Tuesday Fulham Stuff (23/06/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
LVC All To Play For

Lasse Vigen Christensen played the full 90 minutes as Denmark suffered defeat in the UEFA Under-21 European Championships, losing 3-0 to Germany in Prague.

The Danes came into the match as group leaders following victory over the Czech Republic, and looked like continuing the momentum, threatening in the early stages with attempts from Pione Sisto and Yussuf Poulsen.

But two goals from Germany captain Kevin Volland and a third from Matthias Ginter propelled the Germans to the top of their group, with Denmark now to play Serbia on Tuesday at the Letna Stadium. Both teams require victory to retain ambitions of reaching the Semi-Finals.

Germany top Group A with four points, with Denmark and the Czechs on three and Serbia on one.

Jess Thorup, Denmark coach, said: "I would say that we met a better team today who had more quality, particularly in attack – they were very good at finishing. We had our chances but we were not good enough in those situations and that's why we lost . We were good on the ball but we were missing the final pass; when they were in the same situations they were better.

"Now we have to get back on it and find some new confidence for the next game. We have to win the game and if we do that we're through to the Semi-Finals."

Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli was an unused substitute as England beat Sweden 1-0 in Group B thanks to a late winner from Jesse Lingard. England play Italy on Wednesday.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/june/21/lvc?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sampdoria Target Fulham Striker

Sampdoria are keen on rescuing Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou from his nightmare spell in England.

The 27-year-old Greek international spent this past season on loan at former club Olympiakos after failing to settle at Craven Cottage since moving there in January 2014.

Il Secolo XI report that Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is keen to give new coach Walter Zenga some reinforcements in attack due to the possible departures of Samuel Eto'o and Stefano Okaka.

Napoli striker Duvan Zapata is seen as an option, but Ferrero has also identified Mitroglou as the man to spearhead the Blucerchiati attack for next season.

Fulham would rather offload the striker due to his expensive wages, and the player has no intention of plying his trade in the Championship next season which means an exit looks inevitable.

They will face competition from fellow Serie A outfits Udinese and Sassuolo, while Turkish giants Fenerbahce are also closing in on the coveted front-man.

Mitroglou netted 19 goals in 34 matches for the Greek giants this season.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/sampdoria-target-fulham-striker/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham dig heels in over Manchester City bid for wonderkid

...and so far have yet to improve wage offer for Pat Roberts


Stalemate: Pat Roberts (R)

Fulham are refusing to budge on improving a new deal for wonderkid Patrick Roberts – and Manchester City are going to have to do a lot better than £5 million already offered.

A day after the Whites had yet to hear from the former Premier League champions, in came City in an attempt to take the 18-year-old talent (see video) off their hands.

Getwestlondon have been told the bid was rejected out of hand, but Roberts is also refusing to sign terms offered by Fulham, reported to be around £5,000-a-week.

Fulham boss Kit Symons argues the best place for a player he developed as U21 coach is with the Whites, but there may yet have to be a compromise over wages – or City are going to have come closer to the £10m price tag on the England U19 star.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-dig-heels-over-manchester-9500953?

[WhiteJC]

 
AFC Wimbledon transfer news: Arsenal, Fulham and Brighton keeping tabs on Dons prospect

Ryan Sweeney is being monitored by three interested clubs, according to reports


Heads! Ryan Sweeney in action for AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon's rising star Ryan Sweeney has caught the attention of Arsenal, according to reports.

The Kingston-born Dons academy graduate ended last season as part of Neal Ardley's first-team setup after breaking through from the club's development squad.

His form for Wimbledon earned his an Ireland U18s call-up this summer and he made his international debut in a goalless draw with Luxembourg last month.

Sweeney, a tall centre-half, is now said to be attracting interest from the Premier League Gunners.

Here is the City Sport claim Arsene Wenger's side are keeping tabs on the youngster and could face competition for the player from Championship duo Fulham and Brighton.

Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley recently told the club's website: "Ryan had turned into a very aggressive centre-back, who wanted to win his headers and put his foot in.

