Thursday Fulham Stuff - 06/08/20...

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Fulham rival Southampton for Kyle Walker-Peters as Tottenham weigh up Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke interest


Target: Kyle Walker-Peters ( Pool via REUTERS )

Fulham are poised to rival Southampton for the signature of Tottenham's Kyle Walker-Peters after sealing an immediate return to the Premier League on Tuesday.

Saints and Spurs are close to agreeing a £12million fee for the defender , with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg set to move the other way in a separate deal worth around £15m.

However, Fulham are considering entering the bidding for Walker-Peters following their promotion to the Premier League via a 2-1 win over rivals Brentford in the Championship play-off final.

Fulham missed out to Saints on a loan deal for Walker-Peters in January but the Cottagers remain in the market for a right-back, with manager Scott Parker and his assistant Matt Wells both admirers of the 23-year-old, having worked with him in Spurs' academy.

Negotiations for Hojbjerg and Walker-Peters have been closely linked but the deals have deliberately been kept separate to ensure that one is not dependent on the other.

Spurs are confident that they will land Hojbjerg, who has one year remaining on his contract and wants to move to north London, regardless of whether Walker-Peters ends up at St. Mary's.

The former England U-21 international has enjoyed his time on the south coast but could be attracted by the chance to stay in London and be reunited with Parker and Wells.

Fulham have also expressed an interest in signing Spurs youngsters Ryan Sessegnon, Jack Clarke and Oliver Skipp on loan next season, though the north London club are adamant that Sessegnon is going nowhere despite a difficult first season at the club.

Mourinho is willing to give teenager Clarke - who is also attracting interest from West Brom and Brentford - a chance to win a place in his Spurs squad after an unhappy season on loan at former club Leeds and then QPR, making just 10 appearances in total.

The manager wants more competition in his front four and is therefore set to run the rule over Clarke in pre-season before deciding if he will spend another year out on loan.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-news-fulham-southampton-walker-peters-sessegnon-clarke-skipp-a4517276.html

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Scott Parker proves critics wrong as Fulham boss finds his feet on the biggest stage at Wembley

We should have known that this longest of seasons would stretch on; that an empty Wembley would do little to avert the usual caginess of the 'richest game in football'; that, after 90 minutes, two teams separated across 46 League games by nothing more than goal difference would be locked in stalemate.

So often over the last few months, it has looked as if Thomas Frank and his Brentford side had mastered the bizarre circumstances better than anyone, as they returned from lockdown to string together a winning run that put them on the brink of automatic promotion.

But, in the end, it was Scott Parker who made best use of every minute of a year-long campaign, right up until its concluding period of extra-time, when Joe Bryan's Wembley double sent Fulham back into the Premier League and marked the manager's coming of age.

Parker, who was appointed in February last year, with the club spiralling back to the Championship before being given the role permanently in May, has spent his time in charge healing the scars of that relegation.

Having spent £100million after their last promotion two years ago, the expectation was that Fulham would walk the Championship this season.

Bouncing straight back up has been their target all season and, though it did not come as easily as many had expected, they played in their manager's image last night, with control, style and grit.

It has been a season of learning and growing for the squad, the club and perhaps more than anyone, the manager. Across his first full season in charge, Parker has faced questions over being tactically naive and unable to mix it with the best coaches.

Frank twice got the better of him across the regular season but, when it mattered most, Parker got it spot on, finding a way to shackle Brentford's fierce attack and plotting Bryan's stroke of genius, a surprise free-kick that caught David Raya out at his near post to open the scoring in a tight game.

"It is my proudest moment by a long way," said Parker. "I am proud of my players, because I've seen them grow. I have learnt so much. This season couldn't have been much tougher. I've said it many a time about my team, where we were a year ago.

"We had some big, open wounds that from the outside no one saw. There were deep-rooted issues in the club that comes from relegation, from losing matches. Those wounds needed to be healed. They're still there."

Even had talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic been fit, it might not have been in Parker's best interests to pick him, as the more mobile Aboubakar Kamara led a relentless pressing effort that stopped Brentford finding any first-half rhythm.

Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed screened superbly in front of the back four and Denis Odoi ensured Said Benrahma had no say on the outcome.

"We've done what we've done tonight," Parker added. "But there's still improvement, and that's what makes me so proud and happy. Tonight, I saw a team that represents what I've been saying over the last 12 months."

Parker can feel vindicated in the work he has done to bring this club back together. He needs a break, not that he will allow himself too long off.

"In my head I am saying seven to 10 days [off], but it'll be three or four really before I start worrying," he said. "We're going back into the big league."

He may not give himself the longest holiday, but Parker can sit comfortably knowing he takes the club back into the Premier League in a vastly different shape to that in which they left.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/scott-parker-proves-critics-wrong-fulham-finds-feet-biggest-stage-wembley-a4517286.html

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Report: Fulham to rival Southampton for Tottenham star Kyle Walker-Peters

The Evening Standard have claimed that Scott Parker and Fulham have joined Southampton in a bid to sign Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kyle Walker-Peters this summer, with the Saints closing in on a permanent move.

Walker-Peters, 23, played 10 times for Southampton on loan during the second half of the 2019-20 campaign. It has been widely reported this week that he is set to agree a £12million move to the Saints, on a permanent basis.

The deal has been kept separate from Tottenham's £15million pursuit of Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in order not to confuse things. Indeed, Fulham's potential swoop will mean a deal for Hojbjerg is unaffected.

Fulham gained promotion to the Premier League and a move to sign Walker-Peters would see the Spurs ace remain in London, and work under an ex-Spurs man in Parker. It remains to be seen if Fulham are willing to pay £12million.

