Saturday Fulham Stuff - 29/08/26...

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Results

Friday 28/08
Palace	1-4	Man City

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Six Things We Learned From Fulham 3–0 Wimbledon
Fulham 3–0 Wimbledon. Fulham cruise into a League Cup third round tie with West Ham in Alvaro Arbeloa's first win as Fulham boss. Here's six things we learned from Fulham 3–0 Wimbledon:

Both Fulham's Strikers in the Goals: Confidence Sky High
The biggest plus from this evening's game is. the fact that both Fulham's strikers are in goal scoring form.

Muniz started it off with a classically dominant Rodrigo aerial finish after a slow start to the his first half, but soon as Muniz got his goal, the Brazilian looked a lot more physical, confident and threatening.

We all know Muniz is a confidence player and Rodrigo getting his goal early in the season is nothing but a positive, if Muniz remains injury free.

Gonzalo Garcia's goal, however, is no doubt our biggest win of the night.

Gonzalo Garcia: Elite Movement, Fulham's Next Great No.9?
Garcia movement was top draw, he gets in behind the defence like no Fulham striker in the recent past, the Spaniard's pace shouldn't underestimated, how Garcia got to that ball in behind I'm not quite sure!

Garcia showcased his movement, pace, and technical skill to get in behind and beat Nathan Bishop.

Gonzalo will be putting going into Sunderland, two games, two goals, and full of confidence. It was great man management to bring Gonzalo on from Arbeloa.

The Premier League should be on notice, he'll be chomping at the bit to get in the Stadium of Light pitch.

Macauley Zepa: The Next Big Thing?
After an underwhelming 45 minutes from Oscar Bobb, Macauley Zepa lit up the right wing in the second half.



https://medium.com/@LondonsOriginal/six-things-we-learned-from-fulham-3-0-wimbledon-3b367ab1aa97

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'Wednesday I found out' - Nwoko reveals when he learned he would make Fulham debut
Fulham have qualified for the third round of the Carabao Cup following an emphatic 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Thursday night, with Emile Smith Rowe, Rodrigo Muniz and Gonzalo García all getting on the scoresheet.

From a Nigerian perspective, the highlight of the fixture was Super Eagles-eligible midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko making his senior debut, eight years after joining the Cottagers from Chelsea.

Wearing the number 34 shirt, Nwoko replaced fellow academy graduate and 2026 World Cup star Luc de Fougerolles, who could not continue after suffering an injury in the 68th minute.

Nwoko revealed that he only found out he had been included in Fulham's squad on Wednesday before being handed his senior debut against AFC Wimbledon.

Speaking to FFC TV, he stated: "I feel amazing. First of all, I want to thank God as always. It's a proud moment for me.

"I think it's been something that I've been working hard towards for a long time. I'm just grateful for all the support my family and staff have given me, so it's a good moment.

"Yesterday (Wednesday) I found out I was in the squad and then about 50 minutes or so I got sent out to warm up so I knew I was coming on, so after then I was just waiting for the time to come on to be honest."

The youngster also praised the atmosphere at Craven Cottage and credited his teammates with helping him settle into the game.

"It felt good. The atmosphere was good, my teammates helped me, had a lot of touches. I think I had a good game, so positive definitely for me.

"The game opened up so there was a lot of space that I was able to run into so when it opened for me, I had space to shoot. Unfortunate that it got blocked but next time."

Nwoko joined Fulham at the age of 12 and acknowledged the coaches, family members and staff who have supported his development.

"Yes definitely. Joining at the start of my U13 year, so all the coaches that I've worked with, family come to support me leading up to this.

"And then obviously thankful to the manager because h's given me a chance and he shows belief in me and gives me confidence, so he's a key reason for me doing this as well."

Nwoko trained with Fulham's first team during preparations for the new season and participated in friendlies against Al Ahli SC and Stuttgart.

When asked about his relationship with Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, Nwoko responded: "He's really positive. When he tells me to come on, he tells me to play just as I play, be confident and he gives me a lot of confidence when I come on to do the job.

"He's a great character, he motivates the lads a lot so whenever I come on under him, I feel really confident."

Nwoko's debut was made even more special by sharing the pitch with his long-time teammate Luc de Fougerolles.

"I've been with Luc for eight, nine years so to both share the pitch at the same time. I mean he came off when I came on but to be on the pitch same game is really a special moment."

In search of first-team opportunities, Nwoko spent the second half of last season on loan at National League club Forest Green Rovers, where he made 20 appearances and scored his first senior goal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/wednesday-i-found-out-nwoko-reveals-when-he-learned-he-would-make-fulham-debut

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Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham make contact to sign Javi Rodríguez
Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham are chasing Celta Vigo's Javi Rodríguez in the last week of the summer window.

Friday's edition of Faro de Vigo mentions Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham in a report focusing on Paris Saint-Germain interest in the defender.

PL trio keen
On August 18th, Sport Witness covered a report from Germany about the Magpies wanting to sign Karim Coulibaly. Three days later, Werder Bremen sold him to RC Strasbourg.

Newcastle United can turn to Javi Rodríguez as an alternative, with him also interesting Everton, Fulham and PSG.

The 23-year-old came up through the ranks of Celta Vigo's academy and made his first team debut in 2023. He played 90 matches, with most of them as a centre-back and only six as a right-back.

Last season, he 46 appearances and established himself as a key player under Claudio Giráldez. This helped him make his debut for Spain in June.

Newcastle, Everton and Fulham make contact
Javi Rodríguez's impressive performances last season and his debut for Spain have seen him attract interest from several cubs.

PSG are the 'most prominent' suitor, led by their advisor, Luis Campos. He held the same role at Celta Vigo between 2022 and 2023. The Ligue 1 winners have made an initial approach but haven't made advances since then.