"He is still growing, I think he was 6ft three inches the last time I saw him, but he is probably nearly 6ft 4 inches now!

"Sometimes with that you can be a little bit uncoordinated, but we have to see him through and make sure we do not put too much on him.

"At the same time if we can add those qualities to his game and keep working on his bravery and defensive mentality then we could have a real prospect on our hands."

Wimbledon are short of numbers at the back, particularly in the heart of the defence, and would be reluctant to lose a defender they consider a huge talent at Kingsmeadow.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/afc-wimbledon-transfer-news-arsenal-9503647?

[WhiteJC]

 
Millwall star Matthew Briggs joins Colchester United


Former Fulham full-back Matthew Briggs has completed a permanent move to Colchester United.

The 24-year-old signed for Millwall in August last year but was shipped out on loan to the U's in January.

He went on to make 18 League One appearances in the second half of the campaign and has now made the loan switch permanent.

Briggs, who made a total of 13 Premier League appearances during his time at Fulham, has penned a two-year deal at the Colchester Community Stadium.


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/millwall-star-matthew-briggs-joins-colchester-united-150622151736#13XkueVzHBgzaasH.99

[WhiteJC]

 
The Other Dembele Could Be On The Move
   
Yesterday (Sunday), we reported on how it was looking very much as if we`d be losing young Moussa Dembele to Serie A.

It was being reported that the young French striker was heading for the exit door at Craven Cottage and it remains to be seen whether Fulham can help the youngster change his mind.

However, another Moussa Dembele, who used to play for Fulham, has been in the news this weekend. This Dembele, of Belgian origin and a little older at 27 years of age, left Fulham three years ago, for a fee of£15 million to join Spurs.

Sadly this Dembele is finding it hard to secure a place in the Spurs first team and it looks as he could be moving on.

So far two other London clubs have expressed an interest in signing the midfielder, those two teams being Chelsea and West Ham United with a fee of £12 million being quoted.

How I`d love to have Moussa back at Craven Cottage but I suppose things have moved on since he left, have they not?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=403382#ixzz3drnn9gkI

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham refuse to budge in Manchester City pursuit for highly-rated winger

Fulham have told Manchester City they will have to do better than the £5 million offered for winger Patrick Roberts, reports Get West London.

The Cottagers are also unwilling to improve the new deal offered to the highly-rated 18-year-old.

The West London club have offered a contract understood to be around £5,000-a-week to Roberts, which he has rejected.

A day after the Whites told Get West London they had received no approach for the winger, the Premier League runners-up came in with a £5m bid in an attempt to test Fulham's resolve.

The offer was turned down flat and boss Kit Symons believes Craven Cottage is the best place for Roberts to develop, having worked closely with him whilst he was a coach of the development squad.

Fulham have told City they want around £10m for the England Under-19 international, but with Symons wanting him to stay, they'll have to up there offer on the contract offered to the youngster.


Read more at http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-refuse-to-budge-in-manchester-city-pursuit-for-highly-rated-winger/?#qbrzfKIQ5kgShtGL.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Stekelenburg Joins Saints

Fulham can confirm that goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has joined Southampton on a season-long loan.

The Dutch shot-stopper joined Fulham from AS Roma in the summer of 2013, making 19 league appearances in his debut season in SW6. He spent last term on loan in France at AS Monaco and will now stay with Southampton until 30th June 2016.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/june/22/stekelenburg-joins-saints?

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton snap up Fulham's Maarten Stekelenburg as third summer signing

Ronald Koeman was on the lookout for a new goalkeeper with Fraser Forster likely to miss most of next season with a serious knee injury


Going Dutch: Stekelenburg becomes Southampton's third summer signing

Southampton have made their third signing of the summer by snapping up goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Stekelenburg, 32, will join Southampton on a season-long loan from Championship Fulham after passing his medical today. He spent last term on loan at Monaco.

St Mary's boss Ronald Koeman was on the lookout for a new goalkeeper with England keeper Fraser Forster likely to miss most of next season with a serious knee injury.

