Monday Fulham Stuff - 17/06/19...

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Barcelona 'looking at Premier League's youngest player Harvey Elliott' as he prepares to leave Fulham

Harvey Elliott is reportedly set to leave Fulham as a free agent at the end of the month

Barcelona are considering a move for Harvey Elliott with the teenager set to leave Fulham this summer, according to reports.

Elliott became the youngest player in Premier League history last month when he came off the bench for the London club against Wolves aged 16 years and 30 days.

His appearance in the 1-0 defeat saw him break the record previously held by another Fulham player in Matthew Briggs, who was 35 days older when he played his first top-flight game in 2007.

He also featured in the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle on the final day of the season after making his senior debut in a League Cup tie against Millwall in September.

However, the talented midfielder is already set to quit the Cottagers following their relegation from the Premier League.


Harvey Elliott became the Premier League's youngest-ever player in May (Image: Getty Images Europe)

According to the Mail on Sunday , the teenager will be able to leave Craven Cottage as a free agent at the end of the month after failing to agree a new deal with the club.

And the publication claims that the Spanish champions are among the clubs looking at the midfielder, while Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig are also understood to be interested.

Despite still being just 16, he has already managed to make an impact in Scott Parker's squad and has drawn praise from his team-mates.

Following Elliott's Premier League debut against Wolves, Fulham captain Tom Cairney said: "He's been a sensation since he joined in training a few months ago.


Harvey Elliott also played for Fulham in the League Cup (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

"He doesn't look out of place and does some bits of magic that everyone says 'wow.'

"His attitude and his belief in himself at such a young age is frightening."

"He's got a great football brain, an eye for goal and is a very entertaining player," Cairney added.

"Hopefully he will have a long and successful career."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/barcelona-looking-premier-leagues-youngest-16525558

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Spurs willing to let £80,000-a-week star leave as club eye up £35M youngster as possible replacement

Spurs are said to be willing to let Danny Rose leave the club this summer, with the club eyeing up Fulham ace Ryan Sessegnon as a replacement for the defender.

Rose has been a loyal servant to Spurs over the years, with the England international proving to be a key part of the club's first team for a number of seasons now.

However despite this, it seems like Rose's stint with the north London club could be coming to an end this summer, as the Sun are stating that Mauricio Pochettino's side are ready to let the left back leave.

The Sun also note that Spurs are eyeing up £35M Fulham ace Sessegnon as a potential replacement for Rose, who they may struggle to get rid of due to his £80,000-a-week wages.

Sessegnon is one of the brightest talents in the country at the moment, and if Spurs were to bring him in as a replacement for Rose, it'd be seen as a brilliant piece of business from the club.

Rose played a fairly significant part for Spurs last season, as he bagged four assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, helping his side reach the Champions League final and achieve a top four Premier League finish in the process.

Sessegnon, however, would not be a bad replacement for Rose by any means, with the player proving during his time with Fulham that he has what it takes to command a first team place for a side like Spurs.

Will Spurs end up replacing Rose with Sessegnon this summer? Looks like only time will tell...



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/06/16/spurs-willing-to-let-80000-a-week-star-leave-as-club-eye-up-35m-youngster-as-possible-replacement/

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Club offer €1.5m to loan Fulham player, and he's already agreed personal terms

Fanatik report Yeni Malatyaspor are looking to keep Aboubakar Kamara and that they've made their first offer to Fulham for the Frenchman.

Kamara joined Yeni Malatyaspor on loan during the last winter transfer window which was one of the highest profile signings the Turkish club has ever made.

After securing Europa League qualification, they've started their transfer business for next season and their manager Sergen Yalcin wants Kamara in his team for the next campaign.

Subsequently the Super Lig side have made it one of their priorities to get a deal done with Fulham.

Yeni Malatyaspor have reportedly offered a €1.5m loan fee to Fulham to keep Kamara and they've reportedly already reached an agreement with the player on personal terms.

Despite high expectations, Kamara only scored 1 goal for the club in 13 appearances, but wasn't helped by injuries.

Due to his disciplinary problems at Craven Cottage last season it's likely Fulham will be looking to offload him this summer.




http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-make-offer-fulham-forward-personal-terms-already-agreed/

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Fulham set for big loss with Real Madrid and Barcelona among clubs interested in youngster

Championship side Fulham could be set for a massive loss with the news that 16-year-old Harvey Elliott has rejected a new deal with the club.

The teenager, who became the youngest Premier League player ever last season, has reportedly backed out of a new deal, according to the Sun on Sunday.

