Tuesday Fulham Stuff (22/01/13)...

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Fulham linked with international defender

Fulham have been linked with a move for Greece international, Vasilis Torosidis, after he revealed that he intends to leave Olympiakos, reports Sky Sports.

The 27-year-old has been at the Athens club since 2007 and has played 133 league games scoring twelve goals in that time.

But his future is now up in the air as he has refused to sign a new contract, which could see him move in the January transfer window.

Bags Packed

The full-back, who is on the market for a fee in the region of £500,000, has made his intentions clear and is eager to try his luck abroad.

Torosidis told The Sun: "I'm not going to sign a new deal. I want to move abroad."

Fellow Greek teammate Giorgos Karagounis is also at Fulham, and given Torosidis' ability to play in midfield as well as in defence, he would bring some versatility to the west London club.

The signing of the Greek international could be a huge boost for Fulham, as the club lies 14th in the Premier League table, having only obtained five points from their last six games.

The Cottagers have big games ahead as they travel to Old Trafford for their FA Cup tie against Manchester United and then welcome them back to Craven Cottage the following weekend.


http://www.touchlinetalk.com/torosidis-to-leave-olympiakos/25919/?

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Defender Deal Imminent
   
That darned transfer window is still open and rumours are continuing to link possible players with our club.

The latest to be linked is the Olympiakos defender Vailis Torosidis

The twenty-seven year old centre back is out of contract this summer and is quoted as having remarked,

"I`m not going to sign a new deal. I want to move abroad."

Which is where we supposedly; come in with an offer said to be in the region of £500,000 for his services!

We`ll endeavour to report further if anything concrete, in the way of news occurs!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=306244#ixzz2IfvzrVia

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol - Is It a Confidence Booster?
   
After picking up nothing at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, we now face two further trips to Manchester, to take on United in our next two games.

The first of these is in the FA Cup, next Saturday, followed by a Premier League clash.

For many Fulham supporters, these two fixtures are considered to be amongst the hardest of our season and in our current run of poor form you have to question whether we can get anything out of either.

But fair play to Martin Jol, the Dutchman has come out and offered us a confidence booster, commenting to the media,

"City are very difficult to beat, especially at home."

"Even when they don`t do very well, like in this game, they are still strong at the back."

"We played at Old Trafford this season and lost 3-2 - and last season lost only 1-0 there when we should have had a penalty when Danny Murphy was brought down."

"So we tend to do okay against United. City play a bit more rigid and they play with more individual quality whereas...I won`t say anything. We go there next week."

Being churlish I have to ask.......is it a confidence booster or merely a cunning piece of kidology?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=306245#ixzz2IfwCzWsI

[WhiteJC]

 
Briggs - Words of Wisdom!
   
Up at the Etihad Stadium, conceding in the first ninety seconds wasn`t part of the game plan.

But then again picking up a mere 2 points out of the last 15 available wasn`t either.

However, as we slide down the table, now is not the time to panic, something young Matthew Briggs has picked up on with the youngster offering the following comments to the media,

"When you break it down it isn`t good enough - although I do think we`ve been very unlucky at times."

"It`s only a matter of time and we`ll be looking to bounce back but our next game is at Manchester United in the FA Cup so it doesn`t get any easier."

"But we need to find our feet again and rediscover that momentum we had before. There are positives we can take despite these results."

There are, but they may be few and far between.

But, returning to that early goal, Briggs offered the following comment,

"It was an uphill battle because this is one of the toughest grounds to visit."

It certainly was, but you can`t but ponder over what might have been if Steve Sidwell hadn`t of steered his header onto the post instead of into the net.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=306246#ixzz2IfwLV5Ef

[WhiteJC]

 
A Permanent Deal
   
With David Stockdale up at the KC Stadium, Hull, for the next six months, there is talk of a permanent deal happening.

Stockdale, when pressed on the subject by the media, did little to scotch such rumour, remarking,

"There`s nothing set in stone. If there`s an opportunity then you have to look at it. I`m not going to rule anything out."

Do I detect a keenness to get regular first team football rather than show any more loyalty to Fulham?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=306247#ixzz2IfwUsVvI

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer news: Fulham and Crystal Palace want Blackpool's Ludovic Sylvestre


Ludovic Sylvestre: Impressed Fulham's Martin Jol in recent FA Cup matches

Sky Sports understands Fulham are eyeing a move for Blackpool midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre.

Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol is keen to bolster his midfield options and Sylvestre has emerged on his radar.

Sylvestre impressed Jol during Fulham's FA Cup clashes with Blackpool, with the midfielder scoring in last week's replay at Bloomfield Road.

Championship promotion hopefuls Crystal Palace are also keen on Sylvestre.

Palace boss Ian Holloway is a big fan of Slyvestre, having signed him while he was in charge of Blackpool, and he would love to be reunited with the player at Selhurst Park to boost his side's promotion bid.

Sylvestre is in the final six months of his contract at Blackpool and his suitors know they could land the former Barcelona man for a cut-price fee.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8421329?

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ARSENAL AND FULHAM LIE IN WAIT FOR MAARTEN STEKELENBURG

ARSENAL and Fulham have both been put on alert as Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is agitating for a move away from Italy.
Stekelenburg has hinted at a move to England, and both Barclays Premier League clubs have been on the trail for his signature some time now.

Fulham are looking for a keeper to deputise for their veteran first choice Mark Schwarzer, whereas Arsenal have a sizeable transfer kitty to splash out on new signings.

The Gunners have been linked with Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes and Liverpool's Pepe Reina as doubts still linger over Wojciech Szczesny.

And Stekelenburg's agent, Rob Jansen, admitted his client does not see eye to eye with his boss, Zdenek Zeman.

He was quoted on sports website Sports Mole, as saying: "It's a serious problem of course between him and the coach.

"We are dealing with the situation with Roma in a very transparent and correct way. He's not made any final decision about leaving or whether he will stay there.

"We are looking at the market and if we have to act then we know what to do. The Premier League is one of the best competitions in the world so for every player wants to experience that."

Stekelenburg has kept only a solitary clean sheet for Roma in Serie A so far this season.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/372300?

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Sidwell: Fulham need to dig deep to break poor form
The midfielder calls on his team-mates to work even harder to turn around their backward slide, starting with their FA Cup clash with Manchester United on January 26


Getty Images

Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell has called on his team-mates to dig deep in order to break the Cottagers' recent run of poor form.

Martin Jol's side have won only one of their last seven games, slipping to just six points above the relegation zone following Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Fulham's next game is an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester United and Sidwell is eyeing a break from the league as the perfect chance to get out of the rut.

"It's been tough," he told the club's official website. "The Christmas period is always hard with the amount of games. If you can come through it having done well then spirits are always high.

"Coming out of this one, it's been tough but it's all about team spirit now, digging deep and working for each other.

"You're not going to get results if you don't work hard, that's the first thing you do.

"We've got some big games to come now, starting with United in the cup. It's a break from the league and we need to go up there, not sit back and try and play our football.

"We've then got two hard league games so tricky fixtures are ahead but we look forward to them."



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/01/21/3690309/-?

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Football Association asks Manchester United to suspend ticket sales for FA Cup fourth-round tie against Fulham
The Football Association has asked Manchester United to suspend ticket sales for this weekend's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Fulham at Old Trafford after the London club claimed their fans were being unfairly charged more than home fans.


Ticket trouble: Fulham have complained about the price difference between home and away fans for the forthcoming FA Cup tie
Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Fulham claim that the two clubs agreed a price of £45 for away fans in line with FA rules for the competition, but have now discovered that some United fans will be able to purchase seats in the same area of the ground for £40.

The £5 discount is offered only to members of United's membership scheme, but Fulham say this is in breach of the agreement and FA rules regarding ticket pricing for the FA Cup.

Fulham have requested 1,400 tickets for Saturday's game, with adults charged £45 and juniors £12.

They have asked the FA to investigate, and as a matter of routine the FA requested the sales suspension.

It is thought United will continue to sell tickets for other areas of the ground, and if the FA finds against them ,will refund the £5 to Fulham supporters.

United defend their long-standing discount offer to members, and tickets for Fulham fans for the FA Cup tie are cheaper than those offered to United fans for the Premier League game at Craven Cottage next month.

For that game United fans will pay £49 for adults and £22 for juniors.

