Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 08/09/21...

[WhiteJC]

Figures prove Stoke City really are genuine top-six contenders this season despite heavy Fulham defeat

Stoke City have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, registering 10 points from their five Championship fixtures

Stoke City are genuine contenders to secure a play-off spot this season, according to football data experts eflanalysis.com.

Analysts at the company have been running figures on the Potters impressive start to the 2021/22 campaign – one that has seen the side chalk up 10 points from their opening five league fixtures.

Despite suffering a first defeat of the season against league-leaders Fulham prior to the international break, they have already seen enough in the previous four fixtures to convince them that Michael O'Neill's men boast the traits necessary to sustain a push for promotion.

They say: "Stoke lost the matchday 5 game against league leaders Fulham, which was their first defeat of the season.

"It was a poor performance against the leaders of the Championship, without creating any real goal scoring opportunities and defending poorly.

"Before this, they drew against Birmingham on matchday 2 but have been able to pull out victories in the other 3 games.

"They have scored 7 goals so far and conceded 6, but 3 out of the 6 were conceded against Fulham. This shows that they have been good enough defensively and have been able to score goals to win matches."

The long and short of it is that they believe the side can score enough goals and register an adequate amount of clean-sheets to be right in contention for a top six position come next May.

So far this season, the Potters have netted seven times in their five fixtures, conceding six (three of which however, came in the defeat at Craven Cottage 10 days' ago).

Stoke's xG (expected goals) of 6.62 is the seventh highest in the league, meaning they are just about surpassing that total with actual goals scored (7), which again sees them in seventh place in the table.

Fulham, not surprisingly, have scored more than any other side in the league (13), with Sheffield United, who also dropped out of the Premier League last term, propping up that table having netted just a solitary goal.

No side in the Championship has put in more crosses than the Potters' 99. By contrast, Huddersfield Town, who visit the bet365 Stadium this weekend, have attempted only 39 crosses from their five league fixtures, with only Blackburn (37) taking on fewer.

The quality of those crosses is key too, and in Mario Vrancic, from set-pieces, and Tommy Smith and Josh Tymon, both of whom have displayed huge promise in the two wing-back roles, you would expect that Stoke's cross-completion rate would be up there, too?

You would be right in thinking so, with only two other second-tier teams boasting better accuracy than Vrancic, Smith and co.

In terms of key passes, which is the final pass or pass-cum-shot leading to the recipient of the ball having an attempt at goal, Stoke come out third in that table, with the current top two, Fulham (25) and West Brom (25), the only sides to better the Potters' 23.

At the back it is clear that Harry Souttar, Ben Wilmot and Leo Ostigard are going to prove a tough nut to crack – particularly from aerial situations.

The figures back that up too, with the side registering the highest winning percentage of duals in the air (55.3%), ahead QPR (53.1%) and Sheffield United (52.9%). Swansea City, predictably, have the lowest percentage at 37.5%.

Summing up their early-season summary of Stoke's statistical data, they go on to say: "If we leave out the game against Fulham, Stoke have had a decent defensive record conceding just 3 goals in the first 4 matches.

"They have also been strong going forward, scoring goals and creating opportunities regularly, with a lot of crosses coming into the box.

"It is fair to say that if Stoke City are able to put up consecutive strong defensive performances like they have so far and mix it up with the decent attacking performances that they have been putting in, they have a very high chance of finishing in the top 6 and qualifying for the Championship playoffs."



https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/figures-prove-stoke-city-really-5880558

[WhiteJC]

These 10 Fulham players see their contracts expire in 2022

Fulham have enjoyed a fine start to the new Championship season, sitting top of the table after the opening five games.

Marco Silva's side went into the international break in 1st-place of the Championship table.

They've claimed 13 points from their opening five games to sit ahead of 2nd-place West Brom on goal difference, having had a decent summer in the transfer market.

But Silva might already have on eye on next summer with 10 first-team players seeing their contracts expire in 2022.

According to Transfermarkt, all of Jean Michael Seri, Alfie Mawson, Michael Hector, Steven Sessegnon, Cyrus Christie, Neeskens Kebano, Dennis Odoi, Tim Ream, Fabio Carvalho and Tyrese Francois see their contracts expire next summer.

Of those 10; Seri, Hector, Sessgnon, Kebano and Odoi's contracts have one-year options which the club can trigger.

