Saturday Fulham Stuff (19/05/18)...

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Crystal Palace rival West Ham for Ryan Fredericks

West Ham are desperate to significantly improve their defensive ranks this summer but are set for a fight in the battle to land their prime targets.

The Hammers have long been mentioned as potential suitors for Fulham full-back Ryan Fredericks, who is rapidly approaching the end of his contract at Craven Cottage, but will have to fend off interest from a Premier League rival.

The Evening Standard states Crystal Palace are now expressing an interest in the soon to be free agent and could take advantage of West Ham's manager-less situation.

West Ham confirmed David Moyes' exit from the London Stadium yesterday and no transfer deals are likely to go ahead until a successor for the Scottish boss is found.

That could work into Crystal Palace's favour, with Roy Hodgson able to make a swoop immediately, but the Eagles will have to wait until after the playoff final.

Fulham clash with Aston Villa at Wembley in the final hurdle in their attempt to get back to the Premier League and Fredericks has left the door open for a new deal – which he'd be more likely to sign if promotion was achieved.



https://westhamworld.co.uk/crystal-palace-rival-west-ham-for-ryan-fredericks/

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Championship gossip: West Ham and Crystal Palace chase Fulham defender, Aston Villa to beat Leeds United to striker

The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Sky Bet Championship

The transfer window is a well and truly open, so here is a round up of all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from clubs in, or going into the Championship.

Villa and Leeds battle for striker

Aston Villa are 'in pole position' to signed one of the most sought after free agents on the market this summer Abel Hernandez, if they beat Fulham in the play-off final reports Birmingham Live.

Yesterday Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Post reported Championship side Leeds United were 'close' to completing a deal for 27 year old who left Hull City upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

He's been linked with a reunion with Villa manager Bruce in almost every transfer window.

Premier League pair monitoring Fulham defender

If Fulham lose the Championship play-off final to Aston Villa on Saturday, May 26, they face losing not just player of the season Ryan Sessegnon but Ryan Fredericks according to the Evening Standard.

Both Crystal Palacen and West Ham are reported to be interested in the 25-year-old right-back who has yet to sign the new deal he was offered last year at Craven Cottage.

And if Slavisa Jokanovic's men lose to Aston Villa we will look to leave the club in pursuit of Premier League football according to the article which reports Eagles boss Roy Hodgson and sporting director Dougie Freedman watched him in action against Derby on Monday.

Steve Bruce looking to raid old club Hull City for full back

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is considering another raid on his former club Hull City for defender Moses Odubajo reports the Hull Daily Mail.

Odubajo, 24, who has missed all of last season through injury but is now reportedly fit again, is yet to agree an extended contract to remain at the KCOM and could leave on a free transfer this summer.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/championship-gossip-west-ham-crystal-1581067

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"Manchester City they aren't" - Aston Villa blogger is sick of the Fulham hype

Villa fan Jon Hayward has his say on Steve Bruce's team - and their play-off final opponents Fulham

The journey for Villa continues. The last step; the final hurdle; one last hurrah, and other such clichés all serve to add drama to an occasion which to fans, and particularly club owners, should not need dramatising.

One game against Fulham stands between Aston Villa Football Club and a return to the Premier League, where a club of their size arguably belong. That same game could be worth, according to recent estimations, north of £300m to the victors, and the chance to start to build towards those upper echelons of English football.

So, Villa fans should be confident... right?

Well... not if the mass media and the 'neutrals' are to be believed, as they have seemingly written off the West Midlands outfit against what Sky's Don Goodman described as "clearly the best team that didn't get promoted".



Every neutral fan that has crossed my path since Tuesday night has assured me Villa will be outclassed at Wembley. The same experts are also quick to dismiss the semi-final performances against Middlesbrough as "rubbish", despite the fact that the team who finished 5th in the Championship, were restricted to just two shots on target in 180 minutes of football. Whilst the Villa Park encounter may not have been one for the purists, in truth, Villa barely looked threatened.

"I don't know why Villa fans are getting so excited," I'm told. "Fulham will destroy them!"

Somebody should get on the phone to Wembley and cancel the game.

Paul Parker joined in on the hype. The former England and Manchester United defender (who began his career at Fulham, in all fairness) was quick to wax lyrical about his former team.

"I believe, we're talking about football being played a long way above every team in that league."



Given that Wolverhampton Wanderers finished 11 points ahead of Fulham, won more games, scored more goals and conceded less, it would be fair to say they may have been hard done by in that statement. Not finished with his exaggeratory wisdom, Parker went on to describe Fulham as "the City [Man City] of the Championship."

Yes, Fulham finished third in the league. They ended the season with 88 points, five more than Villa. Their team contains some exceptional players, three of whom were named in the Championship team of the season.

But Manchester City they are not.

Let's not forget, on the final day of the regular season less than two weeks ago, Fulham were soundly beaten by a team who narrowly avoided relegation - and who Villa beat comfortably themselves in February - Birmingham City. The Blues, who were the joint-lowest scorers in the English Football League, scored twice in the first half, finishing up with a deserved 3-1 victory. The Cottagers had been played off the park.

In their first leg against Derby they again looked distinctly average, as they struggled to break County down. Despite having more than 70% possession, Fulham only managed two shots on target, and had to start the second leg with a 1-0 deficit.

Why Villa should fear this team quite so much – like they're some kind of footballing deity, sent to destroy all who cross their path – is beyond me.

None of this is to say that Fulham are not a good side. They play an easy-on-the-eye brand of football and have performed well overall, following a poor start to the season. But again, this is not a squad blessed with David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero; this is an up and coming team that realistically, is better than the sum of its parts.