This move could now pave the way for both Real Madrid and Barcelona to make their move for the youngster, with both Spanish giants being well aware of the talent Elliott possesses.

Elliott's stance will be a bitter blow to the Cottagers, who had been hoping to keep hold of their better young players this summer with a host of first-team stars set to leave the club over the summer following last season's relegation from the top flight.

The 16-year-old was given his debut by manager Scott Parker against Wolves, meaning any English club will have to pay millions in compensation to land the teenager. However, according to the report today from the Sun, Spanish clubs can snap up Elliott for as little as £200,000, something which has perked the interest of Madrid and Barca.

The Cottagers look like losing the likes of Ryan Sessegon this summer, so the loss of Elliott would be another set-back for the club as they look to rebuild.

The Verdict

I just don't understand it, and I don't think I ever will with these young players at times.

Why would you leave Fulham when the manager is clearly going to give you the chance next season to showcase your abilities? I just don't understand.

Sure the lure of Madrid and Barcelona is massive, but they don't exactly have the best record in blooding through English youngsters.

I just think this will be a waste for Elliott, and he really needs to consider what he's doing.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-set-for-big-loss-with-real-madrid-and-barcelona-among-clubs-interested-in-youngster/

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Fulham plot move for Leeds midfielder Adam Forshaw?



Fulham are reportedly interested in a deal for Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw following their relegation back to the Championship.

The 27-year-old made 31 league appearances last season as Leeds made a valiant attempt to secure promotion to the Premier League but is among a group of players the club could sell in order to raise funds for a new promotion push next term.

According to the Daily Mail, the Cottagers are looking for experienced heads in the second tier and Forshaw fits the bill, having also turned out for Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic over the last five years.

Fulham manager Scott Parker is expecting multiple departures ahead of the new season, with Jean Michael Seri and Andre-Frank Anguissa almost certain to depart and the future of Ryan Sessegnon uncertain.

Forshaw, who signed for Leeds 18 months ago in a £4.5m deal, has three years remaining on his current contract.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leeds-united/transfer-talk/news/fulham-plot-move-for-leeds-midfielder-forshaw_362132.html

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Fulham signing this £4.5m star from Leeds United should be an absolute no-brainer – Here's why

Fulham Opinion: Adam Forshaw could be a massive coup for the Cottagers

According to the Daily Mail, Fulham are interested in signing Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw, with reports claiming that manager Scott Parker is keen to bolster his ranks heading into the upcoming season in the Championship.

Forshaw, who joined Leeds United from Middlesbrough for a fee of £4.5 million back in January 2018, played a key role for Marcelo Bielsa's side in the Championship this past season, as the Whites lost out to Derby County in the playoff semi-finals.

However, Leeds are currently bracing themselves for approaches from several other clubs for some of their prized assets following their failure to secure promotion. Jack Clarke has already been lined up by Spurs as a potential summer target, while Kalvin Phillips has attracted interest from a host of other Premier League sides, including newly-promoted Aston Villa. (h/t Daily Mail)

Fulham are also going through a similar phase at the moment, with the Cottagers currently under pressure to balance the books following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Craven Cottage-based outfit are set for a massive clear-out of players this summer, with several high-profile players, including the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jean-Michael Seri, Andre Schurrle, Ryan Babel, Luciano Vietto, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, as well as, promising youngster Ryan Sessegnon all expected to leave the club.

Manager Scott Parker is faced with the task of guiding the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and he has seemingly started for looking for affordable alternatives to replace the big names. 

While a like-for-like replacement for Mitrovic up front continues to be a priority for Fulham, they also need to look for new players in other areas of the pitch. Central midfield is one such area that certainly needs some sorting out this summer, with the departure of Seri and Anguissa an inevitability.

Fulham, of course, are expected to have the services of captain Tom Cairney at their disposal in the Championship next season after the Scotsman committed his future to the club with a long-term contract. Kevin McDonald was largely used as a fringe player in the Premier League but he was one of their key players in the Championship and the central midfielder would probably have a bigger part to play next term.

The Cottagers are also likely to have the services of Stefan Johansen right from the start of the upcoming campaign, given that the Norwegian is back at Craven Cottage following his loan spell at West Brom last term. However, someone like Adam Forshaw could possibly add that little bit more depth and quality in a crucial area of the pitch for Fulham, although Leeds are unlikely to let go of one of their key players on the cheap.

A youth graduate of Everton, who rose to prominence with Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough, Forshaw has established himself as one of the best players at Elland Road since his move from Middlesbrough in January last year. The 27-year-old made a total of 31 appearances for the Whites in the Championship this past season and was one of the key cogs of Bielsa's midfield.

