Saturday Fulham Stuff - 01/05/21...

[WhiteJC]

'I've seen enough': Some Spurs fans now 'completely sold' on one manager after footage emerges

Some Tottenham Hotspur fans on social media are now completely sold on Scott Parker after footage of his pre-match team talk against Liverpool emerged.

The Fulham boss gave a rousing speech ahead of the Whites' clash against the Reds, and to be fair it was very impressive.

Parker told his players that there were two ways to beat a team like Liverpool, but he wasn't willing to line up in a negative way, drawing on his experience of his playing days as an anecdote.

Fulham famously won that game 1-0 at Anfield, and this footage has seemingly convinced Spurs supporters that he's the right man to replace Jose Mourinho.

Perhaps Spurs fans are reacting a bit pre-emptively to this footage. Yes, it's inspiring and it's edited very well, but the win against Liverpool was the Cottagers' last win in the Premier League, and now they seem to be destined for relegation.

Parker is certainly a candidate for the Spurs job, and it seems as though some fans are convinced that he should be appointed



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/05/01/ive-seen-enough-some-spurs-fans-now-completely-sold-on-one-manager-after-footage-emerges/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea vs Fulham score predictions: Calm, confident and a clean sheet

Sandwiched in between the massive Champions League semifinal match-ups that Chelsea has against Real Madrid is a date with Fulham. The Cottagers are scratching and clawing their way through the rest of the season as they try to stay up, which makes this game significantly more challenging for the Blues. Thomas Tuchel will be without Mateo Kovacic and Antonio Rudiger for this one, which doesn't make matters any easier. Nevertheless, it's a game the home side must win if it wants to continue sitting in the driver's seat in the top four race.

How does The Pride of London team see the match playing out?

Michael DeVito: 2-0 Chelsea

Fulham can be tough especially with Aleksandar Mitrovic at the No. 9 spot. He's tough, as was Karim Benzema. Nevertheless, the Blues should have too much firepower. How about Tammy Abraham or Olivier  Giroud up front?

Tan Yi Hao: 3-0 Chelsea

With a crucial second leg against Real Madrid coming up next, the Blues will probably field a heavily rotated XI against a Fulham side that has somewhat lost its way since coming away with a 1-0 victory at Anfield. That said, and despite Fulham's decent record when playing away from home, Chelsea should have more than enough to secure all three points as long as it breaks the deadlock early on. Kai Havertz to score a brace and Abraham to come off the bench to add a convincing third.

Mike Malley: 2-1 Chelsea

This is what we in the United States call a trap game. The Blues will be coming down from the emotional high of Tuesday's UCL match-up with Real Madrid, while simultaneously looking toward the second leg of the tie next Wednesday. This leaves little room for focus against lowly Fulham, hence the trap game monicker. Still, the Cottagers have recently been unable to replicate their incredible form from earlier in the season, as they are winless in their previous five matches. Chelsea should be able to handle its London rivals, but it will probably be closer than many think.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2-0 Chelsea

Chelsea will likely use a heavily rotated squad against Fulham, with the Champions League second leg in mind. Fulham gave the Blues problems in the reverse fixture, and it was only a red to it that made it slow down its intensity. The home side should have enough about it to beat Fulham.

Jake Brigstock: 2-0 Chelsea

I can see us rotating for this game, but I still think we'll get the job done. Fulham is still scrapping for its lives, so it'll be up for it. The Cottagers caused us problems at their place, but we scraped a 1-0 win. We should have more than enough quality to strengthen our grip on the top four spots, ahead of the biggest game at Stamford Bridge for seven years on Wednesday. Let's go into that with three points under our belts. Come on the Chels.
Abhishek Pancholi: 3-0 Chelsea

Timo Werner will score at least two goals after missing his usual quota of five chances. You heard it here first.

Anthony Gatt: 2-0 Chelsea

The west London derby should be a match between two competitive sides in the area, but sadly in recent times, it has been far from it and pretty straightforward for the boys in blue. I see that continuing to be case on Saturday. Fulham has a battle ahead to stay in the Premier League, but its inability to score consistently will be its downfall. At the end, it will be hard-fought for the Blues, who come one step closer to achieving their goal of top four.

Barrett Rouen: 1-0 or 4-0 Chelsea

I think we're going to rotate a little bit to rest people for the Madrid match, but that is actually going to result in us playing way better football. The only danger is that we are now in that part of the season where the actual dangerous teams are the ones at the bottom of the table because they're relegation threatened.

Varun Dani: 2-0 Chelsea

With Real Madrid just four days away, Tuchel is bound to rotate in this one, giving minutes to the likes of Billy Gilmour, Marcos Alonso and Callum Hudson-Odoi. These bit-part players still have a huge role to play as the Blues can't afford to drop points in the all-important top four race, with their sights firmly set on impressing Tuchel to secure their futures in blue.

Scott Brant: 2-0 Chelsea (or 1-0, or 3-0)

The Blues will rotate while they can, I figured I would take the Barrett route of predictions and pick as many scores as possible to cover my behind. I would love to win out the rest of the season in all comps, smiles galore. If Tuchel doesn't play Abraham in this match, you might as well just wave bye to TamTam because that leaves nothing for him. Blues to win 2-0 with ease.

