Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 24/07/19...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday chase Tottenham Hotspur midfielder

Latest news from around the Championship (23rd July 2019).

Fulham are chasing Spurs midfielder Josh Onomah, who Sheffield Wednesday are believed to be keen on re-signing on another loan deal. (Daily Telegraph)

West Brom have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon winger Matheus Pereira, with his club demanding a £9m fee. (Express & Star)

Leeds defender Vurnon Anita looks set to leave the club this summer, with Greek side Panathanikos and a host of MLS sides interested. (The 72)

Derby County have been linked with PSV Eindhoven midfielder Bart Ramselaar, who has three senior caps for the Netherlands. (Derbyshire Live)

Sheffield Wednesday are said to be keen on Rotherham defender Clark Robinson, but face fierce from Queens Park Rangers. (Sky Sports)

Millwall have reportedly failed in their attempts to sign former Hull City ace Frazier Campbell, with the free agent uninterested in joining the club. (The Sun)

Reading are said to be targeting striker Ross McCormack, who is likely to finally leave Aston Villa permanently this summer. (Reading Chronicle)

Leeds United are believed to have upped their efforts to sign Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers, amid keen interest from Celtic. (Football Insider)

Middlesbrough are understood have taken ex-Sunderland defender Alex Storey on as a trialist, as they look to find a replacement for Aden Flint. (Sunderland Echo)



https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-and-sheffield-wednesday-chase-tottenham-hotspur-midfielder-1-9892653

[WhiteJC]

Fulham considering swoop for 26-year-old international winger

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Championship new boys Fulham have identified Kosovo international winger Elbasan Rashani as a transfer target with manager Scott Parker keen to add further depth to his wings.

Fulham have already completed the signings of both Wolves man Ivan Cavaleiro and Brighton and Hove Albion winger Anthony Knockaert on initial loan deals with a view to a permanent move at the end of the season, but manager Scott Parker is looking to further reinforce his options out wide.

And, he has reportedly identified winger Elbasan Rashani – who currently plays for Norwegian side Odd Ballklubb – as a transfer target. Rashani's performances for the Norwegian side have been catching the eyes of a number of sides across Europe, with the Cottagers being one of them.

It is said that the 26-year-old would be available for around £500,000, making him a bargain given the madness of today's transfer market. So far this season, Rashania has scored two goals and provided four assists in the league, adding to his impressive total at Odd BK.

For Odd BK, Rashani has scored 24 goals and provided 22 assists in 138 appearances from the wing. Having come through the youth academy at Odd, he has also spent time out on loan in Denmar, spending spells with Brondby IF (35 games, seven goals and four assists) and Rosenborg BK (40 appearances, five goals and six assists).

After playing for a number of the Norway youth sides, Rashani made his way into the Kosovan national team and has gone on to score twice in his four appearances for the country.



https://the72.co.uk/139679/fulham-considering-swoop-for-26-year-old-international-winger/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham goalkeeper attracting interest from Aston Villa and Bournemouth

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is on the radar of Aston Villa and Bournemouth according to the Daily Mail.

Both Villa and Bournemouth are in the market for a new number one goalkeeper this summer and they could go head to head in the race for the Fulham stopper.

The 6ft4in Bettinelli was drafted back into the England squad in 2018 but failed to win his first cap under manager Gareth Southgate.

The Midlands side have previously identified Jack Butland as a target but Stoke's valuation of around £30million has put off his potential suitors as he eyes a return to the Premier League.

Jed Steer has recently signed a new contract with the Premier League new boys however it is no secret that boss Dean Smith is looking for fresh faces in the goalkeeping department to provide added competition for Steer.

Tom Heaton is another goalkeeper who has attracted interest from Villa and he does seem to be the preferred target as it stands.

Bournemouth are also chasing Bettinelli as they look for a new number one between the sticks after boss Eddie Howe begins to lose faith in Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic.

It is believed that the Potters are looking for close to £30million for Butland and Eddie Howe's side are now looking at alternatives as they are unwilling to meet Stoke's demands.