Essentially a central midfielder by trade, Forshaw is a strong, tenacious and hard-working presence in the middle of the park who excels with his impressive range of passing and ability to control possession for his team.

To add to that, he is adept at dealing with the transitions in play and cutting out attacks with crucial interventions, whilst also possessing the ability to contribute to the attack with driving runs from the midfield.

Forshaw averaged 44.7 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 88.2 in the Championship last term, including 3.6 long balls, 0.9 key passes and 2.2 tackles, figures which speak volumes of his ability to retain possession, move the ball around and cut out attacks in the middle of the park. Moreover, his wealth of Premier League and Championship experience could prove handy for a promotion-chasing team like Fulham.

Keeping that in mind, Fulham have every reason to look at Adam Forshaw as a marquee signing in the Championship this summer, although they still have plenty of other bases to cover before the season gets underway. All in all, the 27-year-old could be a useful addition to Fulham's ranks.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2019/06/16/fulham-signing-this-4-5m-star-from-leeds-united-should-be-an-absolute-no-brainer-heres-why/

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Slavisa Jokanovic: Former Fulham manager appointed at Qatar Super League side Al-Gharafa

Slavisa Jokanovic managed Watford and Fulham in England

Former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has signed a two-year deal with Qatar Super League side Al-Gharafa.

The Serb has been without a club since being sacked by the Cottagers last season, having guided them back to the Premier League in 2017-18.

Jokanovic, 50, was replaced by Claudio Ranieri, who made way for Scott Parker, but they finished bottom of the table.

Al-Gharafa are seven time winners of the league, most recently in 2010, and finished eighth last season.

Earlier in June, it was reported that midfielder Mohamed Diame was close to joining the club on a free transfer after his release by Newcastle United.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48656646

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Player Reviews: The Attackers

In the final instalment of this mini-series, the Fulhamish team take a look at how each of our forwards have performed over the season. Armed with your average player rating scores, these are the grades we've given each player. Agree with us? Disagree with us? Let us know!

Ryan Babel

Player Grade: B

Average Player Rating: 6.08

Writer: Jack Collins

Well, well, well. When Fulham signed Ryan Babel on a short-term deal back in January, many people dismissed it as a panic signing, as someone who couldn't cut it coming from the Turkish Super Lig, as someone past their prime. However, the Flying Dutchman more than proved that he still has it during his brief stint at the Cottage. Whilst his influence was nowhere near enough to keep Fulham in the division (that ship had long sailed), he was a bright spark in our attack, mixing pace with physical presence and a decent eye for goal. Compared to the lacklustre André Schurrle, there's only one player you'd say is on the decline, and it's not the considerably older Netherlands winger.

It's a shame that there is no way we'd be able to keep hold of Babel, but his performances will have attracted more than their fair share of suitors and he deserves his shot at high level football for his twilight years. For a man whose attitude was questioned upon his signing, he impressed me immensely with his drive, work rate and the care he put in to try and get Fulham to a better place than when he joined. It wasn't to be, but Babel will always have my respect and thanks for coming in and giving it a fight. Fair play.

Andre Schurrle

Player Grade: F

Average Player Rating: 5.00

Writer: Nik Macnee

In a sense, I do feel sorry for Andre Schurrle. He's the result of a player that's been messed around by health issues, big money transfers and certain managers freezing him out of the team. He ultimately ended up at Fulham as a result of these factors on a unusual two year loan, declaring that he wanted to live in London for ideally the rest of his career. This did not go to plan...

Let's start with the facts. Andre Schurrle is a bad footballer and lazy, and he simply does not make good decisions with the ball at his feet. Only one player (bizarrely it was Mitrovic) had more lost possessions per 90 than Schurrle did (4.7), with over 1000 minutes played. Looking at other stats too, It doesn't get any better for him. Schurrle took one more shot than Mitro outside the box (notoriously bad shots!) – 36 compared to Mitro's 35 – in almost half the minutes that Mitro played.

So where are we? We've got a player who's taking shots away from our best attacker in notoriously bad locations and also turns the ball over a lot. He isn't a team player either – Schurrle played less key passes (passes leading to a shot) than Joe Bryan, Luciano Vietto and Ryan Babel (especially embarrassing with Vietto and Babel, given they both played less minutes than Schurrle). His whopping tally of 0 assists (albeit a flawed stat) ranks behind Cyrus Christie, Havard Nordveidt and Maxime Le Marchand. When you're a winger and getting beaten out on assists by centre backs, then that's not just an embarrassment. That's an indictment on how selfish you are as a footballer.

