Friday Fulham Stuff - 14/08/20...

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Premier League Fixture Dates

The Premier League has today confirmed the scheduled match round dates for the 2020/21 season.

The new campaign starts on the weekend of Saturday 12th September, and will conclude on Sunday 23rd May.

The 2020/21 fixture schedule, detailing all 380 Premier League matches, will be released no later than Friday 21st August.

Match Round dates are as follows:

Match Round 1: Saturday 12 September

Match Round 2: Saturday 19 September

Match Round 3: Saturday 26 September

Match Round 4: Saturday 03 October

Match Round 5: Saturday 17 October

Match Round 6: Saturday 24 October

Match Round 7: Saturday 31 October

Match Round 8: Saturday 07 November

Match Round 9: Saturday 21 November

Match Round 10: Saturday 28 November

Match Round 11: Saturday 05 December

Match Round 12: Saturday 12 December

Match Round 13: Wednesday 16 December

Match Round 14: Saturday 19 December

Match Round 15: Saturday 26 December

Match Round 16: Monday 28 December

Match Round 17: Saturday 02 January

Match Round 18a: Wednesday 13 January

Match Round 19: Saturday 16 January

Match Round 18b: Wednesday 20 January

Match Round 20: Saturday 23 January

Match Round 21: Saturday 30 January

Match Round 22: Wednesday 03 February

Match Round 23: Saturday 06 February

Match Round 24: Saturday 13 February

Match Round 25: Saturday 20 February

Match Round 26: Saturday 27 February

Match Round 27: Saturday 06 March

Match Round 28: Saturday 13 March

Match Round 29: Saturday 20 March

Match Round 30: Saturday 03 April

Match Round 31: Saturday 10 April

Match Round 32: Saturday 17 April

Match Round 33: Saturday 24 April

Match Round 34: Saturday 01 May

Match Round 35: Saturday 08 May

Match Round 36: Wednesday 12 May

Match Round 37: Saturday 15 May

Match Round 38: Sunday 23 May



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/13/premier-league-fixture-dates

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Exclusive: London club battle West Ham to sign 23-yr-old, £15m will seal the deal

Fulham have joined West Ham and Sheffield United in the race to sign Nottingham Forest star Matty Cash, Football Insider understands.

The right-back, 23, has already been the subject of a £10million offer from Chris Wilder's side that was knocked back.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Fulham are in the market for a right-back this summer and are keeping tabs on Cash's situation.

The Cottagers secured Premier League promotion last week and that has given them a chance of enticing the Forest defender.

As revealed by Football Insider, Cash is has made it clear he is keen to quit Forest this summer and join a top-flight club.

He has graduated from the academy ranks at the City Ground to make 141 appearances.

Nearly a third of those came in the recently-completed campaign in which Cash made 40 Championship starts.

But Forest's failure to reach the play-offs – they missed out to Swansea City only on goal difference – has consigned them to the second tier for another year.

The Championship big hitters will be keen for a bidding war between Premier League clubs for their home-grown star.

Forest are holding out for a fee of £15m for one of their prize assets.

Sheffield United are expected to table another offer, although West Ham have to offload some of their senior stars before they are in a position to submit a bid of their own.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/fulham-race-west-ham-to-sign-nottingham-forest-cash/

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Fulham join West Ham United and Sheffield United in race to sign Nottingham Forest star

Fulham have joined West Ham United and Sheffield United in the race to sign Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash according to Football Insider.

Cash has caught the eye with a number of strong performances for the Reds in the 2019/20 season, but was left frustrated as they missed out on a top-six finish.

Forest were thrashed by Stoke City on the final day of the Championship season, which saw them miss out on a spot in the play-off positions.

This failure to win promotion has led to a number of clubs registering their interest in signing Cash ahead of the new league campaign, with both Sheffield United and West Ham interested in reaching an agreement to sign the 23-year-old.

But Fulham have now entered the race to sign him, as they look to make the necessary additions to their squad ahead of a timely return to the Premier League.

Scott Parker's side beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, with Joe Bryan proving to be the hero on the night as he scored a brace.

Sheffield United have already seen a £10million bid rejected by Forest for Cash's services, and it'll be interesting to see whether Fulham are to make a formal offer to sign the in-demand right-back in the near future.

The Verdict:

I'm not surprised to hear they're interested.

Cash has been brilliant for Nottingham Forest in recent seasons, and it appears as though is strong performances haven't gone unnoticed.

With Forest failing to win promotion into the Premier League this season, it seems as though the Reds will be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to keep him at the club.