It comes after Spurs were linked with a loan move to re-sign Ryan Sessegnon by the Telegraph, earlier this week.

TBR's view – Fulham or Southampton for Walker-Peters?

Southampton are an exciting side with plenty of potential and Walker-Peters has shown that he is a good fit in a side that are being guided towards the top half of the table, under an excellent boss in Ralph Hasenhuttl.

But the chance to remain in London with a club closely connected to Tottenham due to Parker and former Spurs man Josh Onomah could be something that tempts Walker-Peters. Either move would benefit the defender.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-fulham-to-rival-southampton-for-tottenham-star-kyle-walker-peters/

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'This would be clever' – Fulham eyeing up Tottenham transfer agreement: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Fulham are weighing up a move to re-sign Tottenham's Ryan Sessegnon on loan for the new Premier League season, as per the Telegraph.

The 20-year-old is of course no stranger to Fulham and could be tempted by a temporary move back to Craven Cottage given his lack of first-team action under Mourinho at Spurs.

So, would Fulham making a move for Sessegnon be a wise move? Do they actually need him?

The team here at FLW take a look....

George Dagless

This would be clever.

Sessegnon obviously has been in and out of the Spurs side but has perhaps not played as much as he would have liked.

It wouldn't be fair to say his career has stalled because he is still so young and has put in some decent appearances but he does need to be playing more.

Fulham, then, seems an ideal switch for him as they head back into the Premier League – though I do wonder whereabouts they plan on putting him with the options they have at left-wing in particular.

If Scott Parker can work that one out, though, it'll be a really decent move for all involved I would have thought.

Alfie Burns

Whilst I'd question whether he's needed, if there's a deal there to be done, Fulham need to do it.

Sessegnon was outstanding for Fulham prior to his move to Tottenham and although he didn't quite set the Premier League alight, he's a top-fight player in the eyes of many.

16 goals and eight assists as a teenager in the Championship tells you that Sessegnon found that level a breeze and the only way of establishing himself in the Premier League is going to be by playing games.

He'd complement Joe Bryan well at left-back, whilst he'd offer something a little bit different to the power of Kamara and skill of Kebano or Cavaleiro.

Ned Holmes

I really like this move and it looks like a deal that would surely benefit all parties involved.

We saw how effective Sessegnon was for Fulham in their first spell at the club, so to bring him back on loan – which would surely be a very cheap deal – makes a lot of sense.

Value for money looks as though it is going to be more important than ever given the current global circumstances and this would be just that.

Sessegnon hasn't had many opportunities to impress at Spurs, so a season-long loan to newly-promoted Fulham would surely be hugely beneficial to his development.

From that perspective, this is a move that you feel is very likely to come over the next few weeks.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/this-would-be-clever-fulham-eyeing-up-tottenham-transfer-agreement-the-verdict/

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Fulham eyeing Sessegnon return

Ryan Sessegnon could make a sensational return to Craven Cottage as Fulham are considering taking the young winger on loan from Tottenham following their Premier League return.

Scott Parker is known to be a huge admirer of Sessegnon, whose meteoric rise through the youth ranks at Motspur Park, culminated in assist at Wembley as the Whites beat Aston Villa to win the Championship play-off final two years ago. Fulham's subsequent relegation from the top flight saw the former England under-21 international move to north London for a deal thought to be worth £25m plus Josh Onomah.

But Sessegnon's career has stalled in a disappointing first season at Tottenham, where he originally struggled to overcome a knee injury and saw Mauricio Pochettino sacked. He made just two appearances under Pochettino, who was reportedly a big factor in persuading Sessegnon to move to Spurs, and didn't feature at all under Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho is apparently keen to keep Sessegnon at Tottenham for the forthcoming campaign, with Barcelona's rumoured speculative interest swiftly rebuffed, but a loan back to his boycott club could help the young winger resurrect both his career and confidence at the highest level. Sessegnon, who made his senior debut for Fulham at just sixteen, made 120 appearances for Fulham and could provide competition for the club's latest Wembley hero, Joe Bryan, at left back as well as featuring further forward.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/fulham-eyeing-sessegnon-return/

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Fulham line up move for Walker-Peters

Fulham could hijack Southampton's plans to sign Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker-Peters with a late move of their own, according to the Evening Standard.

The Saints are reportedly keen close to concluding a £12m deal to make Walker-Peters' loan switch to the south coast permanent, but Fulham are considering joining the race to sign the former England under-21 international. The Whites are set to make defensive reinforcements a priority during the five weeks they have to supplement their squad before the start of the new Premier League season and right back is a position they would be keen to strengthen.

Fulham are known to be long-term admirers of the 23 year-old's potential, having failed to bring Walkers-Peters to Craven Cottage on loan during the January transfer window. Instead, the Edmonton-born full back went to Southampton, where he made ten league appearances but the chance of working with Scott Parker and Matt Wells, who oversaw his development during their team at Tottenham's academy, could prove tough to resist.

The attacking full-back will be keen to gain regular first-team football to further his career after making just twelve league appearances in five years at Tottenham. He was part of Paul Simpson's England under-20 squad that won the World Cup in 2017.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/fulham-line-up-move-for-walker-peters/

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Keeping dressing room together is key, says Cairney

Captain Tom Cairney says Fulham must learn the lessons of their last failure in the Premier League and preserve the team spirit that has powered them to promotion.

