Andersen

[EN1 FFC]

A lot of the support were unhappy with his performance over the season.
Trying to sell him is going to be difficult he's on high wages & his age mean that unless Silva wants to take one of his favourites to Benfica, we may be stuck.
So what do you think about putting Andersen into a Defensive midfield role like Kevin McDonald ? if the rumours that Man Utd are after Sander Burger are correct.

[bencher]

A lot of the support were unhappy with his performance over the season.
Trying to sell him is going to be difficult he's on high wages & his age mean that unless Silva wants to take one of his favourites to Benfica, we may be stuck.
So what do you think about putting Andersen into a Defensive midfield role like Kevin McDonald ? if the rumours that Man Utd are after Sander Burger are correct.

Absolutely not, he would not be suited to the cut and thrust of a PL midfield.

[Carborundum]

A lot of the support were unhappy with his performance over the season.
Trying to sell him is going to be difficult he's on high wages & his age mean that unless Silva wants to take one of his favourites to Benfica, we may be stuck.
So what do you think about putting Andersen into a Defensive midfield role like Kevin McDonald ? if the rumours that Man Utd are after Sander Burger are correct.

If he could play midfield like KMac in his prime, that would be a good option, a more attacking option than Sander Berger.  I'm sceptical that it's possible.

The ManU rumours might just be froth, but Berge's approach to playing football in a Fulham shirt? It's hard to think a new gaffer looking at it and saying "more of that please"

Marco Silva had a plan, including for that role.  When we had a player who Bayern Munich wanted in the role, we got goals, assists, aerial threat at set pieces.  We also got tackles that got us out of our seats.  Same plan.  I'm all for a bit of quiet destruction too, but really it was like night and day. 

Arbeloa surely has a plan for his defence and Andersen's skill set is an open book.  Suspect we are either going to see a lot of him or very little at all.  I don't think the amount we paid matters too much - we have an alternative for his position who has done well at two international tournaments and towards the end of our last season.  Things even out.

When regimes change, some people get swept away, so if JA is in that number, can any of us be too surprised?

[bog]

I want to see how Andersen performs under our new Boss.

 (The Who fans may recall 'the same as the old Boss')

[bill taylors apprentice]

Anderson has one asset that our other CB's don't have, his long passing ability and that became more important last season due to the inability of any of our other players.

As for Berge, he's neat and tidy and IMO better defensively than his casual looking play suggests.

But goals, assists, aerial threat and quick play is sadly lacking and it won't improve at 28.

I don't see any negatives if they are moved on.

P.S. This talk of struggling to move Andersen on due to age and salary is mistaken.
If he gets wind that the new coach has other plans the player will be on to his agent asap to find him a new club.

[Bassey the warrior]

Too slow. Arbeloa can decide whether he wants him, probably depends on how high our line will be and whether Arbeloa can tighten up things in midfield as we're too open.

[twang]

Unfortunately I can't see any of Andersen, Diop, Bassey or Cuenca accepting going into the new season as second choice. Which means there's probably a straight choice between Andersen/Diop and Bassey/Cuenca who stays and who goes. With De Fougerolles coming back, he should be understudy for the RCB role but a left-sided CB would need to be brought in.

Diop is the easiest sell as he's only got one year left on his contract and is coming of a great WC run. On the other hand he's probably the best pure defender at the club (excluding Tete) and fits a high line much better than Andersen. Two big questions that needs to be answered: Does Issa want to extend his contract? And are there any takers for Andersen for his book value at ~£20m?

Bassey on the other hand is and will be a nailed on starter. But he's also our most sellable asset as a PL proven, youngish left-footed CB with a good reputation that's also homegrown. Do we sell if an offer of ~£50m comes in? In that case Cuenca should be kept, otherwise he'll probably want to leave to become first choice elsewhere.

[fulhams_finest]

A lot of the support were unhappy with his performance over the season.
Trying to sell him is going to be difficult he's on high wages & his age mean that unless Silva wants to take one of his favourites to Benfica, we may be stuck.
So what do you think about putting Andersen into a Defensive midfield role like Kevin McDonald ? if the rumours that Man Utd are after Sander Burger are correct.

I'm personally in the get rid of him camp - time after time and season after season he has given away penalties or made mistakes. Just a few off the top of my head over the last couple of years:
- Bournemouth at home the reckless red
- Penalty against Southampton in the cup
- Sent off against villa
- even though we won - he gave away a penalty against brentford in the 3-2 away game last year

He's far too slow now and for all his 'ball playing' ability there's games where he cannot find anyone. If you want a perfect example watch Brentford v Fulham this year - truly awful.

Has to be one of the worst signings we've made in a while. Overpaid, high wages, long contract and he's simply not as good as he once was and Palace knew it and pulled our pants down.

[Mullers OG]

A much maligned player who is, IMO, the cornerstone of the defence. Now that Fougerolles is back from his loan he can understudy Andersen. Diop, who is an adequate but limited back up as he was at WHU, should be sold to free up some cash for a striker.

[I Ronic]

My head understands that Issa and or Cuenca will want regular football and be gone if a good offer is made.
My heart would love a back three of Issa, Calvin and Cuenca. With Tete/Tim Sess/Antonio a bit further forward.