Cash is more than good enough to be playing his football in the top-flight as well, and I expect him to depart Forest before the new season gets under way.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-join-west-ham-united-and-sheffield-united-in-race-to-sign-nottingham-forest-star/

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Report: Fulham looking to beat Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion to Wigan Athletic's Antonee Robinson

According to The Sun, Fulham are looking to beat Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion to the signature of Wigan Athletic left-back Antonee Robinson.

West Ham United have also been linked with the USA International who was close to joining AC Milan in January after Pablo Maldini recommended him to the club and convinced him to join them.

Robinson is available for £1.5 million following Wigan's relegation, and Fulham are ready to pay.

The Craven Cottage outfit are also offering better personal terms than rivals Sheffield and West Brom, and they hope to talk him into joining in the next two days.

Joe Bryan is Fulham's first-choice left-back, but the 23-year-old American could fancy his chances of beating him to a starting berth given his huge quality and potential.

Robinson scored just once and assisted another in 38 Championship games for Wigan last term, but his attacking abilities can be highlighted in a better side, and he will be keen to prove himself in the English top-flight.

Fulham could do with such a player within their squad as they prepare for life back in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if they can pip other suitors to his coveted signature.



https://sportslens.com/report-fulham-looking-to-beat-sheffield-united-and-west-bromwich-albion-to-wigan-athletics-antonee-robinson/307927/

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Fulham make last-ditch move for EFL player that was set to join Sheffield United

Fulham have made a last-ditch move for Wigan Athletic full-back Antonee Robinson according to a report from The Sun.

It had previously been reported that the defender was to sign for Sheffield United, with Chris Wilder's side having a £2million bid accepted according to Sky Sports.

But this recent report from The Sun has revealed that Fulham are offering better terms to Robinson, which could sway any potential deal in their favour ahead of the other interested parties.

Robinson caught the eye with a number of impressive performances for Wigan this season, although their league campaign reached a frustration conclusion.

The Latics finished in mid-table originally, but due to the club being placed into administration earlier this year, they were deducted 12 points, which resulted in them being relegated into League One.

It seems likely that the club will now be faced with the prospect of losing a number of their key players during the summer transfer window.

Robinson is one of those, and it seems as though the Latics will be fighting a losing battle to keep the defender at the club in the future.

The Verdict:

I can understand Fulham's logic with this one.

They're going to need strength in depth in defence ahead of their return to the Premier League, and Robinson strikes me as a player that is more than capable of stepping up to the top-flight in the near future.

Joe Bryan is already a strong option to have in the Fulham team, but Scott Parker will be looking at signing players to challenge him for his starting spot.

Robinson is certainly the right player to do just that, and I think this is a smart move by Fulham, especially given any potential deal could be on the cheap given Wigan's financial troubles.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-make-last-ditch-move-for-efl-player-that-was-set-to-join-sheffield-united/

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Villarreal still interested in Fulham's Zambo Anguissa
Despite adding two midfielders already, VIllarreal is still not done in the transfer market.

Javi Mata, writing for AS, has reported that Villarreal are still interested in bringing Zambo Anguissa into the side for next season, despite yesterday's additions of Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo. He also reports, though, that the valuation of the player at 25 million is not going to happen this summer, so Villarreal is seeking another loan.

I just do not see any reason why Fulham would agree to such a loan. Reports around Fulham suggest they are not intending to lay out another 100m in the window like they did the last time they were promoted. With a short offseason, and an unwillingness to spend a ton of money, why on earth would Fulham agree to loan out one of the most talented players they own?

Villarreal has made ambitious moves so far this offseason, but they have done so at very low transfer cost. The financial realities of COVID-19 affect everyone, some more than others. Valencia, for instance, have their president saying that if they can't slash wages by at least 40% the entire club will go bankrupt. Villarreal's financial reality is healthier. We can handle (thanks in part to Santi and Bruno moving on) increased wages, but the actual transfer fee outlay has been low. To buy Zambo we would have had to put down 25m at once, and that clearly wasn't going to happen. Since Fulham is unlikely to want a loan, why has this story made its way to the press?

The answer, I think, is rather simple. The goal here is to unsettle Zambo into agitating for a move. If the player is unwilling to return to Fulham they would have little choice but to send him over to us and work out the details of a full transfer later on.