The Whites went down after spending more than £100m on new players in the summer of 2018 – something that manager Scott Parker has already warned the Fulham hierarchy not to repeat this time around. Cairney, whose influence was key as the Cottagers saw off Brentford in a tense play-off final at Wembley last night, wants to keep the togetherness that proved so crucial during such a rollercoaster season.

The Scottish international told Sky Sports News:

We need to keep the dressing room and the team spirit together – I think we lost that a little bit too early the last time we went up. I think we've got to add quality. We've got to add Premier League players because it's a tough league. It's a different ball game. So hopefully we can learn a little bit from last time.

The main objective is to stay in the league. We haven't got long to enjoy it really – I think the season starts next month, which is a bit scary. But I'm excited.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/keeping-dressing-room-together-is-key-says-cairney/

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Ticketing Update

The Club is continuing to closely monitor Government guidance around the return of supporters to matches and wish to advise fans that more information will be communicated as soon as it is feasible to do so.

2019/20 Season Ticket Holders are assured that no actions have yet taken place regarding their existing seat or renewal for 20/21 season. Any next steps for the Club's upcoming Premier League campaign will be shared with all 19/20 Season Ticket Holders once we are in a position to provide an update.

Season Ticket Holders are encouraged to ensure their online details are accurate and up-to-date, with fans able to opt-in to receive emails from the Club.

For any new future Season Ticket Holder enquiries (excluding renewals), please complete the registration form here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/05/ticketing-update

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Anthony Knockaert makes Fulham statement after his experiences with Brighton and Leicester City

Former Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert celebrated promotion for the third time from the Championship after being part of Fulham's play-off winning side at Wembley

Anthony Knockaert has become something of a promotion specialist in recent seasons.

Having first been part of the Leicester City side that won the Championship title in 2014, Knockaert then celebrated promotion with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2017.

He then achieved promotion for a third time from the Championship last night as he helped Fulham return to the top flight at the first attempt, having been relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Knockaert came off the bench as Fulham beat west London rivals Brentford 2-1 at Wembley to earn a place back in the top flight, with the Frenchman joining in the celebrations after the final whistle.

And although the joy of promotion may be a familiar feeling for the 28-year-old, who left Brighton to join Fulham on loan last summer, before recently making the move permanent, he said it is an experience like no other.

"It feels amazing," he told Talksport.

"When I came to Fulham, the first thing was about promotion, and this is the third time with three different clubs and it is amazing.

"I have no words for it really, it is just incredible.

"I knew that I had that experience with Brighton and Leicester, and there is nothing better in football than to get promoted with a club, and to do it for the third time in my career, I will never forget that for sure."

Knockaert added that he was confident that Fulham could achieve their goal of promotion this season, despite missing out on automatic promotion to Leeds and West Bromwich Albion.

Instead, Fulham finished fourth and had to go through the play-offs, although Knockaert said the players still had the belief they could get back to the top tier, with the west London side having also gone up via the play-offs two years before.

"When I came to Fulham I had no doubt that we could do it with the team we had, but in this division it is never easy," he said.

"And I know in this season there have been a lot of ups and downs, and a few times it looked like it was going to be tough, but we never had doubts as players and we had belief that we could do it.

"We stick together and the first message when we knew we were in the play-offs, was to win it.

"If you don't have a strong team and character to win it, you don't win, but we showed we had that and we were calm."



https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anthony-knockaert-fulham-statement-brighton-4397855

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Why Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham all owe a debt to Hull City

The three newly-promoted sides all have a unique connection with Hull City

Fulham were victorious in last night's Championship play-off final and will join Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League next season.

The Cottagers beat west London rivals Brentford 2-1 at Wembley Stadium after extra-time with Joe Bryan scoring twice for Scott Parker's side. A late goal from Henrik Dalsgaard was not enough for Brentford to get back into the game.

All three of the sides promoted up to the Premier League during the 2019-20 season all have an unusual Hull City connection.

Leeds, West Brom and Fulham were all guided back up to the top-flight by captains who used to play for the Tigers.

Liam Cooper saw his current Leeds side clinch the Championship title last month. Hull-born Cooper joined City's academy at under-12 level and he went on to play 17 times in all competitions for the Tigers' first-team before leaving East Yorkshire for Chesterfield in 2013. A year later, Cooper was signed by Leeds and has made almost 200 appearances for United since.

Like Cooper, Fulham's captain Tom Cairney also came out of City's academy. Signed from Nottingham Forest in 2007, Scottish international midfielder Cairney spent two years in the club's academy before making his first-team debut against Sheffield United in August 2009. Cairney made 80 senior appearances for the Tigers before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2013, scoring five goals in black and amber.

West Brom's Jake Livermore completes the trio of ex-City players to captain their current clubs to promotion. Not an academy graduate at the KCOM Stadium, Livermore was a big part of their success under Steve Bruce and helped City to reach the 2014 FA Cup final. Livermore made 144 appearances for the Tigers, scoring 11 goals.

All three have the Tigers to thank for playing a part in their careers up to now, whether it was the club where they got their first taste of senior football, or the one that in Livermore's case, saw him play a part in the club's most successful period.



https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-debt-hull-city-4397249

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Scott Parker: How ex-England midfielder turned Fulham from losers into promotion winners

Goalscorer Joe Bryan rushed to celebrate with Scott Parker after putting Fulham in front at Wembley

Played five, lost five. Scott Parker's managerial career could have not got off to a more inauspicious start.

Fulham were at a low ebb that would culminate in relegation from the Premier League with five games still to play.

But little more than 17 months after Parker took the helm at Craven Cottage, the mood could not be more different - after he led the Whites to an immediate top-flight return, with a 2-1 victory over west London rivals Brentford 2-1 in Tuesday's Championship play-off final.