Despite only making eight appearances for the Cottagers last season as he struggled with injury during the second half of the campaign, Bettinelli has attracted a lot of top flight interest and should Villa and Bournemouth step up their interest, Fulham could find themselves losing a valuable asset this summer.



https://the72.co.uk/139695/fulham-goalkeeper-attracting-interest-from-aston-villa-and-bournemouth/

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham fans love reported deal involving Sessegnon

Tottenham Hotspur fans are delighted over reports that a deal for Ryan Sessegnon could see Josh Onomah and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou move to Fulham.

A Daily Telegraph report has claimed that the 19-year-old is set to move to Spurs for a fee of around £20m.

And the piece claims that the Championship club could then reinvest that money as they look to secure both of the Spurs outcasts.

Onomah and Nkoudou have endured chequered spells at the club, making a combined two starts in the Premier League.

Ironically, the latter's last outing for the club came in a 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League, as he provided the late assist for Harry Winks to score the winner in injury time.

And fans are in awe of the negotiating skills of chairman Daniel Levy, as he has seemingly secured a deal for a highly-rated teenager who has already had Premier League exposure and caps at England youth level, while also shifting two players who can clearly be regarded as deadwood.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/tottenham/tottenham-fans-love-reported-deal-involving-sessegnon

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Learn Their Lessons Of Last Season By Signing Two proven Championship Stars

If only Fulham had signed more quality players with Premier League experience last year, maybe the club would still be competing at the top level this coming season.

You may ask what about Chambers, Babel and Schurrle then?

With the exception of Chambers, who was the best recruit of the season, Babel tried hard but failed to really impress, while Schurrle was only interested in scoring a spectacular goal, and lacked any real effort or passion. Most of the other players that came in failed to impress, particularly the two goalkeepers.

The big difference now is that Tony Khan and his team seem to have learnt from the £100m disastrous spending spree of last year, and have recognised (at least so far), that quality and experience counts for everything.

The excellent acquisitions of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert playing alongside the mighty Alek Mitrovic with backup from the strong-minded and tough Abu Kamara and the lively Neeskens Kebano should frighten even the best of Championship defences.

With the brilliant news that Mitro has decided to stay at the Cottage and sign another contract, I'm sure all Fulham fans will agree that this was the best bit of transfer news together with captain Tom Cairney pledging his future to the club. With the return of Johansen, and Macdonald and goalie Bettinelli back as first choice, the future is looking considerably brighter.

With Mawson, hopefully fully fit and raring to go, Joe Bryan, Steven Sessegnon, Tim Ream, Christie and Odoi, we should have enough strength in depth for the Championship. Another addition or two to strengthen the defence and midfield, Fulham may have what it takes to make a swift return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

A fine second half against Brighton last weekend with a brace from skipper Tom Cairney, a 2-1 victory was well deserved. The team needed to get the winning mentality back. Let's hope it is the start of another long unbeaten run starting in the first Championship match on Barnsley on Saturday week.



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/fulham-learn-their-lessons-of-last-season-by-signing-two-proven-championship-stars/

[WhiteJC]

Aston Villa tracking Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli

Aston Villa are reportedly keeping tabs on Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

According to the Daily Mail, cited by The Boot Room, Villa, along with fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, are both tracking the 27-year-old, with Dean Smith keen on bringing in another shot-stopper to rival Jed Steer.

Villa have already been linked with multiple English keepers, with Jack Butland and Tom Heaton both on the club's radar this summer.

Burnley are looking to recieve up to £12 million for Heaton, while Stoke City were looking to recieve over £20 million for Butland.

The high demands may see Villa now turn their attention to Bettinelli, who was a regular at Craven Cottage during their promotion-winning campaign back in 2018.

However, Bettinelli fell out of favour last season and suffered numerous injuries, so a move for the shot-stopper could well be a risky one.