Luis Enrique's side aren't the only club in the picture as Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham are also keen. The three clubs have also made enquires in recent weeks, without the report specifying whether they contacted his agent or Celta Vigo.

Rodríguez has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt value him at €18m. Faro de Vigo states that contract includes a €40m release clause.

It's not ruled out for his suitors to make a 'multi-million euro offer' in the last days of the window. Should that happen, neither the versatile defender not Celta Vigo could turn it down.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/newcastle-united-everton-and-fulham-make-contact-to-sign-javi-rodriguez/

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Player Ratings following Fulham's dominant 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon
Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Rodrigo Muniz and Gonzalo Garcia secured passage to the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup, where West Away await at the London Stadium.

Alvaro Arbeloa secured his win as Fulham manager with a dominant 3-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Craven Cottage in the Carabao Cup.

Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Rodrigo Muniz, and Gonzalo García secured safe passage to the next round, where the Cottagers will travel to East London to face Championship side West Ham United.

Having made 10 changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Chelsea on Monday, Arbeloa's makeshift team started off slowly but gradually asserted control over the League One side.

Following Smith Rowe's opening goal, Fulham never looked back and played with delightful purpose, attacking intent and penetration, and should have scored more against the League One visitors.

There were also first-team debuts for Macaulay Zepa and Chibuzo Nwoko, while twin brothers Steven and Ryan Sessegnon faced each other for the first time.

Player ratings

Benjamin Lecomte-6

Fulham's second-choice goalkeeper enjoyed an extremely quiet evening and was not forced into any notable saves.

However, during Wimbledon's period of stubborn resistance in the opening 15-20 minutes, the Frenchman was alert and commanding when it came to claiming any loose balls.

Calm in possession, Lecomte probably had Callum Maycock's close-range flick-on covered and deserved a second successive third-round clean sheet.

Kenny Tete-7

Making his first start of the season, Kenny Tete enjoyed a more advanced role than he previously had under Marco Silva.

Stationed higher up the pitch, Tete impressed with his runs in behind, attacking width, and the fluidity to interchange between his full-back position and occasionally drift into midfield.

His final, defence-splitting passes, in the last stage of the attacking third, were elusive and not always pinpoint, but his speed and agility will be an important asset this season.

The Dutchman was also very unlucky not to score his first goal of the season as he hit a powerful, dipping shot, midway through the second half, that drifted just over the bar.

Joachim Andersen-5

This was Joachim Andersen's first start of the season, as the defender was suspended for the first game of the season following a straight red card against Bournemouth last season.

Watching from the stands, the Dane looked like the weaker of Fulham's centre-backs and looked a little rusty in the first half.

Initially, Anderson struggled to assert his physicality in the game and did look like a possible liability when compared to his fellow centre-back De Fougerolles.

However, Anderson's vocal presence and leadership skills are unquestionable, and his passing, his strongest attribute, was crisp and confident, and he generally marshalled the back four well.

Luc De Fougerolles - 8

Making his first Fulham appearance since November 2023, Luc De Fougerolles was particularly impressive and took the responsibility of playing on the left side of the back four (despite being right-footed) in his stride.

Calm on the ball, De Fougerolles slotted into the Cottagers' defence seamlessly and oozed confidence and composure.

The Canadian marked Wimbledon's Aron Sasu out of the game, was physically dominant and receptive to any passing phases that launched an attacking phase.

A threat from set pieces, the young defender showcased to the Fulham faithful why he played in all five of Canada's World Cup games (starting four of them).

Ryan Sessegnon-7

Playing against his twin brother, Ryan Sessegnon started the night at left-back but often shifted into an additional winger as Arbeloa's tactical high line continued to be on display.

Aged 26 now, Sessegnon has matured into a very intelligent footballer and switched between different roles with ease and efficiency.

With a 92% passing accuracy, Sessegnon created three big chances and offered solid support in both attack and defence.

Like Tete, his final ball was lacking at times, but the former Tottenham man will be an invaluable cog in Arbeloa's machine this season.

Shea Charles-7

Marking his first start following his move from Southampton, Shea Charles faced a quiet evening as Wimbledon allowed him to enjoy time on the ball and spread Fulham's attack wide.

Completing the most passes of any player (98), the Northern Irishman contributed 15 passes into the final third and pushed higher up the field than what is usually expected of Fulham's number eight.

Charles will face tougher tests, but he really breezed through this one in a promising display, which is why Arbeloa was insistent he should be the man to replace Sasa Lukic.

Another exciting attribute for Arbeloa is Charles's versatility. When De Fougerolles had to be replaced, Charles slotted into the centre-back role with no complaints and produced a cameo filled with positional awareness, stealth and discipline.

Harrison Reed-6

Fulham's captain for the night, Harrison Reed, provided a satisfactory captain's performance.

Sitting as the anchor of Fulham's midfield, "****** Iniesta" broke up a few fledgling Wimbledon attacks while acting as another layer of protection to the defence, which allowed Shea Charles to push further forward.

While it was an unspectacular performance, Reed did have the most touches at 114 and did fizz in some dangerous counters from which Fulham should probably have profited.

Emile Smith Rowe-7

Scoring his first Cottagers' goal since January, Emile Smith Rowe was another performer whose game looked moulded to Arbeloa's tactical image.

Looking to prove a point after not coming on against the Blues on Monday, the Arsenal academy graduate created the joint-most chances and looked freer to roam forward than previously.

The Englishman looked more actively involved in winning back the ball and drove forward with confidence and an improved work ethic. He was unlucky not to score again and was only prevented from doing so by great Dons defending.

Kevin-6

Surprisingly left on the bench against Chelsea, this game was Kevin's opportunity to establish himself in Arbeloa's selection process, but he was not particularly convincing.

