Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 11/08/20...

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Ethan Ampadu set for another loan move away from Chelsea 'with a spell at Fulham likely' as relegated Norwich miss out on youngster

    Ethan Ampadu has spent 2019-20 campaign on loan in Germany with RB Leipzig
    Another loan move away from Chelsea appears all set ahead of next season
    A loan move to Fulham is likely for the 19-year-old, according to reports
    Norwich were interested but are set to miss out on the Chelsea talent

Fulham are reportedly set to seal a loan move for Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu.

The teenager, who can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, has spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and another temporary move appears in the pipeline.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have a Premier League option in Fulham who are interested in acquiring his services on loan - with a move across west London 'likely'.


Ethan Ampadu has endured an extremely difficult time in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig

The Blues want Ampadu to get some much-needed experience in the Premier League before involving him in Frank Lampard's first-team.

Norwich, relegated to the Championship, were reportedly very interested in taking Ampadu on loan next season - eyeing him for a defensive midfield role while looking for cover at centre-back.

But the Canaries are set to miss out with Fulham front-runners for the 19-year-old's signature.


A loan move to Fulham for Wales international Ampadu is 'likely', according to reports

Ampadu has endured a difficult time in a new environment in Germany after making the loan move to Leipzig for the 2019-20 season.

The Wales international has only featured seven times in all competitions for Leipzig, including three in Bundesliga and as many in the Champions League.

Ampadu will be desperate for more game-time next season as he looks to resurrect his Chelsea career after Lampard sent him out on loan in order to develop his game.


Ampadu will be desperate to resurrect his career and make his way into Frank Lampard's plans



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8611123/Ethan-Ampadu-set-loan-away-Chelsea-spell-Fulham-likely.html

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Report: Sheffield United and Crystal Palace want Marco Bizot

According to Sky Sports, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Fulham are interested in signing Marco Bizot from AZ in the summer transfer window.

It has been reported that Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia are also interested in securing the services of the Dutchman this summer.

Good goalkeeper

Bizot has been on the books of AZ since 2017 and has established himself as an important player in the team.

The 29-year-old is also rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the Eredivisie, and his performances for AZ over the past three or so years have been superb.

According to Sky Sports, the Dutchman kept 24 clean sheets in 38 games for AZ this past season.

Good signing for Sheffield United or Fulham?

Dean Henderson has been on loan at United for the past two seasons, but he is back at his parent club Manchester United now.

If the 23-year-old goalkeeper does not return to the Blades, then it would make sense for manager Chris Wilder to bring in a capable and experienced goalkeeper such as Bizot.

As for Fulham, the Cottagers have won promotion to the Premier League, and the London club could do with more strength between the posts, and he would also make Palace a stronger team.



https://sportslens.com/report-sheffield-united-and-crystal-palace-want-marco-bizot/307645/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham battling Crystal Palace, European clubs for 29-year-old arrival

Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Fulham are among the clubs to be looking at goalkeeper Marco Bizot this summer, according to Sky Sports.

The Premier League will see all three in action next season with Fulham achieving promotion to the top flight via the play-off final last Tuesday against Brentford.

Now, they can looking forward to battles at the top table and they could be in one for Bizot with the Blades and Eagles taking a look at him, as well as clubs around Europe.

The stopper recorded an impressive 24 clean sheets in 38 games for AZ Alkmaar last season over in Holland, and could now be set for a big move to the Premier League.

Where he ends up for sure, though, remains to be seen.

The Verdict

Fulham saw Marek Rodak come in and impress a great deal last season, to the extent where Marcus Bettinelli could well think it's time to move on this summer.

If he does, the Lilywhites will need a new goalkeeper to challenge Rodak and perhaps Bizot could be the man.

They're not alone in looking at him, though, so let's see how this potential story develops, with Valencia and Atletico Madrid also apparently taking a good look at him at the moment.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-battling-crystal-palace-european-clubs-for-29-year-old-arrival/

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Report: Crystal Palace planning to hijack London rivals' £8m move

Crystal Palace are hoping to hijack Fulham's deal to sign Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed on a permanent basis, according to the Sun (9 August, page 67).

While this ankle-biting terrier of a midfielder might not have dominated the headlines like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Tom Cairney and co in 2019/20, make no mistake – his importance to Scott Parker's promotion-winning campaign should not be underestimated.