The standout names on that list are obviously Seri and Carvalho. Seri has endured an often tough time since his big money move in 2018 but under Silva, the midfielder is quickly becoming a key player in the middle of the pitch and so too is Carvalho.

At just 19-years-old, the Englishman has scored three goals and grabbed one assist in his opening five Championship games and securing his future will be a pressing issue for Silva and the Fulham board across the course of the season, with the youngster having already attracted Premier League interest this season and having already rejected the offer of a new deal.

Elsewhere, there's some ageing names on that list in the likes of Hector, Odoi and Christie and whether they're handed new deals could largely depend on how much they impress Silva this season.

Some difficult decisions for Fulham to make before next summer, but earning promotion from the Championship will no doubt be their main priority – they resume their season with a trip to Blackpool this weekend.



https://the72.co.uk/249611/these-10-fulham-players-see-their-contracts-expire-in-2022/

[WhiteJC]

Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Swansea City enquired about recently signed Fulham player

The transfer window slammed shut a week ago today, with several high-profile Championship moves occurring before the 11pm deadline.

Two of the more eye-catching deadline day deals saw both Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah swap Premier League Watford for Championship Fulham.

The midfield pair were seemingly not part of Xisco Munoz's first-team plans at Vicarage Road, with Chalobah penning down a permanent two-year deal with The Cottagers, whilst the 21-year-old has joined temporarily from the newly-promoted Hertfordshire club.

According to The Athletic, Fulham were not the only Championship club interested in Quina, stating that Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Swansea City all enquired about the talented midfielder's availability.

Quina joined The Hornets in the summer of 2018, arriving from West Ham United where he graduated into the first-team set up, however, he was unable to register a Premier League appearance for The Hammers.

The verdict

Quina is an exciting talent who Watford got on a bargain from West Ham. He is a player who can operate more advanced and in a number 10 role, but is equally competent playing much deeper.

He enjoyed a spell with Granada during the second half of the La Liga season last time out, scoring twice in eight games, gaining invaluable top-tier experience.

The three Championship clubs who were in pursuit have really missed out in this scenario.

Quina's versatility in midfield, coupled with the quality he brings, makes him a very exciting option for Fulham to have this year, and he could play a big role in a season where promotion back to the Premier League is the ultimate objective.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bournemouth-nottingham-forest-and-swansea-city-enquired-about-recently-signed-fulham-player/

[WhiteJC]

How is Aboubakar Kamara getting on ever since his Fulham exit?

Fulham will be eager to get back to Championship duties this weekend as they aim to continue setting the pace at the top of the second-tier tree.

It's been a fine start to the season for the Whites, and Marco Silva will be eager to see how late arrivals like Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina bed in after their Deadline Day signings.

However, here we're looking at an exit from the Cottage over the summer; Aboubakar Kamara.

The attacker sealed a permanent exit from the club back in August to join Greek side Aris and he'll be eager to show what he can do over there, obviously looking for more regular game-time than he perhaps found at Fulham at times during his stint in SW6.

A player that could delight and also frustrate, his unpredictable nature up front did make him a handful at times for opposing defences, and he'll be looking to highlight that during his time playing in the Greek Super League.

The competition gets underway this weekend, with Aris showing decent pre-season form having gone unbeaten over five matches – including a draw with Olympiacos last time out.

They get their competitive campaign underway next Monday, rounding off the first weekend of action, playing OFI – and Kamara will be itching to try and get himself an early goal.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/how-is-aboubakar-kamara-getting-on-ever-since-his-fulham-exit/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham issued warning over Fabio Carvalho's future

Fulham have been issued a warning regarding the future of Fabio Carvalho at Craven Cottage.

What's been said?

According to former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley, Marco Silva must do all he can to keep the Cottagers at the top of the Championship table, in order to convince the 19-year-old to extend his stay at the west London side.

Indeed, it has been reported that a host of clubs, including the likes of Leeds United, Norwich City, West Ham United and Porto, are keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder, whose current deal at Craven Cottage is set to expire at the end of the season.

Speaking to This Is Futbol about the England U18 international's future, Crossley said: "I haven't seen too much of him but [from] what I have seen, Fulham have to stay at the top of the league because Premier League clubs are going to be all over him."