They are not a squad filled with 'Galacticos', international superstars, or even those who have 'been there and done it' all before.

Their likely starting XI at Wembley can boast a combined number of 117 Premier League appearances. To put that into context, Villa's likely line-up contains five players who can beat that figure on their own. Overall, the Villa tally amasses to more than ten times that of their opponents.

Fulham's team contains six senior international players, with a combined number of 101 caps. Villa's tally is 354 caps, with eight internationals likely to start the game.

On paper – although fans from west London will be quick to point out that the Wembley pitch is covered in grass – Villa clearly have the pedigree.

A young side, Fulham's average age is just over 25, with Villa's more than four years higher. In a game of this magnitude, is seniority and experience actually an advantage over youthful exuberance? I believe it is.

The bookmakers have Fulham as short as 4/7 to gain promotion. Villa are outsiders at 13/10.

Ultimately, time will tell. But big games require big game players.

Something which, for me, makes Aston Villa far too strong to dismiss.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fulham-fan-blogger-14673049

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Dwight Yorke predicts whether Aston Villa will win the play-off final

Aston Villa are due to take on Fulham at Wembley next weekend.

Dwight Yorke has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 18th May, that he believes Aston Villa will beat Fulham in the Championship play off final.

Villa are set to take on Fulham at Wembley next weekend, with a place in the Premier League the prized for the winner.

And Yorke believes that Villa will have enough to get over the line in the contest.

He said: "I think they will, they have the momentum here. This is the perfect opportunity for them to turn the tables around."

Villa go into the match as underdogs, as Fulham have been the form team in the Championship over the second part of the season.

The Cottagers have an array of attacking talent, and there is a feeling that the pitch at Wembley could help their stylish football.

Villa, though, do have a great deal of experience - which could bring the best out of their players on the big occasion.

The likes of John Terry, Mile Jedinak and Alan Hutton should not feel fazed by playing on such a pressurised occasion, and that could give them an advantage.

Villa got to the final by beating Middlesbrough, while Fulham knocked out Derby County.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/05/18/dwight-yorke-predicts-whether-aston-villa-will-win-the-play-off/

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Luca's Penalty Heartache

Luca Ashby-Hammond was knocked out with England of the semi-final of the Under-17 European Championships on Thursday evening. The Netherlands went through to the final winning 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. 

Ashby-Hammond kept England in the match making numerous saves throughout the 80 minutes, including a brave stop with his head to thwart Liam Van Gelderen's early close range effort.

He notably made a strong save at the near post just after the second half kicked off to keep the game level. Pundit Joleon Lescott commented on the full time whistle on ITV4 that Ashby-Hammond would have been his man of the match.

With no extra time, the match ended straight with penalties. Ashby-Hammond took one himself and emphatically put it in the top right corner, just as we have seen before in the FA Youth Cup at Huddersfield.

Unfortunately for the Young Lions, the Dutch scored each of their spot-kicks and on England's sixth penalty, Farolin Balogun's effort was saved.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/18/lucas-penalty-heartache

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Fulham, Swansea and West Brom among 'favourites' to sign Matej Vydra if he leaves Derby County

Rams player of the year and Sky Bet Championship Golden Boot winner has been linked with a move away from Pride Park

Fulham are favourites to sign Matej Vydra should the striker leave Derby County this summer, according to bookmakers Bet Victor.

Derby's failure to win promotion has sparked speculation over Vydra's future at the club .

The Czech Republic international scored 22 goals for the Rams this season, 21 in the Championship.

Fulham beat Derby in the play-off semi-final and they are managed by Slavisa Jokanovic, who worked with Vydra at Watford.

The West London club are 6/1 to sign Vydra followed by relegated Swansea and West Bromwich Albion, both 8/1.

Vydra spent a season on loan at West Brom earlier in his career.

Derby signed Vydra in a club record £8m deal from Watford in August 2016.

BETTING: Fulham 6/1, Swansea 8/1, West Brom 8/1, Bristol City 10/1, Aston Villa 12/1, Huddersfield 12/1, Middlesbrough 12/1, Blackburn 16/1, Stoke 16/1, Norwich 16/1, Newcastle 16/1, Brighton 16/1.



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/matej-vydra-fulham-swansea-wba-1581723

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Tottenham could get both Sessegnon twins if Fulham miss out on Premier League promotion


Double deal | Ryan Sessegnon could be bound for Spurs... along with his brother (Rex Features)

Ryan Sessegnon's twin brother Steven could be included in any deal to take the Fulham star to Tottenham this summer.

The pair turned 18 today and Tottenham have long been admirers of £50million-rated Ryan, who was named Championship player of the season and helped Fulham reach the Play-off Final by defeating Derby in the semi-finals this week.

Ryan is happy to stay at Fulham if they are promoted to the top flight but if they lose to Aston Villa at Wembley next Saturday, it seems inevitable that he will be sold.

Tottenham started following the twins long before Ryan made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in August 2016 and showed strong interest in Ryan last summer. It is believed, however, that Spurs have also looked at taking Steven to north London as well as Ryan. Although Steven has not made the same progress as Ryan — he has made three first-team appearances to Ryan's 81 — the right-back still has plenty of potential.

The twins came through the Fulham academy together and both signed three-year contracts last summer.

Ryan has had an outstanding season for Fulham and was even touted as an outside contender to be included in the England squad for the World Cup.

He is Fulham's top scorer this season with 16 goals and was named the Championship Player of the Year. Ryan was also in the running with Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Ederson for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and his stock rose further on Monday when he scored one goal and created the other to inspire Fulham to victory against Derby in their play-off semi-final.