Reed is no swaggering frontman or face-shredding, Stratocaster-wielding rock god.

But every great band needs a drummer, setting the tempo in the shadows, eternally underappreciated but equally important. And that is where Reed comes in.

The Telegraph reports that Fulham can sign the 25-year-old defensive midfielder in an £8 million deal after beating Brentford in the play-off final.

But that is an option, not an obligation. Southampton can still say 'no' in favour of setting up a bidding war with Crystal Palace.

There is, of course, a chance that Reed will be offered a second chance at St Mary's with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg expected to complete his long-awaited move to Tottenham Hotspur sooner rather than later.

The Sun reports that Ralph Hasenhuttl is mulling over Reed's future.

Though if Weston McKennie arrives from Schalke to step into Hojbjerg's shoes, expect Crystal Palace to make a move for a man capable of providing an injection of youthful exuberance into the heart of a midfield which looked exhausted in the final weeks of 2019/20.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/10/report-crystal-palace-planning-to-hijack-london-rivals-8m-move/

[WhiteJC]

An Unlikely Hero: The Championship Play-Off Final

Cherwell reports on the Championship Play-Off Final and Joe Bryan's crucial role in Fulham's promotion.

Footballing heroes often come from the most unlikely places: from Eder winning the 2016 Euros for Portugal, Bobby Zamora promoting QPR to the Premier League in 2014, or Pulisic's hamstring winning  Arsenal their 14th FA Cup.  The players who step up for big games are rarely the ones you expect. Last week in the oft remarked 'most expensive game in football' your average Joe Bryan stepped up to the plate. The solid, albeit unspectacular, right-back saved the day for Fulham with a fine brace in added time to send Fulham back into the Premier League at the expense of their local rivals Brentford.

Going into the game, Brentford were heavily touted as favourites. Thomas Frank, a man who looks more like an art-house film director than a football manager, had transformed Brentford into the most entertaining side in the League since his appointment as Head Coach in October 2018. Led by the 'BMW' front line of Benrahma, Mbeumo, and Watkins, who managed 59 goals between them this campaign, this free-flowing, goal-laden brand of football turned Brentford into the team to beat. Coupled with excellent post-lockdown form, they found themselves at the cusp of automatic promotion only to be robbed by Barnsley. Despite having to take the long road to promotion, Brentford were confident. Attacking midfielder Emiliano Marcondes went as far as to suggest that Fulham feared them.

While Fulham had already lost to Brentford twice this season and lacked the flair of Frank's men, there was good reason to have faith that they would be able to spoil the party. Having won the play-offs two seasons prior, much of the squad had winning-experience and had been on a 7-game unbeaten streak. Scott's 'Parkerball,' though questioned by a large contingent of fans, was securing results and allowed Fulham to control and dictate the pace of games with the lion share of possession. Though slow– Fulham have had the least fast breaks of any team in the Championship this season- this ability to control games put them in a strong position to get a result at Wembley.

The game itself was cagey and at times, a badly tempered affair. The two sides were very evenly matched for the first 90 minutes: a couple of shots from Fulham's Josh Onomah in the first half and a solid second-half response from Brentford's Watkins demanded a save from Rodak. This deadlock was settled in extra time. As fans prayed for a saviour, fearing a penalty shootout, Joe Bryan provided the goods. After 105 minutes Fulham were 1-0 up, Bryan's outlandish 40-yarder free-kick the cause. Raucous celebrations followed, and only minutes later, the right-back was at it again with a neat 1-2 with returning talisman Mitrovic guaranteeing Fulham's return. The Bees were able to salvage a consolation goal at the death; however, it was too little, too late. As the final whistle blew, two things were certain: Fulham's return to the Premier League and Joe Bryan's new-found club status as the unlikely hero.



https://cherwell.org/2020/08/10/an-unlikely-hero-the-championship-play-off-final/

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Report: West Ham United and Fulham keen on Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles

According to The Sun, West Ham United have shown firm interest in versatile Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but they face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

The Gunners are looking to make around £30 million by selling the England youth international as manager Mikel Arteta looks to invest in new players this summer, but they could be willing to do business for £20 million.