Promotion could be worth £135m to the club over the next three years.

Here is how Parker transformed Fulham's fortunes during his first full season in management.

Inheriting a losing mentality


Scott Parker was only five games into his managerial career when Fulham were relegated from the Premier League after losing at Watford in April 2019

Fulham were 19th in the Premier League, 10 points from safety with 10 games left, when Parker took over as caretaker-manager at the end of February 2019, becoming their third boss of a troubled campaign following the departure of Claudio Ranieri.

The former England midfielder's losing start saw relegation confirmed after only his fifth game in charge - a 4-1 defeat at Watford last April.

That defeat at Vicarage Road was Fulham's 13th in 14 games in all competitions.

"This team, 15 months ago, was a team that lost most weeks," Parker, 39, said.

"What you didn't see and what people don't understand is a deeper-rooted issue at the club, which had some real gaping wounds.

"This club needed some stability and a clear direction."

The first signs of a recovery were shown when Parker's men recorded three successive victories after the drop was confirmed, keeping three clean sheets in the process to give a glimpse of the squad's potential.

"I remember being at the penultimate [home] game in their Premier League season. Scott walked around the pitch and there were only sporadic bunches of Fulham supporters who had stayed behind," former Swindon striker and BBC Radio London pundit Sam Parkin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He gesticulated to stick with him and that he knew what he was doing - not to worry and don't take it out on the players."

Dealing with expectation
Fulham were among the favourites for promotion to the top flight in pre-season, having hung on to star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and brought in proven Championship performers Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert.

But the Cottagers were never in the automatic promotion places at any point during the campaign, with a couple of setbacks halting their momentum.

Parker acknowledged "self-doubt" in his players after three straight losses in December and their hopes of catching the top two were effectively ended by back-to-back defeats by Brentford and Leeds United in their first two games after the season restarted in June following the coronavirus lockdown.

"There was a period where they were very inconsistent," Steve Brown, a former team-mate of Parker's at Charlton Athletic, told BBC Sport.

"That is the problem Scott has had to wrestle with throughout the season. You could watch them one week when they were outstanding and the next they weren't at those same levels."

However, Parker rallied his squad after their 3-0 defeat at Elland Road, and Fulham went seven games unbeaten at the end of the regular campaign to finish fourth, behind Brentford on goal difference.

"I've seen a different side to his management in the last few games at Craven Cottage," Parkin said.

"Maybe he felt it was a bit of a free hit that automatic promotion had gone. It gave him an opportunity to work at different things."

Parker showed his ability to cope without Mitrovic, who won the Championship's Golden Boot this season, when the Serbia international missed both legs of the play-off semi-final against Cardiff City.


Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 18 more goals than any other Fulham player this season

"He has shown there were more strings to their bow in how he can set the team up," Parkin added.

"The game plan [at Wembley] and movement of the front players caused Brentford a big problem from the first whistle."

A determined character
Spending the majority of his career in the Premier League with Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham, Parker was a committed and combative midfielder who won 18 caps for his country.

He took his first steps in coaching in Tottenham's youth set-up before returning to Fulham as first-team coach under Slavisa Jokanovic in the summer of 2018, after the Whites were promoted to the Premier League.

He is not the most demonstrative in his technical area during games or as loquacious as some of his peers in press conferences, but below the surface lies a steely determination to succeed.

Brown says Parker was "a very shy person" during his formative years at The Valley.

"He was certainly not someone at a young age that I envisaged going into coaching," the former defender added.

"He has learned how to change that particular part of his character to become what he is.

"Away from the pitch, he is very relaxed but once you put a football in front of him, he becomes a different animal. It makes him really driven.

"Scott is very calm, measured and calculated on the sidelines.

"You need a concrete belief you are very good at what you do and he looks comfortable in a manager's skin.

"To do what he has done in his first full season is exceptional."

A close bond with the players


Fulham boss Scott Parker congratulated his players after the final whistle confirmed promotion to the Premier League

Parker's demeanour at the end of extra-time showed how he has developed a relationship with his squad.

A quick embrace with his coaching staff after the final whistle was followed by several hugs with individual players as the celebrations intensified on the pitch.

He was tossed in the air by the first team, and Mitrovic came over before the trophy lift to put an arm around his boss and give him a friendly hair ruffle as the pair exchanged words.

"It was very emotional and rightly so - but the players were all around him," said ex-Fulham midfielder Lee Clark, who played alongside Parker at Newcastle.

"I think he has a really strong bond with that group of players now."

Brown added: "They looked genuinely together as a team.

"It was amazing to see how many popped out of the celebrations to shake his hand and give him a hug."

Left-back Joe Bryan scored both goals against the Bees at Wembley, and thinks Parker's playing career has helped his transition into management.

"He's very good at motivational talking," the 26-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"When he talks, everyone respects it - he's been there and done it.

"It's good to play for a manager you know is speaking from personal experience of being a player."

Premier League recruitment the next challenge
Once the celebrations are over, Parker will need to concentrate quickly on getting Fulham ready for a fresh Premier League campaign, starting in September.

The Whites spent £100m on new signings after winning promotion under Jokanovic two years ago, with their scatter-gun approach to recruitment backfiring.

"They went a bit gung-ho in the transfer market last time and they didn't look like they had a plan over what they were trying to do," Clark said.

"Scott has been saying they have to learn from two years ago and the mistakes they made last time.

"It goes to show it doesn't matter the amount of money you spend, but how you spend it.

"I think he has a really strong bond with that group of players now, and he'll want to keep the majority of those and maybe add two or three."