Smith has just over two weeks until the transfer window shuts, so the club needs to act quickly if they are to bolster their options between the sticks.



https://readastonvilla.com/2019/07/23/aston-villa-tracking-fulhams-marcus-bettinelli/

[WhiteJC]

Aston Villa fans not pleased with Marcus Bettinelli speculation

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli – and some of the club's supporters on Twitter have responded by stating they would rather avoid him.

According to the Daily Mail, Dean Smith's side have the Championship shot-stopper on their radar this summer.

It is understood that the 27-year-old is also attracting interest from Premier League outfit Bournemouth.

The report explains that Villa's attention is on trying to sign Burnley's Tom Heaton, despite having the Fulham ace on their radar.

Bettinelli is back in the Championship for the new season as it stands following Fulham's relegation last year, where he played a fringe role.

He spent most of the campaign on the sidelines due to a mixture of injuries and also being out of favour, but was drafted into the England senior squad when he did feature at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.

A selection of Villa supporters on social media don't believe that Bettinelli could make a serious impact if he joined and would rather stay clear of him.

They do have Jed Steer in their ranks who helped them get out of the Championship, but he's played just one game in the Premier League during his career.



https://tbrfootball.com/aston-villa-fans-not-pleased-with-marcus-bettinelli-speculation/

[WhiteJC]

FourFourDrew: Thanks For The Memories

There's a bit of revisionism going on when it comes to Ryan Sessegnon, who's edging closer to the exit. Drew Heatley argues why he should go with our blessing.

"If we can get £20 million plus Onomah and Nkoudou for him, I'll drive him to White Hart Lane myself."

It's a tweet that stopped me in my tracks. Why, now, is "one of our own" Ryan Sessegnon finding himself the subject of takes nearly as hot as this mini heatwave?

Football fans deal with perceived rejection in funny ways. We all do it. Sess moving on to better himself and his career is seen as a huge slap in the mush by some, and as a result we land sly digs and jabs to make us feel better.

"He'll not get off the bench at Spurs".

"He hardly set the Premier League alight".

"I'm not sure he gets in our first XI this season".

The latter point might be true (as debated superbly on this week's pod), the first point is up for debate (and isn't really our concern), while the middle argument is a tad unfair. 

Last season's poo show aside, Sess has been the brightest of lights for our football club. Since his debut at Brisbane Road in the League Cup in 2016, it's been a joy to watch him progress and evolve, exploding once Matty Targett's arrival gave him carte blanche to tear up the left flank and cause no end of problems.

There's the contract issue, of course. Famously, Edwin Van Der Sar signed a new deal with us in January 2005, just six months before he departed for Man United. In the intervening 14 years, the legend's grown that he inked his deal just to make sure we got a decent fee when he left for the Red Devils. That may be true, but it's worth remembering this was a 35-year-old veteran who was a lot more comfortable and confident in himself when it came to business. Sess isn't even 20 years old; it'd take a lot of guts to sign a deal and potentially close off any chance of a move for the foreseeable future. Would you take your employer at their word at that age?

Once upon a time, local lads cut their teeth at their local clubs, and if they were good enough, they'd break through. We were lucky to have players like Les Strong, George Cohen and Paul Parker do just that through the years, to name just three. Today, it's never been harder to find and cultivate that talent without the bigger clubs swooping in like a seagull nabbing a Chihuahua.

Couple that with the fact that we're not great at turning potential into established first-team talent (as I've said before) and it makes Sess's impact all the more impressive. For many, many reasons, we should forget last season. Remember the brace at St James' Park, the hat-trick at Bramall Lane and the game-changing performance against Derby in the play-off semi. Remember these things and try to feel grateful it happened, not be sad (or angry) that it's nearly over.

Thanks for the memories, Ryan.   