Steven Sessegnon has made three appearances for Fulham this season (Getty Images)

Ryan is one of the hottest prospects in Europe but Steven, who can also play at centre-back and as a holding midfielder, is also an exciting young talent.

He was part of the England side that won the Under-17 World Cup last year and his two assists in the final helped the Young Lions come from two goals down to beat Spain.

Steven has made two senior appearances for Fulham this season, both in the Carabao Cup.

In an interview with Standard Sport in February, Steven said: "It is great to see Ryan doing so well. I just want to be up there with him. I keep working hard and soon I will be up there."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-could-get-both-sessegnon-twins-if-fulham-miss-out-on-premier-league-promotion-a3842671.html

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The Tony Gale Column

Monday night was terrific, wasn't it? Without a doubt we deserved to go through, it would have been a scandal if we hadn't got to that Final. We did it the hard way after losing the First Leg, and the type of football we play can put you through the ringer because it's so patient, but in the end we wore them down.

It's not often a team fights back like that in the Play-Offs, so Slaviša Jokanović and his team deserve enormous credit. I think the second half of the First Leg was key because it gave us the momentum and showed that we were by far the better team, which gave the boys that belief. The first half at Derby wasn't all that, but the second half, with the possession that we had and the way we peppered the goal, was cracking. I was saying to everyone after that that we'd win the tie because they wouldn't be able to hold out for another game against us.

Ryan Sessegnon turns 18 this week and he celebrated his birthday in some style with a goal and an assist on Monday. It was a well taken finish, as they tend to be with Ryan, and it just shows that he's always a threat. I saw some folk saying he wasn't at his liveliest in either of the Semi-Finals, but I think a lot of people don't appreciate the game he plays. Those who don't watch him every week assume he's the sort of footballer who's always going to be on the ball and taking people on, but that's not the case. He's the kind of player who makes those really good runs and knows where to find a pass. His appreciation of the player on the ball, and what they're going to do, is incredible. If you look at some of his runs when the ball's on the other side and he's getting in the penalty area, they're timed to perfection. He's way beyond his years.

Ryan's goal levelled things up on aggregate, and what incredible scenes followed when Denis Odoi headed home to win it. He is small but he's got a good spring. I've played with people like that before, one at Fulham being Paul Parker who was about the same size as Odoi but really good in the air. If you notice, he gets up and across his marker early, which was important because it was a near post corner. The angle of the header was perfect. The pace on the ball makes it, so all Denis had to do really was get a good flick on it, he certainly did that, and fortunately they didn't have anyone on the post.

Quite often in those two matches we saw Denis and Tim Ream bringing it out from the back. Our football can sometimes be quite high risk, but I like that style, that's how I used to play. Bobby Moore used to play like that, too. You have to take those risks, you have to have that extra second on the ball, because the first pass in football is the most important pass, I always say. You cannot start a passing move, without that first one. That's why it's so crucial that we have ball-playing centre-backs, because our footballing philosophy relies on playing out from defence.

We all know we haven't won anything yet, but we are perfectly entitled to celebrate getting to Wembley. It's the first time since 1975 so it's going to be a great day out for everyone. We've got 38,000 tickets, it's terrific we've made it, and everyone is going to enjoy it. But, you can't really enjoy the day unless you win! You'd fancy us against anyone in the Championship, but what we've got to do is play our game. Hopefully that pitch is nice and watered, you'd expect it will be at Wembley, and we've got to move quickly around that Villa midfield. If we move the ball around those areas we'll be hard to live with.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/17/the-tony-gale-column

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Image: Jokanovic offers insight into Fulham's preparations for Aston Villa clash

Slavisa Jokanovic has issued a message on social media, as the countdown to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final begins.

Fulham are heading to Wembley next Saturday for the first time since 1975, with Aston Villa standing between Jokanovic's side and a Premier League return.

The Fulham boss has taken to his personal Twitter account to share a picture of his pre-match report on Villa, ahead of the final, alongside a caption saying:

Fulham reached the play-off final on Monday evening, with goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi securing a 2-0 victory over Derby County.

That victory was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate triumph, with the second-leg goals cancelling out Cameron Jerome's first-leg header.

Villa joined Fulham in the final just 24 hours later, with Steve Bruce's side securing a Wembley final thanks to a goalless draw with Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening.

Bruce's side won 1-0 on aggregate, with Mile Jedinak's first-leg goal enough to secure a place in the play-off final for Villa, who are looking to end a two-year stay in the Championship.

The Verdict

Karanka's insight doesn't give too much away, but it shows the level of preparation that will go into the play-off final.

It is a big 90 minutes for both Fulham and Villa, who are desperate to get out of the Championship and return to the Premier League.

What is at stake at Wembley is huge for both clubs, who should play out a terrific final.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/image-jokanovic-offers-insight-into-fulhams-preparations-for-aston-villa-clash/

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Aston Villa star: This is why we've got advantage against Fulham

Aston Villa defender James Chester reckons the experience of Steve Bruce's squad gives them the advantage going into the crucial play-off final against Fulham on May 26.

The Wales international is one of many of the Villa side that have played regularly in the top-flight, with the likes of Mile Jedinak, Glenn Whelan and particularly John Terry just some of the seasoned professionals in the team.

And Chester told AVTV – via the Birmingham Mail how that could be key in the big showdown at Wembley.

"There's a few lads in the changing room that have done the same, so hopefully that'll give us a slight advantage going into Saturday.

"There'll be a lot of hard work between now and the game. With our experience of big games and playing at Wembley hopefully it'll put us in good stead."

Villa overcame Middlesbrough over two legs by a 1-0 scoreline, whilst Fulham ensured they made the final after a 2-1 comeback win over Derby County.

