Tuesday Fulham Stuff (29/05/18)...

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Former Dundee and Burnley midfielder hails memorable season after guiding Fulham to the Premier League

Scotland internationalist Kevin McDonald admits promotion to the English Premier League with Fulham has capped a memorable personal season.

The former Dundee midfielder helped the Cottagers win the richest game in football with a narrow victory over Aston Villa in Saturday's play-off final in front of 85,000 fans at Wembley.

Fellow Scotland cap Tom Cairney scored the only goal after 23 minutes although Slavisa Jokanovic's side faced a nervy ending after Denis Odoi was sent off with 20 minutes left


(Pic: Fulham FC TV)

McDonald's form in making a total of 46 club appearances was also recognised by national team manager Alex McLeish after the 29-year-old made his Scotland debut in March's friendly defeat to Costa Rica.

And the former Burnley and Wolves playmaker insists a return to the top-flight wraps up a hugely enjoyable campaign.

He said: "It's topped off a fantastic season for myself personally and it's topped off two fantastic seasons at Fulham, I've really enjoyed my time here and I'm looking forward to going again.

"It's such a fantastic feeling. The day was all about us, we dominated the first half and in the second half we held on but we had ten men for a lot of it.

"Defensively we were fantastic, we should have finished the game off but unfortunately we didn't, we ground it out and it was a great performance.

"It's all or nothing out there, there's no next game, it's all about the day and how much you want it and we fought for our lives, every single one of us.

"There are too man emotions going on but I'm sure it will sink in soon."

Speaking to Fulham FC TV, he added: "Throughout the season I'm sure 22 teams out of 24, including ourselves, would agree that we deserved to go up.

"We played some nice football and on Saturday we showed we can grind it out as well."



http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2018/05/28/former-dundee-and-burnley-midfielder-hails-memorable-season-after-guiding-fulham-to-the-premier-league/

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A fan's view: Inside Fulham's wondrous Wembley win

Fulham extinguished an entire lifetime of Wembley heartache on Saturday afternoon, making the dreams of the Craven Cottage faithful come true in an epic day for all involved with the club.

For some, the moment came when they caught the first glimpse of the famed arch on Wembley Way.

Or when the White Wall of 38,000 Fulham supporters reared its head in a cauldron of noise as the teams walked out.

Or when Tom Cairney slotted home a 170 million pound goal halfway through the first half.

Or when the final whistle blew and all of the agony of the last twenty minutes was extinguished in pure relief.

Or perhaps when the Whites lifted the trophy and the players, fans, and staff alike revelled in a carnival atmosphere long after the end of the match.

But, whenever the long-dreamt moment came, it was sure to have been sublimely unforgettable.


(Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

After four years in the Championship, the Cottagers returned to the Premier League with a wondrous Wembley win. Fulham were back where they belong, and they were back with a bang.

A stark contrast in the two halves defined Fulham's 1-0 win: a swashbuckling first 45 in which the Whites took the lead was juxtaposed by a tense closure of last-ditch defending.

However, few could argue Fulham were not deserving of the victory, due in part to their superb first-half display. It truly was Fulham at their very best, calm in possession, ambitious in attack, and dominant in every manner.

Capped off by a wonderfully worked goal in the 23rd minute, the Whites were firmly in control.

Ryan Sessegnon collected Stefan Johansen's driven pass, eluded Conor Hourihane and slipped in a delightful ball that left Alan Hutton and John Terry helpless and showing their advanced age.

The pass from the 18-year-old was so precise that Cairney did not even have to break stride before slotting coolly past Sam Johnstone.

The east side of Wembley erupted in a roar unlike any Fulham supporter had heard in some time. Pandemonium set in and Fulham had their crucial lead.

Once this Fulham team take the lead, they very rarely look back.

Attacks continued throughout the first half, led by the excellent right-wing combination of Aboubakar Kamara and Ryan Fredericks, yet the advantage remained just the one goal.

The second half truly tested Fulham's promotion credentials, as the focus shifted to their resolute defence. Perhaps unfairly, their backline receives far less credit than their flashier attack, yet is just as impressive.


(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The Villans came raring out of the gates in the second half, but Fulham stood strong and began to attack with renewed vigour with around thirty minutes to go.