Hammers boss David Moyes wants to boost his options at full-back ahead of the new campaign, and Maitland-Niles could prove to be an upgrade on what he has at right-back and left-back.

The Arsenal academy graduate is primarily a midfielder, but he has played at both left and right sides of the defence since making his first-team debut, and it's why he won't be short of suitors.

Spurs manager Jose Mourinho also admires his versatility, but it's almost impossible to see Maitland-Niles agree to join his bitter rivals and Arsenal won't be keen to strengthen their fellow North London giants too.

Fulham want to strengthen their squad after sealing an immediate return to the top-flight, and the 22-year-old will definitely be a great addition, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to meet the Gunners' and the player's personal demands.

West Ham boast of a squad capable of challenging for the top eight, and that could attract Maitland-Niles.

They currently have no identified first-choice right-back after both Pablo Zabaleta and Jeremy Ngakia left, and the Arsenal man will fancy his chances of having a guaranteed starting berth to himself at the London Stadium.



https://sportslens.com/report-west-ham-united-and-fulham-keen-on-arsenal-defender-ainsley-maitland-niles/307674/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen on Kongolo

Fulham could reprise their loan move for Huddersfield defender Terence Kongolo, according to reports this afternoon from Holland.

The Whites had the Dutch international on loan at Craven Cottage for the second half of last season, but the 25 year-old made just made two appearances before being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Scott Parker will be eyeing reinforcements to his defence as Fulham prepare for another assault on the Premier League in a month's time – and Kongolo made 45 appearances in the top flight with the Terriers before Town were relegated in 2019.

The Dutch press suggest that Fulham are interested in signing Kongolo again and would have no problems in paying the versatile defender's wages in full, which is a condition of a loan agreement with Huddersfield. That clause seems to rule out AZ Alkmaar, who were eager to offer Kongolo an opportunity to return to Holland. Kongolo's only start for Fulham was in a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup back in February, before he was injured as Parker's side clung on to a 1-0 win at Blackburn, where he made a late appearance as a substitute.

UPDATE: A report from the Huddersfield Examiner suggests that Fulham's interest might actually be a permanent transfer for Kongolo.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/fulham-keen-on-kongolo/

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RideLondon

We're inviting Fulham fans to get on their bike – or scooter, skateboard, trike, tandem, penny farthing, unicycle – to fundraise for Fulham FC Foundation.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on charities, with the UK charity sector facing an estimated £10 billion shortfall in funding. It's also meant thousands of events across the country have been cancelled, including Prudential RideLondon: the world's greatest festival of cycling, which has raised more than £77 million for thousands of charities since it began in 2013.

While RideLondon can't go ahead as planned this year, they are keeping the wheels moving and will be celebrating the festival weekend of 15 and 16 August with a virtual event: My Prudential RideLondon.

All ages and abilities are encouraged to get involved and support Fulham FC Foundation.

We'd love you to be a part of it – just follow these four simple steps:

1.      Register: visit myridelondon.co.uk and select your challenge. There are three cycling distances to choose from, or you can invent your own My FreeCycle wheeled challenge over 1km.

2.      Fundraise: set up your fundraising page and let people know you're supporting us so they can sponsor you. You can set this up at https://www.justgiving.com/

3.      Participate: set your wheels in motion and complete your challenge anywhere, at any time, over the weekend of 15 and 16 of August!

4.     Nominate: encourage your family and friends to take part and help Fulham FC Foundation. Spread the word on social media too by using the hashtag #MyPRL when posting about the event.

You'll find more information, ideas and inspiration, as well as advice on staying safe and cycling responsibly on the road, at myridelondon.co.uk.

We hope you'll be part of the world's biggest festival of cycling to support Fulham FC Foundation.

If you have any further questions, please contact [email protected]



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/10/ridelondon

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Fulham pushing ahead of competition for signing – And that could see Southampton player move to Netherlands

Dutch newspaper AD report AZ Alkmaar have been in negotiations for a while over the transfer of Huddersfield Town's Terence Kongolo.

The two clubs had reached a rough agreement on a loan deal, which would have seen no fee paid to Huddersfield Town, but AZ picking up the bill for all of the player's wages. However, AZ either don't want to or can't comply with the conditions, which has given an opportunity to Fulham.

