Saturday Fulham Stuff - 15/05/21...

[Bill2]

Is Tottenham chasing the wrong Fulham defender, in Andersen?

In news that we know is not breaking like Sky Sports reports. Tottenham Hotspur is apparently again chasing after and even has made progress signing Fulham defender Joachim Andersen. However, if Tottenham were really forward-thinking in the recruitment department, it would be Andersen's teammate Tosin Adarabioyo they would be scouting instead.

Tottenham Defense needs to get better
There are a number of areas to address in the Tottenham defensive middle, from getting younger, more athletic, to getting better passers, and frankly just better defenders. HotspurHQ covered a number of left-sided center-halves earlier in the season but Tottenham seems intent on signing another right-footed player if the Joachim Andersen to Tottenham rumors is to be believed.

However, for a number of reasons, we at HotspurHQ see Joachim Andersen as just more of the same as what we have, which is not enough on several levels. If Tottenham is serious about both getting better and getting younger, then it is not Andersen but his center-back partner, Tosin Adarabioyo they should be targeting as the team's next right-center-half.

Fulham defense is not terrible
Adarabioyo and Andersen have formed the core of the Fulham defense this season and both are young with potentially bright futures in the Premier League. Before everyone goes crazy over Fulham being relegated, it was far more because of the offense than the defense.

Fulham has given up fewer goals than Leeds and only two more than West Ham at 47 against on the season. With the second worse offense in the league at only 25 goals for, the defense has not had much of a chance to shine.

And while neither Andersen nor Adaradioyo is a perfect target, both have promise. That said, here are three reasons, Tottenham should be targeting Adaradioyo instead of Andersen.

Tosin Adaradioyo is better on the ball
Tottenham clearly wants to build out of the back and to do that you need good passing center-halves. Tosin Adaradioyo is a better passer than is Joachim Andersen. While Andersen has attempted and completed slightly more passes on the season than has Adaradioyo, Tosin is more accurate.

Tosin Adaradioyo has completed more than 1600 passes this season at a rate of 86.8%, which is higher than Andersen (83.4%) and Toby Alderweireld (83%), according to fbref.com. Tosin's passing is especially more effective on longer passes.

Tosin has the kind of passing Tottenham needs
On medium passes – 15-30 yards – Adaradioyo completed 94.1%, which is better than both Alderweireld (92.2) and Andersen (91.5). The better performance was even more apparent on long balls over 30 yards. Toby Alderweireld has completed 65.6% of 369 attempts, Andersen completed 69% of 568 attempts, and Tosin has completed 73% of 426 attempts.

While Adaradioyo is not attempting as many downfield balls as Andersen he is offering more than Toby and at a much higher rate of success than either of the other players.

Given the kind of team, Tottenham wants to build having defenders who are strong passers is a must, and Tosin fits that bill. Additionally, Adaradioyo might be a better defender than Andersen too.

Tosin, Solid defensive performer
Yes, we need defenders that can pass but ultimately Tottenham also needs defenders that can defend. Tosin Adaradioyo can definitely do that and in some ways better than Joachin Andersen. Simply from a team perspective, Fulham had a positive net expected goals of 0.14 when Tosin was on the field and a negative net expected goals of 0.95 when Andersen was on the field.

Of course, these two played together a ton but when it was Adaradioyo and not Andersen on the pitch, Fulham was better. Team defense is not the reason Tottenham should consider Tosin, however, it is how he defends.

While not quite as effective in the air, winning approximately 70% versus 76%, Tosin is actually a bigger defender than Joachin Anderson. At a year younger – 23, compared to Andersen's 24 – and in only his first year versus the competition at the top flight level, one has to think Adaradioyo will improve in this area as well.

Adaradioyo is aggressive but does not foul like Tottenham
Despite playing more than 100 minutes less on the season, Adaradioyo has as many tackles and more interceptions than Andersen and only 8 fewer clearances. More importantly, Tosin does not foul at nearly the rate Joachim does. On the season Andersen has committed 41 fouls compared to just 13 from Tosin Adarabioyo.

Knowing how Tottenham defends that ability to avoid fouling defensively is a skill Spurs desperately need. On a per 90 basis Andersen commits 1.33 fouls, Toby Alderweireld is nearly half that total at just .73 fouls. Tosin Adarabioyo is even better at just .44 fouls per 90 minutes.

So if not Tosin Adarabioyo, please just someone who does NOT commit even more fouls than the current Tottenham defense.

