Monday Fulham Stuff - 06/01/20...

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Chelsea defender finally completes transfer after 4 month delay

Michael Hector has left Chelsea and joined Fulham on a permanent deal.

The defender was supposed to move to the Whites in the summer, but the paperwork of the deal couldn't be completed in time. So poor Michael has been training with the club all season, but unable to play.

That's really astonishingly poor work from the people upstairs at Chelsea. They had a whole summer to sort a new club for him, and they ended up leaving it so late that he missed several months of his career entirely. We can only imagine how frustrating that must be.

Hector was a bizarre signing to begin with, joining from Reading in 2015, going out on loan a few times and now leaving permanently.

It would have made sense if we were just flipping him to make money... but after years of paying him good money we've basically sold him for what we bought him for.

The Chelsea transfer bods move in mysterious ways sometimes.



https://www.chelsea-news.co/2020/01/chelsea-defender-finally-completes-transfer-4-month-delay/

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Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Fulham vs. Aston Villa

Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

Max Cohen shared his view on Fulham's 2-1 victory against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. There were several talking points to come out of this match and you will hear Max's thoughts on all of them.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2020/1/5/21050450/cottage-talk-post-match-show-fulham-vs-aston-villa

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Exclusive: Tottenham Revive Interest in Aleksandar Mitrović Following Harry Kane Injury

Fulham have rejected a number of enquiries for striker Aleksandar Mitrović - but Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on striking a deal for the Serbian international.

The Cottagers handed Mitrović a Championship record contract worth £120,000-a-week back in July 2019 to signal their desire to keep him at Craven Cottage, and he has responded by firing 18 goals in 25 appearances so far this season.

Spurs failed with a bid for the 25-year-old late in the summer transfer window, but 90min understands that they have returned with a fresh enquiry.

The ​Premier League side have long been on the lookout for a backup striker, but the hamstring injury suffered by ​Harry Kane has accelerated their search, with Mitrović again moving back into their sights.

​Fulham do not want to lose Mitrović in January as they remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the ​Championship, so they have rejected Spurs' approach alongside offers from fellow English sides ​Everton and ​West Ham United.

The Cottagers have also received enquiries from ​Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but they have held firm and insisted that Mitrović is not for sale in January.

However, that has not stopped Spurs, who have continued to try and convince Fulham to part ways with their star striker.

José Mourinho's side also maintain an interest in Fulham's 19-year-old right-back Steven Sessegnon, who is the twin brother of summer signing Ryan, and they would like to strike a deal which would see both Sessegnon and Mitrović move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.



Convincing Fulham has proven to be a tough ask. The Cottagers find themselves fifth in the Championship, but the race for the playoff spots is so tight that one poor result could see them tumble well down in the standings.

As the league's top scorer, Mitrović has been inspirational to Scott Parker's side's push for promotion, but Fulham still have work to do to fend off interest.



https://www.90min.com/posts/6530664-exclusive-tottenham-revive-interest-in-aleksandar-mitrovic-following-harry-kane-injury?utm_source=RSS

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FA Cup: Fulham 2-1 ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa are out of the FA Cup after losing 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Two equally impressive second-half strikes from Anthony Knockaert and Harry Arter took the game away from a Villa side who briefly levelled things through Anwar El Ghazi.

Dean Smith made, as expected, a host of alterations with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Leicester City on Wednesday night and Premier League survival a priority in Villa's season.

Academy graduates Indianna Vassilev and Jacob Ramsey took their places on the substitutes bench, and both later came on to make senior outings.

Plenty of changes

With a much-changed team, Villa struggled to make many openings in the first half, but the best chance for either side fell to El Ghazi on the stroke of half time. In fact, Marek Rodak made the last touch of the half, tipping El Ghazi's effort round the post after Johnathan Kodjia found the winger free in the box.

It seemed for all the world a replay was open the cards as the tepid affair continued to stall past the interval until Knockaert showed some real quality from the right flank. Cutting inside, and away from Neil Taylor, the French forward opened up on his left foot and wrapped his shot inside Orjan Nyland's far post to break the deadlock ten minutes into the second half.

Kodjia couldnt prevent a Fulham victoryIt was a goal fitting to win any cup tie, but El Ghazi and Kodjia had other ideas. As the hour mark passed, Jota, with tidy footwork opened up some space for the Ivorian to run into and chip Rodak with aplomb, but following in was El Ghazi to snatch his fifth goal of the campaign.