While he did test the Wimbledon goalkeeper, Kevin failed to utilise his blistering passing and dribbling skills to any particular effect.

While he possesses tricks and flicks in abundance, the Brazilian's first two outings under Arbeloa have not been particularly convincing when trying to justify his £40 million price tag.

To be fair though, he did contribute to Fulham's attacking moments and did interchange into midfield to receive the ball more effectively and frequently than his partner on the other wing.

Oscar Bobb-5

Following a productive and admirable World Cup campaign with Norway, Oscar Bobb was the only player from the Chelsea defeat to retain his starting position.

With Harry Wilson and Samuel Chukwueze no longer in his way, Bobb is now Fulham's only recognised right winger and will get the game time to build up consistency and momentum.

However, in this game, the Norwegian struggled to assert himself and did not create anything meaningful for the Premier League side.

Bobb does move into promising areas and often does not receive that killer pass; however, he was shut out fairly effectively by the Dons' full-backs, and his replacement, Zepa, really showed up with his pace and penetration.

Rodrigo Muniz-7

Fulham's new manager's tactical and technical tweaks on Rodrigo Muniz's game were evident in a promising and pleasing display from the fans' favourite striker.

Scoring his first Fulham goal since the opening day of last season, Muniz was alert and nodded a powerful and accurate header past Nathan Bishop to really put Fulham in the driving seat.

What was interesting about Muniz's gameplay was his improved work rate, his hustling of defenders and his insistence on contributing to the build-up play and dropping back if necessary.

Muniz is a striker that thrives on confidence and consistency, and his display against the League One visitors will only help him build up momentum ahead of his fifth season in a Fulham shirt.

Substitutes

Gonzalo García-7

Looking incredibly lively, the former Real Madrid man's work ethic and physicality were too much for the Dons' defence, and his second goal for Fulham exemplified his class, intelligence and passion.

Calvin Bassey-6

The Nigerian looked confident in possession and made no notable mistakes or misjudgements. By the time he came on, Wimbledon's attack had run out of creativity, and so Bassey simply strode through the remaining minutes.

Macaulay Zepa-7

The 18-year-old Frenchman enjoyed a seriously impressive debut in black and white. Replacing Oscar Bobb at half-time, Zepa had the most touches in the opposition box and was so lively, breezing past defenders, and he so nearly unleashed a brilliant strike in the second half that just zipped past the post.

Chibuzo Nwoko-6

Coming on for the last 22 minutes, the debutant completed his passes with 94% accuracy and matched up admirably against a strong and aggressive Wimbledon midfield.

Cesar Palacios-6

The Spaniard offered another creative outlet for Fulham, and unlike Kevin, he floated into pockets of space and offered more flexibility to Fulham's attack.



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/28/fulham/1269291-player-ratings-following-fulham-s-dominant-3-0-win-over-afc-wimbledon.html

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Pre-Sunderland Press Conference
Álvaro Arbeloa was full of praise for the job done by Regis Le Bris and Sunderland in 2025/26.

The newly promoted side proved a very tough outfit to play against and subsequently went on to finish seventh, which brought with it a spot in the UEFA Europa League.

"I think they did an amazing season, and they proved that the Premier League is very competitive, and you never know," Arbeloa said.

"I think there are many, many teams now here in the Premier League that you can think that maybe they have the chance to play in Europe. So, it's not going to be easy for anyone.

"But we are so, so ambitious, so now the only thing that we want is to improve every day, keep working, and we will see where we are in May.

"They play at home and, for us, it will be a really difficult game against a European team. They did a great season last year.

"We know away games are always very difficult here in the Premier League, so we need to play with the same character, same mentality, that we did at home, but it won't be easy for us."

Arbeloa featured twice at the Stadium of Light during his time as a Liverpool player, and when asked what sort of atmosphere he's anticipating on Sunday, he replied: "The same as when I played there so many years ago.

"Like I say, when you play away, it's always difficult because of the atmosphere, and the home team feel the confidence and they want to play in front of their fans and in front of their supporters.

"So, for us, if we want to play in the way that we want to play, we need to do very well, [be] very aggressive.

"Obviously, they have players with a lot of quality. Their three midfielders are top, top players, so we know that they want to take the ball, also keep the ball, and I think it will be a really interesting game."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/28/pre-sunderland-press-conference/

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Arbeloa: Fulham need both Garcia and Muniz this season
Gonzalo Garcia and Rodrigo Muniz were both on target for Fulham in their EFL Cup win over AFC Wimbledon, earning praise from Alvaro Arbeloa.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa insisted both Gonzalo Garcia and Rodrigo Muniz will be "very important" for the club this season.

Both strikers scored for the Cottagers as they defeated AFC Wimbledon 3-0 in the second round of the EFL Cup, with Emile Smith Rowe also on target for the Premier League side.

Muniz scored a towering header towards the end of the first half, while Garcia netted in second-half stoppage time as he rounded the goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle.

Garcia has scored his second goal in as many games after also netting in Fulham's Premier League opener against Chelsea, which ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Muniz, meanwhile, has already equalled his tally of one from 2025-26, during which he missed large spells through injury.

Arbeloa believes both strikers will be pivotal for Fulham this term as they offer different qualities while leading the line.

"Goals are very important for strikers, we know that, and Rodrigo is working hard," said Arbeloa.

"We have very good strikers with him and with Gonzalo – different strikers, but we need both, and both will be very important for us.

"They both scored and they are so happy in the dressing room."

It was a routine win over Wimbledon for Fulham, who produced 2.89 expected goals (xG) after racking up 29 shots, eight of which were on target.

Fulham have progressed from 15 of their last 17 EFL Cup ties against sides from League One or lower, while they have progressed from five of their last six second-round ties in the competition.

