Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 20/05/26...

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Results

Tuesday 19/05
Bournemouth	1-1	Man City
Chelsea	2-1	Spurs

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Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham want Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
A few Premier League teams are interested in a move for Abdul Fatawu Issahaku from beleaguered Leicester City this summer.

According to Sports Boom, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is attracting plenty of interest from Premier League clubs. Aston Villa, Everton, and Fulham are all linked with the winger, as beleaguered Leicester City will be forced to sell the player to fund their squad rebuild in the third tier of English football.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was a productive performer for Leicester City in a season their fans would want to forget as soon as possible. The Ghanaian had 17 goal contributions to his name but could not prevent the Foxes from heading down to League One following their relegation from the Championship.

Fatawu is thought to be open to the idea of staying in England, although multiple continental clubs are also looking into his signature. Aston Villa, Everton, and Fulham are among those keen on signing the Ghanaian international this summer, as Leicester City are widely expected to sell the attacker in the close season.

Fatawu to stay in England?
Fatawu has garnered plenty of experience in England, mainly in the Championship over two campaigns. He also has 11 Premier League appearances to his name, while also spending a season with Sporting CP. Overall, he has shown enough growth in his game in England to attract interest from several clubs.

Aston Villa were keen even last summer, but a move could not materialise. With their interest still present, Everton and Fulham are set to provide competition. The latter are still waiting on Harry Wilson's decision about his future, and the Leicester City star could be considered a replacement.

Could Fatawu prove himself in the Premier League?
Performing in the Championship is one thing, but repeating that level in the Premier League is a different challenge altogether. Everton's interest could be justified by their previous success in recruiting players from the second tier, including a few on their team, and in developing them effectively.

Aston Villa, with Champions League football, offer something that Fulham and Palace cannot. As for Leicester City, they will be forced to consider selling their top stars to fund a rebuild in League One, and Fatawu could be the first to depart.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/05/19/aston-villa-everton-fulham-want-abdul-fatawu-issahaku/#google_vignette

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We've lost 'That Fulham Feeling' - how do we get it back?
Despite another mid-table top-flight finish, everything just feels a bit limp.

At the end of last week, the postman dropped the Fulham season ticket renewal brochure on the door mat. In all honesty, I don't think I really need it posted, but I do quite like getting a physical copy.

The club's marketing team always creates a slick-looking pack and this one was no different. Their latest slogan seems to have moved on from London's Original Football Club to 'That Fulham Feeling'. A catchy line that works well, but is the 'Fulham Feeling' a particularly positive one right now?

There's one game remaining of Fulham's Premier League season and despite being fairly close to our record points total it doesn't feel like a celebratory time at the club.

Despite some notable highs, it's been a bit of a slog at times this season with the increasingly dark cloud of Marco Silva's contract situation hanging around for the entire campaign.

Results and performances, of course, have a huge impact on fan sentiment. I doubt Wolves fans would be as up in arms about their club as they are right now if they were in Bournemouth's position. Fulham's comfortable, stable status in the Premier League table is probably doing quite a lot of heavy lifting to prevent widespread discontent among the fans.

Deja vu
The whiff of April/May 2013 feels incredibly strong right now. If you've blocked it from your memory this is the latter part of the Martin Jol era, where Fulham set themselves up horribly for what was to be a relegation campaign with six defeats in their final eight Premier League matches.

A 3-0, last-day-of-the-season victory at Swansea City falsely boosted Fulham from 16th to 12th place in the league - papering over some gigantic cracks that truly manifested in 2013/14.

And look, maybe I'm wrong about being so pessimistic going into the next campaign. It's not all doom and gloom as I'm excited to see what players like Oscar Bobb and Kevin can bring to this side, as well as the continued progression (hopefully) of Josh King. You could have equally said the same though about Ashkan Dejagah, Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov.

However, I don't think it's the looming spectre of struggle that concerns me most right now. A team like Fulham has always got the possibility of going back to the Championship. I don't think we can be arrogant enough to watch behemoths like West Ham and Spurs battle to stay up and then assume that Fulham will be safe forever.

Apathy's spreading
I've only got anecdotal evidence for this, but it doesn't feel like there is any unity between fans and the club right now. In the last few weeks I feel like I've seen more comments than ever before from Fulham fans saying that they and the people they go to Fulham with are not renewing their season tickets next year.

There are probably wider football factors at play such as VAR and the endless kick-off time changes for TV, but Fulham have to shoulder most of that apathy that's brewing.

Consistent price rises, deteriorating stadium facilities (except the Riverside) and the unorthodox way we conduct our transfer business, leading to Silva's continued unhappiness all play a role.

We've all got used to it, but having the owner's son as the Director Of Football is still absolutely mental. As a fan base, we are far too accepting of this irresponsible nepotism (myself included given that I once interviewed him and didn't push that question).

I know that no club is perfect and the grass isn't always greener, but it's tough watching Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth fans who appear to be bought into their club's identity. Tony Bloom, Matthew Benham and Bill Foley feel so much more in-tune with their respective clubs than the Khans ever have been.