Kongolo went on loan to Fulham during the January window, however, he was unable to have an impact after picking up a foot injury. The London club are now 'well on the way' to taking advantage of AZ's hesitation, with Fulham having no problems paying Kongolo's wages.

Should AZ miss out, it's explained they'll then turn their attention to other targets, this includes Southampton's Wesley Hoedt, who spent the last season on loan at Royal Antwerp.

A return to Southampton in any meaningful capacity is unlikely, given the negative things Hoedt has said about Ralph Hasenhüttl over the past few months. Hoedt spent time earlier this year training at AZ and back then he dismissed the idea of signing for the club.

Despite that, he doesn't seem to have the options he assumed he would have, so AZ becomes a possibility again.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-pushing-ahead-competition-signing-see-southampton-player-move-netherlands/

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Category One Flashback...

With the eighth anniversary of our Academy achieving Category One status having recently passed, it seems a perfect opportunity to look back at how this was achieved and the benefits it brings.

We spoke to Chief Executive Officer Alistair Mackintosh, Academy Director Huw Jennings, Player Care Manager Lee Hagger and Academy Manager Mike Cave on the steps taken towards their goal of top tier Academy football.

"Our Academy is very important on many levels and its significance to the football club is demonstrated by the tremendous commitment from our Chairman to ensure we maintain Category One status," said Alistair.

"Of course, on one level it can help by creating great players to push for the First Team like Ryan and Steven Sessegnon, Marcus Bettinelli, Marek Rodák and there's a huge sense of pride when you see one of your own players coming through and achieving success. Seeing these young men grow and develop to compete at the highest level is extra special. But without the financial investment in the infrastructure, none of that would be possible."

In 2012, the Premier League launched the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), a long-term strategy with the aim of developing homegrown players, with the talent to succeed. The initiative groups clubs into four categories (1-4) with Category One being the highest.

Clubs' academies are measured on productivity rates, training facilities, coaching, education and welfare provisions.

Huw explained: "The launch of the EPPP, which was Ged Roddy's initiative as Head of Youth at the Premier League, invited clubs to consider a response to the category that they wish to apply for.

"At the time, there were four categories available, we considered it and immediately decided that we wanted to pitch for the highest category. We then needed to consider what the implications were of that including infrastructure, management and organisation and the way in which we would set ourselves up."

Once the decision was taken to establish Fulham as a Category One Club, though there was a lot of hard work to be done, we were also in a good starting position.

"I think when it came to planning we were already ahead of the game," said Huw. "We had a full-time programme up and running which was a major component needed to gain Category One status. We already had a strong alliance with Coombe Boys' School where we had a number of players already there. Our commitment to the full-time programme was pivotal in us being ready for the transition."

To be awarded Category One status, Fulham would need to score highly in each of the measurement criteria in an independently run audit. A lot of work still needed to be done before the audit took place, as Lee explains:

"One of the audit requirements was that you needed to have someone in posts that at the time didn't even exist! When we started planning, my job was Head of Education, Head of Welfare and Academy Operations Manager all rolled into one! Nowadays we have specific people doing all those roles individually which gives you more scope and a license to really develop your own area.

"Between us we tiptoed our way through the minefield and we got a good presentation together and planned ahead for the audit visit. It was exciting times and quite nerve-wracking because nothing like this had been done before. In the education department we had already passed an Ofsted inspection recently, so things were looking positive and we were confident."

The day of the inspection was a nervous one for all.

"The inspection went from top to bottom, inside and out. They looked at every single element of the programme," Lee explained.

"They would speak with Alistair at the very top as well as part-time coaches, parents and players. Every element of the Academy work was covered by them and we all needed to be on the same page.

"I'll always remember, during the inspection, the Under-18s were playing in a national final for the first time. The First Team were playing Tottenham the next day and Danny Murphy brought them all along to the Cottage to watch the game! The guy from the EPPP was there and we won 3-0. I just remember thinking, this has really sold our Club, it was a crystal moment. I turned around to Huw and said, "I think we might have nailed that one."

Acquiring Category One status is a huge achievement for any club and retaining it requires high standards and ongoing focus on youth development. Academy Manager Mike told us about this challenge.

"In my time at the club, the EPPP requirements have evolved hugely. They've gone from a more Ofsted approach, where you had a set of boxes you needed to be able to tick, to more of a quality control approach.