Above all that frustrated me about Schurrle wasn't the turnovers though. After all, I'd been watching Aboubakar Kamara the season before. No, what drove me to the point of no return with Andre was his complete lack of effort and interest in even trying to get the ball back and make amends for his mistake. Just a simple throw of hands into the air to blame his teammates for his mistakes every five minutes. You almost kind of wonder what words an Ollie Norwood or Danny Murphy would've had for him in the dressing room after doing that.

We barely saw Schurrle after he was taken off at half time against Brighton at home, and never again after relegation was confirmed. An interview published in a German paper about his lack of desire to play in the Championship despite a two year loan and a heartfelt desire to live in London summarised Andre Schurrle. He was a liar, a fraud and a disappearance act once the going got tough. You'd think that the club would be desperate to just sweep him under the club but nope, they greeted his departure with sadness and videos – something that should outrage fans given how poo they've treated actual heroes of the club like Murphy and Hangeland. Andre Schurrle wasted their money but above all, he wasted our time. Good riddance.

Ryan Sessegnon

Player Grade: C+

Average Player Rating: 5.71

Writer: Cam Ramsey

Two goals and six assists in his maiden Premier League season. Whilst not a bad return for a teenager in a struggling squad, the jury's still out on Ryan Sessegnon. Having set the Championship alight, it was initially believed that our resident wonderkind would take the pinnacle of the English game by storm. However, as deficiencies are amplified by ruthless critics, it soon became apparent that the flourishing youngster had to fine-tune his skill set to prosper in the unforgiving environment that is Europe's most cutthroat division.

Claudio Ranieri almost taunted Sess's stature in the press, which had an adverse effect on the starlet's focus and motivation. Where he'd be typically tireless and adventurous, Sess faded out of games without a whimper after the haphazard Italian's foolish words. Whilst they can be perceived as constructive, Sess effectively lost his spark.

He had a cluster of the game's best fullbacks to contend with on a weekly basis and that's invaluable to his progression. He was overpowered and outwitted at times, but he still had a fleeting edge that troubled the opposition, a gift that he needed to trust again.

Pinpointing Sess's primary position was a constant dilemma, too. Recognised as an attacker, Sess' was fielded at left-back, left wing-back, left wing and, towards the back end of the season, on the right to accommodate Ryan Babel. Next season, if he's with us or not, he has to stick to one position. For his development as a promising prospect of the English game, it's imperative that he knows his core responsibility and where he stands.

Sess shares an unparalleled connection with Mitro' and their partnered industry is paramount. On the counter, Ryan is instrumental and his ingenuity came to prominence when it mattered. One example was Mitro's last-ditch goal against Huddersfield Town, a measured strike that was orchestrated by the 19-year-old. Yes, it wasn't a show-stopping Premier League arrival, but he was still a relevant, pivotal component. Whatever happens to Sess' in the summer, he deserves a spirited round of applause. Away with the 'Young Lions', we'll be watching on with pride and intrigue.

Aboubakar Kamara

Player Grade: D

Average Player Rating: 5.77

Writer: George Singer

Well, none of really expected AK47 to have a quiet season did we?

The young Frenchman continues in his quest to become one of the most frustratingly inconsistent players to ever play for Fulham Football Club. There were times this season, as we've seen previously, where Abou offers raw physicality that no other player in England can compete with. He's so fast and strong, and is so unpredictable on the ball, that on his day he really could be unplayable. His goal at home to Leicester City was a great example of this; a great rare example of composure mixed with raw physical attributes, providing real hope in our ambition to survive in the Premier League.

However, the penalty debacle just 3 weeks later at home to Huddersfield proved to be the catalyst in the catastrophic blowout of Abou's season. After refusing to let nominated taker Mitrovic take the crucial penalty, Kamara subsequently missed the spot-kick, losing the trust of the manager and fans alike. Just a couple of weeks after this, a reported bust-up at Motspur Park over a (relaxing?) yoga session saw AK47 arrested, and promptly shifted off on loan to Turkey.

I'm probably not alone in not wanting Abou to play for Fulham Football Club ever again. Abou requires plenty of polishing, and it's still up for debate whether it's a turd or a (very) rough diamond we have on our hands. Whilst I have no qualms in us giving the platform for young players to develop, to blatantly defy team orders, and to cause training ground fights, in my opinion this is unforgivable.