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-07-23-fourfourdrew-thanks-for-the-memories/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham ready to bounce back after learning from last season's mistakes

The chaotic recruitment policy pursued before their brief return to the Premier League has been replaced by sensible planning, headed by their manager, Scott Parker

Scott Parker (centre), the Fulham head coach, has a squad capable of challenging for a return to the Premier League despite the departure of several players. Photograph: Simon Dael/BPI/Shutterstock

It was as the conversation ticked inexorably towards the hour that Tony Khan issued the closest thing yet to a rallying cry. The Fulham vice-chairman and director of football operations had been talking with the excellent podcast Fulhamish late last month, addressing the issues which had contributed to a traumatic one‑season stay in the top flight and the sense of anticlimax which had accompanied the club's slump back into the second tier.

For all his enthusiasm for social media, the audience felt rare, even bold given the club's lack of activity up to then in the transfer market. Yet, with additions and a key contract renewal pending, Khan's outlook had been bullishly optimistic for the campaign ahead.

"We have a tightly knit group who really want to be at Fulham, care about Fulham and care about each other," he offered as a tub-thumping pay-off. "It's been a hard year for everybody, but the break has done us some good. Now, everybody is really focused and ready to go out and smash the Championship."

A month on and that confidence seems far more justified. Fulham's flirtation with the elite may have ended up as a wasted opportunity, an ambitious £100m summer splurge having failed to keep them clear of trouble amid unsettling managerial changes, but they appear much better placed to muster an immediate return than in 2014, when Felix Magath's side had slipped meekly into the unknown. They discarded experience then, perhaps hamstrung by financial realities. This time relegation, confirmed in the first week of April, triggered salary reductions in players' contracts, some believed to be as high as 50%, to ensure the wage bill reduced from around £70m to nearer £28m on 1 July.

It helped that loan players were released – including André Schürrle, whose two-year switch from Borussia Dortmund could be cancelled as a result of demotion. Another of the bigger earners, Jean Michaël Seri, will spend the season at Galatasaray, who paid a loan fee of £1.3m with the option to make the deal permanent for £15m next summer. Yet, even with Harvey Elliott to sign for Liverpool and Ryan Sessegnon expected to move to Tottenham Hotspur for around £20m, this group boasts eye-catching quality. Perhaps the early inevitability of relegation allowed time for proper planning. Regardless, they seem prepared.

In Scott Parker they boast a head coach of potential who knows the club, buys into the recruitment strategy and will urge his players to replicate the scintillating form which took Slavisa Jokanovic's team to promotion via the play-offs. Parker, like Khan, saw the value in retaining the core of the group who did so well in the Championship last time. The masterstrokes may have been persuading the captain, Tom Cairney, and, more pertinently given the suitors eager to prise him away, Aleksandar Mitrovic to sign new five-year contracts.

Khan has become close to Gestifute's Jorge Mendes, and used the Portuguese agent's relationship with Wolverhampton Wanderers to lure Ivan Cavaleiro from Molineux. The loan signing from Brighton & Hove Albion of Anthony Knockaert, who has thrived at this level twice before and could join permanently for £10m next summer, completed the construction of a mouthwatering frontline. Stefan Johansen's return from a loan at West Bromwich Albion is reassuring, while Aboubakar Kamara has been reintegrated, a brave move after last season's rumpus in a yoga session and his subsequent arrest for an alleged assault at Motspur Park. Neither club nor police are pursuing that matter, with the forward's return after a loan in Turkey made with the blessing of the management and senior players. Kamara can make a difference at this level.

Alfie Mawson, whose involvement last term was wrecked by injuries, should thrive now he is fit. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who initially struggled to justify his £30m fee, was a player reborn over the final weeks of last season, and clearly has the tools to bully opponents. Khan had aspired to "field a squad even stronger than the team that went 23 unbeaten" over the second half of the promotion year. "We can do that," he said. "We have stronger pieces than we did going into that year ... I feel better about us going into this Championship season than we did in the previous two years [there, when they reached the play-offs]."