But, in the 69th minute, disaster struck that nearly derailed the Londo outfit's fairytale.

After Denis Odoi's reckless challenge on Jack Grealish resulted in his sending off, Villa threw everything at the Whites in a bid to send the match to extra time.

At times it seemed inevitable the Midlands club would breach the ten men of Fulham. But, with promotion on the line, a heroic defensive performance followed.

Led by the unquestioned Player of the Season Tim Ream, Fulham's rearguard repelled attack after attack in the second half.

And, when the final whistle brought the match to a close, the outpouring of utter joy and relief was a sight to behold.

The pain of the Felix Magath era had finally been exorcised, and the Fulham faithful gleefully rejoiced in their return to the Premier League.

In the end, the four years spent in the Championship were not all as bad as some had feared.

It was certainly an eye-opening experience for many fans who had grown up knowing only top-flight football, and this season, in particular, was glorious for all involved.

Fulham will likely never see such a period of dominance, togetherness, and overall brilliance that defined the 23-game unbeaten run ever again.


(Photo by Ian Kington/Getty Images)

As a result, promotion was so sweet not just for the fact that Fulham will be playing in the best league in the world, but also for the significance it has on the incredible group of players Slavisa Jokanovic assembled.

Defeat would have certainly seen the Whites' star performers depart the Cottage this summer, but victory meant we have the pleasure of seeing this tremendous band of brothers play together in the Premier League.

What a band of brothers this team is. The celebrations at full time fulfilled the dreams of generations of Fulham supporters who yearned for Wembley success.

The celebratory scenes were remarkable: Cairney and Kevin McDonald lifting the trophy, Bettinelli celebrating with a flare, Kamara dancing all over the place, Odoi redeemed and bouncing on top of the crossbar, and Sessegnon tapping the badge.

The buildup to match was all about Fulham's poor support, Fulham's inexperience, Fulham's play-off failure.

But, in the end, it was all about Fulham lifting the trophy and Villa consigned to another year in the second division: a fitting end to a marvellous season.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-wondrous-wembley-win/

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Fulham promotion is World Cup boost, says Serbia's Mitrovic


(Reuters)

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Winning promotion to the Premier League with Fulham is a major personal confidence boost for the World Cup, Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic said on Monday as the Balkan nation started their build-up for next month's tournament in Russia.

Fulham reached the top flight with a 1-0 playoff win over Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday and Mitrovic acknowledged his January move to Craven Cottage on loan from Newcastle United had given him a lift.

"It was a great way to end the season and it has really done a world of good for my confidence and motivation ahead of the World Cup," the robust 23-year old hitman told reporters.

"I thrived from playing at Fulham under coach and compatriot Slavisa Jokanovic and I am hopeful of carrying my club form into the forthcoming games for Serbia.

"I played the best football of my life in the past few months after a frustrating first half of the season at Newcastle and I am hungry like a wolf for more goals."

Mitrovic, Serbia's top scorer in World Cup qualifying with six goals, netted 12 for Fulham and was one of the team's key players in returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2014.

He stressed Serbia would be under a lot of pressure from their fans and pundits to make an impact in the 32-nation tournament in Russia despite being drawn in a tough Group E alongside Brazil, Switzerland and Costa Rica.

"We are familiar with that kind of pressure because our fans or so passionate and success-hungry," he said.

"On one hand, merely qualifying for the World Cup after an eight-year absence from major tournaments is a success in its own right but on the other, it would be a pity for a team of this quality to suffer an early exit.

"The opening game against Costa Rica will be key because a win would trace the path to the knockout rounds so the upcoming warm-up games against Chile and Bolivia will be a good test of our credentials.

"We have to put all the pieces of the puzzle into place during those two games and work hard to improve in departments which need polishing."

After the first build-up phase in their Stara Pazova camp near Belgrade, the Serbians will go to Austria for the second stage including friendlies in Graz against Chile on June 4 and Bolivia five days later.

Asked what he thought about the official World Cup ball, Mitrovic said he liked it but was not sure goalkeepers would share his opinion.

"It's slick and I needed no time to adjust to it because it's not that different from the other balls," he said.