In the two encounters in the league this season, the home side was victorious on both occasions.

The Verdict

With so much on the line in the play-off final it's inevitable that some players will be really nervous.

However, that's where the experience comes into it and the likes of Terry and Jedinak will be reassuring figures for the Villa side.

You can't say whether it will give Villa an advantage as it's all about how you perform on the day but it's not going to do them any harm that's for sure.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/aston-villa-star-this-is-why-weve-got-advantage-against-fulham/

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The incredible story of Steven and Ryan Sessegnon, the Fulham twins with the world at their feet

The pair turned 18 on May 18 - it's been quite the two years since they started to make names for themselves around Craven Cottage

Three years ago today, as Ryan and Steven Sessegnon were turning 15, the old saying of 'make a wish' as they blew out the candles on their birthday was probably mentioned in the Sessegnon household.

As young aspiring footballers in the Fulham academy, it's safe to say that one of those wishes would've been to break into the first team at some stage, get a professional deal and go on to forge their careers.

I don't think that three years later they would've imagined one of them would be one of the hottest teenage properties on the market and the other would be an U17 World Cup winner with England.

But that's where the twins find themselves on the day of their 18th birthday, with Ryan facing the challenge of a Championship Play-off final at Wembley next Saturday.

It's been quite the journey from making his debut for the Whites at Leyton Orient all the way back in August of 2016, where Sessegnon was one of four Academy players named in the starting XI in the EFL Cup.

Despite being highly rated at the time, no one expected the 18-year-old to have had the two years he's embarked on since.

"Ryan Sessegnon is a talented boy," Slavisa Jokanovic said after the game.

"It's a great project for the football players, I'm sure he will participate this year in all competitions.

"Generally we have to assess him and try and help him. He's working in the Championship, he's competition for the adults.


First goal: Ryan Sessegnon scores his first goal for Fulham against Burton Albion (Image: Alistair Wilson)

"He's ready for some part of this kind of competition, and we have to be careful about him. I believe he's going to be an important player in English football, but this player, this man or this boy needs time."

Talented and ready he was - Sessegnon made his league debut a week after at Elland Road in the 1-1 draw against Leeds United, starting at left back and playing the entire 90 as he caused problems for an established Championship defence.

But if it was a surprise for the youngster, it came as even more of a shock to Tom Cairney, who remembers being puzzled when he saw the team sheet pinned in the dressing room with Sessegnon's name on in.

"I thought he'd made a spelling mistake,' Cairney said.

"It was Leeds away. Elland Road is not a place you'd expect a 16-year-old to be given a chance."

Elland Road, like so many stadiums in his two-year Fulham career, didn't faze him though and he went through the 90 minutes showing why everyone at Craven Cottage was so excited about this 16-year-old boy from Roehampton.

"He was the best player on the pitch, Leeds didn't really know what to do with him and he just looked so comfortable," Cairney added, recalling Sessegnon's performance that day.

It came as no surprise to Jokanovic, who had been running the rule over Sessegnon since he was 15 when he was invited to train with the first team the campaign before.


(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

"For his debut he offered many, many, many quality things during the game. I don't want to say (he is a) kid, but he is doing work with adult people and I don't find a big difference between them," his head coach said after the Leeds game, almost doubling up as a fortune teller for the season the wonderkid was about to have.

And as debut seasons go, 2016/17 wasn't a bad one for Sessegnon.

30 appearances, including a Championship play-off semi final and seven goals to his name put his name in the headlines, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool all linked with moves for him.

But alongside Steven, the pair signed their first professional deals with Fulham that summer which will see them at the club until June 2020.


Steven Sessegnon goes up to claim the ball against Chelsea (Photo by Paul Burgman)

Over the summer last year, there were hopes that Fulham would see both Ryan and Steven play alongside one another in Fulham colours before long - something the fans were especially keen to see.

At the Fulham Supporters' Trust end of year dinner, Fulham Academy Director Huw Jennings spoke about the pair at length and hoped that it wouldn't be long before both Ryan and Steven were playing in the first team together.

A year after Ryan got his Fulham debut, Steven followed, making his bow in an EFL Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers and Fulham fans got their wish - with Ryan coming on as a sub, both Sessegnon twins were playing for the first team.

Steven played in the second round against Bristol Rovers, but that would be his last appearance for the first team this season, although he was named on the bench a few times and regularly trains with the senior side.

He won the U17 World Cup with England at the end of 2017, a tournament which saw Jokanovic label him as "the future of this club".

He also had a few other words of advice for the youngster, saying: "Like other people, he's a young man and he's a good project of the football player, he needs to be strong and working hard and waiting for the chance.

"When you are waiting it's better you don't sleep and you are working hard, and this is what I expect for Steven Sessegnon."

The twins are very close and have played alongside each other their whole lives since joining Fulham at the age of eight.

They progressed through the ranks together, played for England together and now for the first team together, and if Steven hadn't suffered a knee injury playing for England U16s back in 2015/16, it's fair to say that the pair could both be first team regulars.

With numerous transfer talks linking Ryan with a move away to the club, some might worry that future may never happen, but it's not something the youngster thinks himself.

"That's what we want as a family and as a club," he said. "We want all young players to break through and hopefully my brother can make his league debut soon.

"We've always talked about it. Ever since we were young we always dreamed about playing in the same team as each other and doing that at Fulham would be great."


(Image: Paul Burgman)

And why not? Ryan Sessegnon has the world at his feet and at just 18 years of age, there's no rush for him to move onto pastures new, especially if Fulham get to the Premier League.

Huw Jennings, the club's Academy Director, who probably knows more about the Sessegnon twins than anyone else at the club having overseen their progression there, thinks having both of them in the side is a great feature for Fulham.