The dispute highlights ongoing tension over ticket prices for away fans, a debate sparked by Manchester City sending back more than 900 tickets priced at £62 for the recent game against Arsenal.

A spokesman for the Football Supporters' Federation, which has launched a national campaign on ticket pricing, said: "The majority of fans clearly find ticket prices to be too expensive and the problem is compounded for away fans who also have to put up with spiralling transport costs.

"Therefore it's especially galling when clubs try to make a few extra quid by squeezing away fans dry. It might boost the balance sheet in the short term but long term vision is required here.

"Away attendances are in decline and something must be done by the clubs before that becomes terminal. Who wants to go to games without away fans, games without passion? Will TV companies continue to pay billions for games like that?

"We believe that an away ticket price cap of £20 would make football more affordable and halt the decline in away fan attendances.

"Clubs should reward away fans loyalty rather than try and take advantage and the FSF's Score Campaign aims to make this a reality."



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9816961/Football-Association-asks-Manchester-United-to-suspend-ticket-sales-for-FA-Cup-fourth-round-tie-against-Fulham.html

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Fulham star: FA Cup clash at Manchester United is a pleasant distraction

Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is looking forward to having a break from the Whites' worrying league form with an FA Cup game at Manchester United to look forward to.

The west Londoners have won only one of their last seven games and are six points clear of the relegation zone after their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

"It's been tough," he told the club's official website. "The Christmas period is always hard with the amount of games. If you can come through it having done well then spirits are always high.

"Coming out of this one, it's been tough but it's all about team spirit now, digging deep and working for each other.

"You're not going to get results if you don't work hard, that's the first thing you do.

"We've got some big games to come now, starting with United in the cup. It's a break from the league and we need to go up there, not sit back and try and play our football.

"We've then got two hard league games so tricky fixtures are ahead but we look forward to them."


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_star_fa_cup_clash_at_manchester_united_is_a_pleasant_distraction_1_1802053

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Rangers and Fulham competing to sign Tottenham duo – report

QPR and Fulham are competing for the signings of Tottenham midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore, according to the Daily Mail.

It is claimed Whites boss Martin Jol is interested in the duo but that Rangers are willing to spend more money.

Rangers have agreed the loan signing of Livermore but it is on hold because of an injury to Spurs star Sandro.

Related West London Sport story: QPR and Spurs in talks over midfielder (17 January)

The Mail also pick up on yesterday's reports that QPR manager Harry Redknapp is interested in Dynamo Kiev's Niko Kranjcar, who played under him at Portsmouth and Tottenham.

The Daily Mirror say Redknapp is hijacking Newcastle's move for Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko.

It comes amid reports that Rangers have missed out on the signing of Yann M'Vila, who, it is claimed, is joining Russian club Rubin Kazan from Rennes after snubbing a move to Loftus Road.

The Sun say QPR were prepared to pay M'Vila around £45,000 a week.

The Daily Telegraph say John Terry's long-term future will remain in doubt until the summer.

Terry has 18 months left on his Chelsea contract but the club apparently have no immediate plans to discuss a new deal.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/rangers-and-fulham-competing-to-sign-tottenham-duo-report

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Berbatov heading back to Old Trafford as Jones plans to wreck old pal's FA Cup dream

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is excited by the prospect of coming against former team-mate Dimitar Berbatov in the FA Cup this weekend but insists he will be doing all he can to spoil the Bulgarian's return to Old Trafford. 

The striker left the Premier League leaders in the summer for Fulham, where he has enjoyed a return to form following a disappointing final year with United.


Bring it on: Phil Jones (left) is looking forward to facing Dimitar Berbatov

On Saturday, Jones and his team-mates have the chance to put their disappointment at conceding a late equaliser to Tottenham in the league behind them when they take on Martin Jol's visitors in the fourth round.

Jones said: 'The FA Cup is a great competition and one we want to win. We want to go as far as we can - it's a competition I've always admired.

'It'll be great to see Berba back at Old Trafford, technically he's a fantastic player. Hopefully we can get the result we want and continue to progress in the competition.'


Remember me? Berbatov (centre) will be up against his former team-mates

United were stung on Sunday as they conceded an injury-time equaliser at White Hart Lane. But Sir Alex Ferguson's men remain five points clear at the top of the table and have not been beaten in the Premier League since November.

