Friday Fulham Stuff (10/05/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Celtic facing competition for Neil Lennon target from two English clubs

According to The Scottish Sun, Aston Villa and Fulham are competing with Celtic for the services of Gary Hooper, who is leaving Sheffield Wednesday in the summer transfer window.

It has been reported that Neil Lennon wants Hooper at Celtic if he gets the managerial role at Celtic Park on a full-time basis.

Lennon has been in charge of the Hoops since February 2019 following the departure of Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City in the Premier League.

The 47-year-old has a contract at the Bhoys until the end of the season, and it is not yet clear if he will be kept on as the manager beyond the summer.

Hooper, who will become a free agent this summer after leaving Wednesday in the Championship in England, was on the books of the Hoops from 2010 until 2013.

According to The Scottish Sun, Fulham and Villa are also looking at the 31-year-old former Southend United forward.

While the Cottagers will play in the Championship next season after getting relegated from the Premier League, the Villans are aiming to clinch promotion to the top flight of English football via the playoffs.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/report-celtic-facing-competition-for-neil-lennon-target-from-two-english-clubs/

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Southampton planning £30m bid to beat West Ham to Aleksandar Mitrovic

Southampton are reportedly planning a move for Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic.

According to The Express, Southampton are planning to make a £30million bid for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in an effort to beat West Ham United to his signature.

The Saints survived in the Premier League having brought in Ralph Hasenhuttl as their new manager back in December, with the Austrian impressing after Mark Hughes' exit.

Hasenhuttl won't want to see Southampton in another relegation battle next season, and adding more firepower in the final third will be key to that after scoring just 44 goals this season.

A number of strikers have already been linked, but The Express claim that Southampton are planning to offer up £30million for Fulham striker Mitrovic this summer.

It's stated that West Ham are also keen, but Southampton are attempting to get in first with a huge bid for the Serbian powerhouse.

After firing Fulham to promotion from the Championship, Mitrovic joined the Cottagers permanently last summer, and hit 11 goals in a decent campaign this season.

The 24-year-old still has bags of potential, and led the line well in a dismal Fulham side, and that may just give Hasenhuttl confidence that he can be even better in the Southampton side.

Mitrovic recently went nine games without a goal though, and scored just three times in 2019, meaning some may be concerned at paying such a huge fee given his patch form.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/05/09/report-southampton-planning-30m-bid-to-beat-west-ham-to-aleksand/

[WhiteJC]

 
Who is this 17-year-old Fulham prodigy on Liverpool's radar? A future star in the making?

Liverpool opinion – Scout Report of Reds target Cody Drameh

According to a report in Daily Mail, Liverpool are ready to make a move for young Fulham right-back Cody Drameh.

The 17-year-old, who is currently playing for the Fulham U-18 and U-23 team, has impressed the scouts from the Red side of Merseyside (h/t Daily Mail).

The England U-18 international has one year left in his scholarship at Craven Cottage, hence, Jurgen Klopp's men can snap him up for a reasonable fee. Bundesliga side Frankfurt are also interested in the teenager (h/t Daily Mail).

While Liverpool have a very strong squad at the senior level, they are right in enhancing the quality of their youth team to solidify the future of the club.



Without further ado, lets take a look at Drameh in a scout report:

Scout Report – Cody Drameh
Cody Drameh is a prodigious right-back who has been through the youth ranks of Fulham. He is currently playing in the Premier League 2 and has impressed many around, including the Liverpool scouts.

In terms of his playing style, he is likened to another fantastic young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (h/t Daily Mail). Hence, we can guess that the 17-year-old loves to go forward, put delicious crosses into the box and possesses the pace to cover the ground on the right-hand side.

Drameh is a technically sound player, who can make key passes from deeper positions and make the right decision at the right time. He is physically strong and doesn't get shrugged off the ball too easily.

All in all, we can say that the teenager has the qualities and traits to be a successful young player at Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp doesn't hide away from handing opportunities to young players in the senior team. If Drameh comes in and continues to improve his already impressive game, we could see him in the red jersey pretty soon, provided the club makes a move for him this summer.