The Cottagers will face London rivals West Ham in the third round, with the Championship side thrashing Southampton 4-1 earlier in the week.



https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/league-cup/articles/arbeloa-fulham-need-both-garcia-and-muniz-this-season-2026-08-28

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West Ham date confirmed
he date of Fulham's Third Round Carabao Cup tie with West Ham United has now been confirmed.

We will travel to London Stadium on Tuesday 15th September for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Ticket information will be detailed in due course.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/28/west-ham-date-confirmed/

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Fulham end interest in Real Madrid midfield prodigy, eye another La Fabrica talent – report
According to MARCA, Fulham have ended their interest in signing Thiago Pitarch from Real Madrid.

The young La Fabrica midfield prospect was one of the potential signings Alvaro Arbeloa had identified to strengthen his new project in London after already raiding the club for Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios.

Real Madrid unwilling to let Thiago leave
However, Real Madrid's firm refusal to even negotiate his departure has made the deal impossible.

At Valdebebas, there is a clear belief in the midfielder's potential. Thiago is currently in the final stages of his recovery after suffering an injury following his return from the European Under-19 Championship, which Spain won in Wales.

That injury has prevented the youngster from joining Jose Mourinho's first-team group. Rather than considering a departure, however, the Portuguese coach intends to count on him throughout the season.

Initially, Thiago will split his minutes between Castilla, where he remains registered despite being a first-team player in every other respect, and the senior squad.

The aim is to gradually rebuild his fitness after an injury that will have kept him out for almost two months. Real Madrid's plan is for him to return progressively and be ready when Mourinho needs him.

Arbeloa knows the value of Real Madrid's academy
From Fulham's perspective, Arbeloa had already successfully recruited from Real Madrid this summer.

Gonzalo, who has scored in each of his last two matches for the English side, and Cesar Palacios both moved to Craven Cottage in deals that brought €50 million into Real Madrid's coffers.

Arbeloa knows the talent available in Real Madrid's academy and has not hesitated to turn to players he already knows as he builds his new project.

Manuel Angel emerges as the alternative
With Thiago now off the table, Fulham have turned their attention elsewhere.

The London club are considering Manuel Angel, another Castilla midfielder whom Arbeloa gave opportunities to towards the end of last season.

As previously reported, Cadiz have entered the race for the midfielder with a €4 million proposal, meaning Fulham would have to match that figure to take the player to England.

The competition for Manuel Angel could therefore add another layer of intrigue to the final days of the transfer window.



https://madriduniversal.com/fulham-end-interest-in-real-madrid-midfield-prodigy-eye-another-la-fabrica-talent-report/

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Arbeloa on defender's injury and his future at Fulham
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is hopeful Luc de Fougerolles has not suffered a serious injury after the defender was forced off against AFC Wimbledon.

Arbeloa also admitted the club may need to make a decision over the youngster's immediate future in the coming days, with regular playing time a key consideration.

"We don't know yet, but we hope it's nothing serious. He needs to play every week, so maybe we need to take a decision over the next few days," Arbeloa said.

The Fulham manager also confirmed Tom Cairney remains sidelined with injury, while de Fougerolles is a doubt for Sunday's fixture.

"Tom (Cairney) is still injured, we will see with Luc, maybe he's not ready for Sunday, we'll see," he added.



https://hayters.com/arbeloa-on-defenders-injury-and-his-future-at-fulham/

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Álvaro Arbeloa and Gonzalo García progressing in the Premier League
Arbeloa, from Madrid to London

Fulham's present bears a Spanish stamp, with Álvaro Arbeloa, former defender and coach of Real Madrid, now leading the London team with a style that combines discipline and trust in his players. After the 3-0 victory against AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, Arbeloa highlighted the importance of his forwards. "We have very good forwards with Rodrigo and Gonzalo, different profiles, but we need both, and both will be very important for us," stated the coach, making it clear that his strategy involves enhancing diverse talents.

Gonzalo García, goals that inspire
The young Spanish forward is starting to write his own story in England; García scored his second consecutive goal, having also scored in his league debut against Chelsea. Against Wimbledon, he sealed the result in stoppage time with a precise finish after evading the goalkeeper. His ability to appear in key moments generates excitement among Fulham fans, who see in him a forward capable of bringing freshness and efficiency. Arbeloa, familiar with elite locker rooms, seems to be the ideal mentor for García to establish himself in the Premier League.

Fulham, statistics, and upcoming challenges
The victory against Wimbledon was decisive, with 29 shots, 8 on target, and an xG of 2.89 reflecting the Cottagers' superiority. Additionally, the club maintains a positive streak in the Cup, advancing in 15 of their last 17 matchups against League One or lower rivals. Now, the challenge will be greater, in the third round awaits West Ham, who just beat Southampton 4-1. With Arbeloa on the bench and Garcia in the front line, the fans dream that the Madridista mark will translate into success in England.



https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/premier-league/articles/former-real-madrid-coach-arbeloa-and-gonzalo-garcía-triumph-in-fulham-2026-08-28

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From the Press Box: Arbeloa says Fulham "ready" to act before transfer deadline
JK attends another press conference ahead of the trip to Sunderland.

After an upset stomach ruled me out of attending last night's Cup victory at Craven Cottage, I was fighting fit this morning to head back to Motspur Park for a third pre-match press conference in the space of seven days.

Fulham are fresh off a 3-0 win against AFC Wimbledon, which has set them up for a tie in east London against West Ham. But we're back to Premier League action this weekend as Alvaro Arbeloa's side visit the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

While the Black Cats can look forward to a trip to the San Siro (not jealous at all), Fulham will have their minds firmly on trying to get something on Sunday to kick-start their Premier League season.

We will start with the team news.