Jones said: 'Confidence is high but we know we still have to produce and do our job every time we step out on the pitch.

'As long as we're focused on what we've got to do and on our game-plan hopefully we'll be OK.'

United have 15 games remaining and Jones believes the team know what to do to retain their edge over rivals and champions Manchester City.

The 20-year-old said: 'The Christmas period is always tough with a lot of games in a short space of time, but now we're getting towards the nitty-gritty part of the season.

'It's the time when you need to be fully aware of what you've got to do and go out and do it.

'We all relish the challenge - everyone in the squad is very focused and committed and we're all ready for the next game.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2266290/Dimitar-Berbatov-heading-Manchester-United-Phil-Jones-plans-ruin-FA-Cup-dream.html#ixzz2IiMsrvpM
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Yann M'Vila: Rubin Kazan bid for QPR & Fulham target accepted

Rennes have accepted a £9.6m offer from Russian club Rubin Kazan for Yann M'Vila, but the France midfielder favours a move to England.

QPR and another unnamed Premier League side have made bids that could rise to £6.6m, while Fulham have indicated they would pay £5.8m.

Rubin have offered M'Vila a four-year deal worth £3.75m a year after tax.

The situation is complicated by M'Vila's ban from international football by his national association.

An unauthorised night out while on France Under-21 duty saw him suspended from all national teams until June 2014.

If M'Vila, 22, can persuade the France Football Federation (FFF) to reduce his punishment - he hopes to find out by this weekend - he will look to boost his international hopes by pushing for a move to England or staying at Rennes, where he is under contract until 2015.

But if the FFF maintains its stance, he may agree a lucrative move to Russia and attempt to reignite his international career once the ban is lifted.

QPR were confident of recruiting M'Vila with a £6.2m offer that would rise by around £400,000 if they avoid relegation, but M'Vila was undecided on signing for the Premier League's bottom team.

He would prefer to join the unnamed club, who would pay £3.3m up front and a further £3m, or £3.3m, at the end of the season.

The English sides are suggesting a salary of around £3m a year, although an issue is Britain's current 50% tax rate. It is due to reduce to 45% in April 2013 but this still compares unfavourably to Russia.

Fulham registered an interest in M'Vila, who has won 22 caps for France, with Rennes in December, but no formal bid has been submitted.

The French outfit's asking price last summer was almost £17m and they reportedly rejected a £28m bid from an English club a year ago.

However, a series of off-field problems have seen M'Vila's stock fall and Rennes want to offload him before the January transfer window closes.

He has made 16 league appearances this season and has helped Rennes to the French League Cup final.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21143027?

[WhiteJC]

 
The renaissance of former Spurs and Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque

The former Tottenham, Fulham and Sunderland midfielder has had an interesting couple of years in his career but now he is playing arguably the best football of his life back at Lyon. With a return to White Hart Lane in store next month we felt we should bring his tale to light.

On the 3rd September 2011 it seemed highly unlikely that an article entitled 'The renaissance of Steed Malbranque' would ever be considered in the year 2013 but the career of the former Fulham, Tottenham and Sunderland midfielder has been nothing but extraordinary since that point.

On that day it was announced by many sources that Malbranque had retired from the sport at the age of 31; just two months after joining new club St Etienne. The tragic reason for his apparent retirement came to light the same day; the former French under-21 international was quitting the game to care for his ill son who had just been diagnosed with cancer. A tragic tale; yet one that would have been more tragic if it was actually true. Malbranque and St Etienne quickly made it clear that he did not have a son and no immediate members of his family that needed caring for. Malbranque had not even retired just simply decided to end his association with Les Verts.

When asked by L'Equipe what he planned to do now he was retired he retorted:

"I never said that. The club said that. I am still hesitant. I cannot put myself in the future. I did not take pleasure in training. I tried to be happy but I could not''

Malbranque took time out from the game and then in August last year went on trial with his first club Lyon; who were looking for affordable options in the wake of stagnant finances and he impressed so much that he signed a one-year contract.

What has occurred since has been nothing short of a renaissance. Malbranque has played with the original care-free creativity that belied his age when Fulham first brought him to England in 2001. Add to this his impressive physical dimensions for a 33-year-old and Lyon have signed up one of the bargains of the season.