Alexandar Mitrovic

Player Grade: B

Average Player Rating: 6.05

Writer: Sammy James

It was truly a season of two halves for our Serbian striker. After a glorious four months where his goals arguably fired Fulham to promotion, the love story continued at the start of this season as Mitro notched five goals in the opening six games. Aleksandar was rightly being lauded from all angles. How had Rafa Benitez misjudged him so badly? Could he seriously trouble the big six strikers for the golden boot?

However, it all kind of unravelled a bit after that. As results dipped, Fulham resorted to pumping long balls at Mitro and consequently his confidence began to sap.

Once in a blue moon, there were some exceptional performances; particularly against Southampton and Brighton at Craven Cottage. Once Mitro had a goal, or Fulham were in the ascendency, you could see him re-ignite once again. However, he just couldn't turn these displays into a regular affair, and he seldom grabbed games by the scruff of the neck.

Mitro was certainly not shot-shy: he had the joint-top amount of strikes on goal in the entire league alongside Sergio Aguero, but by the end of the season they were nowhere near the intended target. Blazed sitters against Cardiff and Wolves were particularly unpleasant.

If we can keep Mitro in the championship it'll be huge. He's still undeniably a brilliant player on his day, but maybe Rafa Benitez wasn't completely wrong after all.

Floyd Ayite

Player Grade: C-

Average Player Rating: 5.34

Writer: Nik Macnee

It was a tough season for Ayite, who was quickly cast aside for newer recruits but came into the fold a bit more under Scott Parker towards. He was rewarded for his efforts with a goal against Leicester, which feels a bit sweet given how he's played his part in Fulham's turnaround since the summer of 2016.

Ayite is the simple "You know what you're getting" winger in the sense of that he's going to toil hard, make some intelligent runs and try to link up play. He's never going to try anything that's outside of his comfort zone as it very much feels that he knows what his limits are, compared to, say, an Andre Schurrle. This is admirable but not what is needed in a Premier League and that's fine. We signed him in 2016 with the expectation of him to be a winger that will help get us promoted – which he did. So it's hard to fully judge him as PL winger as he simply isn't one.

He'll be an important depth piece next year, which will undoubtedly be his last, but he'll still be remembered as good servant to Fulham.

Luciano Vietto

Player Grade: E

Average Player Rating: 4.97

Writer: Cam Ramsey

What a torridly lacklustre season Luciano Vietto had in a Fulham shirt. Snagged on transfer deadline day in a business frenzy, Vietto came to the Cottage from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan and expectations were soaring. Anticipating nimble sequences and electrifying expeditions, we all expected the pint-sized Argentine to terrorise defences to devastation, although that barnstorming forecast ultimately fell flat on its face.

At Villarreal CF, Sevilla FC and Atleti, the 25-year-old was a renowned threat in front of the target and his diminutive presence made him on of the Spanish top-flight's most prolific strikers. But as brawn is a paramount requirement for any attacker in the Premier League, Vietto simply couldn't manipulate proceedings to his advantage. The slight South American was systematically shrugged off possession, and as many a centre-half adopts a no nonsense approach, he was often left spread across the turf after trying jink his way through the eye of a needle.

In fairness, there really wasn't an allocated spot for Vietto in our fold whatsoever. He's incapable of operating in the same manner that Mitro does and he overcooked elemental phases whilst surging on the counter. In wider reaches, Vietto's final product failed to materialise and his subservient physical fragility literally depicted boy versus man whilst he strained to commit fullbacks. I could be more scathing, but I'd rather save my energy for a player that actually featured.

Vietto's temporary stint in SW6 was basically terminated after the Whites crashed out of the FA Cup to Oldham Athletic at home. For a seasoned professional that's graced the heights of the modern game, I've never seen a more feeble offensive display from an accomplished marksman before. Shackled and tentative, Vietto was utterly atrocious. With one measly goal to his name for Fulham, albeit a terrific strike against Brighton & Hove Albion, Vietto was less than a peripheral player towards the latter stages of the 2018-19 campaign, in fact, I'd forgotten he even existed until now. Get on the weights and good luck at Sporting CP.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-06-16-player-reviews-the-attackers/

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Palace face competition from Napoli and Inter in Seri race

Crystal Palace could face competition from Napoli and Inter Milan in their pursuit to sign Jean Michael Seri from Fulham.

According to exclusive claims from Italian news outlet Calciomercato.it, the Serie A duo have established respective interests in recruiting the midfielder, who could be available this summer.

Seri joined Fulham in a big-money deal from OGC Nice last year after impressing in Ligue 1 for several seasons.

However, the Ivorian flattered to deceive, and it seems Scott Parker's side could cut their losses on the under-performing midfielder ahead of their return to the Championship.