This is an ownership eager to learn from mistakes. That frantic trolly dash last summer, which appeared to lack a coherent strategy and ended up disrupting the rhythm of a team on the up, counts against the hierarchy, though there were mitigating circumstances. Khan has pointed to the play-off campaign delaying plans, with the World Cup another hindrance as he sought to strengthen a side who had relied heavily upon loan players. Yet if Mitrovic, Anguissa, Mawson and Joe Bryan – all purchased that summer – excel then that outlay could be cast in a different light. They might even have a team that are Premier League ready, like Wolves, if promotion is secured.

Throw in an academy, overseen expertly by Huw Jennings, which is seeking to expand and continues to nurture talent, and the redevelopment of the Riverside stand – the capacity at Craven Cottage will be reduced to around 19,000 this season – and the overriding optimism feels justified. "Nobody at Fulham liked the way last season went," the vice‑chairman said. "But we've kept the spirit and backbone of a really strong team who, two seasons ago, went 23 games unbeaten to end the season. It was the best day I've ever had to go to Wembley stadium and win the Championship play-off final but, this year, our goal is to be auto-promoted."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/23/fulham-bounce-back-learn-from-mistakes

[WhiteJC]

Diop fit for Fulham

West Ham United defender Issa Diop is fully fit to face Fulham on Saturday, according to Claret and Hugh.

The reliable club source revealed that reports suggesting the French enforcer had suffered a back injury that forced him to miss Saturday's defeat to Newcastle United were wrong and that the 22-year-old was back in training this week.

Claret and Hugh also report that two new singings, Pablo Fornals, and Sebastien Haller are also set to feature at Craven Cottage, making their debuts for the Hammers in the process.

Fornals was given an extended break after starring at the Under-21's European Championships, whereas Haller only arrived at the London Stadium this week.

OPINION

This will be great news for all West Ham fans, who will have surely have feared the worst when they saw that Diop was missing from their Premier League Asia Trophy match with what was suggested to be a tweak. Diop is influential in the Hammers back four and was a glaring omission from their defence as Angelo Ogbonna struggled all game to contain Yoshinori Muto, a failed Premier League forward. Diop is the Hammers' marquee defender, having averaged 2.1 tackles alongside an impressive 4.7 clearances [WhoScored]. As for the West Ham fans, it will be great for them to catch Fornals and Haller in action after their arrivals. It will also be benefitial to the players, who will get the chance to play in three friendlies before the start of the Premier League – something that will only help them get used to Manuel Pellegrini's style a lot quicker, and see them fully prepared for the season opener against Manchester City.




https://foreverwestham.com/2019/07/blog-topics/diop-fit-for-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham signing this out-of-favour Tottenham speedster would make them a terrific attacking unit next season

Fulham Opinion: Nkoudou could add the X-Factor for the Cottagers

According to the Metro, Fulham have been credited with an interest in out-of-favour Tottenham star Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Josh Onomah, with burgeoning talent Ryan Sessegnon expected to complete a move to North London over the next few weeks.

Sessegnon has been linked with a move to Spurs for more than a year now but Metro understands that there has been a recent breakthrough in talks between the two clubs over a potential deal for the England U21 international.

The same report claims that Sessegnon's move to Spurs is set to be confirmed before the deadline, with a fee of £20million plus add-ons, making him a lucrative buy for the Lilywhites.

As far as Fulham's interest in Nkoudou is concerned, it is still unclear whether the Frenchman is set to be included in either a part-exchange deal involving Sessegnon or if the Cottagers are looking at an outright transfer to bring the 24-year-old to Craven Cottage this summer.

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou made only three appearances for Spurs in all competitions this past season, one apiece in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

The 24-year-old did remind the fans, though, that he is more than capable of making an impact, providing Harry Winks with an injury-time assist to seal a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

Nkoudou rose to prominence in France with Nantes and subsequently established himself as one of the brightest emerging prospects in his homeland at Marseille before earning a move to Spurs in the summer of 2016. 

That, however, proved to be his undoing, as the former French U21 international found regular minutes hard to come by at North London in his debut season.