Zambo doesn't strike me as the kind of player who would agitate for such a move. I really don't think this is going anywhere, but it's fascinating to me that the club is still interested in adding another midfielder even after bringing in Coquelin and Parejo. This suggests a couple of things to me: 1. Coquelin was probably brought in to be a rotational piece, not to be an everyday starter (which we've said for weeks). 2. If a loan for Zambo doesn't work out, another loan for an unsettled player like Guendouzi could still be an option.



https://www.villarrealusa.com/2020/8/13/21365447/villarreal-fulham-zambo-anguissa-transfer-news-latest-valencia-parejo

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Club have made 'significantly lower' offer for Fulham midfielder – Not willing to meet asking price, happy to wait for now

Loaned out to Villarreal for the season after a rather terrible first season at Fulham, Franck Zambo Anguissa has since returned to Craven Cottage.

Enjoying himself while in Spain, the midfielder looked set to be staying since there was an option to buy in the deal, but at €25m, it was a bit much for the La Liga club.

Marca have an article covering the situation on Thursday, explaining Fulham now have to sit down and work out what they want to do with both Anguissa and Jean-Michael Seri, who has returned from Galatasaray.

If the Cottagers decide to sell, they will struggle to get the €25-30m they originally paid for each player back, and while Villarreal are still interested in their now ex-loanee, they certainly aren't going to go that high.

Marca say the Spaniards are 'willing to wait' for a player they really appreciate following his performances in their shirt, but have 'made it clear' they won't pay €25m.

They 'maintain their offer at a significantly lower amount' in order to not break their bank, with Anguissa knowing he would have to 'make an important effort' to get his wages down to respectable levels for Villarreal.

As for their bid, Marca believe it's 'around half' of what Fulham are asking for, thus we're guessing somewhere around €12.5m.

Fulham 'don't seem to be in a hurry', much like Villarreal, who are already well covered in midfield, having recorded the arrivals of Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo.

It appears we are currently in a waiting game, but if no one comes for Anguissa in the next few months and the Cottagers decide against using him in their upcoming Premier League campaign, it could very well pay off for the La Liga club.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-made-significantly-lower-offer-fulham-midfielder-not-willing-meet-asking-price-happy-wait-now/

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Fulham enter Premier League chase for Nottingham Forest star

As per a report from Football Insider, Fulham have now joined Sheffield United and West Ham in the chase for Nottingham Forest star Matty Cash.

Nottingham Forest defender Matty Cash has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer. With Forest condemned to another season of Championship football, interest in the right-back is not short. Now, another side is rumoured to have joined the chase for Cash.

As per a report from Football Insider, Cash is now wanted by newly-promoted Fulham as well as Sheffield United and West Ham. Scott Parker is keen to add a new right-back before embarking on the Premier League and Cash is said to be one of the names on his radar.

The Nottingham Forest academy graduate was a star performer for Sabri Lamouchi's side in the 2019/20 campaign. Across all competitions, Cash played in 45 games, scoring three goals and laying on five assists.

He held down the starting right-back spot, taking his total appearance total to 141 for the club. In the process, Cash has scored 13 goals and provided 15 assists.

Forest have already rejected a bid for Cash, with Sheffield United rumoured to have made a £10m offer. However, the City Ground side are holding out for £15m.

With plenty of sides keen on Cash, it will be interesting to see where he is playing his football come the opening day of next season.

Nottingham Forest fans, would you sell Cash or is he a player you need to keep at all costs? Let us know your thoughts in the poll at the bottom of the page.



https://the72.co.uk/186376/fulham-enter-premier-league-chase-for-nottingham-forest-star/

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Valencia put their squad up for sale, with Premier League sides on alert

New manager Javi Gracia has walked into a crisis - and faces losing the likes of Kondogbia, Guedes, Soler and Rodrigo

According to Spanish publication Marca, Valencia have put their entire squad up for sale.

The club recently sold star winger Ferran Torres to Manchester City for £20m, and this week moved on midfielders Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo to Unai Emery's Villarreal for under £10m, combined for the two players. Now, the Valencia hierarchy have told new manager Javi Gracia that the entire squad is on the transfer list - minus one player.

Valencia aim to keep Jose Luis Gaya - their highly-rated 25-year-old left-back, who has come through the academy - and give him the captaincy. Apparently though, even Gaya could be sacrificed, should the right bid come in the Spaniard.

This has put the whole of the Premier League on alert.

23-year-old forward Goncalo Guedes signed for £36m from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 - now, he could leave for half of that figure. The Portuguese is a perfect fit for Wolverhampton Wanderers' set-up, though Arsenal have been linked in the past. He would also offer Liverpool, Leicester City and Everton more depth in attack.