"There are still non-negotiables like safeguarding and health and safety but outside of that they've become more interpretive. It's less about doing it a certain way and more about how you choose to do it. They assess to what degree they believe you're doing what you say you're doing. There's no longer a black or white way of running things."

Almost exactly eight years on, what have been the key benefits for our Club?

"Playing in the Games Programme enables us to ensure we're playing against the top clubs across the country," said Huw. "In the southern region where we play, that's Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and in PL2 we've been in the league against Manchester United recently and previously Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

"Another benefit is unquestionably the commitment from the Club to invest in a Youth Development Programme that's designed to give every young player the opportunity to fulfil their potential at the highest level."

Mike explained that recruitment is another area reaping the rewards of Category One status.

"You're appealing and so are able to recruit the best young talent which is fundamental to any development programme. Young players want to play at Category One academies. Second to that, there is a similar approach to staff. You can recruit some of the best staff within youth development because they want to work with the best players."

It is of course a huge commitment both financially and in focus for any club wanting to maintain a top level youth Academy and Huw is grateful for the fantastic effort put in from the Club.

"Reflecting back over the last eight years, the programme has advanced massively and our investment has been tremendous. The commitment from the board has been unwavering and I'd like to feel that every player who's been part of our programme in that period has recognised the commitment that the Club has made to helping them.

"It's only of any long-term value if the Club is seeing a tangible return on that investment, though, and that's always the challenge.

"In the last two years there's been a real advancement of introducing players into First Teams both at the very highest level of the Premier League, and right down the pyramid. That's also born out of the success England youth teams have had. You've seen a number of young English players coming through at a good level."

Alistair concluded: "At Fulham, we have been able to continue the success of our Academy because of the support from our ownership which has enabled us to maintain this vital status.

"Fulham's Academy is an essential component of Fulham Football Club and we are all proud of the hard work and dedication shown by everyone involved in continuing to deliver excellent results."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/10/category-one

[WhiteJC]

Matchworn Shirt Auction

Fulham's 1-0 win at Ewood Park in February was designated as our 'Heads Up' fixture, with the shirts worn by the boys now up for auction.

All of the shirts have been signed by their respective player, with bids starting at £75 on each.

The auction closes at midday on Thursday 13th August, with the money raised going to the Heads Up charity partners Heads Together, Mind, and CALM.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/10/matchworn-shirt-auction

[WhiteJC]

Morecambe land former Preston North End and Fulham midfielder
Morecambe have added to their squad further with the signing of midfielder Ben Pringle.

The 32-year-old, who had been at Gillingham last season, has signed a one-year deal to become the Shrimps' sixth summer arrival.

He follows Stephen Hendrie, Harry Davis, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Liam McAlinden and Jake Turner in joining the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.

"I'm pleased to get it done," Pringle said.

"It's been uncertain times for everybody so to get it over the line is a good feeling and I'm pleased to be here.

"I've been here for a week now so I've met all the lads and I just can't wait for the season to get going."

Pringle's career has also included helping Rotherham United to consecutive promotions from League Two to the Championship, as well as a spell with Fulham and loan moves to clubs including Ipswich Town, Tranmere Rovers and Grimsby Town.

Shrimps boss Derek Adams added: "We've signed Ben as a left-sided midfield player, he's vastly experienced and will give us creativity in the middle of the park.

"He's very good and comfortable on the ball, hopefully he can do well for us."



https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/sport/football/morecambe-land-former-preston-north-end-and-fulham-midfielder-2938225

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FFCtv Subscribers Update

Supporters who held a paid FFCtv subscription during the 2019/20 season (monthly or seasonal) are now required to create their preference centre account urgently in order to retain access to the service.

Very soon the Club will be embarking on a process which will allow fans to merge all of their Club accounts (ticketing, retail, FFCtv) into one single account, making the online experience of following Fulham FC simpler.

As a first step, Season Ticket Holders who selected the FFCtv option during the rebate process or fans who held either a monthly, season or half season pass are now required to create a new account through our preference centre - using the same email address they currently use to access FFCtv. We urge fans to do this in the coming days in order to ensure they retain their FFCtv subscription and are able to continue to enjoy videos on FFCtv.