[Jules]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

[Fulham 442]

Andersen isn't the same player as he was when he was with us on loan.  I would be quite happy to see him move on.

[JimOG]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

I would want to see far more of Luc if we are to regard him as a Prem defender...It's a different ball game. Can he cope with Arsenal-like corners given he's not 6ft for example?

[demeant0r]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

I would want to see far more of Luc if we are to regard him as a Prem defender...It's a different ball game. Can he cope with Arsenal-like corners given he's not 6ft for example?

https://www.givemesport.com/the-average-height-of-every-premier-league-squad/

This is from a couple of seasons ago but I don't think it's changed dramatically. Man City has the shortest average squad and they seem to deal with Arsenal's corners just fine?

[bencher]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

I would want to see far more of Luc if we are to regard him as a Prem defender...It's a different ball game. Can he cope with Arsenal-like corners given he's not 6ft for example?

https://www.givemesport.com/the-average-height-of-every-premier-league-squad/

This is from a couple of seasons ago but I don't think it's changed dramatically. Man City has the shortest average squad and they seem to deal with Arsenal's corners just fine?

Besides, the internet says he is exactly 6ft. But attacking the ball in the air is about much more than height. Odoi was great in the air but about 5ft10, and Berge is huge but pony in the air.

[Jules]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

I would want to see far more of Luc if we are to regard him as a Prem defender...It's a different ball game. Can he cope with Arsenal-like corners given he's not 6ft for example?

He's just been playing in the world cup finals and not looking out of place. Definitely should be in and around the 1st team squad this season. The corner thing is more tactical. Silva always preferred zonal marking. Man to man is better with a defender screening the near post to avoid flick ons

[Chi_FFC]

Just sell him for what we can get for him or loan him out for a season. We are much better without him. I'd like to see Diop start with Bassey (or a new starting RCB if Diop wants a move), and have LDF and Cuenca as back ups.

I would want to see far more of Luc if we are to regard him as a Prem defender...It's a different ball game. Can he cope with Arsenal-like corners given he's not 6ft for example?

He's just been playing in the world cup finals and not looking out of place.

He looked out of place when matched up against the only 2 quality sides Canada played against. He's not ready for the PL and would clearly be best served by another loan stint this coming season (at a level above where he was this past season).

[Count Flapula]

I had high hopes for Andersen coming back but sadly he's such a liability whenever anyone runs with the ball at (and invariably past) him. His total lack of acceleration, pace and agility in one-on-one situations leaves him - and us - so exposed to the point it negates what his passing range adds to the team IMO. Although he has the odd mistake in him (to be honest, who doesn't in the age where CBs are asked to play out from the back?), Diop has far more recovery pace and rarely gets beaten in one-on-ones. I'd far rather start with Diop and/or buy another RCB.

If we want to progress as a team then sadly I think Andersen's limitations mean he will always be a weak link.

The problem is with Andersen being 30 and on something like £130k/week, who will take him off our hands/offer a good enough wage to persuade him to forfeit such a good package he is on now? I cant think of any teams who would be willing to offer him anywhere near that.

Palace selling us him and buying Maxence Lacroix for £12m less than we paid played an absolute blinder. I know who i'd rather have (plus the extra £12m).

[alfie]

I had high hopes for Andersen coming back but sadly he's such a liability whenever anyone runs with the ball at (and invariably past) him. His total lack of acceleration, pace and agility in one-on-one situations leaves him - and us - so exposed to the point it negates what his passing range adds to the team IMO. Although he has the odd mistake in him (to be honest, who doesn't in the age where CBs are asked to play out from the back?), Diop has far more recovery pace and rarely gets beaten in one-on-ones. I'd far rather start with Diop and/or buy another RCB.

If we want to progress as a team then sadly I think Andersen's limitations mean he will always be a weak link.

The problem is with Andersen being 30 and on something like £130k/week, who will take him off our hands/offer a good enough wage to persuade him to forfeit such a good package he is on now? I cant think of any teams who would be willing to offer him anywhere near that.

Palace selling us him and buying Maxence Lacroix for £12m less than we paid played an absolute blinder. I know who i'd rather have (plus the extra £12m).

We know how to put the boot in.

[Chi_FFC]

I had high hopes for Andersen coming back but sadly he's such a liability whenever anyone runs with the ball at (and invariably past) him. His total lack of acceleration, pace and agility in one-on-one situations leaves him - and us - so exposed to the point it negates what his passing range adds to the team IMO.

And yet somehow our team defense improved MASSIVELY after we signed him. First two seasons in PL (without Andersen) we allowed an xG of 65.4 (16th in PL) and 64.3 (13th in PL). Last two seasons with Joa it was 48.2 (6th in PL in 24-25) and 53.3 (10th in PL last year). Joa isn't perfect and has his weaknesses but he is actually a very solid defender (as all the stats make clear). There's a very good reason he's started regularly ahead of Issa. Look, if we can afford it I'd have no problem moving on from Andersen for an upgraded RCB, but I certainly don't want to ship him off if that means Issa is going to be a regular starter. That would be a clear step backwards.