Geoffrey Kondogbia has also been a target for Arsenal before - who are in need of midfield grit right now. Everton again may be interested, while Manchester United may look to add the midfielder to their ranks; Carlos Soler is a midfielder capable of dictating play alongside Kondogbia, and he may looked at by all three clubs, as well as Manchester City and Liverpool, who are both interested in Thiago.

Former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista could well return to the Premier League, with clubs such as Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur keen to add defenders, while forward Rodrigo will be a target for many sides across Europe.

Leicester are in need of more firepower up front, United may well entertain the idea of bringing in a back-up striker to complement the options they already have in attack, while Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Lille may all look to Rodrigo as an option.

With such a firesale at the Mestalla, Valencia may be tempted to move Gaya on anyway. Chelsea are said to be interested in a left-back, while PSG need better competition for Juan Bernat.

It's not clear just yet as to what's happening at Valencia, but fans are worried about the state of the club and the intentions of owner Peter Lim.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/valencia-put-their-squad-up-for-sale-with-premier-league-sides-on-alert-arsenal-chelsea-manchester-united-man-utd-liverpool-tottenham-leicester

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Drameh Joins Leeds

The Club can confirm this afternoon the departure of Cody Drameh to Leeds United.

The 18-year-old full-back made his professional debut for the Under-23s in the EFL Trophy in 2018 and has since played regularly for the side, making 23 appearances in all competitions last season.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/13/drameh-joins-leeds

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Leeds United complete Cody Drameh deal

Whites sign young full-back.

Leeds United are pleased to announce the signing of full-back Cody Drameh from fellow Premier League side Fulham.

The 18-year-old joins the club for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-year deal, running until the summer of 2024.

Drameh was a regular for Fulham's Under-23s side last season, making 17 Premier League 2 appearances.

He also featured three times for Fulham's Under-21s side in the Football League Trophy during the 2019/20 campaign.

Drameh's performances for Fulham's youth sides also saw him win three caps for England at Under-18 level.



https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26905/leeds-united-complete-cody-drameh-deal

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'Hand us the EFL Trophy now!': Leeds United fans react to Cody Drameh's arrival from Fulham
Leeds United have announced the arrival of Cody Drameh from Fulham – and fans have quickly reacted to the news on social media.

The highly-rated 18-year-old pens a four-year deal at Eland Road, and becomes the Whites' fifth summer signing.

Here is just some of the reaction from Twitter:

@scottsimo1985: Another great signing and one for the future happy we are bringing in some youth to add depth to our squad no let's focus on strengthening our First 11.

@Poz89: Loving all this youth talent coming through the door. Loads of potential in our u23s now.

@CameronCromack: So the U'23 squad is gonna be the best in the country. Hope there are a couple more signings like this to come. #lufc

@jorddd_: Start signing some first-team players now.

@wayneleedsfan: Another good signing, future is looking bright with all these highly-rated youth joining club.

@TealeMartin: Pleased there was no Drameh with this one.

@_isaacmhn: Might as well just hand us the EFL trophy now.

@LufcAlaw: Drameh, Gelhardt, Allen, extensions for Shackleton and Bogusz. Meslier Costa and Harrison all here again. We do need strengthening massively though to be competitive. Let's not be taken for a ride with White, we saw we wasted time over Che Adams. We need them through the door #Lufc



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/hand-us-efl-trophy-now-leeds-united-fans-react-cody-dramehs-arrival-fulham-2941611

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Drameh signs for Leeds

Leeds United have this afternoon confirmed the capture of promising Fulham right back Cody Drameh for a fee believed to be in the region of £1m.

The England youth international has signed a four-year contract at Elland Road, with Fulham tempted to sell the teenager by the fact that he was entering into the final year of his deal at Craven Cottage. The 18 year-old was highly rated at Motspur Park, having come through the club's academy to make seventeen appearances for Fulham's under 23 side last season having shaken off injury concerns.

Drameh's pathway to the first team was hampered by the presence of Steven Sessegnon and Marlon Fossey, both considered strong prospects, as well as the likes of Denis Odoi and Cyrus Christie, who are firmly established in Scott Parker's senior squad. Reports detailing Leeds' interest in the England under-18 international earlier this summer suggested that Marcelo Bielsa envisaged a first-team chance for Drameh should he sign for the Championship title winners.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/drameh-signs-for-leeds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=drameh-signs-for-leeds

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Cody Drameh: Leeds United sign full-back from Fulham

Cody Drameh made seven assists in 17 appearances for Fulham's Under-23s last season

Leeds United have signed England youth international Cody Drameh from fellow Premier League newcomers Fulham.