Please note that if this process has not been completed prior to the roll out of the new single club account then supporters' FFCtv subscriptions will be cancelled and no further payments will be taken. Supporters would then need to create a new subscription with a new club account.

Fans are advised that if they hold an FFCtv subscription and have already created a preference centre account they should ignore this message.

More information detailing how all fans can link other Club accounts (ticketing, retail) will be provided at a later date.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/10/ffctv-subscribers-update

[WhiteJC]

Two hours of Kevin McDonald's magnificence

If you haven't already caught up with Kevin McDonald's appearance on Simon Ferry's outstanding podcast, we'd highly recommend it.

Fulham fans might not have seen much of McDonald on the pitch this season – something he eludes to towards the end of a fascinatingly frank and very funny discussion – but nobody at Craven Cottage is in any doubt as to how important he remains within the dressing. The Scot's experience, leadership and motivational qualities were on display throughout Fulham's last promotion-winning campaign, when he led the pre-match and post-match pep talks.

There are plenty of hilarious anecdotes from McDonald's time in the game, but his account of his Fulham career is particularly noteworthy. He seemed to suss out Claudio Ranieri pretty quickly, has a lot of affection for Slavisa Jokanovic and how he transformed McDonald's own game and, even though this episode came before Fulham's last Wembley triumph, there's recognition of Scott Parker's own development as a tactician. I won't spoil it all for you – the whole thing is well worth a watch, but the Fulham section starts with about half an hour to go.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/two-hours-of-kevin-mcdonalds-magnificence/

[WhiteJC]

Tony Khan: 'We don't need to spend £100m again – Fulham have the squad to stay up'

Fulham director of football Tony Khan says he won't be splashing the cash this summer and backs his squad, with a few sensible additions, to be strong enough to stay in the Premier League.

Khan, speaking in an interview with the Times' football correspondent Alyson Rudd, feels that some of the additions made over the course of this past season will prove pivotal in the months ahead. He also says that the club's statistically-based transfer model will remain in place, praising manager Scott Parker's 'proactive' approach to recruitment and rules out a Craven Cottage return for Tottenham winger Ryan Sessegnon.

Following Fulham's dramatic play-off final win over Brentford in extra time last week, Parker was quick to admit the club needed to learn lessons from their last promotion, when a summer of free spending disrupted the harmony of a tight-knit dressing room. Khan feels Fulham's decisions to trigger the options to turn loan deals for Bobby Decordova-Reid, Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro leave the club handily placed – even though there is only a month to go until the start of the new season.

"We won't spend £100m again, I don't think we need to. The best players we bought are still with us. I feel better about the club, it's not as if we have to build again. I have already exercised most of options on loan payers and I expect the squad to look very similar to the one that got promoted."

"The investment we made was a big reason we got promoted. I hope we can be more competitive this time. We spent on the future. I am very happy with the players I bought in the summer of 2018. If we didn't have camaraderie then, we have it now. We didn't stay up but Mitro and Bryan were key to us getting back up."

Khan highlights the importance of signing Michael Hector from Chelsea, a deal that was completed last summer, even if a delay in processing the paperwork following Sessegnon's switch to Spurs meant the commanding centre half couldn't actually make his debut until January.

"I needed to get that deal across the line. I didn't have the money to make the bid until right before the deadline. I'd really wanted Michael the whole season but because of FFP I had to be careful. I spoke to Marina [Granovskaia, the Chelsea director] and told her we'd try to get the paperwork done before the deadline, but we weren't able to."

"I couldn't get past this thought: 'what if Michael makes a huge difference and we fall just short?,' then I'll always wonder what would have happened if we had been able to get him in sooner. A part of me was very scared we'd fall short at the end. I knew he was going to be an important player, but I didn't feel comfortable paying the fee until Ryan's deal had balanced the books."

Khan also revealed that both Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michael Seri, big money signings last year who spent this season on loan at foreign clubs, will return to Fulham for pre-season and could play a part in the Whites' Premier League campaign.

"I love both players. The plan now is for them both to return to train with us in a couple of weeks. If the right bid came in, I'd have to consider it but right now they're aiming to come back to Fulham. Zambo is under contract for three more years and I believe in him. They like him a lot in Spain. Nobody is going to get Frank cheap. He's a great asset."