"But you must ask the goalkeepers too what they think because I am a striker and my objective is to put it past them into the back of the net."



https://www.sbs.com.au/news/fulham-promotion-is-world-cup-boost-says-serbia-s-mitrovic

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Fulham move quickly to secure permanent Mitrovic move
by Dan on May 28, 2018

Fulham have moved swiftly to secure Aleksandar Mitrovic on a permanent basis following their promotion to the Premier League.

Slavisa Jokanovic has identified his Serbian compatriot as one of his key summer signings following Mitrovic's remarkable impact during his four months on loan at Craven Cottage, where he scored twelve goals in twenty appearances. The 24 year-old has two years remaining on his contract at Newcastle United but, having fallen out of favour under Rafa Benitez, is unlikely to stay at St. James' Park.

Mitrovic hinted at a possible stay in south west London following Fulham's win over Aston Villa in Saturday's Championship play-off final, telling Sky Sports after the final whistle at Wembley:

    Of course I am really happy here. I had the best three and a half, four months of my career.

Newcastle might want to refrain from a swift deal over Mitrovic's future, given that his performances in this summer's World Cup could generate further interest in the striker, although the player himself told a reporter from Serbia's Mozzara Sport over the weekend that he would be keen to sign for Fulham on a permanent basis. The only sticking point remaining could be the Magpies' valuation of Mitrovic given his success at Craven Cottage – but Fulham are understood to be keen to spend some of their Premier League prize money on ensuring the Serbian stays with them.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/fulham-move-quickly-to-secure-permanent-mitrovic-move/

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3 Options For West Ham United To Consider If They Miss Out On Signing This Fulham Defensive Ace!

Ryan Fredericks has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs and West Ham United were in contention to sign the right-back, who enjoyed a good season at Craven Cottage. However, with Fulham's promotion ensured after their win against Aston Villa in the playoffs, it looks highly unlikely that he will leave the club.

The defender's contract expires at the end of this season and there has been no news of an extension so far. But in a recent interview, he said," It's up to the people behind the scenes but I'm sure everyone will want to stay and play at the highest level with Fulham and see what we can achieve. We can achieve a lot. We're not just going to go there and be a one-season wonder. We want to keep the club in the Premier League as long as possible. It's a Premier League team."

West Ham United are looking to build their squad under the new manager Manuel Pellegrini and this will certainly be a body blow for them if they miss out on Fredericks. However, the team management should keep other options handy in case their worst fear materializes.

Here is a look at 3 possible alternatives which the Hammers can go for in the transfer market.

Craig Dawson

The West Brom defender can certainly be a good option for Pellegrini if he wants to solidify his back four. Dawson is a versatile defender and can be used as a centre back as well. The experienced head has been around the Premier League for quite some time now and with the Baggies going down, he can be available on a cut-price deal for Manuel Pellegrini.

Kyle Naughton

Like Dawson, Naughton can also be available on a cut-price deal as Swansea City has been relegated. The defender was a regular feature for them at the right back spot and was one of the players who had a decent season at the Liberty Stadium.

Read More: West Ham United Forward Coy On Providing Information About His Future: Should Pellegrini Let Him Leave?

Joel Ward

The defender has not gotten regular playing time at Crystal Palace due to competition for places with Martin Kelly. Ward can be available for free as his contract is coming to an end in the summer and he might leave the Eagles in search of regular playing time.

However, he might end up facing a similar issue at West Ham as it is likely that Pellegrini will use the experienced Pablo Zabaleta as the first choice option.



http://the4thofficial.net/2018/05/3-options-west-ham-united-consider-miss-signing-fulham-defensive-ace/

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Fulham's Wembley win will live long in the memory
by Sarah on May 28, 2018

It has taken a couple of days to set aside the euphoria and be able to put those ecstatic feelings that followed Fulham's still scarcely believable triumph over Aston Villa into words. Days like Saturday don't come along too often for followers of the Whites and, after Denis Odoi's sending off, you could sense the Fulham players were determined not to throw away this opportunity so soon after passing up automatic promotion at St. Andrew's.