He's likened them to Arsenal's Compton brothers, who played football for the Gunners and cricket for England and believes the pair playing for the Whites is a throwback to a more traditional era.

And he thinks the different experience Ryan and Steven have gotten, one with more first team exposure and the other with a World Cup winners' medal, will only benefit them in the long run.

He said: "They've played together, albeit briefly, Ryan came on in the League Cup while Steven was on the pitch in both games.

"I'm proud of the all the debutants we've had this year, Matt O'Riley, Marek Rodak as well making debuts as well as Steven.

"I think it's a great feature for our club, the two being with us since eight years of age and growing up to play in the team together.

"If it happens more then fantastic, there's a little bit of a throwback to a more traditional setting, I can just about remember the Compton brothers playing for Arsenal and cricket for England so that is a real throw back.


Steven Sessegnon of England and Paulinho of Brazil (Image: Tom Dulat - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

"Theres something that is really traditional about the way in which these two boys have grown up, born and bred of the Roehampton estate, very close to the training ground, close to the stadium, boys with great humility, the real embodiment of the academy.

"And it's great to see Steven, whose had his real challenges with injury, to feature for England in the U17 world cup final - a different path to Ryan who played for the U19s and had more club exposure to now, but Steven had added a slightly different string to his bow.

"I think the experiences the boys have had are fantastic."

After all that is said and done, there's one person left who deserves credit for the rise of the Sessegnon twins - Jokanovic himself.


Debut: Steven Sessegnon against Wycombe Wanderers

Having finished 20th in the Championship the season before, it would've been easy for the head coach to play it safe and play seasoned pros to make sure the club achieved a solid mid-table finish after the woes of the previous years.

A lot of managers wouldn't have put faith in a green 16-year-old who had never played senior football before, but Jokanovic knew what potential Ryan had and he had no hesitations about putting him into the first team.

He's reaped the rewards now - 16 goals, seven assists, Championship Player of the Season, Championship Team of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, London EFL Player of the Year and London Young Player of the Year - the list of accolades is almost endless.

Fulham fans will be grateful for the faith Jokanovic has shown in Sessegnon, but no more so than the man himself.

"He has been vital, massively important in my career," said Sessegnon.

"Ever since he gave me my league debut away against Leeds he's put 100 per cent faith in me to play at this level.

"I didn't expect to be thrown in so early, at 16 years of age to be playing first-team football, but I'm glad the manager had the faith in me."

A victory in the play-off final would be the jewel of a stunning season for Ryan Sessegnon, but as the pair turn 18, it's fair to say that the best is yet to come from the Sessegnon twins.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/incredible-story-steven-ryan-sessegnon-14674158

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'Two of our own!' Fulham wish the Sessegnon twins a happy birthday as Ryan and Steven look ahead to £170m play-off final against Aston Villa

    Fulham wish Ryan and Steven Sessegnon a happy 18th birthday on Friday
    The Championship side presented the twin brothers with a cake to celebrate
    Ryan is likely to start in the club's £170million play-off final against Aston Villa
    The left winger has scored 16 goals in 51 appearances for Fulham this season

Fulham have wished Ryan and Steven Sessegnon a happy 18th birthday on Twitter as the club look forward to their £170million play-off final against Aston Villa at Wembley.

The Championship side presented the twin brothers with a personalised cake on Friday morning, which had an picture of the pair posing on top accompanied with the hashtag caption 'two of our own'.

Ryan, who has enjoyed an incredible season for Fulham so far, will start for Slavisa Jokanovic's side on May 26, when they look to overcome John Terry's Villa side.


Fulham wish Ryan and Steven Sessegnon a happy 18th birthday on Friday morning

The left-winger has played in all 46 Championship games in the for the club, scoring 15 goals and assisting his team-mates six times.

The talented forward, originally a left back, has also shown he can handle the big-pressure ties having scored and set up Denis Odoi to score during their Championship play-off clash with Derby on Monday.

Their 2-1 aggregate win over the Rams see them get the chance to secure Premier League promotion next week.

Ryan was also tipped to make the plane to Russia for the World Cup next month but England manager Gareth Southgate opted for more experience up front.


Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon has scored 16 goals for the club this season

His impressive performances over the past two years with Fulham have also seen his value in the transfer market rocket, with a host of Premier League and European clubs willing to pay his huge £50m asking price to secure his services next season.

Ryan also picked up five awards following his fine season and became the first player outside of the top flight to be nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Brother Steven is still waiting to break into the first team at Fulham, having made a handful appearances in the Premier League 2 and the FA Youth Cup.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5744637/Two-Fulham-wish-Sessegnon-twins-happy-birthday-ahead-170m-play-final.html#ixzz5FveI8A1N
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[WhiteJC]

 
'Tactical genius', 'Make us proud' – Fulham fans respond to key man's update

Fulham are preparing for their biggest game of the Sky Bet Championship season, with 90 minutes separating the Cottagers and a Premier League return.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side have secured a place in the play-off final, with Aston Villa their opponents in the final fixture of a thrilling 2017/18 campaign.

The Cottagers secured their place at Wembley with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Derby County earlier in the week, with attention quickly switching to the play-off final on May 26th.

Jokanovic has taken to his personal Twitter account to share a picture of his pre-match report on Aston Villa, alongside a caption that says: "Hands on the last & the most important report of the season."

The Fulham boss has full focus on the final, which is just around the corner, ahead of a huge week for his side.