Full-back Drameh, 18, has moved to Elland Road on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

He made 17 appearances for Fulham Under-23s in the Premier League 2 last season and has represented England three times at under-18 level.

Championship winners Leeds are preparing for a return to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

Since winning promotion, they have also signed winger Helder Costa from Wolves and goalkeeper Illan Meslier from French club Lorient after both impressed during loan spells last season.

On Tuesday, the club announced the signings of Northern Ireland youth international Charlie Allen from Linfield and forward Joe Gelhardt from Wigan Athletic, as well as Manchester City winger Jack Harrison on loan for the third season in a row.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53769408

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A third of the season crammed in around Christmas, Man City potentially off to Qatar, United and Wolves starting late and Tottenham fielding two teams... How the 2020-21 schedule will be the most chaotic EVER with no breathing space

    The schedule for the 2020-21 season in England is starting to take shape
    But it's already very apparent there is no room to breathe in jam-packed diary
    Four rounds of the Carabao Cup will be played before the end of September
    FA Cup replays have been scrapped to free up some midweek space
    But Champions League and Europa League dates dominate Autumn schedule
    There could easily be fixture chaos for Manchester City and Tottenham 

The 2020-21 football season is finally starting to take some sort of shape and the only thing that can be assured is that it's going to be absolutely manic.

With the Covid-19 pandemic elongating the current campaign, there's going to be little room the breathe once the new season starts later this month.

For the elite clubs in England - and especially those still in the Champions League and Europa League - the fixture treadmill will be turned up to the max with the top teams likely to be playing every three or four days.

As the Premier League confirms the dates of its 38 matchdays in 2020-21 and the FA Cup and Carabao Cup round dates are outlined, we take a look at what is set to be football's most hectic season ever.

So the fixture dates for 2020-21 are being firmed up then?
Yes. Pretty much every competition in England as well as the main UEFA competitions have now released their fixture schedules for next season.

The Premier League has announced the dates of their 38 matchdays with the season scheduled to get underway on September 12 and finish on May 23.

The actual Premier League fixture list is due to be released on Friday August 21 so fans can start to plot out their team's games.

The FA Cup and Carabao Cup schedules have also been unveiled. The FA Cup is broadly similar to usual in terms of when the rounds will be played, but replays will be scrapped for the 2020-21 campaign at least.

But there have been major changes to the Carabao Cup as the EFL desperately try to squeeze it into the schedules so as many of the big teams involved take it as seriously as they can.

The first four rounds of the competition will be played before the end of September but the competition won't pick up again until just before Christmas.

Hang on, so most of the Carabao Cup will be done and dusted in the first month of the season?
That's right. The first round, which involves only EFL clubs, is likely to be played on September 5 though the odd game may have to be rearranged because of international call-ups.

The second round is fixed for September 15/16, the third round is September 22/23 and the fourth round is September 29/30, so three consecutive midweeks. But the fifth round won't be played until December 22/23.

One more thing as well - the semi-final will now be played over just one leg rather than the traditional two to free up more time. The game will be played at the stadium of whichever club is drawn first.

The final at Wembley is set for February 28.

Why has the Carabao Cup been condensed to the first few weeks of the season then?
Well it's because of the elite teams playing in the group stages of the Champions League and the Europa League.

Premier League clubs usually enter the competition in the second round but some of those also playing in Europe don't come in until the third round.

UEFA had already announced that the first group games in the Champions League would be played on October 20-21 and the first Europa League group games are October 22.

So that means the Champions League qualifiers - Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea - and the Europa qualifiers - Leicester City, Arsenal and potentially Tottenham Hotspur - will be playing on every available midweek in October, November and December, meaning no room for the Carabao.

That's fair enough. So is there enough space for the Premier League?
Just about. With the late start to the league season and the need to get the fixtures done ahead of the rearranged European Championship next summer, the Premier League have had their work cut out drawing up the schedule.

We already knew that the games will begin on September 12 and it will conclude on Sunday May 23 with no fewer than five midweek rounds scheduled.

The decision to scrap the traditional FA Cup replays has helped this because the aforementioned European games left little room to manoeuvre in midweeks before Christmas.

There's even a clash between the FA Cup final date on May 15 and the penultimate round of league games. The quarter-final and semi-finals also clash.

And there's really bad news for those managers who hate the hectic Christmas and New Year schedule.