Conclusion
Cody Drameh is a fantastic footballer who has a bright future in store. Moving to Liverpool would help him realise his talent and showcase it on the biggest of stages.



https://soccersouls.com/scout-report-cody-drameh-linked-with-liverpool/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Set To Wave Goodbye To Star Striker

Relegation from the Premier League, back to the Championship, will, undoubtedly, have ramifications.

Despite receiving parachute payments, costs will have to be cut and we're realistic enough to realise that some of our more capable players will be the targets of other Premier League clubs.

Today, speculation has emerged, courtesy of the news source the Express, that several Premier League clubs are contemplating making a move for our striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic.

According to our source, Southampton and West Ham United are interested in signing the 24-year-old Serbian international with the former said to be preparing a £30 million bid.

Personally, I'd like to see Mitrovic stay but I'd be surprised if it happened, such is the nature of the game these days.

But, looking on the bright side, if there is one, a fee of £30 million should enable the club to bring in a decent replacement, but it remains to be seen who!



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/fulham-set-to-wave-goodbye-to-star-striker/

[WhiteJC]

 
Can Newcastle Finish On A Winning Note For 5th Season In A Row?

Newcastle have the chance to finish the league season off with a win for the fifth time in a row on Sunday at Craven Cottage.

Even though Fulham have been relegated for some weeks now, they have won three of their last four games under caretaker manager Scott Parker and it will not be easy,

This could be the last game in charge for Rafa Benitez at the club, and if it is – it will be the 146th game he has managed at Newcastle.

We have won 61 games, drawn 31 games, and lost 53 of the first 145 games Rafa has been our manager.

We need some good news soon – we need some news soon from the hierarchy.

Maybe Rafa will have that good news tomorrow afternoon during his meeting with journalists?

Hope so.



http://www.nufcblog.com/2019/05/09/can-newcastle-finish-on-a-winning-note-for-5th-season-in-a-row/

[WhiteJC]

 
Aston Villa, Fulham and Celtic linked with move for departing Sheffield Wednesday striker

The Irish Sun has claimed that Aston Villa, Fulham and Celtic are all looking at the possibility of signing Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Hooper on a free transfer.

Sheffield Wednesday announced on their official club website last Sunday that Gary Hooper would be one of the six out of contract players leaving Hillsborough at the end of this season. Now, the Irish Sun has reported that he is already attracting interest.

Newly relegated Fulham, Championship promotion hopefuls Aston Villa and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic – who Hooper used to play for – have all been credited with interest in the striker.

Celtic's caretaker manager Neil Lennon is keen on bringing Hooper back to Celtic Park for free if he is given the job on a permanent basis this summer. Hooper spent three years with Celtic under the management of Lennon and enjoyed the most prolific stint of his career to date.

in 138 games for Celtic, the striker scored 82 goals and assisted 30 goals, making him a firm fan favourite in his time at Celtic Park

Fulham and Aston Villa are looking at Hooper as a new striking option, available on the cheap as well. Fulham will be in the market for a new striker with Aleksandar Mitrovic highly likely to leave for big money.

The 31-year-old is leaving Sheffield Wednesday after an underwhelming season, in which he made just six Championship appearances, scoring once and assisting once. In his three and a half years with the club, he played 89 games, scoring 32 times and picking up 12 assists.



https://the72.co.uk/130440/aston-villa-fulham-celtic-move-for-sheffield-wednesday-stiker/

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: Southampton keen to land £30m-rated star

Aleksandar Mitrovic is said to be available for transfer this summer after Fulham's relegation.

Southampton are plotting an ambitious £30 million summer move for Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to the Daily Express.

The Serbian striker only signed for Fulham last summer but their relegation will now probably see the striker depart Craven Cottage.

Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhuttl is keen to bolster his striking ranks in the summer. Danny Ings will complete his £18 million switch from Liverpool, but Charlie Austin and Shane Long remain unconvincing.

The Saints have spent a large chunk of the campaign trying to stave off relegation. Hassenhuttl knows that won't be acceptable next season and wants Mitrovic to spearhead a revival.

The 24-year-old signed for the Cottagers last July in a deal worth £22 million (BBC Sport). The club clearly wants to gain some profit on one of their most valuable assets following relegation to the Championship.