Palace had been linked with a move to sign Seri, but it seems they will need to fend off stiff opposition from two Italian heavyweights.

Roy Hodgson has a plethora of midfield options at his disposal. Nevertheless, he appears to be on the lookout for additional quality as he bids to lead the Eagles to a successful campaign in the Premier League next term.



https://readcrystalpalace.com/2019/06/16/palace-face-competition-from-napoli-and-inter-in-seri-race/

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Premier League's Youngest Ever Player Is Available On A Free And Wanted By Barcelona

Barcelona are among a number of European clubs showing interest in Fulham's 16-year old starlet Harvey Elliott, who will soon be a free agent.

Elliott made history last month when he became the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League.

Born on 4 April 2003, he entered the fray as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves and broke the previous record set by former Fulham left-back Matthew Briggs against Middlesbrough 12 years ago.

But it's looking as though Elliott won't be pulling on the Cottagers shirt again as according to the Daily Mail, he has failed to agree a new contract at the club and will therefore be able to leave the club on a free.

Barcelona and RB Leipzig are waiting in the wings for the England Under-17 international, with Real Madrid also said to be showing interest in Elliott.

Elliott, the youngest ever player to pull on a Fulham shirt when he came off the bench aged 15 and 174 days in a Carabao Cup game against Millwall in September, wasn't even born when Wayne Rooney made his England debut.



http://www.sportbible.com/football/news-premier-leagues-youngest-ever-player-wanted-by-barcelona-20190616

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Report: Real Betis ahead of West Ham United in Aleksandar Mitrovic race

West Ham United reportedly want to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Fulham in the summer transfer window.

According to The Daily Star, Real Betis have moved ahead of West Ham United in the race for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

It has been reported that both West Ham and Betis are interested in signing the former Newcastle United striker in the summer transfer window.

The Spanish club, though, are leading the race, with their vice-president Jose Miguel Lopez Catalan in London for talks with Fulham over the transfer of Mitrovic, according to the report.

The report has also claimed that Fulham and Betis are close to a compromise, with the Cottagers demanding £30 million and the Spanish outfit willing to pay £22m.

Missing out

It seems that West Ham could be missing out on Mitrovic, who would be a very good signing for the London club.

The 24-year-old striker did relatively well in the Premier League, first with Newcastle and then with Fulham, and the Serbia international would improve working under West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini.

According to WhoScored, the former Anderlecht star scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 37 Premier League appearances for Fulham this past season.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/06/16/report-real-betis-ahead-of-west-ham-united-in-aleksandar-mitrovi/

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The John Ryan Interview: Part One – Early days at Arsenal and a spell at the Cottage

In part one of Ed's interview with City legend of the 1970s John Ryan, they talk about his brush with Billy Wright while at Arsenal, an embarrassing encounter with Johnny Haynes and a close call with Bobby Robson and Ipswich Town.

John Bond was never happier as a manager than when he was out on the training pitch amongst his players.

He didn't believe in rationing his appearances at the training ground in the manner some of his contemporaries. Brian Clough tended to wear his tracksuit only when he fancied a quick game of squash but Bond virtually lived in his from dawn to dusk on weekdays, saving the expensive suits and cigars for his adoring public on a Saturday afternoon.

He was a showman who demanded entertaining football played by charismatic footballers. So he made sure he was surrounded by them wherever he went.

It was Bond who brought Ted MacDougall and Phil Boyer to the wider attention of the footballing world at Bournemouth. Harry Redknapp – no shrinking violet himself – had to defer to him as the gaffer at Dean Court while, during his time at Norwich, Bond indulged fully in his passion for big names and even bigger personalities by persuading the likes of Martin Peters, Martin Chivers, Peter Osgood, Jimmy Neighbour, Graham Paddon and Alan Taylor to bring their undoubted talents to Norfolk.

Some of them thrived on it. Peters, for example, ended up playing more league games for Norwich than he did for Tottenham and came close to an England recall during his time at Carrow Road. Chivers, on the other hand, saw himself as bigger and better than both the club and his new manager and, as a consequence, swiftly found his services were no longer required.

Yet, despite all that and the obvious allure that went with players who'd won World Cups, scored in FA Cup finals and represented their countries on countless occasions, one of Bond's best ever signings for Norwich was a hard working 29-year-old defender who he snatched away from Luton Town for just £50,000 in August 1976.

John Ryan had been at Kenilworth Road for eight years and may well have been expecting to see out his career at the club, one which had included a fleeting glimpse of top-flight football during the 1974/75 season, their first at that level since 1960. Sadly, their stay was a short one and the Hatters went straight back down again though Ryan did, at least, get the chance to play against Arsenal, his first club for whom he signed for back in October 1964.