As expected, Jokanovic's focused approach to the final has received a good reaction.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/tactical-genius-make-us-proud-fulham-fans-respond-to-key-mans-update/

[WhiteJC]

 
Ryan Sessegnon more like Real Madrid's Marcelo than Gareth Bale - Jokanovic

Fulham coach Slavisa Jokanovic has likened teenager Ryan Sessegnon to Real Madrid left-back Marcelo.

Sessegnon, 18, helped Fulham reach the Championship playoff final, scoring as they beat Derby County in the semifinals on Monday. Some have compared him to Real Madrid's Gareth Bale who, like Sessegnon, made his Championship debut at 16 when at Southampton.

"He can play in two positions, as left-back or at left wing, and that is why he is being compared to Bale," Jokanovic told Cadena Ser radio.

"Bale also started in that position before he made the switch to become a more attacking player. From my point of view, Sessegnon can play in different roles but I honestly think he could be more like an offensive back of a big team, like Marcelo.

"He has no physical resemblance to Marcelo but he is a player that can cover a lot of ground, needs space and can attack that space. I'm using him in the position that I am, but he can perfectly cover two positions."

Sessegnon, Fulham's leading scorer with 16 goals and seven assists in 48 league appearances, won the Championship Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

An under-19 European Champion with England last year, he is tied to Fulham until 2020 but is a reported target for both Manchester United and Tottenham.

"He is an incredible player and I personally believe he will end up at a big club," Jokanovic said. "We shall see.

"Many young players in England have gone very early in their careers to big teams and they don't find any space. He opted to stay in the Championship and has a lot of experience in the tournament. I think he has done the right thing."



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/fulham/story/3502297/ryan-sessegnon-more-like-real-madrids-marcelo-than-gareth-bale-jokanovic

[WhiteJC]

 
Aston Villa star slams Fulham for 'celebrating like they won the league' after semi-final win

Conor Hourihane reckons Fulham over celebrated getting to the play-off final and insists his side will use that as ammo at Wembley

Aston Villa man Conor Hourihane reckons Fulham celebrated like they won the league after winning in the play-off semis and insists that his side will use that as ammo at Wembley.

The Whites came from behind to beat Derby County 2-1 on aggregate thanks to goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi, goals that sparked a pitch invasion at Craven Cottage and celebrations in the dressing room afterwards.

Odoi and Marcus Bettinelli were carried off the pitch by supporters after Fulham broke their duck of having never won a play-off game to make it to Wembley for the first time in 43 years.

The players will tell you that the celebrations were relief, having missed out on automatic promotion on the last day and losing in the semi-finals of the play-offs last season, but to Villa's Hourihane it was over-celebrating.

Villa beat Middlesbrough 1-0 on aggregate in their semi final, which was celebrated with a pitch invasion too, but the Irishman believes their celebrations were more reserved and that his side will use Fulham's celebrations as ammo for the final at Wembley.

He said: "They [the celebrations] have been mentioned, don't you worry. They celebrated like they won the league or something like that.

"We had calm celebrations, everyone was just in the dressing room high-fiving each other.

"There was nothing major going on in the dressing room at all because there's more business to be done.


(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

"Fulham are a good side, they finished ahead of us in the league, deservedly so.

"They might be slight favourites going into it, but all the best to them if they fancy themselves more than us because we'll be ready for it, that's for sure."

The two sides face one another for a place in the Premier League at Wembley on May 26, with kick off at 5pm at the national stadium.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/aston-villa-star-slams-fulham-14675841

[WhiteJC]

 
Top 50 Players of the EFL – 13th: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been voted by you as the 13th best player in the EFL.
Over the last month, we have been gathering votes from you to find the best managers and players in the EFL. And after counting the votes, we have discovered you think that Mitrovic is the 13th best player in the Football League.
Aleksandar Mitrovic only joined the Cottagers on loan in January, but has certainly done his bit, helping Slavisa Jokanovic's side to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.
He is currently on loan from Premier League side Newcastle United, and he is expected to be made available for transfer this summer, and Fulham are said to be interested, even if they achieve promotion to the Premier League next Saturday (May 26).
Mitrovic has played 17 times in the league since moving to Craven Cottage, and has weighed in with an impressive 12 goals. He has also provided one assist for his team.
He has been a bit of a fan favourite since joining the club, and a lot of Cottagers' supporters have called for the club to ensure they sign him permanently. However, they may face stiff competition, as his performances are likely to have attracted the attention of a number of teams currently in the Premier League.
It is imperative for Fulham to earn promotion to the Premier League by beating Aston Villa in the Play-Off Final, otherwise they very well may lose Mitrovic, who will put his club career on hold this summer as he represents his native Serbia in the World Cup.



http://the72.co.uk/102937/top-50-players-efl-13th-aleksandar-mitrovic-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Mitrovic has to go now

OPINION

Newcastle United must put plans in motion to sell Aleksandar Mitrovic rather their twiddle their thumbs, as his sale would hand Rafa Benitez enough money to get his transfer plans underway.

The Chronicle reported on Friday that Benitez had been given a headache regarding his transfer budget, which is still unknown, as the Magpies weren't set to receive their next portion of Premier League TV money for almost two months.

By that time the summer window will have mere weeks left and due to this the Magpies manager is already fearing that he will have to sell players in order to get funds.

The newspaper also claims that as Benitez's future is up in the air, he's been unable to forge on with pursuing transfer targets, which in turn implies he hasn't been able to get exit deals in place for those deemed deadwood either.

While Benitez is rightly preoccupied with securing his own future, that doesn't mean obvious deals that need to be conducted should be allowed to stall.

Especially in the case of getting rid of Mitrovic as his sale would cure Benitez's headache at least for the first weeks of the window.

The Magpies are set to demand £20million plus, according to the Chronicle, for the powerhouse centre-forward and his long list of admirers will see that demand swiftly met.