Kevin Peacock: 1-0 Chelsea

Fulham is a decent side when it plays Chelsea, local rivalry evens out the field somewhat. We know Tuchel's Blues are less than prolific in front of goal, but are somehow finding the results that will hopefully secure a Champions League place for next season. Like the West Ham game, a single goal secures the victory. Mason Mount with the goal.

Gabe Henderson: 1-0 Chelsea

The Blues win a close one as their sights are set on Real Madrid. Hakim Ziyech to score.




https://theprideoflondon.com/2021/05/01/chelsea-fulham-score-predictions-calm-confident-clean-sheet/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea's expected XI vs Fulham with crucial Real Madrid second leg looming

Chelsea face two big home games with Saturday's Premier League clash against Fulham followed by next week's Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid

Chelsea face two huge games in five days as Saturday's clash against Fulham is followed by next Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

Thomas Tuchel's side host relegation-threatened Fulham at Stamford Bridge targeting three points to help cement their place in the Premier League's top four.

But the Chelsea boss will have one eye on the visit of Los Blancos next week, with the scores locked at 1-1 following last Tuesday's 1-1 first-leg draw in Madrid.

Tuchel will be conscious of the need to rest some of his stars ahead of the second-leg semi-final showdown against Zinedine Zidane's side again.

But he must also ensure maximum return from Saturday's clash against the Cottagers as Chelsea look to fend off the challenge of West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham for a place in next season's Champions League.

And his hand will be forced to an extent with injuries to Antonio Rudiger and Mateo Kovacic ruling them out of Saturday's game.

"Kova is still injured. He trained with us, but he's still not fully confident, he felt something at the end of training. So he's not available unfortunately," said Tuchel.

"All the others are available expect for Toni Rudiger, who got injured in the last minute of the Madrid game.

"Before training today we thought that Kova had a big chance to join us latest for Madrid, maybe even for today. So now we have a little setback, not a big one, with him. I don't want to be too negative, let's see how he is tomorrow."

Tuchel hopes Rudiger will be fit to face Madrid on Wednesday, saying: "For Toni, I'm quite positive for Wednesday."

Rudiger's injury could see Kurt Zouma slot into the three-man defence alongside Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, as Chelsea look to add to keeper Edouard Mendy's 15 top-flight clean sheets this season.

Cesar Azpilicueta could be rested after playing at right wing-back against Madrid, while Tuchel could also keep Reece James in reserve for next week after he came on to replace the club captain in midweek.

That could see Callum Hudson-Odoi unleashed on the right, with Marcos Alonso coming in for Ben Chilwell on the other flank, while Kovacic's injury is likely to mean N'Golo Kante and Jorginho will continue their midfield partnership.

Tuchel has decisions to make with his attack, after Timo Werner faced more criticism following his miss early on in Spain.

The striker scored last week's winner against West Ham before missing a chance to double his side's lead against David Moyes' men.

Kai Havertz could be deployed in a false nine position in place of Werner - but Tuchel has largely kept faith with the striker despite his scoring struggles, and he could be given another chance to discover his sharpness ahead of next week's semi-final.

Mason Mount would be a candidate for a rest with the midfielder having been a key player under both Tuchel and his predecessor Frank Lampard.

But the midfielder's form makes him difficult to leave out with Champions League qualification at stake, and he could retain his place, with Madrid hero Christian Pulisic rested and Hakim Ziyech given an opportunity in his place.

Chelsea expected XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Silva, Christensen, Zouma; Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Ziyech, Werner, Mount.



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-expected-xi-fulham-real-24019049

[WhiteJC]

Southampton: Fans delighted by Mario Lemina news

Southampton fans are delighted after it was revealed two Premier League clubs are interested in signing Mario Lemina this summer.

Lemina made the move to the Saints in 2017 from European giants Juventus – such a transfer meant there was much expected from the Gabon international. However, he ended up making just 52 appearances across two seasons, and didn't manage to play more than 25 games in either of those campaigns (Transfermarkt). Since then, he has been on loan at Galatasaray and is now at Fulham on a temporary basis.

It seems he has no future at St. Mary's Stadium. Fortunately, both West Ham United and Newcastle United are believed to be interested in purchasing the midfielder. The Guardian says that the south-coast outfit are looking for about £7m to let him go.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsfcViews, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club's supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their delight, with fans clearly feeling the absolute best thing they can do now is cash in and forget he ever existed...

Let's see what the fans had to say about the Lemina news below

"Result"

Credit: @SpencerHoughts

"Feel free"

Credit: @RichardStowell2

"£7m? please please please"

Credit: @Chris_FN_Ward

"I will drive him there"

Credit: @snwilliams10

"On my knees"

Credit: @IngsIsKing

"Money in the bank – get the deal done."

Credit: @justinaminute



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-saints-mario-lemina-newcastle-west-ham-ralph-hasenhuttl-st-marys-stadium/

[WhiteJC]

Sources: Big Tottenham manager development as Parker whispers intensify

Fulham boss Scott Parker is emerging as a leading contender to become the new Tottenham manager, Football Insider has learned.