AA: "Tom (Cairney) is still injured, we will see with Luc; maybe he's not ready for Sunday, we'll see."

Luc De Fougerolles was forced off through injury last night. Will Arbeloa stick with Jorge Cuenca and Calvin Bassey, or will Joachim Andersen partner one of those two to balance the centre-back pairing?

This is the last game before the transfer window slams shut, at the later time this year of 11pm on Tuesday. It's obvious that Fulham still need to add, including signing a RCB, with Issa Diop now playing for Ipswich Town.

"I think we could improve our squad is every position, every manager thinks that they can improve. I'm looking for players who can fit in my system, to play my way. We are ready to improve the squad in the next days", said Arbeloa.

More on transfers later from 5pm.

Emile Smith Rowe got on the scoresheet last night, impressing in his first start of the season. ESR also completed 90 minutes, which was a rarity under Marco Silva. Here's what the new Head Coach said about our number 32.

"He has the quality to fit in with our style, he can play between the lines. Numbers are important you need to score goals and create assists. We have been talking about that with many of the players", said Arbeloa.

The boss was full of praise for Cesar Palacios too, with the caveat that he needs time to adjust.

"Cesar is a player who you'd buy a ticket to watch play. I have confidence he will do well this season, but will need a lot of time."

There's loads more to come from Arbeloa on Gonzalo Garcia on the embargoed section (5pm), but here's what he had to say about his Spanish striker.

"I've known him since he was 17. I know of his qualities, he's powerful, strong, good with the ball & a goal scorer, I know what he's capable of doing."

It's fair to say, after his two goals so far this season, Gonzalo has every Fulham fan excited. Rodrigo Muniz getting off the mark was also encouraging. The pair will head up to Wearside full of confidence.

It was a proud evening for the Fulham academy too. Macaulay Zepa and Chibby Nwoko both getting some minutes and impressing. Steven and Ryan Sessegnon both starting against each other too. Two products of the Motspur Park academy.

I'll be spending the weekend in Newcastle. Cheap pints, expensive crisps and self-loathing. That's a joke - I can't wait, especially for the cheap pints. The first away day of the season. A quick ride on the Metro over to Sunderland to cover the game, before heading back to the capital on Monday.

Tuesday is Deadline Day. Are we going to be in for a hectic, frantic and busy day? Let's see. You can follow it all across my X and YouTube accounts as I go live for a large portion of the final day of the Summer Transfer Window.

But first, safe travels to all braving the trip to Sunderland, amid train issues. Some things never change.

Come on youuuu whites!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/from-the-press-box-arbeloa-says-fulham

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Games for the Weekend 29/08
For our first away trip of the season we travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland

The Chelsea game didn't turn out as we hoped, they very rarely do, but we showed some encouraging signs and, if poor old Antonee could shoot, we're unlucky to not get a third goal, if we had they'd probably scored again?
Josh King was electric, for me the best player on the pitch, and deservedly scored his first Premier League goal, and let's not forget, last season's goal should never have been disallowed!
Gonzalo Garcia looks to be the "Real" deal, scoring on his Premier League debut he joins a select group including, Saha, Boa Morte, Brian McBride, David Healy, Mladen Petric, Daren Bent and Chris David. If he turns out to be anywhere near to Saha, Boa or McBride we've made the signing of the season.

Last season we did "the double" over Sunderland, in the 22 Premier League games we've won 10, drawn 7, and lost 5, we've won 4 times at the Stadium of Light, for some reason I thought we'd hardly ever won there, probably true when we were in the lower divisions?

My team would be...



COYW's

Games of Interest
Friday 28/08
Palace v Man City

Saturday 29/08
Liverpool v Forest
Coventry v Hull

Sunday 30/08
Leeds v Brentford
Sunderland v Fulham

Monday 31/08
Villa v Arsenal
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=3



https://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=3670

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Fulham turn to another Real Madrid midfielder after Pitarch setback
The former Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa is now coaching the English side Fulham, and would be facing a significant test in one of the most competitive competitions in world football, the Premier League.

So far, his time with the London club has been rather mixed, as he lost his first game of the season to another former Merengue coach, Xabi Alonso, and his Chelsea team, with a 3-2 scoreline. However, his team put in a convincing performance in the second game, in the Carabao Cup, as they defeated AFC Wimbledon with a 3-0 scoreline.

The Spanish tactician, who spent quite a few years with the Real Madrid youth academy, knows the Merengues' youth talent quite well, and has already been able to land two La Fabrica graduates for his new club, namely Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios.

Meanwhile, he was looking to sign even more players, and one such player he had set his sights on was the midfielder Thiago Pitarch. However, Los Blancos firmly refused his transfer, and as a result, MARCA reports that Fulham have given up on the midfielder, but are now looking at another Real Madrid midfielder, Manuel Angel.

Thiago was unlucky to suffer an injury only a few days after returning to training with Jose Mourinho, after winning the U-19 European Championship with Spain. However, the Portuguese coach is clear that he can be a useful player for the team going forward, and thus, the Merengues have ruled out his departure this summer.

On the other hand, Manuel Angel remains a viable target for him. He is another player whom Arbeloa played quite a lot in the last stages of the last season, and the La Liga side Cadiz is looking to get him for €4 million. Thus, Fulham will have to pay this amount to sign the young midfielder as Arbeloa continues to look towards Real Madrid to ensure he has a successful spell in England.



https://siempremadrid.com/fulham-turn-to-another-real-madrid-midfielder-after-pitarch-setback/

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Le Bris reveals Sunderland blow ahead of Fulham game but defender fit to feature
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has confirmed Nordi Mukiele is available for this weekend's Premier League clash with Fulham.

Mukiele suffered an injury during the final stages of Sunderland's pre-season tour of the United States and was an unused substitute against Ipswich on the opening day.