TBR Verdict

Mitrovic's 11 goals have clearly drawn this interest from Southampton. Despite Fulham's struggles during 2018/19, the Serb has proven his worth when it comes to scoring Premier League goals.

Despite him looking ideal for the Saints, £30 million does seem like an awful lot of money. Hassenhuttl will have a need to strengthen other areas and the Mitrovic signing will seriously deplete his budget.

He could, however, work well in the Saints boss' system, whilst he does represent a completely different option to that of Ings.

Mitrovic is certainly an upgrade on Charlie Austin who is a similar sort of striker and if they can get a fee for him, then the £30 million all of a sudden looks a little cheaper.



https://tbrfootball.com/southampton-aleksandar-mitrovic/

[WhiteJC]

 
Tony Gale claims Fulham have better players and squad than Newcastle United

Tony Gale has been an irregular irritant for Newcastle fans in recent years.

His viewpoint is usually antagonistic against Newcastle United and the supporters.

Having  played for the likes of West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace, he often takes the 'unrealistic expectations of Newcastle fans' line, plus could often be heard speaking up in defence of Alan Pardew during and after his time as NUFC manager.

The latest comments from Tony Gale are the ultimate backhanded compliment.

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League after winning only four of the first 33 PL games, yet Tony Gale claims the Cottages have better players and squad than Newcastle United.

The compliment bit is only really aimed at Rafa Benitez, declaring: 'They've got the best out of what they've got, and all the compliments have to go to the manager really.'

The former Fulham player praises the NUFC team for 'grounded out games', whatever that means!

It is all a bit of a nonsense anyway because maybe after a few games you can argue the players/team/squad are really better than they are showing BUT not after playing 37 of the 38 league games.

The league table tells you how good your players are and attitude & commitment, as well as natural ability,are also key factors in deciding who has 'better' players.

As for Fulham's promotion bid, Tony Gale says Aleksandar Mitrovic is the 'key' player Fulham have to try and keep hold of.

Tony Gale speaking to the official Fulham site:

"We close the season against Newcastle United on Sunday, and that should be a good day. The last game of the season is always a good one, and it would be nice to go out with a bang.

"I believe that we have better players than Newcastle do.

"But look at where they are and their position in the table – that's because they've been hard to beat and have grounded out games, got the odd 1-0 or 2-1.

"There have been games they should have lost which they've drawn, and games they should have drawn that they've won. And that's where we should have been really because, in my opinion, we've got a stronger squad than them.

"They've got the best out of what they've got, and all the compliments have to go to the manager really.

"How successful we are in holding onto our best players will have a big say in how we fare next year, and we've already got one of them secured in Tom (Cairney – Who has signed a new cotract). A lot of our players have shown they can do it at that level.

"Mitro, for me, is the key.

"When we got him on loan last season he gave us that extra impetus that we were missing.

"It won't be easy to hold onto him, agents are always in players' ears, but if we can then we've got a real talisman who can score the goals to get us back to the Premier League.'



https://www.themag.co.uk/2019/05/tony-gale-claims-fulham-have-better-players-and-squad-than-newcastle-united/

[WhiteJC]

 
Hammers hope for striker relegation clause

West Ham are still in the market for Fulham's Aleksander Mitrovic and will be looking to see whether his price is set to fall on the basis of any relegation clause in his contract.

The striker joined Fulham from Newcastle last summer after a spell on loan from Newcastlr and is under contract until 2023.

However, it is understood that a relegation clause may be involved and although under normal circumstances he would probably command a fee of around £30 million that call fall substantially should a release figure be involved.

The Hammers have had the player on their radar after he scored 11 goals in a team that took the drop back to the Championship this season.

In his loan spell as the Cottagers were promoted the Serbian managed 21 strikes convincing the south west London club to invest nearly 15 million in taking him to Craven Cottage.

Should there be a relegation clause it is likely to be set at around £20 million.



https://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-hope-for-striker-relegation-clause/

[WhiteJC]

 
Lawro's final-day Premier League predictions - will Liverpool pip City to title?

One more win will see Manchester City crowned Premier League champions for a second successive season, but can Brighton spoil Pep Guardiola's party on the south coast?