And he has turned to experienced countryman Stekelenburg, who has 54 Holland caps and played in the 2010 final, to fill the void.

Koeman has wasted little time strengthening his squad ahead of a campaign that will also include Europa League football for his south coast side.

Spanish forward Juanmi and Portuguese right-back Cedric Soares joined the club last week.

There could be further additions if Saints lose right back Nathaniel Clyne or midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin forcing Koeman to move for replacements.

They also remain hopeful of tying up a deal for defender Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season at St Mary's on loan from Atletico Madrid, but face competition from Tottenham.

Koeman has no plans to move for QPR's £15m striker Charlie Austin though.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/southampton-snap-up-fulhams-maarten-5930899?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham being stubborn over Roberts
by LYDIA on JUNE 22, 2015

Many sources recently have claimed that both Manchester United and Manchester City have been sniffing around our wonder kid Patrick Roberts. Our youth academy has started to yield results from the considerable investment put in with the likes of Woodrow and Bettinelli, but Roberts is absolutely our most talked about prospect. The tricky winger has been on the England Youth scene for a while now but he hasn't yet had a decent chance on the Fulham first team. Often the Fulham fans would complain about this but to be honest I can understand Kit Symons' logic. At just 18 Roberts isn't fully grown and still has a lot of maturing to do. Yes, he is exciting to watch and probably could have given the fans something to cheer about, but I think that last season was too early for him to be unleashed on to the Championship stage.

However, this season coming he needs to be given his chance. If we hold on to him in the summer then he needs to be a regular fixture in the side and then we, and the rest of the world, can see what he can really do. For his own development I think going to the likes of City, who mainly want him right now to boost their amount of home grown players, would be detrimental. Despite all the talk about him he isn't proven yet and will need his chance to do this while avoiding having the pressure of being at a top 4 Premier League club. That sort of environment can destroy any player, never mind one so young. It has been reported that City have already had a £10million offer rejected by Fulham which is encouraging, as sometimes Fulham have let players go too easily. If I could give advice to Roberts right now I would say to be flattered by the interest but to continue his football education at Fulham and to not rush into signing with a big name where sometimes players get lost. Fulham should let him play this year and, if he continues to show a massive amount of potential, the big clubs will keep on looking at him. They aren't going to lose interest and next year, or a few years down the line, he will get to make his move.

For now, let's hope Roberts is still in a Fulham shirt come the start of the season and that he gets the chance to brighten up our performances come August.

#COYW

Follow me- @Lyds_Campbell


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/fulham-being-stubborn-over-roberts/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham enquire about Blackburn star

Fulham have made an enquiry about Blackburn's Tom Cairney, according to reports.

The 24-year old was a key figure for Rovers last season, as he played 45 times and his impressive performances have drawn interest from several sides, including the Cottagers.

Late last month, it was reported that Fulham were showing increasing interest in the midfielder – Now, according to reports, the Craven Cottage side have taken that interest one step further and have made an enquiry about him.

Blackburn aren't keen on letting the midfielder leave but if they name their price and Fulham match it, then Cairney could very well be off to Craven Cottage.

This enquiry shows Fulham's intent to improve on last season's 17th place finish, as they aim to sign the players they need this summer to try and climb further up the Championship table in the next campaign.


http://the72.co.uk/29520/fulham-enquire-about-blackburn-star/?

[HatterDon]

Millwall star Matthew Briggs joins Colchester United


Former Fulham full-back Matthew Briggs has completed a permanent move to Colchester United.

The 24-year-old signed for Millwall in August last year but was shipped out on loan to the U's in January.

He went on to make 18 League One appearances in the second half of the campaign and has now made the loan switch permanent.

Briggs, who made a total of 13 Premier League appearances during his time at Fulham, has penned a two-year deal at the Colchester Community Stadium.


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/millwall-star-matthew-briggs-joins-colchester-united-150622151736#13XkueVzHBgzaasH.99

Star, Gracie?