However, the defender has now returned to fitness and is set to be available for selection against Fulham.

"Nordi is so important for us, it was a shame to get this injury just at the last minute of our US tour," Le Bris said.

"It broke his dynamic because he started really well this pre-season with high standards and he was really impressive on his right side, but Thomas did well so we had a good replacement.

"Nordi is ready but with these three weeks less in this journey so he will be available this weekend."

Omar Alderete, meanwhile, has followed a different programme after representing Paraguay at the World Cup and suffering an early injury during the tournament.

Le Bris confirmed the defender is also available again, although he admitted Alderete is still working towards full match sharpness.

"Omar had a different programme because of the World Cup and an early injury as well in the World Cup so he will be available as well, but you saw against Ipswich, he's not at his best right now which is normal in this time," he said.

Sunderland will, however, be without Dayann Methalie through suspension, with the defender banned after picking up five yellow cards while playing in France.

"Dayann will be suspended for five yellow cards he received in France," Le Bris said.

"It's always better to have a full squad but we'll manage the situation."



https://hayters.com/le-bris-reveals-sunderland-blow-ahead-of-fulham-game-but-defender-fit-to-feature/

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Arbeloa: 'We know away games are always very difficult here'
Arbeloa attempts to negotiate a tricky first away day in the dugout.

Alvaro Arbeloa outlined the challenges for Fulham when they travel to Sunderland this weekend.

The Black Cats finished in 7th position upon their return to the Premier League last season, fuelled by a physically sturdy squad and a stable midfield unit with Granit Xhaka acting as their leader.

They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town last weekend, but with the backing of the Stadium of Light, the hosts will hope they, and not the Cottagers, are the ones to remain pointless at full time.

·'We need to be very aggressive'
Fulham had positives to take from their performance against Chelsea on Monday evening, but they ultimately ended up losing 3-2. Arbeloa is aware that the story will not be easy to shift this time.

"I think they did an amazing season, and they proved that the Premier League is very competitive, and you never know. I think there are many, many teams now here in the Premier League that you can think that maybe they have the chance to play in Europe. So, it's not going to be easy for anyone.

"But we are so, so ambitious, so now the only thing that we want is to improve every day, keep working, and we will see where we are in May. They play at home and, for us, it will be a really difficult game against a European team. They did a great season last year.

"We know away games are always very difficult here in the Premier League, so we need to play with the same character, same mentality, that we did at home, but it won't be easy for us.

"[I expect] the same [atmosphere] as when I played there so many years ago.

"Like I say, when you play away, it's always difficult because of the atmosphere, and the home team feel the confidence and they want to play in front of their fans and in front of their supporters.

"So, for us, if we want to play in the way that we want to play, we need to do very well, [be] very aggressive. They have players with a lot of quality. Their three midfielders are top players, so we know they want to take the ball, also keep the ball, and I think it will be a really interesting game."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/28/fulham/1269329-arbeloa-we-know-away-games-are-always-very-difficult-here.html

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Alan Myers drops two-word update on Fulham hunt to sign Jake O'Brien from Everton
Everton are reportedly willing to sell Jake O'Brien before the summer transfer window closes.

It's been reported that Everton are ready to listen offers for the Republic of Ireland international, even though David Moyes is already dealing with a thin layer of defensive options in his squad.

O'Brien has been an unused substitute for the first two games of the season, but Moyes' options are limited, especially at right-back where Nathan Patterson is the only natural fit and O'Brien can do a job there.

Fulham have been reportedly looking at the former Lyon defender, and Alan Myers has now offered an update on that speculation.

The former Sky Sports News journalist is one of the top sources around when it comes to Everton news.

And he's done some digging on the situation.

What Alan Myers' sources have told him about Fulham and Jake O'Brien
Writing on X on Friday, Myers dropped a two-word update on the O'Brien and Fulham links that pours cold water on the speculation.

Apparently, the suggestions that he could go to Craven Cottage are "total invention".

That means that although the Blues are willing to offload the colossal Irishman, he won't be going to West London.

Fulham's interest isn't real, but Everton's intentions to sell O'Brien certainly are with that news coming from some of the most reliable names on Merseyside.

But why are they trying to cash it on the Irishman?

Why Everton are trying to sell Jake O'Brien now
Moyes must feel like he's well-equipped at centre-back if he's going to sell O'Brien.

That, or a new signing in that area can be expected.

Either way, Merlin Rohl has emerged as the first-choice right-back above O'Brien, but the club still has to really sign a proper, natural fit in that area.

It's become a joke just how badly Everton need a right-back, too, so it's even more baffling to see Moyes trying to sell someone who can play in that role.

O'Brien did okay there last season. Not great, but not horrificly bad.

He can do the role, just not as many would expect a right-back to do it. He's a centre-back by trade and should be a centre-back when he plays.

Why Everton are trying to sell him now doesn't add up unless there are serious talks going on behind the scenes that we're not privvy to that will welcome new reinforcements before the 11pm deadline on Tuesday.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/transfers/alan-myers-drops-two-word-update-on-fulham-hunt-to-sign-jake-obrien-from-everton

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Sunderland vs Fulham: Preview and Prediction
Sunderland and Fulham will look to register their first points of the new season when they square up against each other on Sunday.

Having suffered a defeat in Gameweek 1, both Sunderland and Fulham will be desperate to kick-start their 2026/27 campaigns when they meet at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.

The home team punched above their weight to secure a seventh-placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League. They are hoping to build on it this time around. However, they did not have the best of starts as they lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town.

Despite dominating proceedings, the Wearside outfit could not make the most of it, and a 90th-minute strike by Jack Clarke gave Ipswich all three points. The Black Cats will be hoping they can put up a much improved performance in front of their own fans.