Sadly for both of former Liverpool and Seagulls defender Mark Lawrenson's former clubs, the BBC football expert is not expecting any surprises on the final day of the 2018-19 campaign.

"It is hard to see anything but a City win here simply because of what we have seen from them in the past few weeks," Lawro said.

"It is not just that they have kept on winning that is impressive - and they have triumphed in their past 13 league games - it's the way have managed those matches brilliantly.

"City have never been behind in any of those games, and they have conceded only three goals. At the other end, whenever they have really needed a goal, they have got one.

"They have had to keep winning to stay above Liverpool and defend their title, and I can't believe they will fall at the very final hurdle, against a team who are 17th in the table."

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

He will find out his opponent for the final weekend of the season on Friday.

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS
Fulham v Newcastle

This is Fulham's final game as a top-flight club for at least the next 15 months.

I am sure they would love to sign off with a win in front of their own fans but Newcastle are awkward opponents at the moment, as Liverpool discovered on Saturday.

The big questions, as ever, for the Magpies are will manager Rafa Benitez stay, and will he get the money that he wants to spend?

I think the answers are 'yes' and 'no'... but he will get some of it, and enough to make some more improvements to his squad.

We already know Magpies owner Mike Ashley is never going to splash the cash, because he could give Benitez £100m and he is realistically only going to finish seventh, at best.

They are halfway up the table right now, so how many more places up the table are they going to get as a return for his money?

That is Ashley's way of thinking. He is a businessman and Newcastle made an £18.6m profit last season, so he is never going to agree with the fans urging him to spend.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48203351

[WhiteJC]

 
Insider: West Ham weigh up underwhelming loan move for Fulham flop Andre Schurrle

West Ham could move to sign ex-Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle on loan. According to insider EXWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way podcast on Phoenix FM (Wednesday 8th May), the Hammers might hijack Fulham's loan.

Borussia Dortmund winger Schurrle is on a two-year loan at Fulham but the West London club have been relegated to the Championship.

Because the Cottagers have gone down, West Ham could take over the second year of his loan spell. Schurrle would remain on loan but be playing for West Ham rather than Fulham.

Who is Andre Schurrle?
When Fulham signed Schurrle last season, it looked like a coup. The 57-cap Germany international was out of favour at Borussia Dortmund but was expected to thrive in England.

In his previous spell in the Premier League, Schurrle scored 14 goals across two seasons with Chelsea. He was mainly used as an impact substitute and he performed that role well.

But his time at Craven Cottage has been a struggle. Scoring six times in 24 games, Schurrle was unable to avoid a comprehensive relegation with Fulham.

Fulham fans have grown frustrated with the 28-year-old, who has had an underwhelming campaign. In turn, West Ham fans would probably be disappointed with this business.

The Hammers do not need a new winger and should be aiming for better players than Fulham flop Schurrle.



https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/insider-west-ham-weigh-up-underwhelming-loan-move-for-fulham-flop-andre-schurrle/

[WhiteJC]

 
Brilliant signing or a waste of money? Southampton target £30m Aleksandar Mitrovic

According to The Daily Express, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is plotting a big overhaul of his squad as he looks forward to a first full season in charge at St Mary's Stadium and the Austrian sees Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic as the man to lead the line in 2019/20.

The Cottagers are looking to keep hold of the burly Serb with immediate promotion back to the top flight surely in mind, so they've slapped a hefty £30m price tag on the star's head. Saints would have to be mad to pay that much for a square peg.

What's the word?

Well, The Daily Express reports that the former Anderlecht and Newcastle man, who netted 11 goals for struggling Fulham this term, is set to leave Craven Cottage this summer.

While the departure would leave Fulham lacking their attacking spearhead, Southampton appear to already have theirs for next season, with Danny Ings set to complete his £18m permanent move from Liverpool, however it seems that, with Shane Long ageing and Charlie Austin crocked, Hasenhuttl needs even more firepower up front.

Mitrovic is a lethal finisher and definitely has some unfinished business having yet to be afforded consecutive full seasons in the top flight, but he's not the hitman Southampton need.