Cheaper and British, just what Tottenham needs
Maybe the best reason to look very seriously at Tosin Adarabioyo, if anyone in the Fulham defense, is that he fits the mold of what Tottenham is really looking for. Joachim Andersen is on loan at Fulham and is under contract with Lyon until 2024. Adarabioyo is under contract with Fulham – who may need the money – and that contract expires in 2023, a full season earlier.

Currently, Transfermarkt.com shows Andersen as being valued at around $16.5 million (£11.7 million). Certainly, it is an affordable transfer although Sky Sports was talking about Lyon wanting around £20 million on the deal.

Adaradioyo is even more affordable, however. Currently valued at $11 million (£7.8 million) and being part of Fulham potentially makes Tosin more obtainable at a reasonable fee.

In fact, Fulham only signed Adaradioyo last season for just $3 million from the Manchester City Academy, meaning even at less than £10 million on the deal it would be a significant profit for Fulham.

Finally, it is that Manchester City Academy experience that adds the final strawberry on top. Adaradioyo is British having played for England up until the U19 level. The fact that Tottenham could add a young, homegrown player to their team, opening up precious space for other foreign players makes this just too logical of a situation not to further investigate.

Ultimately, we have no idea which direction Tottenham will go in the transfer market as neither do they without a Director of Football or a permanent manager. Until then, we can do what we hope Tottenham is doing and scout around, we just need to dig a bit deeper than Sky Sports.



https://hotspurhq.com/2021/05/14/tottenham-chasing-wrong-fulham-defender/

Spurs can do one. I'd be absolutely gutted to lose Tosin.

Also the price they will have to play will be the value he is worth now, nothing to do with what we paid for him and we all know how much Levy likes spending money. Then there will be the issue of buying out his contract which is probably still got 2 years to run.

[WhiteJC]

West Ham United: Journalist drops major transfer claim involving Aleksandar Mitrovic

Writing on Twitter, journalist Ekrem Konur has dropped a major West Ham United transfer claim involving Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Irons manager David Moyes has been on the hunt for a new forward since the January transfer window, with the Scotsman himself confirming that bids were lodged but to no avail (Claret & Hugh).

This is due to the club's apparent over-reliance on Michail Antonio, who has suffered with injury problems this season.

As well as this, former club record signing Sebastien Haller departed east London for Ajax in January, leaving a gaping hole in the centre-forward department as West Ham scour for new options.

The Latest: Mitrovic contact expected this summer...

Dropping a major West Ham transfer claim, journalist Konur has taken to Twitter with some news for Irons supporters, with the reporter claiming that formal contacts for Cottagers forward Mitrovic are now expected to take place this summer.

The Serbian has been a much-rotated player under Scott Parker at Craven Cottage, making more appearances off the bench (14) than starts (13) this season.

However, he has a proven track record of finding the net consistently in past seasons, scoring a phenomenal 26 goals in 40 starts in the 2019/20 Championship (WhoScored).

"West Ham are keeping a close eye on Aleksandar Mitrovic's situation," explained Konur on Twitter.

He added: "David Moyes believes Mitrovic can succeed at West Ham. Formal contacts are expected to be established between the two clubs in the summer."

The Verdict: Perfect for West Ham?

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, Mitrovic's impressive 2019/20 season with Fulham isn't the only piece of evidence that he can be a very threatening asset going forward.

The 26-year-old has also averaged a noteworthy 2.9 shots on goal per game throughout his career, more than any player in the West Ham squad has managed this season, including in-form sensation Jesse Lingard (WhoScored). He's also quite the physical presence, winning on average 3.8 aerial duels per match since his playing days started at Partizan Belgrade (WhoScored).

Issa Diop is fully aware of his quality, too – with the West Ham man branding Mitrovic a 'big player' and 'powerful' in an interview with the Irons' official website.

Therefore, the Serbian could come as a great option for Moyes this summer as he searches for the ideal new frontman.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-journalist-drops-major-transfer-claim-involving-aleksandar-mitrovic/

[WhiteJC]

Southampton vs Fulham: 15/05/2021 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Southampton vs Fulham

Date: 15/05/2021

K/O: 15:00

Venue: St Mary's Stadium

Referee: Craig Pawson

TV: Sky Sports

The Saints take on the already relegated Cottagers as Ralph Hasenhüttl's side have only one win in five games.

Last time out Southampton beat Crystal Palace 3-1. Danny Ings netted a brace and Che Adams chipped in, meaning The Saints ruled out a Palace victory after Benteke scored after only two minutes. The win means Southampton are in 14th place and brought an end to a run of poor form.

Fulham lost, and as a result, were relegated. Goals from Ashley Westwood and Chris Wood meant The Cottagers are back in the Championship, despite their best efforts. Fulham join Sheffield United and West Brom as the relegated teams.