And things have hardly changed for the talented winger over the years, with Nkoudou accumulating only 26 appearances for the Lilywhites in all competitions till date, spending time on loan at Burnley and Monaco in the process.

To put things into perspective, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou might have cut a forlorn figure in Mauricio Pochettino's ranks but it is worth mentioning here that he had arrived at Spurs as an immensely talented attacker with loads of potential. Lack of regular minutes has stalled his progress but he continues to be a fine young talent, nevertheless.

With that in mind, it probably won't be a bad idea for Fulham to play a gamble on the Frenchman, who is reaching a stage of his career where he desperately needs to settle down to carve out a reputation for himself.

It is surprising that Spurs never really considered the option of sending him out on loan to a Championship club in order to help him continue his development but Nkoudou might get his escape route if Fulham firm up their interest over the coming weeks.

Fulham currently find themselves under pressure to balance the books with some offloading business after a season of heavy, yet fruitless, spending in the Premier League. The Cottagers are likely to lose several of their high-profile stars and bringing in Georges Kevin-Nkoudou could help them cope with the potential departures.

Scott Parker has already brought in the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert on loan from Wolves and Brighton respectively in a bid to add more firepower to his options up front, which currently consists of Floyd Ayite, Aboubakar Kamara, Neeskens Kebano and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

However, with Schurrle and Vietto out of the frame and Mitrovic expected to depart the club before the deadline, it is not surprising to see Fulham looking for a few more attackers to ensure that they have the right kind of balance in the Championship next season. 

Conclusion

Keeping that in mind, it is easy to see why a pacey and tricky winger like Nkoudou, who is capable of playing out wide on either flank, could be a real asset to the Cottagers next term, as they prepare to make a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.



https://soccersouls.com/fulham-signing-this-out-of-favour-tottenham-speedster-would-make-them-a-terrific-attacking-unit-next-season/

[WhiteJC]

Key Fulham man shares thoughts ahead of new season

Fulham chairman Tony Khan remains as committed and optimistic as ever as the club prepares for life back in the Championship.

The Cottagers disappointed last term and failed to live up to expectations, with a number of quality individuals failing to work as a team and ultimately going down from the Premier League without a fight.

Nevertheless, Khan is confident in his new permanent manager Scott Parker and is confident of his club's chances next season. Speaking on podcast Fulhamish:

"We have stronger pieces than we did going into that year ... I feel better about us going into this Championship season than we did in the previous two years.

"It's been a hard year for everybody, but the break has done us some good. Now, everybody is really focused and ready to go out and smash the Championship."

Fulham have been busy in the transfer market in the last few days. Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert have signed on loan whilst Jean Michael Seri has left for Galatasaray on loan, with Ryan Sessegnon also looking increasingly likely to join Spurs.

The Verdict

Fulham have prepared well over the summer and they are amongst the favourites for promotion due to the quality and depth of the squad.

They have also targeted Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Josh Onomah, both of whom would add real quality to the team and help massively in their promotion push, so Khan could be right when he says the squad is in a better position than two years ago.

It could come down to how Scott Parker performs in his first role in management. It is a big job for an inexperienced manager to take on, but he knows the club well and had a spell at the end of last season to adjust to the role and will know how to handle the squad.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/key-fulham-man-shares-thoughts-ahead-of-new-season/

[WhiteJC]

Oxford hold Fulham to draw

Anthony Knockaert's first Fulham goal was the highlight as Scott Parker's side were held to a 1-1 by Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium this evening.

A much-changed Whites' eleven began brightly with Knockaert particularly keen to impress on his first start since completing a loan move from Brighton on Sunday. The French winger looked a cut above as he sought to influence proceedings from the right flank, frequently beating his man and venturing infield to dictate play. There was little surprise when Knockaert curled home a majestic free-kick from a central position just outside the box to give the visitors the lead.