With less than six weeks until the start of the 2020-21 season, Parker's measured approach to management will be tested as Fulham begin their recruitment and target top-flight survival.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53670542

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Bookmakers issue Leeds United vote of confidence as Premier League relegation odds revealed

Now that Fulham have sealed the final place in next season's Premier League, the bookies have released their odds on relegation

Fulham confirmed their place in the Premier League on Tuesday night, completing the 20-team line-up for the 2020/21 season.

The Cottagers joined Leeds United and West Brom back in the top-flight after beating Brentford 2-1 at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.

All three clubs will be hopeful of avoiding an immediate drop out of the Premier League next season but will face tough competition to retain their place amongst England's best clubs.

With the transfer market open and the season restart five weeks away, clubs will be hard-pressed to get their deals over the line in time for pre-season.

With that in mind, it comes as little surprise that two of the three promoted clubs, Fulham and West Brom, are the bookmakers' favourites for relegation. Leeds United, however, are much more fancied to survive than their fellow top flight new boys.

Of those that played in the top-flight last season, Aston Villa are third favourites for the drop after their last-ditch escape but with Jack Grealish's future in doubt, they could struggle against without significant reinforcements.

Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Burnley are next in line, whilst Leeds sit level in the odds with Sheffield United, who defied all odds to finish ninth last term.

Here are The Pools' latest betting odds for Premier League relegation in 2020/21.

West Brom - 19/20

Fulham - 1/1

Aston Villa - 7/4

Crystal Palace - 11/5

Newcastle United - 12/5

Burnley - 11/4

Brighton & Hove Albion - 14/5

Sheffield United - 16/5

Leeds United 16/5

West Ham United - 15/4

Southampton - 5/1

Odds courtesy of The Pools and correct at the time of writing.



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/bookmakers-issue-leeds-united-vote-18719762

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Kebano's Contract Extension

We are delighted to announce that Neeskens Kebano has agreed a contract extension.

The winger has put pen to paper on a new deal that keeps him at Fulham until the end of the 2021/22 season, with the Club holding an option to extend by a further year.

As popular in the dressing room as he is with the fans, 28-year-old Kebano was in wonderful form as the Whites won promotion, scoring brilliant goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic and Cardiff City.

In scoring free-kicks in three consecutive matches, he became the first player in the top four divisions to do so since Wayne Rooney managed it for Manchester United seven years ago.

He is also one of a number of players to have won promotion twice with Fulham.

After signing his extension, Kebano said: "First of all, I'd like to thank the Club for giving me this opportunity to extend my contract. It has been a long journey since we started the season, we have been playing for over a year. We've been working very hard which has paid off with promotion to the Premier League.

"I'm delighted for the team, the staff and the supporters, we've remained together which has brought us to where we are now. I have a lot of affection for this Club, for the fans, so it's natural this decision to sign a contract when this opportunity was offered to me, and I'm very happy to be here for a couple of more seasons.

Tony Khan added: "I'm so glad to announce that Fulham FC has agreed a contract extension with Neeskens Kebano.

"Neeskens has been at Fulham for four seasons, joining the Club in my first season as Director of Football, and he's made great contributions for Fulham in two Premier League promotions, particularly during our great run since the restart these past several weeks, scoring five in four matches including a wonderful pair of goals in the Play-Off Semi-Final, one in each leg, to help the Club reach the Final again, where he started yesterday in our incredible win at Wembley!

"Congratulations to Neeskens, I'm so happy for him, and all of us at the Club are so grateful for his contributions to our return to the Premier League!

"Come on Fulham!"



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/05/neeskens-kebano-contract-extension

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Championship Play-Off Final Five Thoughts: Brentford 1-2 Fulham (AET)

We are Premier League. Hangovers aplenty across the breadth of the capital and beyond, we witnessed a remarkable encounter between two great rivals in the richest game of football on the planet. The stakes were as high as our blood pressures but crumbling? That's not us, it's much more of Brentford thing.

I dislike Thomas Frank, I detest Brentford's second-rate club ethos but I am besotted by Fulham's newly-formed resistance. The biggest West London derby will be archived as a Fulham victory at Wembley, a meeting with no fans in attendance but the fandom, the festivities, they'll live on for the rest of time itself.

We venture into the top-flight with fresh zeal and zest, an appetite for restitution amongst the game's cream. I may repeat myself numerously throughout this article, the closing Five Thoughts of the season, but I just like the sound of it. I love this club, I love this game, I love winning under the arch against foes of old. The Whites are going up, you're never gonna believe us, but the shagging Whites are going up!

What It Means
That, that is how you respond to Brentford's gloating pre-game trash talk. This goes out to you, Frank and Emiliano Marcondes, you've well and truly stitched yourselves up with your empty, baseless complacency. Talk is cheap, you can't buy class and humility, but £160m will go a very long way in widening the gap between us, the rightful kings of West London and them, the tinpot impostors that bit off more than they could chew at the home of English football.

The 2018-19 Premier League campaign was torrid, there were and still are wounds to lick although redemption, warm, gratifying atonement, has been served. This club could have capitulated, we could've wandered astray from our aspirations but the heart still beats and the pride is stronger than ever. We are back in the big-time, the top-flight is where this beautiful assortment of grace and tradition belongs and it became clear at Wembley that the Bees are not within our esteemed bracket and they never will be, regardless of where their future lies. They may have beaten us twice, but the bragging rights will remain in SW6 for eternity after humbling them in the only game that truly mattered in the end.