Wonder strike

If Knockaert's effort wasn't to win Fulham the tie, Arter's goal certainly was. After coming into the game as a substitute, the Ireland international found Nyland's top corner again from distance, leaving the Norwegian with no chance.

Nyland, now Villa's first choice after injuries to Tom Heaton and Jed Steer denied Knockaert and Fulham another before the close of play, foiling him in a one on one.

Smith and Villa will now turn their attentions to another cup tie, a semi-final first leg at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City on Wednesday night.



http://www.avillafan.com/31527/fa-cup-fulham-2-1-aston-villa/

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Arter on target as Fulham shock Aston Villa
Anthony Knockaert had put the Championship club ahead with a stunning strike before Anwar El Ghazi equalised less than 10 minutes later.

In Summary

• But Arter restored the hosts' lead with a blistering effort of his own from 30 yards — his first Fulham goal.

• They have been eliminated by sides from lower leagues in their past two ties in the competition.

Substitute Harry Arter scored moments after coming on to send Fulham into the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory over Premier League side Aston Villa.

Anthony Knockaert had put the Championship club ahead with a stunning strike before Anwar El Ghazi equalised less than 10 minutes later.

But Arter restored the hosts' lead with a blistering effort of his own from 30 yards — his first Fulham goal.

The Cottagers are into the fourth round for the first time in three seasons.

But Villa — who are 17th in the Premier League - have now gone four years without winning an FA Cup match.

They have been eliminated by sides from lower leagues in their past two ties in the competition.



https://www.the-star.co.ke/sports/football/2020-01-06-arter-on-target-as-fulham-shock-aston-villa/

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FA Cup draw ball numbers confirmed for fourth round including Liverpool and Man City

Manchester United must navigate a replay against Wolves while Arsenal face Leeds United in their third round tie - played after Monday night's draw takes place

Sixteen Premier League teams remain in the FA Cup, ahead of Monday night's draw.

The only top flight teams to be dumped out at the first hurdle were Everton , Brighton , Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, with the Toffees sent packing by Merseyside rivals Liverpool and the remaining trio all losing to Championship opposition.

Either Manchester United or Wolves will also exit after a goalless draw at Molineux on Saturday led to a replay.

Neither Arsenal or Tottenham are guaranteed to be in action on the weekend of January 25, when the fixtures take place; the Gunners must see off Leeds, while Spurs host Middlesbrough after drawing at the Riverside.

Holders Manchester City comfortably saw off Port Vale to book their last four spot, while Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.

The lowest remaining club are League Two strugglers Carlisle United, although they too have to navigate a replay after drawing at Cardiff ; they'll hope to be in the last 32, where winning clubs will collect £180,000 from The FA prize fund.

Anyway, ahead of the draw to discover who will face who in the 16 fourth round ties, here are the all important ball numbers...

Ball numbers

1 LEICESTER CITY

2 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

3 FULHAM

4 CHELSEA

5 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS OR MANCHESTER UNITED

6 WEST BROMWICH ALBION

7 ROCHDALE OR NEWCASTLE UNITED

8 CARDIFF CITY OR CARLISLE UNITED

9 OXFORD UNITED

10 SHEFFIELD UNITED

11 SOUTHAMPTON

12 LIVERPOOL

13 BRISTOL CITY OR SHREWSBURY TOWN

14 AFC BOURNEMOUTH

15 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

16 BRISTOL ROVERS OR COVENTRY CITY

17 BARNSLEY

18 MANCHESTER CITY

19 MIDDLESBROUGH OR TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

20 READING OR BLACKPOOL

21 WATFORD OR TRANMERE ROVERS

22 NORWICH CITY

23 MILLWALL

24 DERBY COUNTY

25 ROTHERHAM UNITED OR HULL CITY

26 BRENTFORD

27 PORTSMOUTH

28 ARSENAL OR LEEDS UNITED

29 WEST HAM UNITED

30 NORTHAMPTON TOWN

31 BURNLEY

32 BIRMINGHAM CITY



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fa-cup-draw-ball-numbers-21220611

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Scott Parker called Spurs-linked star an 'absolute animal' in November

Aleksandar Mitrovic is reportedly on Tottenham Hotspur's radar.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is reportedly on Tottenham Hotspur's radar this month.