The win, whilst narrow, vindicated Slavisa Jokanovic's implementation of his own brand of total football in a league as physical and demanding as the Championship. Fulham might not have steamrolled their way to the Premier League as they did under Jean Tigana during that magnificent season at the start of the millennium but, as the Sky Sports commentator breathlessly intoned at the final whistle, they played some swashbuckling football along the way. What was most pleasing was that the style, which could have merited a three-goal lead by half-time, was matched by a steel that meant Fulham were able to weather a serious spell of Villa pressure after the break.

Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon will rightly receive plenty of plaudits for their roles in the game's most decisive moments – and it was fitting that two of Fulham's most stylish performers combined so superbly for the goal that secured a return to the Premier League, but everyone wearing white was a hero out there. Although he didn't get on the scoresheet, Aleksandar Mitrovic's hold up play and movement was first rate, whilst at the other end of the field Tim Ream was a colossus once again. The American was probably my man of the match after turning in another calm display on the biggest day of his career – and for his consistently excellent performances, he has to be Fulham's player of the season. Behind him, Marcus Bettinelli didn't have an awful to do but when he was called upon, the Fulham academy graduate produced an outstanding save to deny Jack Grealish one of the great Wembley goals. Bettinelli's sprint towards the Fulham faithful after the final whistle with a black flare was my moment of an unforgettable day – and there was plenty of competition.

The massed ranks of white did their job too. Whoever had the idea of the white wall to create a see of support behind the goal deserves a pay rise – the visual effect of that was quite something and the Fulham fans generated some noise too. After the dark days of the eighties, nearly dropping out of the Football League altogether in the nineties, the heartbreak in Hamburg, relegation and the Felix Magath malaise and coming so close last season, this was something to savour. The memories will last a lifetime and so special was the walk down Wembley Way afterwards I didn't want to get on a tube at Wembley Park.

It's worth thinking about the consequences of the result going the other way as well. The financial pitfalls of remaining in the Championship, with the parachute payments coming to an end, would have been devastating. The side Slavisa Jokanovic built so painstakingly would have been stripped bare, with the likes of Cairney, Sessegnon, Ryan Fredericks and probably many others heading for pastures now. It wouldn't have been too much of a surprise had Jokanovic left Craven Cottage either. Instead of worrying about falling into a financial hole, we can now look forward to the prospect of Jokanovic constructing a side to compete at the top table of English football. Perhaps Tommy Trinder was right all along and we're lucky people after all.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/fulhams-wembley-win-will-live-long-in-the-memory/

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Rodak Promoted

Marek Rodák helped Rotherham United achieve promotion back to the Championship by beating Shrewsbury Town in the League One Play-Off final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.

The Millers won 2-1 after extra time in the 3 o'clock kick off, ensuring their stay in League One only lasted a year.

Richard Wood scored both goals; he opened the scoring at the national stadium in the 32nd minute, after a dominant first half from Rotherham.

Alex Rodman levelled the 58th minute for Town, bundling a shot past Rodák.

Rodák made a crucial save before the full time whistle to keep the match level, forcing the fixture into extra time.

Shaun Whalley fired a low effort from distance, the Slovakian had to dive at full stretch to push the shot off target.

Into extra time, it was Wood who made the difference. He managed to get on the end of Joe Newell's cross to head home the winner in the 103rd minute.

Rodák capped off his successful loan spell with the Millers with his first trip to Wembley and a winners medal, helping Rotherham bounce straight back to the Championship.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/28/rodak-promoted

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Fulham Defensive Star Expresses His Desire To Stay At The Club: Big Boost For The Cottagers!

Fulham are living in the seventh heaven right now. The players are rejoicing in glory after winning the playoffs in spectacular fashion. They were brilliant throughout the season and definitely earned the right to move up the tree into the top flight.

They were on course to finish second and could have finished with an automatic promotion. However, a lazy display on the final day of the league resulted in Cardiff City snatching their spot and Fulham were left to battle it out with four teams.

They did so amazingly well and beat their opponents in the playoff knockouts to become the third team to qualify for the English Premier League. They now have further big news to deal with as their defensive ace Ryan Fredericks has recently expressed his desire to pledge his future to the Cottagers.

"It's up to the people behind the scenes but I'm sure everyone will want to stay and play at the highest level with Fulham and see what we can achieve," said Fredericks, as reported by the London Evening Standard.