The atmosphere surrounding 2020's Championship Play-Off Final differed greatly from 2018's but the emotions coursing through our veins, they're familiar. Watching from our living rooms, gardens, locals, the customary ups and downs emerged in equal measure and that infectious belief we, as a fan base, are renowned for bled through in torrents. A multitude of affections adorned the evening, pulses racing at fever pitch and when it comes down to raw, bare substance, Fulham were made of hardier stuff. Our fate has finally been sealed and the footballing elders are smiling upon Parker's triumphant cohort because now, after defying the odds and dashing opinions, we have a spot in the world's most illustrious division.

Scott Parker's Appraisal
I've some grovelling to do an I'll start by dedicating a lengthy section of this article to the man that made promotion possible. Scott Parker's faced up to criticism, he's weathered adversity and though I've dashed mud upon his name, I stand corrected. How could we seriously discount his ability as a manager in his first full season as a senior leader? Questions have been answered and those ugly teething problems have been straightened and I, on behalf of many others out there, apologise sincerely for scoffing at his presiding credentials. Banishing that crippling defeatist mindset, Parker's sculpted a convincing Fulham outfit that's worthy of loftier heights and challenges.

Glassy eyed, choked with honour, Parker's post-match interview was all you'd want to hear from your club's head honcho. A dedicated representative, the former England international divulged just how hard he's grafted to make this team tick, along with the sacrifices he's made along the way. He may be inexperienced, naive to the strains and pressures his position holds, but he will invest everything for the good of our club. We're entitled to change our perceptions and I'm genuinely grateful to have Parker on board in the technical area, he's evolved his strategical inclinations and underneath the tie pin, the brogues, there's an astute mastermind.

Parker conducted himself gallantly and set his side up to engulf Brentford. A battle of wits, minds and policies ensued on the touchline between Scotty and Frank and whilst proceedings seemed fairly touch and go for 100+ minutes, our man had the methods, the minerals, to squash the best selection of players Brentford have seen for decades. Next season, Parker will be placed under the microscope and his blueprints will be examined scrupulously however his formula, the project he's stuck to religiously from the start, certainly has significance. He will learn the hard way, he will triumph, he will fall short of the mark but his program, which is still a fledgling prototype in comparison to those in the Premier League, has a winning stamp of approval.

Our Unlikely Hero
It's official, Joe Bryan has turned his back on his old self and is now Fulham's goal scoring supremo. A suspect left-back masquerading as a deadly striker, there's a welcome plot twist. Since arriving from Bristol City two summers ago, Bryan's reputation has been run through the mill, his inadequate defensive abilities have been made a spectacle of but going forward, advancing with a purpose, that's where the fullback really comes to life and he ignited Tuesday evening's showdown in extra time with two ingenious strokes of invention and impulse.

Waiting until the very last available moment to triple his season's goal tally, Bryan delivered jubilation by means of his left and right boot. Stood behind the ball in the doldrums of Wembley's vast midfield section, the 26-year-old prepared to whip a free-kick into Brentford's 18, but he was scheming something of audacious proportions. The look on his face said it all, he was going to take aim from an outrageous range and he was going to blast the game's opener. Apparently, Fulham had been working on set-pieces in training with this outcome in mind, but I can't imagine they'd envisioned Bryan's sniper strike, it was preposterous. incidentally, we hear David Raya is still tumbling somewhere in North London.

Saying that, once he returns from his delayed flight, Raya will need counselling. All he'll be able to see at night is the whites of Bryan's eyes because his evening was shredded by the marauding auxiliary marksman. In the 117th minute, Bryan surged forward with the ball and initiated a smart give and go combination with Aleksandar Mitrovic on the parameter of the penalty area. A seamless transaction, Bryan darted into a prime position, one on one with Brentford's Spanish *ahem* stopper and stroked our second with his weaker foot. Dispatched like a verified hitman, Bryan sparked inspiration and other than his otherworldly brace, his overall application was distinct. You don't need a cape to be a superhero, a pair of red sharply calibrated Nike Mercurial Vapours carries the same effect.

Midfield Battle Navigated
Wembley's a massive pitch, arguably the broadest a professional could hope to play upon and with acres of space to cover, our midfield department had to be primed and ready for an exceedingly strenuous shift. Starting proceedings with Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney and Joshua Onomah, Fulham's engine room ticked over consistently and resisted Brentford's equivalent machine because on the night our interchangeable trio clamoured and conquered. Winning the battle centrally was key, if we drove our flag down first in that respect, we'd prosper and to our shimmering credit, we negated the Bees' equipped midfield expertly.

A relentless collective work-rate dampened Brentford's impression and as they aimed to construct patterns, Reed infiltrated their rhythm. The Southampton loanee was lucky to be on the pitch, but his unwavering commitment to his duties allowed TC and Onomah to pull strings further up the park. Once possession had been turned over, Fulham broke with enthusiasm and took risks, and they're traits you don't usually associate with Parker's calculated brand. With the license to build and destruct, Fulham operated with resolve and design and, barring the odd rash lunge, we were the principle force. Our midfield components offered ammunition, steadied the tempo and interrupted Brentford's staggered flow. We were compact, we were versatile, we were superior.

The game was won by Bryan, of course, but our success wouldn't have been possible without Fulham's vigilance in that gigantic midfield third. Cooperating in perfect harmony, Cairney, "Tek like" and the special one assassin enabled the Whites to remain relevant and threatening throughout. I'm not discrediting our defence's exploits, our attacker's accomplishments but a well drilled, well oiled midfield composition was essential to our profit and progress. If we kept our discipline, our eagerness in the middle, the whole squad would follow suit and thankfully, with spirit and energy, we got the job done efficiently.