Unforgivable error

While it is ultimately Carvalho's choice whether or not he puts pen to paper on a new deal at Craven Cottage, Crossley is correct in his claim that staying near the top of the table, and subsequently going on to secure promotion from the Championship, will undoubtedly increase the chances of the teenager staying on at the club beyond his current contract.

However, away from the pitch, the club must also ensure that they offer the 19-year-old the best possible terms in order to entice him to sign an extension, as it is clear that Carvalho boasts the potential for it to be well worth the club offering the teenager a significant weekly wage.

Indeed, over his five Championship appearances for Silva's side so far this season, the £225k-rated man has scored three goals, registered one assist and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots and making a remarkable 2.2 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the player the Fulham manager himself dubbed a "fantastic" talent average an astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.30, ranking him not only as the Cottagers' fifth-best performer in the league but also as the joint 22nd-best player in the entirety of the division.

As such, letting the £650-per-week attacking midfielder leave the club next summer, especially on a free transfer, would most certainly be an unforgivable error on the part of Silva, who must simply pull out all the stops to convince the 19-year-old to remain in west London.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-transfer-rumours/fulham-ffc-transfer-news-marco-silva-mark-crossley-fabio-carvalho-the-championship

[WhiteJC]

'Never been the same' – Club legend gives honest assessment of Spurs player

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts believes Ryan Sessegnon has 'never been the same player' since joining the club from Fulham.

Sessegnon, 21, joined Spurs in the summer of 2019, but has struggled for game time since the £25 million move across London.

The England U21 international has registered just 14 appearances for Spurs overall, though part of the problem has been his issues with injuries.

He spent the entirety of last season on loan at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim and returned with a successful campaign under his belt.

Sessegnon made 29 appearances for the German side, scoring twice and recording three assists as he managed to register plenty of minutes abroad.

On his return to N17, Sessegnon has played twice under Nuno Espirito Santo, who trusted the versatile winger in both legs of Spurs' Europa Conference League play-off against Pacos de Ferreira.

He is yet to feature in the Premier League this season with so many options currently ahead of him in the pecking order, but former Spurs man Roberts has been honest in his assessment of the winger's time at the club.

Roberts told This Is Futbol: "For me, Sessegnon has never been the same player since when he was at Fulham.

"He's come to us, he's been out on loan, did okay at Hoffenheim, but when he plays for us, instead of taking people on, he plays the easy ball, he gives it to somebody."

Spurs Web Opinion

Sessegnon has endured a tough couple of years since arriving at the club from Fulham. He showed what he was capable of in west London on plenty of occasions, but injuries and inconsistency have held him back. But last season's spell at Hoffenheim can provide a lifeline for him, because the talent is clearly there.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/never-been-the-same-club-legend-gives-honest-assessment-of-spurs-player/

[WhiteJC]

Climate change: CUP26 tournament launched with support of 49 Premier League and EFL clubs

The campaign is encouraging supporters to carry out sustainable activities in a tournament against fans of other clubs; Sky are also partnering with Tottenham to host the world's first net-zero carbon football game against Chelsea on September 19

The biggest-ever football campaign on combating climate change, with 49 club community organisations involved, has begun with the launching of the CUP26 tournament.

Planet Super League and Count Us In have joined forces to create the tournament which is aimed at raising awareness of the role football can play in becoming more sustainable and protecting the environment.

Fan action on climate will determine the tournament winner and supporters can sign up at CUP26.co.uk and score goals for their club by competing in environmentally-friendly activities. Clubs will play weekly fixtures against their rivals, and the club whose supporters score the most goals wins the match.

There are 100 goalscoring activities on the website, including having a plant-based meal, cycling and walking to work and school, and the Lucas Moura-supported 'No Moura Landfill', where fans are invited to show off their football skills while recycling. The tournament trophy will be awarded to the tournament winner in the first week of COP26.

It comes with seven weeks to go until COP26, the UN climate change conference which will be hosted by the United Kingdom in Glasgow.

Sky are also partnering with Tottenham to host the world's first net-zero carbon football game at an elite level when Spurs face Chelsea on September 19.

Tom Gribbin, CEO of Planet Super League said: "CUP26 is our largest tournament, with over half the professional football clubs in the UK taking part.