Fulham had started sloppily and needed a timely intervention from Cyrus Christie, who blocked John Mousinho's drive at the back post, to preserve parity after four minutes. Parker's charges gradually began to get a grip on proceedings and Knockaert's clever curler, which caught Simon Eastwood out at his near post, signified their sharper instincts in the final third. Fulham might have doubled their lead on the half hour when Malachi Napa's poor pass allowed Rui Fonte a free run on goal, but the Portuguese forward lacked the composure to beat Rob Dickie and the ball ran out for a goal kick.

With several second string players eager to impress, Tayo Edun's robust challenge on Tariqe Fosu carried more of an edge that might have been expected from a pre-season friendly. The stand-in left back was rightly booked – and Oxford boss Karl Robinson was far from impressed on the touchline.

The game followed a similar pattern after the break. Knockaert saw a shot blocked before Christie was unfortunate not to double the visitors' lead when he rattled the post with his left foot after a speedy break. Fulham were leaving alarming gaps at the back and escaped unharmed when Napa somehow lifted a shot over the bar from the edge box, but their reprieve lasted less than a minute.

It was a sloppy goal that would have greatly frustrated Parker and Stuart Gray. Cameron Branagan's floated free-kick drifted towards a clutch of players and Mousinho managed to get a decisive touch as the ball looped over a stranded Marek Rodak. Mousinho's muted celebration suggested he was more than a little sheepish about accepting the credit – but it was the spark for a much more open last half an hour.

Knockaert nearly restored Fulham's lead with another finish finish but an audacious long-range volley just cleared the crossbar, failing to dip enough for a spectacular second. It was the League One side who finished markedly the stronger. James Henry's free-kick deflected just wide and Tony McMahon almost finished off the move of the net but saw his strike bravely blocked.

Oxford nearly clinched victory with three minutes remaining. Former Liverpool midfielder Brannagan did brilliantly to locate substitute Kyran Lofthouse at the far post and the forward's left-footed effort squirmed out of Rodak's grasp, clipping the outside of the post and rolling away to safety.

Fulham will complete their preparations for their Championship season with a final friendly against West Ham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

OXFORD UNITED (4-2-3-1): Eastwood (Stevens 80); Cadden (McMahon 70), Ruffels, Dickie (Long 80), Mousinho (Jones 80); Brannagan, Gorrin (McCreadie 80), Hanson (Berkoe 70); Napa, Fosu (Lofthouse 70), Mackie (Henry 45).

FULHAM (4-3-3): Rodak; Christie, Edun, Odoi, Opoku; McDonald (Harris 70), Francois, de la Torre; Knockaert (O'Riley 70), Ayite, Fonte. Subs (not used): L Ashby-Hammond, Drameh, Mundle-Smith, Le Marchand, Bryan, Kebano, Kamara.

ATTENDANCE: 2,549.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/07/oxford-hold-fulham-to-draw/

[WhiteJC]

Middlesbrough FC transfer news: Jonathan Woodgate responds to Britt Assombalonga speculation amid interest from Celtic, Fulham and Sheffield United
Head coach Jonathan Woodgate says Britt Assombalonga is a Middlesbrough player for the future despite reported interest in the frontman.

It has been claimed that several clubs, including Celtic, Fulham and Sheffield United, are monitoring the striker following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations this summer.

The 26-year-old showed exactly why he's a man in demand after scoring a hat-trick for Boro in a 3-1 win at Salford on Tuesday night.

And Woodgate believes he can get the best out of Assombalonga this campaign, with the striker looking to improve on last season's 14 Championship goals.

"I was really pleased with Britt, I thought he deserved it," said Woodgate after the Salford win. "Since he came back from international duty he's been class. He was different class tonight.

"He was away at the Africa Cup of Nations so I gave him extra days off, he's come back and he's refreshed."

There were times last season when former boss Tony Pulis left Assombalonga out of the side, yet you get the impression the striker will be a key player under Woodgate.

Boro's head coach is certainly planning for life with Assombalonga and when asked about the recent transfer gossip, Woodgate said: "Britt Assombalonga is a Middlesbrough player for the future.