In his second debut for the club he faced off against Valenciennes and rolled back the years with a man-of-the-match performance in the heart of the midfield. In the absence of the perpetually injured Yoann Gourcuff the form of Malbranque has been integral to helping Lyon to second place in Ligue 1; joint on points with free-spending Paris Saint-Germain. This season Malbranque has featured in 20 games and has one of the best pass completion rates in Ligue 1 (81.9%) as well as assisting eight goals.

Such form has seen him rewarded with a one-year contract extension at the start of December and another reward for extending his career will come in February when he returns to White Hart Lane to face Spurs; who he of course represented for two seasons between 2006 and 2008 where he will be sure to receive a warm welcome especially from those that know of his recent trials and tribulations.

So there you have it. Steed Malbranque; proving it is never too late for a comeback even at 33-years-old.


http://hereisthecity.com/2013/01/21/mn-the-renaissance-of-former-spurs-and-fulham-midfielder-steed-m/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham ready to swoop for defender


Sascha Riether

MARTIN Jol is preparing a permanent move for on-loan defender Sascha Riether at the end of the season.

The Cologne right-back has been a virtual ever-present for Fulham since his switch to Craven Cottage in the summer.

Riether's displays saw Stephen Kelly flogged to Premier League rivals Reading earlier this month after the Irishman grew frustrated at his lack of opportunities in SW6.

The 29-year-old is due to return to Germany in May, but Whites boss Jol is ready to make the switch permanent if he maintains his good form.

He said: "Sascha Riether has done a great job for us. He's enthusiastic, mobile and aggressive.

"He was playing for a club who got relegated and I thought that maybe this was the chance for us to get him under good circumstances.

"I only wanted him on loan because you never know [how they will do].

"If he carries on like this we will make our mind up and try to extend it or buy him."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/01/22/82029-32652997/?#ixzz2IiP0L2W0

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Fulham demand answers in Manchester United ticket row

The Football Association today confirmed they have asked Manchester United to respond to a complaint lodged by Fulham that official rules were broken over the pricing of tickets for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Old Trafford.

Fulham last night made a formal protest to the FA over United offering a £5 discount on £45 tickets to subscribers to the Premier League leaders' membership scheme, their season-ticket holders and multiple-ticket purchasers. They claim the discount breaks an agreement between the two clubs that tickets for the game would cost £45.

FA regulations do allow clubs to make special offers for Cup fixtures but such offers must be agreed beforehand. In this instance Fulham insist no agreement was reached.

A Fulham spokeswoman said: "We are not happy about penalising our fans and that is essentially why we made the complaint to the FA.

"The rules state that you must agree with the opposition club if you intend to discount any of your tickets and that is what Manchester United haven't done. So they have effectively broken an FA Rule.

"Regardless of their semantics that 'we did it at the last game', they have to have agreed it with us first, they didn't do that and we are now having to penalise our fans paying for a full price ticket whereas their fans will get a discount. We would never have agreed to that."

The FA's Competitions Department have now launched an investigation ahead of receiving an explanation from United, who could face a heavy fine if found guilty of breaching Cup rules.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-demand-answers-in-manchester-united-ticket-row-8461547.html

[WhiteJC]

 
United defend ticket prices

Manchester United have defended their ticket pricing policy ahead of this weekend's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Fulham at Old Trafford.

The London club have complained to the Football Association after discovering that some United fans have been able to purchase seats equivalent to those on offer to Fulham supporters £5 cheaper.

As is common practice for FA Cup games, the clubs had agreed a standard price of £45 for home and away fans but United members have been able to purchase them at a discounted rate of £40.

United say that is an offer available only to members under a long-standing scheme and it should not have come as a surprise.

Fulham claim they were not informed of the discount and it is understood they would not have agreed to it had they known.

A United spokesman said: "Fulham fans are paying the same as United fans who are not members.

"A discount scheme has existed for members for around 20 years.

"We're surprised it has come as a surprise to them."

United most recently operated the scheme for their third-round replay against West Ham last week.

Fulham made public their complaint via their Twitter account.

A tweet read: "Fulham Football Club has contacted The FA to complain about Man United discounting FA Cup match tickets for their fans."