Square peg for Saints

The 24-year-old certainly has potential to be one of the best strikers outside of the top-six but he's lacking in pace, so it seems he wouldn't be suited to Hasenhuttl's high-tempo approach which relies heavily on pressing from the front.

Southampton already have a natural finisher in Ings, as long as they can keep him fit, so signing a forward who will chase down defenders all game long and capitalise on mistakes nine-times-out-of-ten would be a far smarter move.

Saints are crying out for an aggressive Vardy-type and while Mitrovic is renowned for his temper on the pitch, he's not the number 9 to take the south coast outfit to the next level; spending £30m on the 6 ft 2 target man would be an unforgivable waste of money.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/southampton/brilliant-signing-or-a-waste-of-money-southampton-target-30m-aleksandar-mitrovic

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham player agrees five-year deal with new club, wants to 'relaunch career'

Fulham striker Luciano Vietto has reportedly found a deal to join Portuguese side Sporting on a five-year deal this summer.

It's newspaper O Jogo who reports that the Spaniard, who's currently loaned to the Whites by Atletico Madrid, has accepted the Lions' offer in the 'past few hours'.

Atletico's deal with Sporting had been widely reported in the Portuguese press in the past few weeks, but only now Vietto has accepted the personal terms.

Since the Colchoneros have still not paid for Gelson Martins' transfer to Madrid, they are now sending Vietto plus an amount of €20m to settle their debt with the Portuguese side.

Vietto's chances of staying at Fulham have never been taken seriously by the Portuguese press. This time, the London side only get a mention with O Jogo saying the club don't even take the player into account anymore.

He now wants to 'relaunch his career'.

The 25-year-old only scored one goal and made four assists in his 22 appearances for Fulham this season.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-agrees-five-year-deal-new-club-wants-relaunch-career/

[WhiteJC]

The key battles which will spice up Newcastle's final-day trip to Fulham

It's not just an old boys reunion - United have their own goalscoring battle to settle at Craven Cottage

It's an old boys reunion for Newcastle United as they bid farewell to another top flight season on the banks of the Thames instead of the Tyne.

Because Fulham are spearheaded by two former Mags - manager Scott Parker who played under Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder at SJP and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, sold out of town by Rafa Benitez.

And watching on from the Craven Cottage directors box as Fulham's guest of honour will be United No 9 legend Malcolm Macdonald.

It was here, of course, that SuperMac, born just down the road in Finlay Street, was converted from a full-back into a centre-forward by a certain Bobby Robson to spark a blue-chip career which included him smashing a record five goals for England against Cyprus across the capital at Wembley when in Newcastle's employ.

Mitrovic - never a favourite of SuperMac - will be thirsting to down Rafa and his old mates in what could be his last game for Fulham with certain relegation possibly prompting yet another transfer.

Parker has done enough to level a rocking boat with three victories in their last four matches (when admittedly already down) which suggests the job might well become his. However another win against his one-time club would do his stature absolutely no harm.


Aleksandar Mitrovic (Image: Getty Images)

Frankly that double desire of Mitro and Parker must be repelled by United who will themselves be looking for an upbeat farewell to travelling fans who have been stout of heart and unwavering in their support of a team which has won only three times on the road.

By the way, should Mike Ashley want to curry favour with the Geordies he need only hang on to Rafa, Salomon Rondon, and Isaac Hayden. Alternatively if he wishes to jerk their string he could let them all go in a job lot.

It's simple really.

This could be the last goodbye but it better hadn't in at least two cases. We can understand Hayden but the others, no way.

What we have on the last day, of course, is a shoot out between Ayoze Perez and Rondon for United's Golden Boot.

Perez has a small lead - 11 PL goals, 12 altogether to Rondon's 10 in the league plus one cup so it all rests on the final hour and a half.

The dearth of Newcastle goals is best illustrated by the list of top scorers immediately below the big two. There are four players all on a miserly three goals apiece and they come from all competitions - Ciaran Clark who hardly ever plays, fellow central defender Fabian Schar, wing-back Matt Ritchie who has been able to claim two penalties, and reserve centre-forward Joselu who scored them early and then disappeared.