Never Give Up
Fight 'til the death. Some teams have that quality ingrained into their DNA and Fulham are one of those outfits that never give up. Blips happen, sometimes we may lose sight of our ambitions but once the end is in reach, once we know that all isn't lost, we flick a switch and our mentality alters accordingly. The magnitude of Tuesday's clash was sickeningly monumental, one single lapse could undo all that we rallied so valiantly for but not one foot stepped out of line.

To a man, across the entire pitch, Fulham bettered Brentford in virtually every aspect. Chins were up, eyes were fixed firmly on the prize and we deflected negativity in order to bask in the positives. Tuesday evening was our time, we had a score to settle, unfinished business in the Premier League to confront and if we bring that assurance to the party next season, I believe we'll survive. The fortitude on show against Brentford mimicked that of Slavisa Jokanovic's side, although I recognise a bravery like no other in Parker's contingent.

This team is unified, it's aware of the dangers top-flight football beholds and with that admission at the forefront of our judgement, we will develop into a highly proficient side that's alive and adjusted to the obstacles that lay before us. The Bees swore this was there time to advance, to enter a realm they really have no right to even dream of and we put a stop to their desire because, ultimately, we wanted the glory more. We didn't submit, we swatted off the Bees' overstated competencies and under a weighty expectancy, we rose above the occasion. Marek Rodak, Micheal Hector, Tim Ream, Denis Odoi, Bryan, Reed, Cairney, Onomah, Neeskens Kebano, Aboubakar Kamara, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Ivan Cavaleiro, Anthony Knockaert, Mitrovic and all the names in between, you've immortalised yourself within Fulham folklore and you will be remembered as the squad that squashed the Bees at Wembley. Come on you rip-roaring Whites!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-08-05-championship-play-off-final-five-thoughts-brentford-1-2-fulham-aet/

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Kebano signs new Fulham deal

Neeskens Kebano has signed a new two-year contract with Fulham – with the club retaining the option of another year's extension.

The Congolese international winger starred to keep Fulham's automatic promotion hopes alive until the very end of the season, scoring four goals in five games, including three free-kicks in successive fixtures. Kebano's outstanding form earned him a starting place in the play-offs, where he scored in both legs of the semi-final against Cardiff City, and won his second promotion in three seasons after Fulham beat Brentford at Wembley last night.

The 28 year-old winger was delighted to cement his future at Craven Cottage, telling the club's website:

"I'm delighted for the team, the staff and the supporters, we've remained together which has brought us to where we are now. I have a lot of affection for this Club, for the fans, so it's natural this decision to sign a contract when this opportunity was offered to me, and I'm very happy to be here for a couple of more seasons."

Fulham's vice chairman and director of football, Tony Khan, added:

"Neeskens has been at Fulham for four seasons, joining the Club in my first season as Director of Football, and he's made great contributions for Fulham in two Premier League promotions, particularly during our great run since the restart these past several weeks, scoring five in four matches including a wonderful pair of goals in the Play-Off Semi-Final, one in each leg, to help the Club reach the Final again, where he started yesterday in our incredible win at Wembley."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/kebano-signs-new-fulham-deal/

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Neeskens Kebano: Forward extends contract at newly promoted Fulham

Neeskens Kebano joined Fulham in 2016

Forward Neeskens Kebano has extended his contract with Fulham following the club's promotion to the Premier League.

The DR Congo international scored five goals in 19 appearances in 2019-20, as the Whites finished fourth and went on to win the Championship play-off final.

Kebano, 28, will now remain at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2022, with the club having the option to extend his deal by a further year.

"I have a lot of affection for this club and for the fans," he said.

Kebano netted in both legs of the play-off semi-final tie against Cardiff City, and started Tuesday's Championship play-off final against Brentford, which Fulham won 2-1 after extra time.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53672131

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Report claims Fulham have option to sign Harrison Reed from Saints

FULHAM have an option to sign midfielder Harrison Reed from Saints, according to a report in the Telegraph.

The publication claims the option is for an £8million deal – although personal terms would still need to be agreed with the 25-year-old.

Reed played 27 times for Fulham on loan this season, helping them return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

He played all 120 minutes of a gruelling showdown with Brentford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Tuesday – as Scott Parker's side sealed a 2-1 extra-time victory over the Bees.



https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18629945.report-claims-fulham-option-sign-harrison-reed-saints/?ref=rss

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Fulham squad analysis: Scott Parker's team yearn for stability to capitalise on play-off final joy
Parker has come under scrutiny throughout for defensive tactics and a predictable attack

After the play-off final trophy had been put down, and Scott Parker had descended from the shoulders of his victorious Fulham squad, questions from the media forced him to consider all-too-imminent preparations for the Premier League.

"You can't build teams with drastic changes, drastic swings of players [coming in]," he said – a direct reference to the summer prior to Fulham's 2018-19 relegation season, when they spent over £100m of owner Shahid Khan's money on a squad which never found harmony under Slavisa Jokanovic, "risk-free appointment" Claudio Ranieri, or Parker.

Some buys, like Aleksandar Mitrovic and Tuesday night's two-goal hero left-back Joe Bryan, panned out well, others less so, like £25m Jean Michael Seri (on loan at Galatasaray), £30m André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (on loan at Villarreal), and £15m Alfie Mawson.

After 18 months in charge, Parker is confident the players have improved. "I'm happy with where we are," he said. "Some clear errors were made last time and we need to learn from that. What we are trying to build is some core foundations. If you're not building your club on concrete but sand, it will be that roller-coaster ride."

