Friday Fulham Stuff (08/06/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Another After Pavel

A couple of days ago we reported on how Reading were trying to muscle in on signing Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Well since then Aston Villa have also expressed an interest with Pavel quoted on Vital Villa as having remarked,

"After three or four months, I feel that I have found my place in England and I want to play in this league. I feel great desire and strength inside me and my age will not work against me. We couldn't agree anything with Fulham so far, but I hope everything will be alright. If I don't play for Fulham, I hope to find another team.'

Remember who first buttered your toast Pavel!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=284254#ixzz1xCeOZ2Vl

[WhiteJC]

 
Ismail on the Radar

One red-top is today reporting that Fulham are on the trail of a, so-called, wonder-kid.

His name is Zeli Ismail. He is eighteen years of age and is on the books of Wolves.

Although he still has time left on his current contract the fact that he hasn`t agreed new terms has alerted ourselves to his possible availability as well as Queens Park Rangers and West Brom.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=284256#ixzz1xCekEiq8

[WhiteJC]

 
Will Clint Dempsey lead USA in World Cup qualifying?

Talk to Clint Dempsey about his soccer career and he'll circle back to one phrase.

"I want to make a difference."

He'll say that his 23 goals for Fulham of the English Premier League — the most ever scored by an American — came down to one objective. He just tried to make a difference.

His approach to the U.S. soccer team's month-long training camp and the start of World Cup qualifying? He is just trying to make a difference.

As the United States starts its World Cup qualifying Friday against Antigua and Barbuda, it's almost a given that Dempsey will indeed, make some sort of difference. How much so may help determine his fate next season.

Dempsey has proven to be a world-class goal scorer. He says he wants to play in the competition that showcases most of the world's top goal scorers: the UEFA Champions League.

As speculation swirls around which team will attempt to steal him from Fulham (the Daily Mail reports that Arsenal and Liverpool are interested), Dempsey has two more opprtunities to showcase his talent before England's Aug. 31 transfer deadline.

"If you play consistently at the highest level, then requests will come in," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "Offers will come in. I think everybody's aware of that. His goal is the right goal.

"Hopefully something will happen over the next couple of weeks and if it doesn't happen, then he just has to keep pounding away."

After three international friendlies, Friday's game and the Americans' second qualifier four days later against Guatemala, the team will have completed a stretch of five games in 18 days.

The process isn't new to Dempsey. He made his first appearance for the U.S. in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Jamaica. But this year is different. Coming off a spectacular season with Fulham, Dempsey, 29, has emerged as one of the biggest stars of the U.S. team.

According to Dempsey, nothing has changed.

"I always approach camp the same way," he said. "Any time you're playing for your country you want to win so it never changes how you approach the camp. You are always hungry and you always want to make a difference."

Klinsmann said Dempsey's club season should inspire more confidence, but the three friendlies gave little clue as to how that translates to the field against international competition. A groin injury kept Dempsey out of the Scotland game and forced him to come in as a substitute against Brazil.

Against Canada he played the entire game, but couldn't connect on his two best chances: an attempted header that skimmed over his head and a free kick he put just over the bar.

The latter is a skill Dempsey continued to polish in the club season.

"I try to better myself every year," said Dempsey, a Texan who made his professional debut with Major League Soccer at 21. "That's something I've been able to do and hopefully can continue doing that. I'm enjoying my football but hopefully I can take it to another level."

The United States, still struggling to score goals consistently, would welcome that next level. Aside from a five goals against Scotland, the Americans have scored four goals in five games this year.

Dempsey said before playing Brazil that the groin injury wasn't bothering him. Instead his biggest obstacle is getting his fitness back.

"We're hopeful every day, every day of training, every day of progress from Clint," Klinsmann said after the Brazil game.

"A fully fit Clint Dempsey makes a difference in our team."

Sometimes it's that simple.



http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/story/2012-06-04/clint-dempsey-usa-world-cup-qualifying/55458796/1?

[WhiteJC]

 
Dembele commits to Fulham despite interest from United, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea

Mousa Dembele has no intention of leaving Fulham this summer as he wants to continue playing for manager Martin Jol.

The 24-year-old has become an increasingly important player for the west Londoners since joining the club from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar two years ago.

Dembele, who has a year left to run on his contract, was particularly impressive for the Cottagers last season, leading to speculation that he could leave in the summer.


Wanted: Mousa Dembele (right) in action against England last week

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest in the Belgium international, who insists he has no plans to go anywhere - thanks in no small part to Jol.

'I'm very happy to stay at Fulham, especially because of the boss,' he told the Fulham Chronicle. 'I think it's very important to have the backing of the manager and he's a coach who gives me a lot of confidence - that's why I feel I owe it to the gaffer as well.

'I think every player needs that and I'm no different. I go to training every day and work with joy. It's a fantastic club and I'm not in a hurry to move anywhere.'

Dembele has been converted from a forward into a central midfielder by Jol this season and it is a role he is enjoying.

'I'm very happy with the change this year in the position I play because I'm a player who likes to have the ball as much as possible - and that is down to the manager as well,' he said.

'I think I can hold the ball very well - and it's an advantage to the team if I have a lot of the ball, so I like that position a lot.

'I'm also very happy with the way the season went. The club is doing very well and we have a very strong team with good players.

'Next year, everybody wants to do even better. I'm not sure what will be our target next season, because in a way it's the club and manager who decide.


Rising star: Dembele impressed in Fulham's midfield last season

'I don't know if it is realistic to try for fourth or fifth or sixth, but I think we should look to do even better than this season and last.