The local newspaper in the same report claimed that Fulham, Marseille, Bordeaux, Anderlecht, Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers were all thought to be interested, with a bidding war likely to be sparked.

Mitrovic may be focusing on Fulham right now, as he's on loan at the club and set to compete for them in the Championship play-off final, but that doesn't mean the club shouldn't get the ball rolling regarding his exit.

If the Cottagers miss out on signing the forward, who scored 12 goals in 19 games for them since January, as they're busy focusing on bigger things, who cares as long as the Magpies get their money.

Therefore the Magpies must shift Mitrovic out of the club now, and not waste time, as his sale is enough to swiftly cure Benitez of his budget-induced headache.



https://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2018/05/blogs/mitrovic-has-to-go-now/

[WhiteJC]

 
Tim Ream: Calm, confident, on to Wembley

"Yes. Simple answer, yes."

With a match at Wembley on the horizon, Tim Ream is in the form of his life – he knows it, and he isn't afraid to admit it. The 30-year-old American defender is just now reaching his peak, in stunning form at Fulham.

"I've played 46 games now [this season], and the performances and form that I've been on – not just from the start of the undefeated run, but going back to the beginning of the year," Ream told NBC Soccer, "I don't think there's anybody that can question the level that I've been playing at and question whether it's the best in my career, because it is without a doubt."

Ream, in his third season at Fulham and second under manager Slavisa Jokanovic, isn't really sure why his form is peaking now, but he's not complaining. "It's funny because I've not changed as a player. I'm no different than I was five years ago to now. I've probably honed my positioning sense a little bit more, but that's always been one of my strengths."

Fulham's not complaining either. The unbeaten streak he referenced earlier was a 23-match Championship run that spanned from late December through the penultimate game of the season. It is easily the longest unbeaten run in Fulham history, and it surpassed Manchester City's 22-match streak to start the year as the longest in English professional soccer this season.


Tim Ream has been in stellar form all season for Fulham, helping them earn a spot in the Championship Playoff final (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

All that has Fulham in position to make a return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2014, and Ream has been at the heart of it all. The St. Louis product has been Fulham's most consistent player this season, owning the second-most minutes played on the squad this season behind only 17-year-old phenom Ryan Sessegnon.

The year Ream arrived at Craven Cottage, Fulham conceded an enormous 79 goals, two off the most in the Championship that season. Since, they have buttoned up more the back each campaign, conceding 57 goals in 2016/17 followed by just 46 this year. Ream believes that his ability to execute the beautiful, possession-based style under Jokanovic has led to not just team success, but also his own personal improvement. "The system helps – the style that we play – it helps. When you're in a system and you play a style that we do, that's already a strong point of my game, naturally you're going to play better."

Fulham owns 55% possession of the ball this season – the tops in the Championship – out-passing every single team in the league by nearly 4,000 completed passes, while completing them at a league-high 83% success rate. Given that, Ream has not only been the lynchpin of the Fulham's defensive efforts, he is also vital to the club building from the back. The American has the 3rd-most completed passes in the entire Championship, bested only by Fulham's own midfield partnership in Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen.

"Everybody [in the squad] knows what we're doing," Ream said, "and we all know where we need to be, and we know where the guy next to us is going to be, where the guy in front of us is...and you're almost playing on instincts. You know you can put a ball into an area and there is going to be a guy there. It makes the players look very good.

"Players would be lying to you if they said they didn't want to play in the system we play. We like to possess the ball, and we do it in the right areas, but at the same time we do it from back to front and front to back, and we don't hide that."

It wasn't always like this. Last season, the team finished sixth in the Championship table, but seemed to sputter in big moments and at times struggled to break down more defensive opponents who were comfortable sitting back and absorbing pressure. Even at the beginning of this season, the club was missing a cutting edge, ultimately leaving themselves a big enough hole that even a 23-match unbeaten streak couldn't pull them completely out of. Jokanovic has taken his time to let the system take hold, and it finally appears to be taking off.

"The Sunderland result when we lost at their place in December was a real eye opener for us. They hadn't won at home in over a year and we go there and lose 1-0. If I had to point to anything, that was the catalyst for the turnaround because we were so embarrassed and so angry at ourselves because we knew we were a better squad than we were showing. From there, it was kind of just an upward rise from then on. We went and beat Cardiff on Boxing Day and just kept the confidence rolling and were performing very well, and the rest is history."

With Ream in such good form at 30 years old, it stings a bit that he isn't able to earn a spot on United States World Cup roster. But he also has a glass-half-full view of his current national team situation. "Obviously it's a disappointment, but on the other hand, you look at it...would I have been worried about whether I was going to make it or not, whether I was going to be in the squad? Would that have played in my mind? Would I have started putting extra pressure on myself and started to kind of go off the rails with my club? You just don't know.

"It's obviously disappointing that I'm on the form that I am and there's no World Cup, there's no doubt about that. But you just never know. There's so many variables."

At age 30, however, his national team story isn't over just yet. Ream confirmed he has spoken with interim national team manager Dave Sarachan as recently as within the last three weeks, and is leaving the rest to fate. "At the end of the day it's not up to me. I can only do what I'm doing here, which is play on a weekly basis and play well, and if that gets me called in then that gets me called in.


Tim Ream played a bit role in the USMNT's failed 2018 World Cup qualifying bid, but hopes to get more opportunities in the future.

"Do I think I could help [the national team]? Yeah of course. Do I think I could help some of the younger players? Absolutely. But at the end of the day that's not my decision to make."

Ream isn't really focused on all that right now though, because his job at Fulham this season isn't done. Not just yet. The team still has "the hundred million dollar game" to play, matching up with Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on May 26 in the Championship Playoff final. Everything could be undone with a loss.