Beating the yo-yo season
Another yo-yo season is the last thing Fulham fans want, having seen their club either relegated from or promoted to the top flight in four of the past seven campaigns. Improving in increments is music to their ears, and among the playing staff there are obvious areas for strengthening, without a complete overhaul.

While Cyrus Christie creates opportunities in attack from right-back, and the versatile Denis Odoi is assured on the ball and capable of breaking up play, neither looked the complete article at the top level last time and a top-level option would be very welcome.

On-loan Harrison Reed is the defensively astute midfielder Fulham desperately needed two years ago. Whether Southampton will part with him for another season is a big question, given his performances, but Fulham either need to acquire his services permanently or find someone with his skills and talent.

Mitrovic is a proven Premier League striker and bagged the Championship golden boot with 26 goals, having scored 11 in the top flight last season. That said, Bobby Decordova-Reid is more threatening as a shadow striker and Mitrovic will need another to compete with him for the starting spot.

Defensive ability
Finally, in Parker's system the centre-backs split wide in possession, requiring good touch and passing ability, which both Michael Hector and club favourite Tim Ream boast.

However, 32-year-old Ream's iffy performance in the play-off final, added to a poor top-flight campaign as Fulham conceded 81 goals in 38 games, adds to the belief that Hector may need a proven Premier League-level partner whose turning speed is a little less glacial.

While Ream is much-loved by supporters, if he starts regularly against the likes of Sadio Mané, Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling, Fulham are in trouble. Some may ask what happened to Mawson, but he has not fitted well into Parker's tactics and appears halfway out of the door to Norwich – a stark reminder to invest around a system.

Which brings us to a question that has split the fans all season. Is Parker the man to design the system? If it seems unfathomable to doubt him after promotion, it is worth remembering this squad appeared too talented and deep even to need recourse to the play-offs at the start of the campaign.

He has come under scrutiny throughout for defensive tactics and a predictable attack. Parker's reliance on Mitrovic is understandable, given he is the most-feared forward in the second tier, and he built his team around the Serbian international's ability to hold up play and find the net, but the Cottagers need a Plan B – especially as their win record is better without such an obvious attacking focal point.

The solution appears to be to give Parker more attacking options to create plans B and C, if needed. If they fail and he lacks the tactical nous for the top flight, Fulham are in an extremely tricky situation: no one wants a repeat of the volatility and implosion of two years ago.



https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-squad-analysis-premier-league-aleksandar-mitrovic-joe-bryan-scott-parker-play-off-final-572304

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Fulham are not supposed to be in the Championship – Paintsil

The Cottagers gained promotion back to the English to-flight after just a season's absence

Former Fulham defender John Paintsil has exclaimed the Championship was not the level for the Cottagers after their extra-time promotion play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley on Tuesday.

Scott Parker's charges finished the regular season in fourth place with 81 points, the same as the Bees in third but with an inferior goal difference. They were just two points shy of automatic promotion.

They saw off Cardiff City in the playoff semis 3-2 on aggregate with DR Congo international Neeskens Kebano scoring in both legs, as well as Anglo-Nigerian Joshua Onomah in the first.

It marks an immediate return to the Premier League for Fulham after they were relegated during the 2018-19 season, finishing 19th, 10 points away from safety.

"The players played well and I was delighted with how they were able to hold the lead until the final whistle. This qualification means a lot to the whole community and London", Paintsil told Happy FM.

"Fulham is not a team that is supposed to be in the Championship, their level is the Premier League considering the laurels and achievements the club has."

Paintsil went on to commend Parker, who played for the Cottagers between 2013 and 2017, citing his experience in the top-flight as crucial to leading the club.

"The club must get an experienced coach like Roy Hodgson but Scott Parker has played in the Premier League and so he will have the experience to guide the team in the Premier League", he added.

Paintsil was on the books of Fulham between 2008 and 2011, playing more than 80 times, one of which included a run to the 2010 Europa League final where they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid after extra-time.

The 39-year-old Ghanaian also had stints with Leicester City and West Ham United. He spent time in Israel as well with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning the Israeli Premier League with the former in 2003 and the Israel State Cup in 2006 with the latter.

Paintsil's career winded down in South Africa with Santos and finally Maritzburg United in 2016. He was briefly assistant coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2016/2017 season.



https://www.goal.com/en/news/fulham-are-not-supposed-to-be-in-the-championship-paintsil/1wza3pprauqso17bv1lrc1lb31

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Southampton: Harrison Reed may make switch to Fulham permanent

Newly promoted Fulham have an option to buy Reed from Southampton for £8m and with promotion it is looking likely they will do so.

It was seen that Harrison Reed may have comeback to Southampton and been a possible replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but now it seems they will need to look elsewhere.

Fulham, recently won promotion back to the Premier League in dramatic fashion and Reed was an integral part in their season. In their deal, Fulham, have the option to buy the player for £8m and with the new cash they have they feel comfortable spending that on a player that the see is important to their success.

A number of Saints supporters were excited for the possibility of his return but now that it no longer seems like it will happen it the club will need to turn to the transfer market to replace Hojbjerg.

The club has been linked to a number of midfielders but it seems like the most exciting name they have been linked to is Schalke midfielder, Weston McKennie.

The youngster has been keen on a move to the Premier League this season and the Saints are one of a number of clubs who are pursuing his signature.

He still has plenty of growth left in him but he would be a perfect replacement for Hojbjerg. Likely he will need to learn Ralph's system before stepping into the starting role but Saints fans should be excited if the club are able to sign the US international.



https://saintsmarching.com/2020/08/05/southampton-harrison-reed-may-make-switch-fulham-permanent/