The club have made no further comment but are understood to feel they should have been informed beforehand. They fear their fans will be put off from travelling.

The FA has received the complaint and is understood to have written to United for a formal explanation.

Fulham have set a price of £49 for adult away fans when they host United in the Premier League on February 2.


http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/8423033/United-defend-ticket-prices?

[WhiteJC]

 
Tigers temptation too strong - Stockdale

David Stockdale found the lure of a promotion push with Hull too strong to turn down after returning for a second loan spell.

Stockdale, 27, spent a month on loan with the Tigers prior to the Christmas period, making five appearances, before starting three games for Fulham at the turn of the year, but was back in Hull's colours in their weekend draw at Peterborough.

"I really wanted to be a part of this until the end of the season because it's such an exciting time," Stockdale told Hull's official website.

"The (Fulham) manager asked me if there was anywhere in particular I wanted to go and I made it clear I wanted to come back to Hull.

"There's a fantastic group of lads here and the team also plays great football."


http://www.clubcall.com/hull-city/tigers-temptation-too-strong---stockdale-1535095.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Roma beat Fulham to Torosidis signature
The Greece international was a target for a number of clubs across Europe, but the Giallorossi are now in pole position, with the defender set to undergo a medical



Roma have beaten Fulham to the signature of Olympiakos defender Vasilis Torosidis.

The Greece international, who plays at right-back, has agreed a contract with the Serie A club, for a fee of €2.5 million, and will undergo a medical imminently.

The 27-year-old recently announced he would not be renewing his contract with the Greek Super League leaders, which expires in June, with Fulham registering their interest before the intervention of the Giallorossi.

The defender, who can play in central midfield and on the right flank as well as at full-back, will move to Stadio Olimpico this month subject to passing a medical.

The Greek giants have decided to cash in on the player rather than risk losing him on a free transfer this summer.


http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/01/22/3691769/-?

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Moussa Dembélé: one of Tottenham's most important buys in a decade

Moussa Dembélé has been a revelation at Tottenham since his £15 million move from Fulham at the start of the season. He effortlessly links defence with attack and is one of the first names on AVB's team sheet at Tottenham. But just how important is Moussa to The Lilywhites?

Losing Luka Modric to Real Madrid in the summer was a huge blow for Spurs, and although they were well compensated to the tune of £33 million, they desperately needed to fill the creativity void left by the Croatian playmaker.

Tottenham turned their attention to Craven Cottage and Fulham's star midfielder Moussa Dembélé. The Belgian International was reportedly considered as a serious option for Real Madrid as their move for Modric was stalling; and so he was a player in-demand. Fulham Manager Martin Jol has even described Dembele as:

... probably the best player on the ball I've ever seen"

Despite only netting 5 goals in his Fulham career, he formed a lethal partnership with the Fulham attack and especially Clint Dempsey who scored 23 goals for the Cottagers last season. So, Spurs stumped up the £15 million for Dembélé and it is a decision that they are not regretting.

He sparkled on his debut scoring against Norwich City, and despite not scoring since then he has gone onto make 14 appearances for the first team so far and the statistics curiously show that Spurs are more likely to win with him in the team.



In Tottenham's first 22 games this season, Dembélé played 11 times and missed the other 11. In the games he featured Spurs won 64% of the matches, that win ratio falls dramatically to 27% when he is absent. The stats also show that Tottenham are more likely to concede when Dembélé is not on the pitch. Of the 11 games he missed, Spurs conceded 20 goals.

In contrast, when he has played Spurs conceded only 8 goals, highlighting his qualities at both ends of the pitch. However, the most telling stat was that Spurs did not lose a single game when Dembélé had played during the first 22 games.

Although the player himself dismisses suggestions that he is a natural successor to Modric, Sours will be delighted that they managed to replace such a vital component of their midfield with another supremely gifted footballer. In terms of Spurs top four hopes, Dembélé staying injury-free will be crucial if they are to achieve their aims.

We are perhaps seeing the first glimpses of a player that might truly shape one of Tottenham's now (in)famous new dawns.



http://threeandin.com/2013/01/22/moussa-dembele-one-of-tottenhams-most-important-buys-in-a-decade/?