"Britt will score you goals wherever he plays. His record shows it. If he gets an arm round him, gets that confidence he will score goals.

"The key is when he is going through a sticky patch, it's to stick with him. Stay with him, keep him in the firing line. Sometimes when you might take him out, he could get one off his knee or something, he is a fantastic lad and I like him as a lad as well.

"They were proper finishes tonight. His second was a proper finish, how sweet did he catch it? The first one he was in the right place and the third he has got to the back post. We have Robbie Keane who will work hard with the strikers."

"He'll score goals for us this season without a shadow of a doubt."



https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc/middlesbrough-fc-transfer-news-jonathan-woodgate-responds-to-britt-assombalonga-speculation-amid-interest-from-celtic-fulham-and-sheffield-united-486185

[WhiteJC]

Still a chance for AFCB to land new keeper
The impressive form of Artur Boruc against Girona FC last weekend might make AFCB fans query why the club still needs to go out and get another goalkeeper in? Boruc may well start the campaign as the number one, but if Asmir Begovic is to go, there will be room for a keeper to come in and the Cherries have been nosing around Fulham and Marcus Bettinelli, according to the Daily Mail.

The transfer fee for Betttinelli, 27, would be nowhere near the £30m suggested fee for Jack Butland, but even if AFCB are keen on Bettinelli there is also interest from Aston Villa. It would be a matter of concern that Bettinelli, who is 6ft 4ins, has been injured since February when he underwent a knee operation, but if he passed a medical his credentials as an England U21 in 2015 and seven games as a Premier League keeper at Fulham make him a possible number two candidate for a club like AFCB it would seem.

The goal keeping position has been rumbling on all summer for the Cherries. It looks to me that Begovic may be happy to stay but that Eddie Howe really wants to shift him out and get someone else in before the start of the season. The financial juggling is something that really intrigues me though. Why go chasing after Butland with a silly low bid when it was very unlikely Stoke would let him go at under half what they value him for? Butland might have wanted the move but it doesn't look like AFCb are prepared to meet Stoke's valuation. Now AFCB are being a bit more realistic in their target for a keeper you'd think if they don't want to go over £15m.

While Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with Huddersfield, Mark Travers has signed a new long-term deal at AFCB. I don't see why Travers can't be the number two behind Boruc if AFCB don't sign another keeper this summer. But all the chatter indicates that Eddie Howe is not happy with the goal keeping situation and that keepers will be moving in and out of the club this summer.



https://afcbchimes.blogspot.com/2019/07/still-chance-for-afcb-to-land-new-keeper.html

[WhiteJC]

Former Spurs star makes huge Ryan Sessegnon prediction as deal for Fulham starlet moves closer

Former Tottenham player Darren Bent has opened up on the potential signing of Ryan Sessegnon

Tottenham Hotspur are making up for lost time this summer when it comes to transfer deals and Ryan Sessegnon has been one of the names who has been heavily linked.

The 19-year-old broke on the scene as Fulham earned promotion to the Premier League during the 2017/18 campaign, before the teenager played 35 league games last season.

Fulham suffered relegation from the Premier League in May but it's understood that Sessegnon will not stick around for the entire Championship season.

It's expected that Sessegnon will make the summer switch to Spurs but what is his best position and would he be a success under Mauricio Pochettino?

Former Spurs star Darren Bent, for one, believes Sessegnon would thrive at Spurs, while the former striker has identified where he should play.

"I like Ryan, I saw him a lot last year and the year before in the Championship. He's very, very attacking. For me he's better suited to the wing-back role rather than the left-back role," Bent told Football Inside

"I thought he did reasonably well for Fulham last season considering what happened to the club, with them going down. I thought he was one of their best players.

"For me, it would go along the lines of what Spurs like to do in signing young, English talent. For a left-back there is probably none better in this country than Ryan Sessegnon so it does make sense."



https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/transfer-news/ryan-sessegnon-spurs-transfer-fulham-16633077