Silva verbal agreement with Benfica..

[Volz]

Lisbon is well down on my list of 'destroyed by tourists' destinations but tourism certainly exists;  the city and surrounds have a lot to offer. In peak times the amount of tourism can be bothersome, so try March or October/November if you have concerns.  There are plenty of easy to reach (from Lisbon) historic towns also well worth a visit, where you shouldn't have much trouble finding local culture and just one or two locals that don't speak English.

Moved to Spain a decade ago because of a girl from Lisbon. I love Lisbon, and just a short ride from Lisbon you find Sesimbra, me favorite place on earth.
I also find the Portuguese in general to be some of my favourite people in the world, and the Spanish to be some the most annoying. Incredible to me that you are neighbours and still so different.

[Carborundum]

I'd be amazed if Benfica would pay Marcus £4m a year .... so he's not going for the money...

Nice to go back home though...

Lincoln is lovely by the way ... just wouldn't want to play our football there..
COYW

Is that near Skeggy

You can put me down as a Lincoln appreciator.  Its major drawback is that it's near absolutely nowhere at all.  Out of curiosity Google maps indicated Skeggy is 40 miles from Lincoln and would take over an hour to drive at seven in the morning.  I then asked ChatGPT where is forty miles from Craven Cottage and both Brighton and Reading were amongst the suggestions.

So in my book, it's arguably a great place to "get away from it all".  Go in August and you can ponder the rear construction of agricultural vehicles extensively as you travel and, on arrival, how the heck such a hill formed in surely the flattest part of the country.

When does football start again?

[Twig]

Nitpicking but the sherry is next door in Spain (Jerez), but we do have port (Porto). Lisbon winters can be pretty cold, thankfully they are not too long.  Lovely city though especially when you can smell the sardines on the grill.

I keep reading that Lisbon has been destroyed by tourism and that the local culture which made in special in the first place are being priced out

The price of popularity

I don't think that's true at all. Of course Lisbon has its tourists but so do NYC, Paris, Rome, London (my home) etc and I don't think any of them have been ruined by tourism. In fact I rather enjoy the occasional chat to someone visiting from abroad.

[EN1 FFC]

This Silva situation has turned into a bit of a Scott Parker scenario with Bournemouth. Silva's dragged it on till the end of the season.
Is it the domino effect with Benfica waiting on Maourinho going to Real.

[ron]

Silva surely couldn't stay now even if he changed his mind and wanted to. The air around him is so poisoned with this pantomime there would be no credibility left.

[Sting of the North]

Silva surely couldn't stay now even if he changed his mind and wanted to. The air around him is so poisoned with this pantomime there would be no credibility left.

I think that is just a thing with a part of the fanbase, not an actual thing for the club and players.

But that is just my assessment.

[F(f)CUK]

I wish people would stop thinking that Silva leaving is a personal slight against Fulham. He has spent 5 years at the club and has taken us from the Championship to mid table stability. He fancies going home for less money and to a team that always has European football. Good luck and thanks is all that we should be saying.

[Deeping_white]

I wish people would stop thinking that Silva leaving is a personal slight against Fulham. He has spent 5 years at the club and has taken us from the Championship to mid table stability. He fancies going home for less money and to a team that always has European football. Good luck and thanks is all that we should be saying.

I don't think people have an issue with him leaving because we all knew this day would come eventually, it's more the fact it looks like he's been sitting on the fence for months when he's openly admitted the club have made him an offer to renew his contract but seems to want any remotely big club to make him an offer at the same time. Supporters want committment and MS currently isn't giving that, which coupled with the lousy performances in the last few months is eroding away the goodwill he's built with the fanbase

[bill taylors apprentice]

I'd be amazed if Benfica would pay Marcus £4m a year .... so he's not going for the money...

Nice to go back home though...

Lincoln is lovely by the way ... just wouldn't want to play our football there..
COYW

Is that near Skeggy

I've lived in the city of Lincoln for 11 years and everyone (and I mean everyone) I know who has visited has been impressed by how nice it is.

Lincoln City's ground is a bit basic due to their past financial problems but they are on a sound footing now and I think they will surprise a few in the championship.

And Skeggy is about 40 mins in the car away but i wouldn't recommend more than a day trip there.

[F(f)CUK]

He is doing something well within his rights. Like Fulham do with transfer windows, they have back up plans. I said at Christmas that I didn't fear Silva leaving us for Chelsea or Spurs, but I did see him leaving for Benfica. He is going to Benfica, but if something falls through, then he has us as a backup plan. We, as Fulham, just need to be ready for when the decision is made.

[Benny]

The guy doesn't want to be here anymore, it's very clear

The offer is meant to be double his current salary which gets him to £8m a year

If he's still having to think about it then it's clear IMO

Would rather he not stay now if Benfica falls through, I want someone that wants to be here...

[Deadcowboys]

The guy doesn't want to be here anymore, it's very clear

The offer is meant to be double his current salary which gets him to £8m a year

If he's still having to think about it then it's clear IMO

Would rather he not stay now if Benfica falls through, I want someone that wants to be here...