"I don't think it's really set in with all the guys here what it means to play there, what it means to the club, to the fans, to everyone associated with Fulham," Ream said. "It'll be a special occasion and we have to go out there and prove that we're worthy."

Cup finals are different from regular season games, and Ream's ready to take the form he has built up this season and put it to good use. He knows his team will need him at the back, now more than ever.

"You kind of have to approach the beginning of the game a little differently. I think it'll be a cagey first 20 minutes, kind of feeling each other out. The game's probably not going to open up until probably 30 minutes and even moreso in the second half. Listen...you go out there and you don't play to not lose, you play to win, so we can't just sit back and hope for the best. We have to go and do what we've been doing the second part of this season, and hopefully that puts us in a good position."

That big game could have big implications not just for Fulham but Ream as well moving forward, and he's excited. "It's amazing what confidence can do, and a manager who has confidence in his players and tells them to go out and pass the ball and possess the ball without any fear of making mistakes...you can't overstate that at all."



https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/05/18/tim-ream-calm-confident-on-to-wembley/

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Fulham Considered As Favourites To Sign Derby County's Top Scorer: Should They Make A Move For Him?

Derby County's top goalscorer this term, Matej Vydra, could be sold in the summer to balance the books as the Derby County owner feels that their current wage bill is too high. Vydra has been terrific for the Rams this season as they narrowly missed out on the playoff final spot after they were beaten by Fulham over the course of two legs.

The Cottagers are currently considered as favourites to sign the Czech forward. Vydra has previously played under Slaviša Jokanović when both of them were at Watford together. The forward has been impressive this term for Derby County as they finished in the 6th spot. He managed 22 goals and 4 assists from 44 appearances.

According to reports, Derby County will demand a fee in the region of £8m and Fulham can certainly have their man, especially if they make it to the Premier League. They will be taking on Aston Villa in the playoff finals and the Cottagers will be considered as the favourites to become the third team to reach the Premier League after Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City.

Vydra spent some time on loan with West Bromwich Albion this season and they are also in line looking to sign the forward. However, with them going down to the Championship, Fulham will probably be the first choice for the striker if they make it to the Premier League. Swansea City, another one of the relegated team is also considering a move for him.

The Cottagers currently deploy Aleksandr Mitrovic in the striker's role and he has done well under Slaviša Jokanović. He will probably be the first choice for the manager to have him as a striking option for next season. But Vydra will definitely be the cheaper option. However, if they qualify to the English top flight, the playoff winner takes home a good amount of winning purse and getting both of the attacking force shouldn't be a problem for the Cottagers.

Even if they move in for Mitrovic, Vydra's move to Fulham will make sense as the forward is capable of playing down the left wing. So we might see both Vydra and Mitrovic as a strike force next season for the Cottagers. In a few days time, we will get to know whether they will stay in the Championship or move up to the Premier League. A move to the top division will pave a new pathway for the club and they can attract a whole lot of players at their club including Vydra.



http://the4thofficial.net/2018/05/fulham-considered-favourites-sign-derby-countys-top-scorer-make-move/

[WhiteJC]

 
Mullery's Wembley Memories

Alan Mullery was Fulham Captain on our only previous appearance at Wembley, the 1975 FA Cup Final. We caught up with the 35-cap England midfielder to get the inside track on what it's like to lead your team out at the national stadium.

What are your memories of that famous 1975 FA Cup run?

It was an amazing season when you think about it. We played so many cup games, a number which will never be beaten. To play Nottingham Forest four times was ridiculous! We were little old Fulham, we weren't supposed to go to Wembley. They nearly got there many, many years before when Johnny Haynes was playing, but it was very special for me and Bobby Moore to play in a cup final again, as Wembley was like a second home to us.

You'd played there many times for England and Tottenham Hotspur, but it must have been special to lead Fulham out at the national stadium?

It was a very proud moment, the only disappointing thing for me was that we lost. All the times I'd been there as a player in cup finals, we'd won. I'd never lost in that situation at Wembley, so I was rather sad afterwards as it spoiled the day really. Once you get there, that's your opportunity, you've got to play to win, win well, and thoroughly enjoy it the way the supporters would. But obviously it's very disappointing when you lose.

Is it a very different atmosphere at Wembley?

I've been watching games there all this season, and the crowd can really have an impact. If they get cheering throughout, it rings around the ground, exactly as it did many, many years ago. The support is very essential and has a real effect on how you play. If the fans are behind you then you play like mad to win the game.

You played more than 400 times for Fulham – you must be delighted to see us in the Play-Off Final?

I'm glad, because the run they had this season was exceptional to be fair. To go 23 games undefeated, I'd say that makes Fulham the most consistent side in the Championship this year. If you look at that form you'd say the best team has made it to the Final. We're there now, and this is the last chance to go up. It won't be easy, though. Steve Bruce is very experienced, he's been around since the year dot. I know him very well as a man, and he's a very good motivator who goes about his job very well.

As club ambassador at Brighton & Hove Albion, it would be nice for you to have the Whites back in the Premier League alongside the Seagulls...

I'd love to see them back. When Brighton were playing Fulham in the Championship you were assured of two good games. I thought the last time Fulham played at the Amex they were outstanding. Brighton ended up beating them 2-1 but they really played well and perhaps deserved to win.

And finally, as someone who's played at Wembley numerous times, what advice would you give to the Fulham players?

Go and enjoy it, just go and enjoy it, because you never know when you're next going to play at Wembley. It's the one place where everyone wants to play. I shall we watching on the television, cheering them on from there!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/19/alan-mullery-wembley-memories