Nearly a third of the entire Premier League season will be played in December and January alone with matchdays scheduled for December 5, 12, 16, 19, 26, 28 and January 2, 13, 16, 20, 23 and 30, not to mention the cups. 

Guessing we can kiss goodbye to the winter break then? That was short-lived
Well it appears not. The Premier League dates list sees matchday 18 split in two with some fixtures on Wednesday January 13 and the rest a week later on January 20.

So it seems, as with the 2019-20 campaign, that clubs will potentially get a chance to put their feet up for a few days at least. However, matchday 19 is still pencilled in for January 16 so it'll be a very brief pause.

I've heard that some of the teams playing in the Champions League and Europa League might be able to start a bit later. Is that the case?
Yes, amid all this forward planning, let's not forget that the 2019-20 season is still ongoing.

Manchester City are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are set to play Lyon in Lisbon on Saturday night. They are the sole English survivor after Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich last weekend in the last-16.

Manchester United are into the semi-finals of the Europa League and will play Sevilla in Cologne on Sunday evening. Wolves fell by the wayside when they lost to Sevilla this week.

If City advance all the way to the final, that will be played on August 23, two days after the Europa League final if United make it.

It means City and United would have virtually no pre-season and there has been talk of them, as well as Chelsea and Wolves, being allowed to start the new Premier League season a bit later.

But the sheer madness of the season calendar and the complete absence of any slack to rearrange games before Christmas means any postponed fixtures may not be able to be played until March at the earliest.

Wolves, who have just completed a 383-day season of some 59 games, have suggested the four teams play each other on September 12 to allow for some rest but that remains to be seen.

Are there other consequences from the European games?
Yes, there could well be. If United or City (or both) win their tournaments, they will play in the UEFA Super Cup, which is set to be played in Budapest on September 24.

This Thursday night game comes two days after the third round of the Carabao Cup so United or City would most likely have to field a weakened side in one or the other competition.

And should City win the Champions League, they may well have to travel to Qatar to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

Though exact dates for the competition haven't yet been announced, any City participation could easily see them have to reschedule at least one Premier League game and possibly a Carabao Cup quarter-final.

All this would have to be caught up with later in the campaign and, as already mentioned, there are barely any midweek slots remaining as it is, especially if they go deep in the Champions League.

There is a recent precedent here, of course. Liverpool were in the Club World Cup last year and sent their first team to the Middle East while a reserve side lost 5-0 to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.

City could well have to do the same to keep all their plates spinning come December.

How would this impact on Tottenham in the Europa League?
Thanks to Arsenal winning the FA Cup earlier this month, their north London rivals Tottenham now have to play three rounds of Europa League qualifying.

The good news for Jose Mourinho and his side is that these are just one leg rather than two as usual but they're on September 17, September 24 and October 1, all Thursday nights two days after a Carabao Cup game.

So it looks as though Spurs will have little choice but to field two separate teams in the two competitions throughout September, especially if long-haul travel is necessary.

You would imagine Mourinho might have something to say about this.

If the 38-game Premier League is tight, what about the 46-game Championship?
That's an excellent point. The teams in the Championship - and Leagues One and Two - somehow need to cram in eight additional fixtures to those in the top-flight.

Like the Premier League, the three divisions of the EFL commence on September 12 and they'll conclude even earlier on May 8/9 to allow time for the end-of-season play-offs.

As a result of the usual August dates being removed and the calendar squeezed, there will be 13 midweek Championship rounds and 11 midweek rounds in the other two divisions next season.

So if a Championship side advances far in one of the cup competitions, they're likely to face extreme fixture congestion come the Spring.

So will there be any space in this mad calendar for international football?
Oh yes. At the behest of UEFA and FIFA, the international games seem to be an immovable feast. Mind you, we haven't had any now for the whole of 2020.

UEFA intend to run their second edition of the Nations League in full with matches scheduled for the start of September, mid-October and mid-November, punching three big holes in the autumn schedule.

The Euro 2020 play-offs are set for October after they were postponed from March because of coronavirus and there will be a round of pre-Euro friendly games in late March.

And to cap everything off, Euro 2020, itself a tournament that will involved more travel than ever before, gets underway on June 11 and runs for a full month.

So if you're an international footballer who plays for a Premier League team in European competition, you can next have a holiday in almost a year from now. Happy days!

And what if there's a second outbreak of Covid-19?
This really is a scenario that none of the football authorities want to contemplate.

With the season as jam-packed as it is already, it would be a nightmare if a second spike of coronavirus in England or an outbreak of cases within a team caused games to be postponed.