Meanwhile, the Cottagers could only secure an 11th-place finish last time out. They will be hoping to push for a European spot under new boss Alvaro Arbelo. Fulham kicked off the new campaign with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at home.

While they started the campaign with a defeat, the Cottagers did show a lot of promise. They will be heading into this fixture on the back of a dominant 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the EFL Cup. Fulham will be confident of their chances and will certainly make life difficult for the Black Cats. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.

Team News & Tactics

Sunderland
The home team will be without the services of Simon Adingra because of a foot injury. Apart from the Ivory Coast international, everyone else should be available for selection.

The Black Cats will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Robin Roefs will continue in goal. Thomas Meunier and Reinildo Mandava should feature as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Luke O'Nien should continue to pair up with Daniel Ballard.

As for the midfield unit, Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they dominate the ball.

Enzo Le Fee will feature as the attacking midfielder with Trai Hume and Nilson Angulo taking charge on the flanks. The trio will be the main creative outlets for Sunderland, while Brian Brobbey will continue to lead the line against Fulham.

Fulham
Alvaro Arbeloa remains without the services of Tom Cairney because of a knee injury. Apart from the veteran midfielder, everyone else is available to feature for Fulham in this fixture against Sunderland.

The former Real Madrid manager's team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernd Leno in goal. Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will feature as the full-backs for the away team. Joachim Andersen should return to the starting XI after serving a suspension last time out. He will line up alongside Calvin Bassey in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi could be the two midfielders who will protect the defence and look to control the tempo of the game. Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb and Cesar Palacios are likely to feature out wide on the flanks.

Josh King will take up the number ten role in behind star striker Gonzalo Garcia, who will look to build on his impressive start to the season.

Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia

Key Stats

    Fulham have won four out of their last eight visits to the Stadium of Light, having suffered a defeat just once.
    Gonzalo Garcia became the first Fulham player to score on his debut since 2014 after finding the back of the net against Chelsea.
    The Cottagers did a double over the Black Cats last season. They won 1-0 at home and 3-1 away.
    Fulham have not lost their last five games against Sunderland in all competitions.
    The Black Cats' last win over Fulham came back in December 2017 when both teams were competing in the Championship.

Player to Watch

Gonzalo Garcia
The 22-year-old Real Madrid graduate is off to a flying start at his new club Fulham. Alvaro Arbeloa pushed very hard to acquire his services as he was confident that Garcia could become their main man up top. So far, the Spanish striker has not disappointed as he has found the back of the net in his first two outings.

Given the kind of start he has enjoyed at his new club, the young Spaniard will look to add to his tally and help his team secure all three points at the Stadium of Light.

Prediction

Sunderland 1-2 Fulham
Sunderland will be determined to bounce back in front of their home fans after a disappointing opening-day defeat. However, Fulham have shown enough attacking quality in the early stages of the season to cause problems for the Black Cats.

The Cottagers come into this fixture on the back of a convincing cup win, while Gonzalo Garcia has made an excellent start to life at the club. Sunderland should make this a competitive affair, but Fulham could edge it and secure their first league win of the campaign. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away team.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/08/28/sunderland-vs-fulham-preview-and-prediction-2/

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Sunderland vs Fulham: Premier League Preview, Gameweek 2
Sunderland host Fulham at the Stadium of Light as both sides look to bounce back from opening-day defeat.

Regis Le Bris, Sunderland, and new Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa will both be looking to get their first points of the season on the board as the managers face each other for the first time.

After last season's campaign, the Black Cats would have wanted a better start against newly promoted Ipswich at Portman Road.

The game was tight, but a sloppy pass from Omar Alderete was pounced upon by Sasa Lukic, who slotted in Jack Clarke, who curled the ball into the corner against his former club.

Fulham had a tough start under new manager Arbeloa against Chelsea; it couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, conceding inside a minute.

The Cottagers grew into the game, with Josh King starting and finally getting his goal against Chelsea, and new signing Gonzalo Garcia getting off the mark in his debut, but ultimately it wasn't enough, and they fell to a 3-2 defeat.

Both sides will be looking to get off the mark in the new Premier League season.

Team news:

Sunderland:
After starting the first game on the bench, Alderete is likely to return to the team after his exploits at the World Cup with Paraguay over the summer.

Simon Adringa will miss out again at the weekend after picking up an injury in pre-season that he is yet to recover from.

New signing Jules Ahoka is in contention after the young defensive midfielder joined the club from Royal Antwerp.

The other new signing, Dayann Methalie, will be unable to feature as he has to serve a suspension picked up in France.

Fulham:
Joachim Andersen will be back in contention after serving his one-game suspension on the opening day.

Club captain Tom Cairney will miss out again as he is still recovering from knee surgery.

Young defender Luc De Fougerolles will miss out after picking up a knock against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.

Predicted lineups:
Sunderland

Roefs; Meunier, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey

Fulham

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia

Key Players:
Sunderland - Brian Brobbey
In the opening game, Fulham's defence looked wide open at times, with several mistakes; this could provide a great opportunity for Brian Brobbey to pounce on these errors and punish them.

The Netherlands international also has pace and strength, which will allow him to get in behind the high line of the Cottagers, especially with the full-backs given the license to play high.

Brobbey had a good first season in the league and will be desperate to get off the mark.

Fulham - Josh King
One of the best performers against Chelsea was Josh King, as he scored and was the main threat and creative spark for his side.

He will be crucial in cutting through Sunderland's tough midfield and will face Granit Xhaka, which should be a good test for the youngster.

After being introduced to the league last season and being part of England's pre-World Cup camp, this could be the season King really explodes.

Match details

Where will the match be played?

The Stadium of Light hosts this encounter.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is Sunday at 14:00 BST.

How can I watch?

Sky Sports will be showing this match.