I will renew my season ticket without hesitation, but I have to admit that I feel like my love for Fulham is consistently tested. Don't get me wrong: I love Fulham, the fans, the stadium, the culture and the history. This club has helped give me a livelihood and been where I've met some of my very best friends. But do I love how it's run and what those in charge stand for? The answer has to be no.

The customer's never right
I read the latest Fulham Supporters Trust (FST) minutes last week and found the confrontational way that club director David Daly interacted with FST chair Simon Duke to be an indictment of how the club's internal culture appears to be toxic.

Say what you want about the FST, but they have a right to be angry about the way they've been sidelined for the hand-picked Fan Advisory Board (FAB). The tone of Daly came across as domineering and intimidating in my opinion and isn't how volunteers (aka.. customers) who give up their time to speak on behalf of other fans (aka.. customers) should be spoken to.

This is in addition to all the other gaffes of recent times. The Brentford fun run debacle, our broken loyalty points system and the 'local football team' post on the Fulham Pier website when Fulham had a scheduled home match.

It feels like Fulham's true focus is The Riverside and this above-all-else push to pivot to luxury. The stand has rarely looked full this season and is the non-matchday revenue from a members club and a 13-room hotel really going to generate a significant sum that makes a tangible difference to our playing squad?

Matt Littlejohn's brilliant article suggesting that Fulham made less money from ticket revenue despite the opening of the Riverside was an eye-opening revelation that perhaps the early appetite for our expensive facilities aren't as strong as the club would have hoped.

The buck(s) stop with Khan
Ultimately, this all stems from the top and the culture Shahid Khan has brought to Fulham. While Alistair Macintosh does the work, Shahid sets the tone. He is the one who still thinks employing his son as Director of Football is a good idea. He is the one who seems much more interested in developing the brand of 'Fulham Pier' than the brand of 'Fulham Football Club'.

This is probably a taboo opinion to have, but if the Khans announced they want to sell Fulham, I would see that as a positive thing. Sure, I know there are 'worse' owners out there, but we can't spend forever just playing the 'better the devil you know' card.

The Khans have done good things in their tenure, appointing Marco Silva was probably their smartest move, but equally I feel like Fulham have regressed in so many ways in the 13 years they've owned the club. We used to be everybody's second team, the lovable upstarts bloodying noses in the Premiership and Europe. Now, it feels like Fulham are seen as boring and sterile both on and off the pitch.

I can already foresee the comments calling me ungrateful. Mid-table Premier League football is all well and good, but to be honest I'd rather be watching Championship football if it meant my club found its soul again.

I know that Shahid Khan has spent a lot of money and continues to bankroll Fulham, but let's not pretend that this is philanthropy. The value of Fulham is now over £500m and although he may not fully recoup his losses with a sale, do not underestimate the clout and kudos that owning a Premier League club gives a billionaire.

People talk about 'sports-washing' when it comes to nation states owning sport franchises, but there is also an equal positive benefit for the mega wealthy. Shahid is using Fulham just as much as Fulham is using him, and there are a plethora of other very rich people who would love to own a club like ours. He promised to be a custodian, and he shouldn't be unaccountable just because he's using our football club to diversify his extraordinary wealth.

Ultimately, only Shahid will decide when the time to sell up is. Until then, I think the 'Fulham Feeling' may continue to be an apathetic sensation for many.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/weve-lost-that-fulham-feeling-how

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Ruben Amorim could be set for managerial return after Man United exit
Ruben Amorim Linked With Portugal Return After Manchester United Exit

Sky Sports have reported that Benfica are expected to consider either Marco Silva or Ruben Amorim as they search for a successor to Jose Mourinho, with Gary Cotterill, Lyall Thomas and Kaveh Solhekol providing the original information.

Benfica Eye Familiar Name
Benfica's managerial search already feels loaded with intrigue. Mourinho's expected move to Real Madrid has opened a vacancy in Lisbon, and Amorim's name carries obvious weight.

"Benfica are expected to target either Marco Silva or Ruben Amorim for their successor to Jose Mourinho."

For Amorim, this would be more than a job. It would be a chance to rebuild reputation, rhythm and authority after a bruising spell at Manchester United.

Amorim's United Spell Still Lingers
"Amorim has been out of work after being sacked by Manchester United earlier this year and replaced by Michael Carrick."

That sentence alone tells a story of promise turned sour. United appointed Amorim for clarity, identity and modern coaching structure. Instead, the project ended early, leaving supporters to wonder whether the problem was the manager, the squad, the club, or all three.

At Benfica, the environment would be different. The demands remain high, but the structure is more familiar, the league more forgiving and the football culture closer to Amorim's strongest work.

Marco Silva Offers Stability
"Fulham boss Silva sees his contract expire at the end of June, and he has been of interest to several other Premier League clubs."

Silva would represent a calmer choice. His Fulham work has been organised, resilient and quietly impressive. He knows how to build competitive teams without demanding constant drama.

Amorim, though, brings narrative. Benfica may be tempted by the emotional force of a Portuguese coach with unfinished business and a clear tactical identity.

Mourinho Move Changes Landscape
"Sky Sports News reported yesterday that Mourinho is set to take over as the new Real Madrid manager next week."