There simply isn't the room in the schedule to fit the rearranged games in and the competitions needs to end in time for the Euros.

It's already a scenario playing out in Scotland with Celtic and Aberdeen games postponed because of positive cases and breaches of protocol.

At least their season started nice and early. A similar set of circumstances within the English game and we really would be in trouble.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8623859/How-2020-21-football-season-chaotic-fixtures-shape.html

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Report: Fulham make approach for 63-capped international Parker called 'fantastic'

Fulham have held talks with Ryan Babel's representatives as they look to bring the Dutch international back for a second spell at Craven Cottage, as reported by Fanatik.

When the West London outfit spent over £100 million on new signings during the 2018/19 season, it's fair to say they did not expect to be tumbling out of the Premier League at the first time of asking.

But Babel, a well-travelled veteran who has played the best football of his career since turning 30, was perhaps the best of the staggering 16 additions Fulham made during that short-lived spell in the top flight.

Only Aleksandar Mitrovic and the now-retired Andre Schurrle scored more Premier League goals than the former Liverpool forward, even if Babel only arrived at the Cottage during the January transfer window.

"Ryan Babel has been fantastic for us," coach Scott Parker told Football London in April 2019.

"But we like him a lot and if there's a possibility of signing a player of his calibre, he'd be top of the list."

16 months on, Parker could finally get his wish.

Fanatik claims that Fulham have approached Babel's agent about a potential return to the English capital, with Galatasaray making it clear that the 63-time international has no future in Istanbul.

And, just to set pulses racing in West London, the report adds that Babel would love to play in Britain again before he calls a time on his nomadic career.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/13/report-fulham-make-approach-for-63-capped-international-parker-called-fantastic/

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Huddersfield Town latest on Fulham and AZ Alkmaar transfer target Terence Kongolo

Dutch international is back at Canalside training ground as Carlos Corberan prepares squad


Town's Terence Kongolo is working his way back to fitness

Terence Kongolo hasn't played any football since early February but his name keeps cropping up in relation to a possible move out of Huddersfield Town this summer transfer window.

The Dutch international joined Fulham on loan in January, but went off injured just nine minutes into his league debut for them, having only previously played in an FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

Kongolo, 26, has had two operations on his broken foot but has been in rehab training at Town's Canalside training ground - having been unable to play any matches following the resumption of the Championship season.

Fulham's promotion back to the Premier League obviously makes them an attractive proposition for Kongolo, moving forward, and reports suggest the London club are interested in following up on their previous loan move.

AZ Alkmaar in Holland, too, are said to want Kongolo on an extended loan, but his wages appear to be a problem.

Town, for their part, say they have no desperate need to sell the defender who was unavailable for selection under previous boss Danny Cowley before going out on loan to Craven Cottage.

The club's record signing at £17.5m, he remains contract  at the John Smith's Stadium until  the summer of 2022.

Kongolo broke one of the metatarsals in his foot when suffering the injury against Blackburn in early February and needed surgery to insert some stabilising metalwork.

He then needed another operation to take the metalwork out, and he's been working his way back to fitness ever since in the hope of being ready for the start of the new season.

New Town head coach Carlos Corberan insists the slate is clean for every player on the books and has had his squad back on the Canalside grass to start preparations for the 2020-21 campaign.

While Kongolo is back at Canalside and making solid progress towards fitness, he isn't yet ready to join in the full squad training sessions.



https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-latest-terence-kongolo-18758488

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Surely Everton have got to join reported race for Arsenal star – TBR View

Calum Chambers has reportedly emerged as a target for newly-promoted side Fulham as he remains some way down the pecking order at Arsenal – but surely Everton have got to consider a move for the defender.

Chambers, 25, has endured another frustrating season after a long-term injury in December has prevented him from playing even once since the turn of the year. He is likely to have fallen down the Arsenal pecking order.

David Luiz, Rob Holding, William Saliba, Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi are likely to be above three-time England international Chambers in the pecking order. A move for the ex-Southampton man could now be on the cards.

The Sun claim Fulham want to re-sign Chambers after the defender won the Cottagers' 2017-18 Player of the Season award, despite the club being relegated from the Premier League. It is believed a fee of £12million could be enough.

But surely that should convince Everton to join the race for Chambers, with the Toffees renowned for signing out-of-favour players from England's biggest sides. Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi have joined Everton from Arsenal in recent years.

Everton need a central defender. Mason Holgate's emergence in the middle of the defence has softened the loss of Kurt Zouma and Phil Jagielka last summer, but it leaves Ancelotti with just Holgate, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane as options.