The Londoners have experienced early setbacks in their search to replace Jose Mourinho with early favourite Julian Nagelsmann joining Bayern Munich and Brendan Rodgers publicly distancing himself from the post.

Spurs' pursuit of Rodgers is not over and they are willing to triple his salary to £15million-a-year including bonuses to get a deal agreed.

But the Londoners are assessing other potential candidates and a source told Football Insider there is a growing interest in Parker.

The 40-year-old is well regarded by the Spurs board, including chairman Daniel Levy, and the cost of prising him from Fulham would be nowhere near what it would take to get Rodgers.

Whispers of a potential approach have intensified in the last 24 hours although Tottenham are willing to bide their time.

Fulham are locked in a relegation battle and need to win the west London derby against Chelsea at 5.30pm today to have any realistic hope of staying up.

Parker has plenty of admirers at Tottenham, where he spent two years as a player and also began his coaching career in 2017 overseeing the Under-18s.

He left a year later to join Fulham as first-team coach working alongside then-boss Slavisa Jokanovic.

Parker was appointed caretaker manager of Fulham in February 2019 and then landed the job full-time three months later.

His first full campaign ended in promotion from the Championship to the Premier League and he has acquitted himself well this season.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-big-tottenham-manager-development-as-parker-whispers-intensify/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham expected to 'come back in the coming weeks' for striker – Failed with €12m January bid

Fulham are set to revive their interest in Spezia forward M'Bala Nzola after failing to get him in the Janunary transfer window.

That's according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, who say the Cottagers offered €12m for the forward and 'will come back' in the summer.

Nzola has been in good form this season, with nine goals and one assist in 22 games for Spezia in Serie A.

This has earned him 'great interest' in England, according to Gazzetta, who say Fulham were particularly keen in the January transfer window.

They put €12m 'on the table' for the 24-year-old but were unsuccessful in their attempts as Spezia resisted the offer.

They are now more open to a sale and will start from €15m to sell the striker in the summer transfer window.

That will see Fulham 'come back in the coming weeks', but they are not the only Premier League club to have put Nzola's name on their 'shopping list'.

Those other clubs aren't named specifically, but there is confidence he could end up in England this summer, although that could change if 'some big Italian club' is willing to make a move for him.

Until that point, Fulham appear to be at the front of the queue for his signature, although they will have to up their old bid to get a deal done.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-expected-come-back-coming-weeks-striker-failed-e12m-january-bid/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U18s hit Foxes for eight

A brilliant hat-trick from Mika Biereth fired Fulham's under 18s to an astonishing 8-0 win at Leicester City and kept the youngsters' hopes of defending their Premier League title alive.

Steve Wigley's side had the chance to go ahead inside the very first minute for the second week running. Where Kieron Bowie converted after just sixteen seconds against Reading, the Scottish forward was foiled by an excellent reaction save by Leicester goalkeeper Chituru Odunze after an incisive through ball from Mika Biereth.

The visitors made the breakthrough in the twelve minute thanks to a fine solo striker from skipper Ollie O'Neill. The Irish youth international slalomed away from several Foxes defenders before sliding a measured under Odunze from an acute angle. It was almost two shortly afterwards when Biereth rounded the goalkeeper and saw his shot scrambled off the goalline, with the referee waving away Fulham appeals for handball.

Luke Harris went close to doubling the lead when he headed Luciano D'Auria-Henry's cross against the woodwork, but any frustration was shortlived. Wigley's charges earned some further breathing space when Adrion Pajziti picked out Biereth and the eighteen year-old fired his tenth league goal of the campaign into the bottom corner. Biereth turned provider for Fulham's third nine minutes before the break – supplying an inch-perfect cross that left Bowie with the simplest of finishes from close range.

It might have been worse for Leicester but for a couple of outstanding saves from Odunze, who punched away a drive from Biereth and tipping away another Bowie effort before half-time. Biereth doubled his tally after skipping away from the goalkeeper five minutes after the interval before laying another one for Bowie shortly afterwards.

Harris got himself on the scoresheet, poaching the Fulham's sixth from a yard out after Odunze had kept out Bowie's initial attempt. Substitute Olly Sandersen added a seventh shortly after being introduced from the bench forcing home after Biereth had headed a ball back across the face of goal. Fittingly, Biereth finished off the scoring by completing his hat-trick, rounding the goalkeeper and beating a covering defender to score after being released by a brilliant through pass from Matt Dibley-Dias.

Crystal Palace remain top of the table after recording their own emphatic win on the south coast – beating Brighton 5-1. But Fulham are three points behind the Eagles with a game in hand, and a far superior goal difference. The young Whites finish their season with two away games – at Norwich next Saturday afternoon and then against Chelsea on May 15th.

FULHAM U18s: Borto; D'Auria-Henry, Parkes, Bowat (Williams 66), Odutayo; Dibley-Dias, Harris, O'Neill; Bowie (Sanderson 71), Pajaziti (Okkas 77), Biereth. Subs (not used): Roberts, Lanquedoc.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/05/fulham-u18s-hit-foxes-for-eight/