"Can this club allow me to fulfil my ambitions? Of course. You look at the players we're attracting, like Aleksandar Mitrovic, we've already got Premier League players in the Championship so I'm sure we're going to build again and have many years in the Premier League."

He added: "We can achieve a lot. We're not just going to go there and be a one-season wonder. We want to keep the club in the Premier League as long as possible. It's a Premier League team. We didn't want to come out here and have a good day at Wembley. We wanted to come out and show what we're about. That's what we did. We did ourselves proud."

It now remains for Fulham to see what they do with the player. They have now earned the right to play in the big league which will mean that they will have more funds and better revenues to deal with.

The club will know that the players in the market are available and with the lure of the Premier League, they can be brought in. However, the market is also inflated and the club will not want to waste money if they can continue with the bunch they have.

Fredericks, the 25-year-old right back, has played 48 games for the first team this season and is a crucial part of the Fulham team. His desire to stay and play for the club should come as a big boost for the Cottagers in this high-rise market and also an example of loyalty towards his club and the badge.



http://the4thofficial.net/2018/05/fulham-defensive-star-wants-stay-club-big-boost-cottagers/

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Why this surprise Ligue 2 Fulham target could work wonders for Jokanovic in the Premier League



According to reports, newly promoted Premier League outfit Fulham are interested in signing Auxerre midfielder Lamine Fomba in the summer transfer window.

Fulham edged out Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final with a narrow 1-0 win on Saturday at the Wembley, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City in the top-tier for next term.

Now that the Cottagers are back with the big boys, the club must reshape their squad in the summer. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic might be keen to bolster his squad in order to build a team capable enough to survive in the Premier League.

Going by the reports, Jokanovic wants to strengthen his midfield by securing the services of Lamine Fomba from the second-tier of French football.



Fomba, who rejected the offer to join Tottenham Hotspur in favour of signing a professional contract with Auxerre has impressed in Ligue 2 this season. The 20-year-old's performances have earned him rave reviews, with Fulham interested in bagging his signature.

After beginning the season on the fringes, Fomba became a regular at Auxerre towards the fag end of the season. Although he made just six appearances, the defensive midfielder left his impression by supplying two assists.

Auxerre finished 11th in Ligue 2 and will be keen to cash in on their starlet, who has just a year remaining on his current contract.

Fulham have been scouting Fomba for a long time and must make a move for the player. The Cottagers might receive a lot of offers for their star players, including Tom Cairney, who has been brilliant in the Championship. Now that Fulham are in the Premier League, they are in a better position to keep hold of Cairney and other prized assets.

If Fulham are able to keep hold of Cairney, it would be massive, which would allow Jokanovic to bring a young central midfielder to strengthen the squad. Signing Fomba would make sense then as the former French youth international could act as the perfect back-up option for Cairney and Kevin McDonald.


Slavisa Jokanovic

Fulham have some really young blood in their squad and signing Fomba bodes well. He will not directly walk into Fulham's first-team but would provide depth and add quality to the squad before playing regularly in the Premier League. There is no doubting Fomba's talent but at 20, he is someone for the future.

Jokanovic has built a fantastic team that possesses a mix of youthful exuberance and experienced professionals. Having given ample opportunities to young stars to excel, Fomba would also fall in the right hands of Jokanovic.

Before any club makes an attempt to sign the Auxerre starlet, Fulham must act quickly and sign Fomba.

https://soccersouls.com/2018/05/29/why-this-surprise-ligue-2-fulham-target-could-work-wonders-for-jokanovic-in-the-premier-league/

[WhiteJC]

 
Heated debate expected as FA Council meet to discuss Fulham owner Shahid Khan's £1billion bid for Wembley

    FA Council will meet to discuss Shahid Khan's £1million bid for national stadium
    The prospective deal will be top of the agenda at the meeting on Tuesday
    Khan might look to increase amount of Jacksonville Jaguars games at Wembley

The proposed sale of Wembley reaches a crucial stage on Tuesday with the FA council meeting to discuss Shahid Khan's £1billion bid.

But significant questions have been raised about what the Fulham owner wants the stadium for.

Sources have indicated to Sportsmail that, contrary to speculation, the American-Pakistani billionaire might not want to move his NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars to London.