"I signed for Arsenal as a young pro in the afternoon and played in a South East Counties cup match that same evening at Highbury. We won 7-0 and I scored one as well as making a couple more. Back then I played primarily as a left or right winger, which had been my position at Maidstone United who were my home town club.

"I was a regular in their reserve team as well as the youth team there, which my dad had helped to set up and run.

"While I was at Maidstone, we played in a preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup against Ashford Town and Folkestone Town and smashed both of them. I scored six goals in total, four against Ashford and two against Folkestone which meant we had to play league side Leyton Orient in the next round."

John, however, would not get the opportunity to play against the cream of London E10.

"Unbeknown to me, Arsenal had sent George Male, who was their chief scout down to watch me and he'd seen enough to want to sign me for them so I was offered a contract. Unfortunately, as I was cup-tied, I couldn't play for them in the FA Youth Cup which was a shame as they got to the final where they played Everton at Goodison Park.

"That Arsenal youth team was special. It consisted of ten youth internationals, including the captains of England, Scotland and Wales at that level – and me!

"I was paid £15 per week and became one of 44 players on their staff at the time."

John soon started to move his way up the playing ranks at Highbury.

"I played in 18 games for the reserves through to the end of the 1964/65 season in a team that usually featured six or seven full internationals every week. Jack McClelland, Jimmy Magill, Freddie Clarke, John Sneddon, Peter Simpson and Bob Wilson. Plus me.

"Everyone thought I was doing well for a kid. And that was the problem. I was still classed as an amateur, I just happened to be getting paid and didn't become a full time professional for many years".

The Arsenal manager at that time was Billy Wright, as much a legend both in and out of the game then as David Beckham is regarded today. He'd won 105 caps for England and had led them at three consecutive World Cup Finals from 1950 to 1958. John couldn't, surely, have a better mentor to help advance him in the game?

"Billy Wright was the only manager of the 12 I ended up playing for who I neither liked or respected. His playing career is, of course, beyond criticism but he struggled as a manager and was sacked about a year after I signed for Arsenal.

"He seemed to take an instant dislike to me and would single me out for some vicious treatment in front of the other young players. Looking back, I think that, after playing in around 550 top flight matches over a 20-year playing career, I sometimes wonder if he wasn't using that as something that might push me on to want that sort of career for myself and with Arsenal?

"But if I'm honest with myself, I don't think he was. He never tried to help or really develop me as a player, he just threw me into a team containing players that were, at the time, far more talented and capable than I was and then ranted and raved at me after a match for not doing this, that or the other properly.

"I don't think the management team at Arsenal appreciated just how far I'd come in only a few months. I was a skinny young slip of a boy who came from a relatively affluent background and had never really played any level of men's football, only youth at Isthmian league reserve level. Some of the men's games I went onto play in and the challenges that were going on in them, well, they frightened me to death."

It soon became evident that Wright had decided that John was not going to be good enough for his Arsenal team, no matter what methods he employed to motivate that particular 'skinny young slip of a boy'.

"At the end of that season, I was sitting in the digs I shared with David Jenkins and Brian Tawse when two large brown envelopes and one small registered white one dropped through the front door. As I opened the small white one that was addressed to me, I wondered where the other two lads had disappeared to?

"It turned out that they'd read the situation as my letter was from the club notifying me I was being given a free transfer whilst the two brown envelopes that were for them both contained contract offers.

"Funnily enough, Arsenal rang me up three weeks later and said that maybe they'd been a little too hasty with their decision and that I could go back. But I'd already signed for Vic Buckingham at Fulham by then."

Signing for Fulham finally gave John the opportunity to push on with his career. He was also able to work with another former England international and legend of the game, one who he ended up having entirely different feelings for, compared to the relentless taskmaster that was Billy Wright.

"Vic Buckingham was the Fulham manager and he came down to my home in Maidstone to meet me and my parents as part of their efforts to sign me on now I'd left Arsenal. My lasting memory of the man will always be that he wore a very elegant jacket with a floppy silk handkerchief in his breast pocket.

"He really impressed both my dad and me with his thoughts on me as a player as well as what his plans were for Fulham and said that, if I signed, my wages would be doubled to £35-a-week. So eat your heart out, Alexis Sanchez! I was more than happy to sign for them and reported in for the first day of pre-season training on July 18 (1965) and started to get to know the place as well as some of my new teammates.