'Maybe we will have more energy because we don't play in Europe this season and we can concentrate on the league.'

Dembele is not the only Fulham midfielder to have reaffirmed his commitment to the club.

Pajtim Kasami joined from Palermo last summer but featured just 17 times for the Whites and made only two appearances in 2012.

The Switzerland Under 21 international was subject of interest from Juventus in January but stayed at Craven Cottage, where he hopes to make an impression next season.

'At the beginning of the season it was quite difficult being in a new team, in a new country, and playing in a new league,' he told the club's official website.

'But I felt like I adapted quickly to English football so the first part of the season went very well for me. The second half of the season didn't go so well.

'I'm not sad but I'm a little bit disappointed in myself and the only thing I can do is look forward to the next season.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2156414/Mousa-Dembele-commits-Fulham-despite-Manchester-United-Spurs-Arsenal-interest.html#ixzz1xCprkHYK

[WhiteJC]

 
Mousa Dembele happy to remain at Fulham despite transfer speculation

Mousa Dembele has no intention of leaving Fulham this summer as he wants to continue playing for manager Martin Jol.

The 24-year-old has become an increasingly important player for the west Londoners since joining the club from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar two years ago.

Dembele, who has a year left to run on his contract, was particularly impressive for the Cottagers last season, leading to speculation that he could leave in the summer.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest in the Belgium international, who insists he has no plans to go anywhere - thanks in no small part to Jol.

"I'm very happy to stay at Fulham, especially because of the boss," he told the Fulham Chronicle.

"I think it's very important to have the backing of the manager and he's a coach who gives me a lot of confidence - that's why I feel I owe it to the gaffer as well.

"I think every player needs that and I'm no different. I go to training every day and work with joy. It's a fantastic club and I'm not in a hurry to move anywhere."

Dembele has been converted from a forward into a central midfielder by Jol this season and it is a role he is enjoying.

"I'm very happy with the change this year in the position I play because I'm a player who likes to have the ball as much as possible - and that is down to the manager as well," he said.

"I think I can hold the ball very well - and it's an advantage to the team if I have a lot of the ball, so I like that position a lot.

"I'm also very happy with the way the season went. The club is doing very well and we have a very strong team with good players.

"Next year, everybody wants to do even better. I'm not sure what will be our target next season, because in a way it's the club and manager who decide.

"I don't know if it is realistic to try for fourth or fifth or sixth, but I think we should look to do even better than this season and last.

"Maybe we will have more energy because we don't play in Europe this season and we can concentrate on the league."

Dembele is not the only Fulham midfielder to have reaffirmed his commitment to the club.

Pajtim Kasami joined from Palermo last summer but featured just 17 times for the Whites and made only two appearances in 2012.

The Switzerland Under-21 international was subject of interest from Juventus in January but stayed at Craven Cottage, where he hopes to make an impression next season.

"At the beginning of the season it was quite difficult being in a new team, in a new country, and playing in a new league," he told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.

"But I felt like I adapted quickly to English football so the first part of the season went very well for me.

"The second half of the season didn't go so well.

"I'm not sad but I'm a little bit disappointed in myself and the only thing I can do is look forward to the next season."

PA



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mousa-dembele-happy-to-remain-at-fulham-despite-transfer-speculation-7831377.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Dembele - I owe Jol
Belgium ace wants to repay manager's confidence in him


Moussa Dembele: Praised the influence Martin Jol has had on him

Moussa Dembele insists he is very happy to stay at Fulham this summer, believing he owes it to Martin Jol.

The 24-year-old has become an increasingly important player for the west Londoners since joining the club from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar two years ago.

Dembele, who has a year left to run on his contract, was particularly impressive for the Cottagers last season, leading to speculation that he could leave in the summer.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest in the Belgium international, but he insists he has no plans to go anywhere.

"I'm very happy to stay at Fulham, especially because of the boss," he told the Fulham Chronicle.

"I think it's very important to have the backing of the manager and he's a coach who gives me a lot of confidence - that's why I feel I owe it to the gaffer as well.

"I think every player needs that and I'm no different. I go to training every day and work with joy. It's a fantastic club and I'm not in a hurry to move anywhere."

Converted

Dembele has been converted from a forward into a central midfielder by Jol this season and it is a role he is enjoying.

"I'm very happy with the change this year in the position I play because I'm a player who likes to have the ball as much as possible - and that is down to the manager as well," he said.

"I think I can hold the ball very well - and it's an advantage to the team if I have a lot of the ball, so I like that position a lot.

"I'm also very happy with the way the season went. The club is doing very well and we have a very strong team with good players.

"Next year, everybody wants to do even better. I'm not sure what will be our target next season, because in a way it's the club and manager who decide.

"I don't know if it is realistic to try for fourth or fifth or sixth, but I think we should look to do even better than this season and last.

"Maybe we will have more energy because we don't play in Europe this season and we can concentrate on the league."

Kasami hopes

Dembele is not the only Fulham midfielder to have reaffirmed his commitment to the club.

Pajtim Kasami joined from Palermo last summer but featured just 17 times for the Whites and made only two appearances in 2012.

The Switzerland Under-21 international was subject of interest from Juventus in January but stayed at Craven Cottage, where he hopes to make an impression next season.

"At the beginning of the season it was quite difficult being in a new team, in a new country, and playing in a new league," he told the club's official website.

"But I felt like I adapted quickly to English football so the first part of the season went very well for me.

"The second half of the season didn't go so well.

"I'm not sad but I'm a little bit disappointed in myself and the only thing I can do is look forward to the next season."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7800795/?