Danny Ings was the man in form for the Saints, netting twice against Palace. Ings had been injured for two games but marked his return in style. The Englishman now has 12 goals and four assists this season and is shaping up to be one of the league's finest finishers.

Fulham have a very talented squad, there's no denying that, but it comes down to consistency. Ademola Lookman has arguably been their most exciting prospect, scoring four and assisting four all season. But he just has not been putting his chances away and his last goal came against The Blades, 10 games ago.

Defensively these two sides have been fairly similar this season. In fact, The Saints, who are staying up this season, have conceded 63 goals compared to Fulham's 47. But both Southampton and Fulham have nine clean sheets each, meaning it could be an open game on Saturday,

Southampton will look to utilise their speed and directness against an already relegated side. Theo Walcott and Nathan Redmond will cause the Fulham wingbacks issues all game, and it'll very hard for them to play forward.

James Ward-Prowse is another key man that Fulham should be wary of. Ward-Prowse is having his best-ever season for the Saints, chipping in with eight goals and six assists so far. The Englishman will pose a significant threat from set-pieces as his pinpoint delivery will likely create plenty of chances for the hosts.

The Saints are looking to finish on a high, whilst Fulham, for the first time in weeks, have no pressure on them. Two sides with attacking potential go head-to-head, in what could be a memorable game.

Team News

Southampton

Jan Bednarek picked up an ankle injury last week and is a doubt for the visit of Fulham. Ryan Bertrand has missed four games in a row with a calf injury and won't feature this weekend. Oriol Romeu is the only midfield absentee for The Saints, as he is out with an ankle injury. Going forward, both Hasenhüttl's first choice attackers are fit, so they could start together.

Fulham

The Cottagers have no fresh injuries ahead of the visit to the South Coast.

Predicted Starting XIs

Southampton (4-2-2-2): Forster; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Stephens; Diallo, Ward-Prowse; Armstrong, Tella; Redmond, Adams

Fulham (4-4-2): Areola; Aina, Andersen, Tosin, Robinson; Cavaleiro, Lemina, Anguissa, Lookman; Maja, Mitrovic

Prediction: Southampton 3-1 Fulham

I think the Saints will get another resounding win. They've had some tricky games in the past few weeks and using the momentum of last weeks win will surely spur them on. Fulham are down and out and are finally playing without pressure. This does also mean they have nothing to play for – apart from pride – so there could be some big scorelines before the end of the season.



https://90maat.com/southampton-vs-fulham-15-05-2021-match-preview-and-predicted-starting-xis/

[WhiteJC]

Southampton transfer news: Saints eyeing swoop for Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The England midfielder has been on at Fulham from Chelsea this season

Southampton are reportedly plotting a bid for Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer, with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said to be a big admirer.

Loftus-Cheek is currently on loan at Fulham from Chelsea, but there is some sense that his time at Stamford Bridge could be close to an end, not least because of the competition for midfield places in Thomas Tuchel's side he is likely to face.

According to the Express, the Saints tried to sign the ten-cap England midfielder a year ago, only for then newly-promoted Fulham to take him on loan.

It has been a disappointing 2020/21 for Loftus-Cheek, with an achilles injury disrupting his campaign and restricting him to only 21 Premier League starts for Scott Parker's Cottagers.

The 25-year-old came through the Chelsea youth ranks and has made 84 appearances for his parent club, but he arguably played the best football of his career on loan at Crystal Palace in the 2017/18 season.

However, Tuchel hasn't shut the door on including Loftus-Cheek – who still has three years left to run on his deal with the Blues – in his plans going forward. He hasn't yet worked with him, having only taken over as head coach in January following the sacking of Frank Lampard.

"I was quite a fan of him when he was even younger," said Tuchel last month, comparing Loftus-Cheek to former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack in terms of "his style of play and movements".

"He is on loan now and doing well," Tuchel continued. "It would be unfair to judge him from TV.

"I like to work with players and give my opinion then."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/southampton-transfer-news-saints-eyeing-swoop-for-ruben-loftus-cheek

[bill taylors apprentice]

Comments on above reports:

Anyone who has seen our games this season will know that if the stats say Tosin is better on the ball than Andersen that just shows that stats don't always relate to reality.
I do rate Tosin but he's been caught out a few times during the season and many of his passes have been back and forth the Andersen who generally makes the final pass!

I can see Mitro going to WHU and next season showing us all what we missed this season.

RLC on £120,000 a week is a crime and he should never play again for us!

Shame about Betts at Boro.
I hoped he would do enough to move him on for a fee as I don't rate him.

[WhiteJC]