"Two days in, I was walking out of the gate at Craven Cottage when who should walk in but Johnny Haynes. I didn't know what to say or where to look so kept my eyes looking firmly down at the pavement before, to my astonishment, I heard him say, 'Morning Johnny, how are you settling in?' I mumbled something stupid in reply and, with a face blushing fit to bust, almost ran out of the ground.

"This was the great Johnny Haynes and he had spoken to me as if I was a friend which he very soon became. But it was at that precise moment that I realised what a wonderful man he was, taking the time just to talk to a young and very shy player, an unknown really and, in the big scheme of things, a bit of a nobody.

"I'd been at Arsenal for seven months and had not spoken to, let alone been spoken to, by any of their big stars. Not, I should add, that I think George Eastham, Joe Baker or Don Howe wouldn't have spoken to me but, at Arsenal, that sort of thing just wasn't done, indeed, all of the apprentices would have called them 'Mr Eastham' or 'Mr Baker' if they ever did engage them in conversation.

"Fulham were different, it was a much more friendly place, a proper family club.

"I was a hard-working player and that included in training. We used to do a training run every Tuesday at Fulham, one called 'Increase and Demand' where a group of you run at a decent pace for a quarter of a lap of the pitch before jogging the other three quarters. You then run a half and jog for a half, then run for three quarters and jog for a quarter before, finally, doing a fast lap of the whole pitch. Then it got tough. Because you did it all again but in reverse.

"I was out in front as usual and that didn't suit the senior players, so Johnny Haynes and Terry Dyson complained one day, '...get an 'effing rope around him', that sort of thing. I was out in front but it wasn't because I was so much quicker than the others, more that I just tried harder than them. We talked about it after training and I explained that I could hardly ask Johnny to hit poor passes in training because he was better at that part of the game than anyone else at the club, such was his talent.

"It, therefore, made sense for me not to be asked to run slower or not work as hard as I could, as that was the great strength of my game.

"I was at Fulham for just over four years and ended up making 47 league appearances for them, scoring just the one goal. Vic Buckingham, who brought me to the club was eventually sacked and replaced by Bobby Robson who struggled from the start really and we ended up being relegated at the end of the 1967/68 season.

"Johnny Haynes took over for a while and I played quite a few games under him but it was clear that Bill Dodgin, who came in from QPR to take over didn't fancy me one little bit and, to be fair, he was probably right not to at that time."

Bill Dodgin Junior's  (his father had also managed Fulham) conviction that John wasn't good enough for the side that he was going to build at Craven Cottage meant that John was soon in receipt of a familiar item in the post.

"I received another little white envelope, another free transfer and, at that time, I was beginning to think, 'What now?' Luckily for me, I got an answer to that question, and not for the first time, in Harry Haslam. Before that, however, I'd got a call from Bobby Robson who was now at Ipswich. He'd clearly rated me whilst he was at Fulham because he rang and asked me to come up and see him as he could see me playing a part in the new look team he was putting together at Portman Road.

"I drove up to Ipswich from Maidstone and had a very long chat with Bob but, when I asked for what was a very modest signing on fee, he said it wasn't possible.

"I then got a call from Harry asking me to come and see him at Luton. He was chief scout at the club at the time and was very keen for me to come and meet Alec Stock, who was the manager. I went along but as a favour to Harry more than anything, as he'd been very supportive of me and my career up until then. However, once I got there and started chatting to Alec, I was impressed enough by him to have signed within an hour."



http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2019/06/17/the-john-ryan-interview-part-one-early-days-at-arsenal-and-a-spell-at-the-cottage/

[WhiteJC]

Report Claims Wages Are A Problem In Shifting This Spurs Man

Speculation linking Danny Rose with a departure from Tottenham Hotspur this summer is certainly not new, neither is the long standing rumours of our interest in Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.

It's not exactly a ground breaking report from the Sun but I'm not sure you'd associate them with that kind of coverage, but in any event, this weekend they linked both deals together and claimed quite confidently that manager Mauricio Pochettino had identified Sessegnon as the long term replacement for Rose.

Naturally it builds on the previous Sessegnon speculation and it also hugely leans on one subjective view of Rose's own words about his future from his recent interview.

The main angle of the report though is the claim made about his £80,000 week wage as that would obviously be a huge burden for a lot of clubs to take on, despite all the claims made about Spurs not paying top dollar for players.

They also hint that we'd possibly look to breakeven on the player swap suggestion, by only looking for around £35million for Rose, which is one of the main fees suggested for Sessegnon.



https://spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/report-claims-wages-are-a-problem-in-shifting-this-spurs-man/