The FA council will hold a meeting at which the £1billion bid to buy Wembley will be discussed

It had been widely assumed in the last month that Khan's bid was born out of a desire to make the Jaguars the first franchise based outside the US.

However, it is understood that, given Khan's significant investment in Jacksonville and the logistical difficulties involved, such a move is unlikely.

Sources have said that Khan might want to own the national stadium to safeguard his ability to play the occasional home game there, in the face of competition from other franchises. It is likely he will also see the appeal in the stadium's ability to attract the world's top music artists.

When looking closely at Khan's comments to local media in Jacksonville, he has repeatedly stressed his commitment to his team's Florida base.


Shahid Khan, who owns Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars, is behind the bid

In a video posted on the Jaguars website regarding his Wembley bid, Khan cautioned against the media 'connecting dots that shouldn't be connected'.

And in a statement about why he wanted to buy Wembley, he added: 'For the Jaguars, it would deliver another — and very significant — asset and local revenue source that would further strengthen our investment in London, which as everyone knows is crucial to the Jaguars' continued sustainability in Jacksonville.'

While FA chairman Greg Clarke sought to reassure members of the council last week, writing a letter that included answers to 23 key questions, there are some who are unlikely to be convinced.

Indeed, Sportsmail revealed last month that former Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards thought there might be a vote of no-confidence in the board.


Jacksonville Jaguars' current deal sees them play one home game at the stadium per season



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5780535/FA-Council-meet-discuss-Fulham-owner-Shahid-Khans-1billion-bid-Wembley.html#ixzz5Gs36PnUU
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[WhiteJC]

Ryan Sessegnon staying at Fulham, says Shahid Khan
by Dan on May 29, 2018

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has insisted that Ryan Sessegnon will not be leaving Craven Cottage as he focuses on helping the Whites 'get better' ahead of their return to the Premier League.

In his first interview since Fulham's victory over Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, Khan told the Times that the club would fiercely resist any approaches for their teenage sensation:

    We don't want Sessegnon leaving. I don't think he wants to go. He's going to be at Fulham for the coming year, leading us into the Premier League. Frankly, if we had not been promoted, well, we have a responsibility to our players. He's been there since he was eight. We want to do the right thing for him and he is Fulham through and through. He is going to be there next season.

    I can tell you with certainty he's going to be at Fulham because it's good for him and good for us. We want him to stay, period. Last year there was a lot of talk about Tom Cairney leaving and Ryan too but we kept the team together and the only players that were sold [Sone Aluko and Scott Malone] we got above market price for them but we turned right around and invested in players that have helped the club, like Aboubakar Kamara.

Sessegnon, who scored sixteen goals in 52 appearances for Slavisa Jokanovic's side and laid on Saturday's winner for skipper Cairney with a superb through ball, has been the subject of fevered speculation since breaking into the Fulham side as a 16 year-old at the start of last season but insisted after the final that he would be remaining with the Whites '100%'.

Khan also revealed that he would be making significant finance available for Jokanovic to invest in his playing squad over the summer as they bid to back Fulham's popular head coach in the transfer market.

    I've already given him the answer — before Saturday. We are not just going to scrape by, we want to get better. This is the time to have the productive discussion about who is available. There is this concept of splashing cash. You have to invest but just lighting money on fire doesn't win Championships. Being irresponsible doesn't help you win. We're going to do whatever helps us win and if it involves money then we're not spendthrifts.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/ryan-sessegnon-staying-at-fulham-says-shahid-khan/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic: Ryan Sessegnon wants to stay at Fulham

Fulham manager Salvisa Jokanovic did not deliver good news to Manchester United fans after revealing that Ryan Sessegnon wishes to stay with his current club.

The left-back is currently on the radar of many top clubs in Europe after impressing with the Championship side this season.

Sessegnon's performances has seen him help Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League in spectacular fashion where he will face off against United who are rumoured to be interested in him.

The youngster is said to be on Jose Mourinho's shortlist to replace Luke Shaw who himself was brought to the club at a young age to make the left-back spot his own.

Either way, it appears a transfer is now unlikely with Jokanovic claiming that Ryan hopes to stay with the newly promoted side.

According to HITC, Slavisa said to the London Evening Standard: "What I know about him is he's really happy where he is now.