I believe Felix wanted to be here, that didn't go too well.

[acji]

The guy doesn't want to be here anymore, it's very clear

The offer is meant to be double his current salary which gets him to £8m a year

If he's still having to think about it then it's clear IMO

Would rather he not stay now if Benfica falls through, I want someone that wants to be here...

Where is your actual evidence Marco has had enough of Fulham? At the moment all we have to rely on is his own words which do not support you and a load of stuff underemployed sports gossip commentators have been upping their engagement stats with. I am not saying he is staying, but I am saying we do not have a clue.

[South Coast White]

The next thing we will hear is the MS needs a little while longer before making his decision. All this to enable Real Madrid to decide on Mourinho after their elections. Why the hell are we hanging around for this guy, just pay him his last month of his contract and tell him to do one. We need to move on an try and get some stability ASAP.

[perry geyton]

Nitpicking but the sherry is next door in Spain (Jerez), but we do have port (Porto). Lisbon winters can be pretty cold, thankfully they are not too long.  Lovely city though especially when you can smell the sardines on the grill.

I keep reading that Lisbon has been destroyed by tourism and that the local culture which made in special in the first place are being priced out

The price of popularity

I don't think that's true at all. Of course Lisbon has its tourists but so do NYC, Paris, Rome, London (my home) etc and I don't think any of them have been ruined by tourism. In fact I rather enjoy the occasional chat to someone visiting from abroad.

https://www.dw.com/en/priced-out-of-lisbon-when-a-full-time-job-isnt-enough/video-76841904

[Sting of the North]

I wish people would stop thinking that Silva leaving is a personal slight against Fulham. He has spent 5 years at the club and has taken us from the Championship to mid table stability. He fancies going home for less money and to a team that always has European football. Good luck and thanks is all that we should be saying.

I don't think people have an issue with him leaving because we all knew this day would come eventually, it's more the fact it looks like he's been sitting on the fence for months when he's openly admitted the club have made him an offer to renew his contract but seems to want any remotely big club to make him an offer at the same time. Supporters want committment and MS currently isn't giving that, which coupled with the lousy performances in the last few months is eroding away the goodwill he's built with the fanbase

What remotely big clubs would that be? Mostly seen about Benfica, which is of course a big club.

[Twig]

Nitpicking but the sherry is next door in Spain (Jerez), but we do have port (Porto). Lisbon winters can be pretty cold, thankfully they are not too long.  Lovely city though especially when you can smell the sardines on the grill.

I keep reading that Lisbon has been destroyed by tourism and that the local culture which made in special in the first place are being priced out

The price of popularity

I don't think that's true at all. Of course Lisbon has its tourists but so do NYC, Paris, Rome, London (my home) etc and I don't think any of them have been ruined by tourism. In fact I rather enjoy the occasional chat to someone visiting from abroad.

https://www.dw.com/en/priced-out-of-lisbon-when-a-full-time-job-isnt-enough/video-76841904

Nothing unusual about that. It happens to popular tourist towns in the UK and elsewhere. I'm sure it's true of some towns in the US as well as across Europe. If you are unfortunate enough not to be a high earner then being priced out of the property market is common. It's a big problem and a very regrettable one but I'm not sure there is anything unique to Lisbon?

[Nero]

Lisbon is well down on my list of 'destroyed by tourists' destinations but tourism certainly exists;  the city and surrounds have a lot to offer. In peak times the amount of tourism can be bothersome, so try March or October/November if you have concerns.  There are plenty of easy to reach (from Lisbon) historic towns also well worth a visit, where you shouldn't have much trouble finding local culture and just one or two locals that don't speak English.

Moved to Spain a decade ago because of a girl from Lisbon. I love Lisbon, and just a short ride from Lisbon you find Sesimbra, me favorite place on earth.
I also find the Portuguese in general to be some of my favourite people in the world, and the Spanish to be some the most annoying. Incredible to me that you are neighbours and still so different.

Like Americans and Canadians

[bill taylors apprentice]

The next thing we will hear is the MS needs a little while longer before making his decision. All this to enable Real Madrid to decide on Mourinho after their elections. Why the hell are we hanging around for this guy, just pay him his last month of his contract and tell him to do one. We need to move on an try and get some stability ASAP.

Totally agree but show him the door in the nicest possible way.

Would it be foolish of me to think the club has made contact with suitable replacements some time ago just in case this happened and we already have someone (or several) in mind?

[bill taylors apprentice]

The guy doesn't want to be here anymore, it's very clear

The offer is meant to be double his current salary which gets him to £8m a year

If he's still having to think about it then it's clear IMO

Would rather he not stay now if Benfica falls through, I want someone that wants to be here...

Where is your actual evidence Marco has had enough of Fulham? At the moment all we have to rely on is his own words which do not support you and a load of stuff underemployed sports gossip commentators have been upping their engagement stats with. I am not saying he is staying, but I am saying we do not have a clue.

You've either been living in a cave or a bit naive if you think there's no evidence he's looking for a change.