gamble on someone who has never worked at a big club.



https://theprideoflondon.com/chelsea-already-risk-making-same-liam-rosenior-mistake-as-manager-search-continues

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and Coventry City carrying out checks to sign brother of Premier League star
Fulham and Coventry City are now racing to sign Union Saint-Gilloise defender Kevin Mac Allister, who earned his first cap for Argentina earlier this season.

Kevin Mac Allister attracting interest after impressing in Belgium
Mac Allister, brother of Liverpool star Alexis, made his Argentina debut in a 2-0 friendly victory against Angola back in November, having established himself as a key player for Union Saint-Gilloise, making 136 appearances for the Belgian Pro League side since arriving in 2023.

Father Carlos Mac Allister, who is the former manager of Argentinos Juniors, has suggested his son is ready to move to a bigger club, saying last season: "Kevin is very good in the air, very aggressive and good at marking, he's a very good professional who always gives 100%.

"He is the defender with the second-most recoveries in Belgium; he's starting every game and has already scored two headers. I think he's ready to make the next step and in June, he'll have the possibility of joining a mid-table team in Spain or Italy."

Kevin Mac Allister's 2025-26 Belgian Pro League campaign
 2,674 minutes played
106 tackles
47 interceptions
111 recoveries
14 clean sheets
1 goal
1 assist

Having done enough to earn a cap for Argentina, the 28-year-old is now starting to attract interest from the Premier League too, with Fulham and Coventry carrying out checks ahead of the summer transfer window.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which also names Brighton, Leeds and Brentford as potential suitors for the centre-back, who has been likened to Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez, given that he is just 5 foot 8, and has a tough-tackling style of play.

Coventry are looking at players capable of keeping them afloat in the Premier League, having recently won the Championship title under the helm of Frank Lampard.

Fulham, on the other hand, are pushing for the European places, and former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison has hinted Marco Silva could be tempted to stay if his side get the job done.

Morrison said: "Silva's stock is going to be high and I think he wants a change because he's not signed a new contract yet. But I don't understand why it's taking so long.

"He's done a brilliant job and they've got some top players. Everyone knows their role and they are a very good team.

"If Silva does get them into Europe then it might be a different conversation at the end of the season, but either way, he has done a fantastic job."

After a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa, the Cottagers are just one point behind seventh-place AFC Bournemouth, with four games left to play.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-and-coventry-city-kevin-mac-allister-transfer-premier-league/

[Jims Dentist]

At 5'9" MaCallister is too short for a central defender.
We already get bullied at set pieces.

[Mullers OG]

Barest was 5 foot 9 inches. Together with Maldini probably the finest centre back pairing of all time.

[Mullers OG]

Baresi