According to 90 Min, Spurs are interested in signing the Fulham hitman after Harry Kane was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Tottenham's only alternatives to Kane are a 17-year-old Troy Parrott, and two wingers in the form of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura.

It's vital that Jose Mourinho recruits another experienced centre-forward this month, and fans of the North London club might not be adverse to signing Mitrovic after seeing what Scott Parker said about him in November.

The Serbia international is spearheading the Cottagers' promotion bid this season, netting 18 Championship goals in 25 outings.

And Fulham boss Parker - who used to be a midfielder at White Hart Lane - described him as an 'absolute animal' in an interview with Four Four Two a couple of months ago.

He said: "He looks like an absolute animal, chasing things down, and if that is the base, the goals will come.

"That's what we want from him; he is the talisman, the guy everyone looks to and the pressure is on him."

He's undeniably an animal at Championship level, but can he do it in the Premier League, at an elite club?

The 25-year-old has scored 21 goals in 77 top-flight appearances for Fulham and Newcastle United, which isn't as a great return.

But as a stop-gap option, maybe it's sufficient to tempt Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho and chairman Daniel Levy until Kane is fit.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/01/06/scott-parker-called-spurs-linked-star-an-absolute-animal-recentl/

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Report: West Ham have enquiry for Aleksandar Mitrovic rejected by Fulham

West Ham have had an enquiry for Fulham hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic rejected by the Cottagers, according to a report from 90Min.

The Hammers are very light up front.

They signed Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £45 million in the summer (BBC).

The Frenchman has struggled to adapt to English football, however, and Albian Ajeti is offering little in the form of support or competition.

So the addition of a proven goalscorer in January is much needed for West Ham.

And it seems as though the east London outfit wanted to bring Fulham front-man Aleksandar Mitrovic to the club.

90Min claims that the Hammers' enquiry for the 55-capped Serbia international was rejected outright by the west London outfit, however.

The 25-year-old would be a decent signing for West Ham, and they really should keep trying to tempt Fulham into selling.

Mitrovic has scored 18 goals in 25 Championship appearances for the Cottagers this term. And he really would provide strong competition for Haller at the London Stadium.

The Serbian ace has proven over a prolonged period of time that he has what it takes to score goals on a consistent basis.

And despite reportedly failing with their initial enquiry, West Ham should not give up on Mitrovic.




https://www.hammers.news/club-news/report-west-ham-have-enquiry-for-aleksandar-mitrovic-rejected-by-fulham/

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'Superb' – Plenty of Fulham fans are getting hopes up as player impresses

Fulham beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday, with a debut for 17-year-old Jay Stansfield.

Second-half goals from Anthony Knockaert and Harry Arter gave Fulham the win over the Villains, in a replay of the 2018 Championship play-off final between the two.

The win had Fulham fans purring and so did some of the football on display, but one of the game's main talking points was the debut of Jay Stansfield.

The forward has been turning heads this season. He was on red-hot form for the U18 squad at the start of the season and was soon promoted to the U23's, where his goal-scoring form continued.

Scott Parker capped his journey through the Fulham ranks with his first-team debut on Saturday, coming on for the final ten-minutes of the game.

He held his own against Premier League opposition, and plenty of fans are expecting big things from the Exeter-born Stansfield.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/superb-plenty-of-fulham-fans-are-getting-hopes-up-as-player-impresses/

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Report: West Ham and Everton make offers for 25-year-old, get response

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is reportedly on the radar of West Ham United and Everton.

According to 90min.com, West Ham United and Everton are interested in signing Aleksandar Mitrovic from Fulham in the January transfer window.

It has been reported that both Premier League clubs West Ham and Everton have approached Fulham with offers for the former Newcastle United striker.

However, the Championship club have turned them down, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, according to the report.

Stats

According to WhoScored, Mitrovic has scored 18 goals and provided one assist in 25 Championship games for Fulham so far this campaign.

During the 2018-19 campaign, the Serbia international striker made 37 appearances in the Premier League for the Cottagers, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in the process, according to WhoScored.

Staying at Fulham

Fulham are aiming to clinch promotion back to the Premier League, and given how brilliant Mitrovic has proven to be in the Championship, it is hard to see the Cottagers sell the former Anderlecht star in the middle of the campaign.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/01/06/report-west-ham-and-everton-make-offers-for-25-year-old-get-resp/