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/28/premier-league/1269350-sunderland-vs-fulham-preview-premier-league-matchday-two.html

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Cottage Tactico: Sunderland's solid foundations
A newly promoted team beating low expectations to finish top half of the table, whilst showcasing an astute CM general, a physical throwback up top, a 'keeper of clear Premier League quality, and a technical magician who can create out of nowhere? No, not Fulham 22/23 but Sunderland 25/26!

For João Palhinha, Aleksandar Mitrović, Bernd Leno and Willian, instead think Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey, Robin Roefs and Enzo Le Fee. And for Marco Silva, Regis Le Bris.

So what has Le Bris cooked up to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome? And what should Álvaro Arbeloa, and any of the Fulham faithful headed up to the Stadium of Light, expect on Sunday afternoon? That's the task to unpack in the second edition of this series of tactical previews

Great expectations?

Sunderland finished seventh in the Premier League last year, the highest a promoted side has done since Wolves in 2018/19. A remarkable outcome, outperforming the expectations of almost everyone, but also their own underlying data throughout the season.

If the season had played out on xG terms, that is with results following the probable outcomes from expected goals in each game, Sunderland would have been relegated - according to Understat - finishing in 18th place.



That does not mean they 'deserved' to go down. People using xG as a 'deserved to win' measure is partly why some roll their eyes at football nerds who can get so lost in the numbers that we forget the ebb and flow of what's actually happening on the pitch! But that xG story can be used to tell us a bit about how Sunderland got their results.

Did they thrive by banging in goals unexpectedly, through a combination of worldies and ruthless finishing? Not really. Sunderland's 42 goals in the 2025/26 season was the fourth lowest return in the league, and from 43.14 xG actually a mild under-performance.

Rather, it was the other end of the pitch that stood out. In conceding 48 goals, Sunderland let in the fourth fewest, with only Arsenal, Man City and Brighton having a meaner defence. The one caveat to that is that it was a huge xG over-performance, with Understat's model suggesting chances worth over 60 goals against. Had they gone in, Sunderland's defensive record flips from the fourth best to the sixth worst.

Often, outperforming your defensive numbers so markedly hints at a goalkeeper performing absolute heroics. But for all his impressive performances, and particular excellence at claiming crosses, there's no sign of that from Robin Roefs here, who ranked middle of the pack in goals prevented (PSxG +/-). Rather, Sunderland have found a way to make decent chances, less decent.

Structure & solidity

So, how have they done that? Well, getting away from the numbers and back on to the pitch, we need to look at Sunderland's defensive setup.

Regis Le Bris spoke often of the importance of his side's defensive foundation. And it tended to look a bit like this, a narrow and compact 4-4-2 block, funneling opponents out wide.



Last season, Sunderland sat off in this 4-4-2 block regularly. That's not to say they'll be passive, particularly at home, as the side is packed with pretty tenacious profiles who can win their duels man to man should they jump to press. But they are more than happy to soak up a bit of sustained pressure and rely on the likes of Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard to defend their box when teams are inevitably forced wide by their shape.

Most of their defenders rank highly in blocks, clearances and interceptions, and their physicality and collective intensity helps prevent chances from being reliably converted.

We did learn at the weekend, though, that Sunderland can look a bit shakier when key defenders are missing. Or when they're asked to defend bigger spaces outside their compact structure. Luke O'Nien initially deputised for Alderete against Ipswich, but both players made mistakes leading to opportunities against an unset defence.

For the opener, O'Nien's poor pass gave Julio Enciso the chance to run at a stretched defence and put it on a plate for Emersonn, while for Ipswich's winner, the recently departed Fulham favourite Saša Lukić picked off an Alderete pass before playing in Jack Clarke to finish.

Veteran Thomas Meunier also debuted in place of Nordi Mukiele. Whilst Meunier looked bright going forward, he quite simply isn't the same defensive animal, and the dynamics with Trai Hume, a converted RB playing RW, weren't the most natural.

It is entirely possible Sunderland look more full strength for this one, but the errors against Ipswich might be of interest to a Fulham side who are now much more inclined to commit to the press.

Thriving in transition

Just like the Fulham of old were happy to explode on the counter, so do Sunderland, with their low block creating plenty of space in behind as teams are tempted to push up the pitch.

With Granit Xhaka acting as the quarterback, Sunderland's team is often packed with willing runners around him, capable of either carrying the ball or running beyond into space. Noah Sidiki, Habib Diarra, Nilson Angulo, Brian Brobbey and others all do this in varied ways, and can do so in central areas if given the chance, rather than just out wide.

Sunderland can use these profiles to punish opponents if they lose the ball or fail to complete moves. But should they come out and try to let the likes of Le Fee and Xhaka break sides down in settled possession they can be vulnerable on the break the other way themselves.

Sunderland, for all their defensive solidity, have conceded the joint second most fast break goals since the start of last season. Another indicator that finding ways to get at their defence when it isn't set is the best route to joy.



One to watch: Brian Brobbey

Fresh from a breakthrough World Cup showing where he netted three goals, all action 'Mr Brobbey' is the sort of striker who can use his physicality, both holding it up with his strength, and stretching play in behind with his pace.

Given teams often have to commit numbers forward to break down Sunderland's solid defensive structure, he can sometimes have space to isolate defenders, which could prove deadly.

Tactical key: Granit Xhaka

As much as Sunderland's strength is collective defensive solidity, Granit Xhaka's arrival and continued presence at the club has been massive.

Trusted with build-up and progression, if Sunderland are to get going and pick holes in our defensive structure from open play, it's probably going to be through him, unless we find a way to force them elsewhere.

You can read more of Kish Koria's tactical takes on FFC on X and across social media, @CottageTactico.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/28/cottage-tactico-sunderlands-solid-foundations/