"I'm satisfied and happy with him. I cannot give you a complete guarantee. What I prefer to say is I know he wants to stay with us."

The inability to guarantee Ryan's stay with Fulham does leave the door open for the Red Devils to make a move this summer transfer window.

However, it does also make sense that the 18 year old doesn't want a move just yet as he will be playing in England's top tier and can still develop before completing a big move to Mourinho's side or elsewhere even.



http://thepeoplesperson.com/2018/05/29/slavisa-jokanovic-ryan-sessegnon-wants-to-stay-at-fulham-198404/

[WhiteJC]

 
Aleksandar Mitrovic 'happy' to sign for Fulham and praises Slaviša Jokanović

The Newcastle United striker has played a big part in getting Fulham to the Premier League


Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrats after the final whistle during the Sky Bet Championship Final at Wembley Stadium, London. (Image: PA)

Aleksandar Mitrovic has heaped praise on Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović after he gave his career a much needed shot in the arm.

The Serbian international's World Cup dream was in jeopardy back in January before a loan switch to Craven Cottage handed the 23-year-old a chance to showcase his skills.

Mitrovic netted 12 goals in the Championship to cement his place in Serbia's World Cup squad and after helping Fulham beat Aston Villa in the play-off final at Wembley, he has paid tribute to Jokanović.

Mitrovic said: "He did the best for me, I think he did the best for every player.

"He played a system that every player liked and enjoyed - we played unbelievable football this season I give credit to Slaviša and his staff because they did an unbelievable job".

Mitrovic could now make the switch to Fulham on a permanent basis with a £15million deal mooted this summer.

Speaking about how much he is enjoying life with the Cottagers and hinted about staying on, Mitrovic said: "I think in the end we deserve this.

"For next season you can expect the same Fulham, we will try to beat every team even top teams.

"We will try to play football, we will try to always score one more goal, we will try to play attacking football and do the same thing we did this year.

"We have to see what happens first but I would be happy to stay.

"We will see what happens, I will speak with my agent, I will speak with the club and we will see."

Mitrovic has also explained why he thinks he has played better at Fulham.

He went on:

"We have players who give good balls and it makes it much easier to score and I have to thank my team mates."



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aleksandar-mitrovic-happy-sign-fulham-14716979

[Sgt Fulham]

Ryan Sessegnon staying at Fulham, says Shahid Khan
by Dan on May 29, 2018

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has insisted that Ryan Sessegnon will not be leaving Craven Cottage as he focuses on helping the Whites 'get better' ahead of their return to the Premier League.

In his first interview since Fulham's victory over Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, Khan told the Times that the club would fiercely resist any approaches for their teenage sensation:

    We don't want Sessegnon leaving. I don't think he wants to go. He's going to be at Fulham for the coming year, leading us into the Premier League. Frankly, if we had not been promoted, well, we have a responsibility to our players. He's been there since he was eight. We want to do the right thing for him and he is Fulham through and through. He is going to be there next season.

    I can tell you with certainty he's going to be at Fulham because it's good for him and good for us. We want him to stay, period. Last year there was a lot of talk about Tom Cairney leaving and Ryan too but we kept the team together and the only players that were sold [Sone Aluko and Scott Malone] we got above market price for them but we turned right around and invested in players that have helped the club, like Aboubakar Kamara.

Sessegnon, who scored sixteen goals in 52 appearances for Slavisa Jokanovic's side and laid on Saturday's winner for skipper Cairney with a superb through ball, has been the subject of fevered speculation since breaking into the Fulham side as a 16 year-old at the start of last season but insisted after the final that he would be remaining with the Whites '100%'.

Khan also revealed that he would be making significant finance available for Jokanovic to invest in his playing squad over the summer as they bid to back Fulham's popular head coach in the transfer market.

    I've already given him the answer — before Saturday. We are not just going to scrape by, we want to get better. This is the time to have the productive discussion about who is available. There is this concept of splashing cash. You have to invest but just lighting money on fire doesn't win Championships. Being irresponsible doesn't help you win. We're going to do whatever helps us win and if it involves money then we're not spendthrifts.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/05/ryan-sessegnon-staying-at-fulham-says-shahid-khan/

Love this from Khan! If he remains true to this then he is becoming quite the owner.