The Toffees need a central defender and at just £12million, surely it makes sense for Everton to go after Chambers – a player Iwobi once gave a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired nickname of "Conaldo" after he scored in January 2016, as per the Metro.

It makes sense for Everton to consider the signing of Chambers.



https://tbrfootball.com/surely-everton-have-got-to-join-reported-race-for-arsenal-star-tbr-view/

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Fulham signing this £12m-rated Arsenal ace would be quite useful as they embark on their PL journey

Why Calum Chambers would be a good signing for Fulham

According to The Sun, Fulham are weighing up a move for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers following their promotion to the Premier League. The 25-year-old spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Craven Cottage and was voted the club's Player of the Season as the Cottagers went straight back down to the Championship.

As per the report, Fulham manager Scott Parker is interested in bringing Chambers back to West London on a permanent deal, with the Gunners star expected to cost around £12million.

It has also been claimed that Arsenal are unlikely to stand in the way of Chambers, who has struggled to establish himself as a regular fixture in the club's starting eleven following his move to the Emirates from Southampton in 2014.

Profile
Calum Chambers shot to prominence with Southampton before completing a move to Arsenal back in the summer of 2014. However, the England international has found it difficult to nail down a regular starting role at the Emirates, making just 101 appearances in all competitions over the course of six seasons.

The 25-year-old previously went through loan spells at Middlesbrough and Fulham, both of which ended in relegation from the Premier League. Chambers returned to Arsenal prior to the start of the 2019-20 season and made 14 league appearances for the Gunners before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea back in December.

Fulham's defensive scenario
Fulham finished 4th in the 2019-20 Championship season before beating Cardiff City and Brentford in the playoffs to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Cottagers registered impressive numbers at both ends of the pitch in the second-tier this term, scoring 64 goals and conceding 48 in 46 games.

But what remains a concern is that Fulham finished second-bottom in the 2018-19 Premier League with roughly the same set of defenders. The West Londoners shipped as many as 81 goals in the top-flight a couple of years ago, which was the worst defensive record in the division in that particular campaign.

So it makes one wonder whether the set of defenders who fared so well in Fulham's promotion campaign are good enough to thrive in the top-flight. Michael Hector, who joined the ranks from Chelsea in January, was the only new addition to the backline, with the Jamaican playing a key role in the club's surge for promotion.

However, Hector himself doesn't have any Premier League experience under his belt and considering that the likes of Alfie Mawson, Tim Ream, Maxime Le Marchand and Denis Odoi all failed spectacularly in the top-flight last time around, Fulham have a big decision to make heading into the new season.

Why Chambers could be an excellent addition
Calum Chambers was one of the rare positives in an otherwise catastrophic 2018-19 Premier League campaign for Fulham. The 25-year-old featured as a centre-back and a right-back in that campaign but primarily impressed in a central midfield role, making 31 league appearances for the Cottagers.

To that end, it would certainly be a good idea for Scott Parker to bring the England international back to Craven Cottage on a permanent deal. He might have struggled to establish himself at Arsenal due to stiff competition for places but his credentials as a quality top-flight player can hardly be put to question.

Moreover, his versatility to play in three different positions should hand a significant boost to the manager's squad dynamics, while also allowing him to make use of the funds to improve other areas of the squad.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/08/14/why-arsenal-ace-calum-chambers-would-be-a-terrific-signing-for-fulham/

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 Antonee Robinson: Everton, Fulham join Sheffield United in race to sign Wigan left-back
Robinson was on the verge of joining AC Milan in January before deal collapsed


Antonee Robinson made 39 appearances for the Latics last season, scoring once

Everton and Fulham have joined Sheffield United in the race to sign Wigan left-back Antonee Robinson.

Wigan recently accepted a bid of around £2m from Sheffield United for the 23-year-old but late interventions from Fulham and Robinson's former club Everton have held up any move to Yorkshire.

Everton are looking to replace Leighton Baines after he retired from football but with Lucas Digne a regular in that position, it appears Robinson would be a back-up option.

Robinson was on the verge of joining AC Milan in January before the deal collapsed following a problem with his medical.

He made 39 appearances for the Latics last season, scoring one goal.

Wigan need to sell players with the club in administration - to pay wages and football creditors - and administrators have set a deadline of August 31 for a sale to be agreed for the Sky Bet League One club.

Summer transfer window - key dates and times
The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.

A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12048791/antonee-robinson-everton-fulham-join-sheffield-united-in-race-to-sign-wigan-left-back