Even though Mitrovic's form has slid like snow off a sloping roof lately he has still recorded 11 PL goals in a relegated side to keep pace with United's best, though I would strongly suggest his overall impact has been way short of both Rondon and Perez. I know who I would rather have regardless of what happens just before the curtain falls.

Where Rondon gives blood, sweat and toil every game as a guarantee Mitro's attitude can dip and dribble away dependant upon his mood. His example is not one for the young to follow.

Bottom line, Fulham are down and Newcastle are not. One has achieved their aim the other has not. End of.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/key-battles-spice-up-newcastles-16248076

[WhiteJC]

Ticket Office Closure

Fans are advised that the Fulham Ticket Office (including phonelines) will be closed on Monday 13th May.

It will reopen as usual on Tuesday 14th may.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/may/10/ticket-office-closure

[WhiteJC]

A dream move? – This 26-year-old Chelsea defender would be ideal for Fulham to fix their leaky backline



Fulham Opinion: Cottagers should raid Chelsea for Michael Hector this summer

According to The Sun, Fulham are weighing up a move for Chelsea centre-back Michael Hector, who has earned rave reviews on his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship this season.

Hector, who recently won the Player of the Year award at Sheffield Wednesday, is a firm fan favourite at Hillsborough and has expressed his desire to join the Owls on a permanent basis in the summer, The Sun understands.

The 26-year-old Jamaican international is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020, so it will make sense for the Blues to cash in on him at the end of this season rather than allow him to go out on loan for another campaign and eventually walk away on a free transfer.

The former Reading man, who joined Chelsea back in the summer of 2015, has never really been close to making the grade at Stamford Bridge and is yet to make a single competitive appearance for the Blues.

He has spent time on loan as a part of Chelsea's loan army over the last three years or so, havings stints with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and Hull City in the Championship before moving out on loan to Hillsborough last summer.

Hector has been a raging success at Sheffield Wednesday this season and has made a total of 37 appearances in the Championship for the Owls, scoring twice. However, if the Jamaican international does want to play in the Premier League at some point in time, a move to newly-relegated Fulham would make better sense.

To put things into perspective, Fulham are set for a massive squad overhaul this summer after their relegation from the Premier League, as the Cottagers look to trim their wage bill and get themselves ready for a long and hard slog in the Championship next season.

The west Londoners spent a fortune last summer but they still did not succeed in beating the drop in the Premier League, thanks largely to their porous and vulnerable defence that has shipped 77 goals so far.

Fulham's leaky defence has been one of the major reasons behind their undoing in the Premier League. Although one would deem their current defensive options good enough for the Championship, the Cottagers should look to bring in some experienced seasoned-campaigners at the back.

And Michael Hector is certainly amongst those centre-backs who has thrived for nearly a decade in the second-tier.

The Cottagers have the likes of Tim Ream and Denis Odoi, both of whom are expected to remain with the club in their Championship campaign, while loanees like Calum Chambers, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Havard Nordtveit are expected to head for the exit door.

Alfie Mawson is also unlikely to drop down a division and stick around at Craven Cottage, having already proven his worth in the Premier League with Swansea City.

And that is exactly the reason why someone like Mickael Hector would be an ideal signing for Fulham. The 6ft.4 inch centre-back has been a picture of reliability at Hillsborough this season and the Cottagers should look at him as a viable option heading into the transfer window.

Quick across the ground, dominant in the air and strong on the tackle, Hector can be a useful presence at the back with his ability to read the game to perfection, while also keeping the opposition at bay with crucial tackles and interceptions.



Hector averages 3.4 aerial duels, 2.1 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 5.4 clearances and 4.3 successful long balls per game in the Championship this term, figures which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a centre-back.

Hence, it is not difficult to see why Fulham might do their chances of making an immediate return to the Premier League a world of good by striking a deal for the out of favour Chelsea man this summer.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2019/05/10/a-dream-move-this-26-year-old-chelsea-defender-would-be-ideal-for-fulham-to-fix-their-leaky-backline/

[Fulham Joe]

The way Southampton treated us over Matt Target, they can do one, let them keep bidding, and then tell them that it isn't enough.

[SuffolkWhite]

£40M plus Matt Targett Please.