The Fulham vice-chairman also revealed that a lengthy Zoom call with Parker before the play-off final largely focused on how to use Aboubakar Kamara in the absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was recovering from an untimely hamstring injury.

"The call was about tactics and players and how to deploy them. A lot of it was about Abou, who played as a striker in France and was a striker when he signed for Fulham and then we fell into this dilemma when we signed Mitrovic and we started playing him on the wrong. One thing we talked about at length was Abou and Scott agreed with me and he used Abou as a striker. He was one of our heroes at Wembley."

Khan described Fulham's 'two-boxes' ticked approach to recruitment as 'collaborative' and insisted that it would remain in place.

"The process is not changing. Of all the managers we have had, Scott is the most proactive about coming to meetings. It is a collaborative process and Scott has a lot of input. If I send him a long list of players, he researches them all."

He also confirmed that Fulham were keen to activate the £8m clause in Harrison Reid's loan deal that would secure a permanent move for the combative midfielder from Southampton. Such was Reed's influence in the midfielder over the second half of the season that the news will be warmly welcomed by the Fulham faithful.

"I'm working on it. I have an option to buy and I think he does want to stay."

Khan bluntly shut down any prospect of Sessegnon, who broke into the Fulham first team as a teenager to such dramatic effect, returning to his boyhood club,

"I am not not interested. Ryan already played for us in the Premier League and he didn't do enough to keep us in there. We get two [Premier League] loans and I can't be in the business of developing other people's players when they don't have time to play them. In my statistical system, I actually rated Josh [Onomah] equally with Sessegnon."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/tony-khan-we-dont-need-to-spend-100m-again-fulham-have-the-squad-to-stay-up/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham to scupper AZ's chances of signing Kongolo?

According to Algemeen Dagblad, Fulham will compete with AZ Alkmaar to sign Terence Kongolo from Huddersfield Town.

AZ Alkmaar are on the lookout for a new centre-back and have set their sights on signing Kongolo on loan from Huddersfield Town.

However, there chances of a deal may have been ruined by Fulham, who have recently been promoted to the Premier League. Kongolo joined the London club last summer on loan but barely played for the club before being injured.

Now that Kongolo is back fit, Fulham are interested in signing the Dutchman again and have the finances to do it permanently.



http://www.football-oranje.com/fulham-to-scupper-azs-chances-of-signing-kongolo/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham reaping benefit of huge investment in squad: Khan

(Reuters) - Fulham have a squad capable of staying up in the Premier League next season and do not need to spend heavily in the transfer market to be competitive, the club's director Tony Khan said.

Fulham were relegated from England's top flight at the end of the 2018/19 campaign despite spending 100 million pounds ($130.85 million) on players.

They have secured an immediate return to the Premier League and Khan says the huge outlay in the summer of 2018 laid the foundations for their promotion.

"The investment we made was a big reason we got promoted," Khan told the Times. "We spent on the future. I am very happy with the players I bought in 2018.

"I feel better about the club, it's not as if we have to build again and I expect the squad to look very similar to the one that got promoted.

"We won't spend 100 million pounds again, I don't think we need to. The best players we bought are still with us."

Manager Scott Parker has already said there will be no wholesale changes to the squad that sealed promotion.



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-ful/fulham-reaping-benefit-of-huge-investment-in-squad-khan-idUKKCN2570ST

[filham]

I note that Palace are interested in Reed. If it is a two horse race for his signature between ourselves and Palace I would have thought we could close the deal pretty quickly.

[kiwian]

Fulham to scupper AZ's chances of signing Kongolo?

According to Algemeen Dagblad, Fulham will compete with AZ Alkmaar to sign Terence Kongolo from Huddersfield Town.

AZ Alkmaar are on the lookout for a new centre-back and have set their sights on signing Kongolo on loan from Huddersfield Town.

However, there chances of a deal may have been ruined by Fulham, who have recently been promoted to the Premier League. Kongolo joined the London club last summer on loan but barely played for the club before being injured.

Now that Kongolo is back fit, Fulham are interested in signing the Dutchman again and have the finances to do it permanently.



http://www.football-oranje.com/fulham-to-scupper-azs-chances-of-signing-kongolo/

How fit is Kongolo actually? I haven't read any recent updates so wonder what state of readiness (or not) he is in. Hopefully someone can help with information.