That would be a seismic twist. Mourinho returning to Madrid would reopen one of European football's great theatre stages. Benfica, meanwhile, must avoid being treated as the footnote.

Their next appointment matters. Amorim would bring ambition. Silva would bring control. Either way, Benfica appear ready to act decisively.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United fan's perspective, this report lands with mixed feelings. There will be some who see Amorim linked with Benfica and feel relief, as if the club's decision has already been vindicated. Others may wonder whether United once again failed to create the conditions for a talented coach to succeed.

Amorim did not work at Old Trafford, but that does not automatically make him a poor manager. United have swallowed elite coaches, promising coaches and caretaker solutions with remarkable consistency. At some point, supporters have to ask whether every manager suddenly becomes worse in Manchester, or whether the football operation remains too unstable.

Michael Carrick replacing him adds another layer. Carrick knows the club, understands the dressing room culture and will get patience from some fans. Yet United cannot live forever on familiarity. They need structure, recruitment logic and tactical coherence.

If Amorim thrives at Benfica, United fans will notice. Not because they necessarily want him back, but because it would raise uncomfortable questions. Was he wrong for United, or were United wrong for him?



https://eplindex.com/146574/ruben-amorim-could-be-set-for-managerial-return-after-man-united-exit.html

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White named Scholar of the Year

Alfie White has been named Fulham's Scholar of the Year for the 2025/26 season.

The 18-year-old was presented with the award at the Premier League Youth Development Evening at Wembley Stadium last week. The Premier League's record goalscorer, Alan Shearer, did the honours.

This award caps off what has been a successful and busy season for White, particularly over the last few months.

On the pitch, consistency and versatility were key themes of Alfie's season. Across the Under-18s and Under-21s, he featured 31 times, playing in several different roles, including right-back, centre-back and midfield.

Alfie's highlights included a stoppage-time free-kick to salvage a point against Crystal Palace U18 in March, and scoring a diving header in a win over Chelsea U21 a month later. He also signed his first professional contract last month.

Speaking to FFCtv, Alfie said: "It means a lot to win this award. All of the hard work that I've put in throughout the season, I feel like it's paid off. To have this at the end of a very good season, it's the cherry on top really.

"I feel like since the start of October, I've really been able to kick on. I'm very grateful and very honoured."

Previous winners:

2024/25: Jayden Quashie

2023/24: Josh King

2022/23: Luc De Fougerolles

2021/22: Charlie Robinson

2020/21: Ollie O'Neill.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/may/19/white-named-scholar-of-the-year/

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Coventry City and Fulham in transfer race to sign international striker
The transfer rumour mill is beginning to pick up speed, and as for Coventry City, a busy summer is bound to breed an array of links, as the Sky Blues prepare for their first year back in the Premier League.

Whilst celebrations around Coventry have slowly died down over recent weeks, the optimism and good mood around the city no doubt remains, as the Sky Blues prepare to host top-flight football for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Frank Lampard has masterminded Coventry's long-awaited return to the top flight, and the former Chelsea midfielder will be keen to get his teeth into the summer transfer window as he prepares his side for the season ahead.

Having scored the most goals in the division this season, you'd think attacking reinforcements would not be a real priority for the club, but that doesn't appear to be the case, as recent reports have seen them and a soon-to-be Premier League rival linked with a switch for a forward who has lit up the German Bundesliga this campaign.

Coventry City to contest with Fulham for the signature of Union Berlin's Andrej Ilic this summer
Having scored 97 goals across the Championship season, averaging over two per game, Coventry have not particularly lacked the necessary firepower in the final third to send them to the top flight.

Five players have hit double digits for goals, including Haji Wright, Ellis Simms, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ephron Mason-Clark, and Victor Torp, with Jack Rudoni and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto not far behind on seven each.

It would be harsh to deny any the opportunity to stake a claim for themselves in the top flight, but as is the nature of the Premier League, upgrades and different options are required, as, according to FootballInsider's Pete O'Rourke, Union Berlin's Serbian striker Andrej Ilic is the subject of interest from the Sky Blues.

The 26-year-old has spent time playing in his native Serbia, Latvia, Norway, and France with Lille before making the move to the German capital in 2024, where he has since come into the spotlight with six goals and 12 assists in 34 games across all competitions this year.

As recently as last January, Burnley were linked with a move for the forward, but a deal never materialised, and now, Coventry and Fulham are looking to take advantage of that transfer mishap.

Fulham are eyeing a replacement for the ageing Raul Jimenez and an alternative for Rodrigo Muniz, and have identified the powerful Ilic as a potential replacement, with the Serbian somewhat similar in his stature to former Craven Cottage favourite and compatriot Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Ilic is unique in the sense that he has been much more of a facilitator during this campaign in Germany than a goalscorer, and Lampard may view him as such at Coventry to allow him to get the best out of the likes of Rudoni and Mason-Clark around him.

It's certainly an interesting link, and one that's worth keeping an eye on, especially with the Serbian remaining somewhat of an unknown quantity at the very top level, as the Sky Blues continue their transfer plans for the summer.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/coventry-face-competition-from-fulham-for-the-services-of-18-goal-contribution-serbian-international/