Saturday Fulham Stuff (07/07/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Brighton And Hove Set To Rival Fulham For 21 Y/O Midfielder: What Can He Bring To The Table?



As per latest reports, Brighton and Hove Albion have entered the fray to sign LOSC Lille's midfielder Yves Bissouma. The 21-year-old Malian international was linked with other Premier League clubs in May, however, now it is believed that only the Seagulls and Fulham are after the signature of the player from the English top fight. Bissouma is a conservative midfielder who keeps things tight and ticking and can be a handy addition to Chris Hughton's squad.

The Seagulls achieved the improbable by staying up in the Premier League with relative comfort in the end. Not many of the pundits gave them a chance but they sure punched above their weights and secured an impressive 15th place finish. However, the manager will be aware that the new season will be more testing and for that he will need to bring in some reinforcements in the summer.

If the reports are to be believed then apart from Brighton, Portuguese giants Porto are also in the race to sign the player, though, the player is likely to prefer a move to the English Premier League as he has dreamt of playing in the English division since his childhood.

Bissouma made 28 appearances for his side last season in all competitions and managed a return of three goals and one assist. His manager would have liked him to contribute more on the creative front, however, he usually ends up playing in a more subdued role in midfield. The 21-year-old possesses an excellent right foot and is generally accurate from distance. He even has good dribbling skills and has the ability to go past defenders.

Brighton can certainly benefit from having such a dynamic midfielder in the middle of the park. He can partner the likes of Davy Propper and Pascal Gross in midfield and can form a formidable partnership with them. With the French side, the Malian has been used in various positions like right back and right midfield so his versatility will also be a huge asset for Chris Hughton.

It is yet not clear how much the player will cost but the reports are suggesting that both the clubs are in positive talks towards the sale of the player. Premier League will certainly be the biggest test of the youngster's career and it remains to be seen how he will tread in the unknown waters of the English top flight.



https://the4thofficial.net/2018/07/brighton-hove-set-rival-fulham-21-yo-midfielder-can-bring-table/

[WhiteJC]

 
USMNT's Tim Ream agrees new Fulham contract ahead of Premier League season

United States defender Tim Ream has agreed a new two-year contract with Fulham them gain promotion to the Premier League.

Ream had been entering the final year of his contract, and his new deal, announced on Friday, ties him to the club until the summer of 2020, with an option for a further season.

""I wanted to sort it out fairly quickly. It gives you the freedom and the licence to go out and focus on the football, so it's just nice to have it done," Ream said.

"The goal all along was to be in the Premier League, and now to have the opportunity to play there with this group of guys is something that I think we're all looking forward to, not just myself, and hopefully we can make it special this year."

The 30-year-old has played in England since leaving the New York Red Bulls in 2011 to sign for Bolton Wanderers.

He started 13 Premier League games in 2012 as Bolton were relegated and has played in the second-tier Championship ever since.

He moved to Fulham in 2015 and has become a fans' favourte, helping the Cottagers return to the Premier League after a four-season absence.

Ream has made 26 appearances for the U.S. national team.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/fulham/story/3558399/usmnts-tim-ream-agrees-new-fulham-contract-ahead-of-premier-league-season

[WhiteJC]

 
Albion closing in on goalkeeper David Button

ALBION are closing in on the capture of David Button from promoted Fulham to complete their revised goalkeeping group.

The Seagulls are hopeful of sealing Button's signature in time for him to be involved in the pre-season training camp in Austria.

Chris Hughton's squad fly out tomorrow to Schruns for a week's training before crossing the border into Switzerland for next Saturday's opening friendly against St Gallen (2pm).

Button has been a target for some time. The 29-year-old joined Fulham from Brentford two years ago and was their No.1 until losing his place to Marcus Bettinelli midway through last season.

Bristol City have also been interested in the Stevenage-born shot-stopper, who will provide competition and cover for first choice Mathew Ryan together with new signing Jason Steele from Sunderland.

Last season's third choice Niki Maenpaa has left in search of more game time, while second choice Tim Krul is a free agent and his future remains unclear.

Christian Walton will be on the Austrian trip with Steele and potentially Button.

The former England under-21 keeper's loan return to Wigan Athletic for the season commences afterwards.

Meanwhile, Spanish youngster Robert Sanchez left last night to start his season-long loan with Forest Green Rovers.

All of the senior players, including new Brazilian signing Bernardo and Romanian striker Florin Andone, are in the squad for Austria apart from World Cup trio Ryan, Leon Balogun and Jose Izquierdo, who have been given extra-time off.

Shane Duffy, recovering from groin surgery, is in the travelling party along with under-23s defenders Ben White and Ben Barclay, and forward Viktor Gyokeres.

Free-scoring Gyokeres is from Sweden, England's World Cup quarter-final opponents in Russia today.



http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/16339345.albion-closing-in-on-goalkeeper-david-button/

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham have completed the deal of the summer by securing this charismatic midfield master's signature

Why Fulham have completed the deal of the summer by securing Tom Cairney's future

As per reports, Tom Cairney has agreed on a new five-year deal with Fulham, which keeps the midfielder at Craven Cottage until 2023.

Cairney, 27, joined the Cottagers from Blackburn three years ago and played a key role in the club's promotion to the Premier League this past season. In May, he scored the only goal of the Championship play-off final, as Fulham beat Aston Villa to win promotion to the Premier League.

Fulham will be hoping to establish themselves in the Premier League now and they will need their best players in order to do that. So the news of Cairney staying is a massive boost to the whole club.

Cairney has enjoyed a wonderful few years at Craven Cottage, becoming one of the hottest properties in the Championship but those performances led to transfer rumours in January and also after Fulham's promotion to the top-flight. But the Scot has now quashed all rumours of a move to West Ham after deciding to commit his future at Craven Cottage.

The 27-year-old has become Fulham through and through, establishing himself as a fan favourite at Craven Cottage. He joined Fulham from Blackburn Rovers in 2015, particularly at a precarious time of the club's Championship stay.

Cairney was one of the very few shining lights in Fulham's narrow escape from relegation to League One Football in the 2015/16 campaign. And after securing the club's status in the Championship, Cairney could have moved on but he stayed at Fulham, believing in the club's project.

Little did Cairney know Fulham would make giant leaps under Slavisa Jokanovic. Not only was he fantastic throughout the Championship campaign but also led the team from the front by being the skipper, scoring the winning goal in the play-off final and writing his name in Fulham folklore.

One of the top talents in English football, Cairney is an all-action midfielder who dictates the tempo of the game with his crisp passing and crossing abilities. He works hard in retaining possession, finishes off chances in a blink of an eye and never shies away from flying for a tackle.

He is creative and industrious, and is someone who doesn't know to give less than 100% for his team every single time.

Fulham supporters may have been frustrated with the lack of summer signings, particularly after looking at fellow promoted sides Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers spending freely. The Cottagers generally have the mantra of leaving their business late and extract the best possible deal.

While Jokanovic's side are yet to open their account this summer, Fulham fans have at least got a reason to celebrate following Cairney's long-term commitment to the club. He is working at the peak of his powers and undoubtedly loves Fulham, which makes him such a crucial player going into the new season.

Frustration amongst the Fulham fans is understandable but they must rejoice the fact that their skipper is staying put at the club. Fulham are yet to sign a player in the ongoing transfer market but they have bagged the deal of the summer by securing Cairney's future.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/07/07/why-fulham-have-completed-the-deal-of-the-summer-by-securing-this-charismatic-midfield-masters-signature/