"Fans of all ages can represent their club, do their bit for the planet, and help compete for the trophy. We're delighted to be working alongside Count Us In and we look forward to sharing exciting moments and surprises as the season unfolds."

Allegra Stratton, the Prime Minister's spokesperson to COP26 said: "The COP26 climate summit is our best chance for world leaders to come together to fight climate change and protect our planet for future generations.

"Children, schools, and communities are already playing their part by going one step greener - finding ingenious ways to bring down their own carbon emissions - and now their steps will give their beloved football club the chance to win the CUP26 tournament.

"I am excited to see so many top clubs joining forces to use the power of football to drive change. Every family, school and workplace across the country can take part in CUP26, for their club, their community and the planet."

The tournament kicks off on September 13 and the first week's fixtures are:

Arsenal vs Burnley

Aston Villa vs Burton

Cardiff vs Walsall

Derby vs Stoke

Everton vs Luton

Fulham vs Bristol Rovers

Huddersfield vs Reading

Leeds vs Cambridge

Lincoln City vs Rotherham

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham

Northampton vs Notts County

Nottm Forest vs MK Dons

Plymouth vs Hibernian

Preston vs Ipswich

QPR vs Swindon

Sheffield United vs Chesterfield

Southampton vs Hull City

Swansea vs Exeter

Tottenham vs Chelsea

West Brom vs Wycombe

Wigan vs Shrewsbury



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12401696/climate-change-cup26-tournament-launched-with-support-of-49-premier-league-and-efl-clubs

[WhiteJC]

Report: Forest and Southampton wanted £8,000-a-week player before Fulham move

Nottingham Forest were firmly in the mix to sign Watford midfielder Domingos Quina during the transfer window, according to The Athletic. The player eventually signed for Fulham alongside Hornets teammate Nathaniel Chalobah.

Forest were among a clutch of clubs keen to land the 21-year-old. Southampton, Swansea, Bournemouth and Lille were all keen to sign the player prior to the deadline.

The Reds did manage to get themselves a central midfielder. Braian Ojeda checked in from Olimpia, whilst James Garner was added to the ranks earlier in the window.

Quina was formerly in the youth ranks with both Chelsea and West Ham. He moved to Watford in 2018 and has also spent a season out on loan with Granada in La Liga.

His spell with the Spaniards wasn't overly successful. He scored twice in eight appearances, struggling to earn a regular run in the team during his season-long stint.

Quina can operate in a number of positions. He primarily plays central midfielder, but he can be used as a number 10, or as a wide midfielder if called upon.

Last season he made 14 appearances for the Hornets, scoring once before heading to Spain for the second half of the campaign.

Would Forest fans have welcomed Quina at the club?

Probably not. Plenty of Forest fans seem bogged down with statistics to prove everything right now and it's fair to say Quina still has a lot to prove.

The fact he has gone to Fulham is telling though. They have made a blistering start to their season and clearly, Marco Silva sees something in the youngster.

Quina earns £8,000-a-week and he wouldn't have been an expensive option for the Reds. Instead, the club opted for the permanent capture of Ojeda and the hope will be that he can star at the City Ground.

Forest will monitor Quina closely having missed out on him. It's fair to say that he probably wasn't the right fit for Forest in their current predicament, however.


https://www.nottinghamforest.news/2021/09/07/report-forest-and-southampton-wanted-domingos-quina-during-summer/

[RaySmith]

'He is yet to feature in the Premier League this season with so many options currently ahead of him in the pecking order, but former Spurs man Roberts has been honest in his assessment of the winger's time at the club.

Roberts told This Is Futbol: "For me, Sessegnon has never been the same player since when he was at Fulham.

"He's come to us, he's been out on loan, did okay at Hoffenheim, but when he plays for us, instead of taking people on, he plays the easy ball, he gives it to somebody." '

But was Sess like that at Fulham- taking people on?

I don't think he was ever that type of player, though sometimes portrayed as this, maybe by those who'd never seen him play.

He always seemed  more someone with good positional sense, who could always find space to receive a pass and lay it off,, and many of his goals were when he would get unnoticed into the box, and picked up a lay off or deflection, then coolly put  it away.

He definitely wasn't a Carvalho type of player.

Perhaps that is his problem at Spurs - if  they think he's a different  type of player than what he is, with  great qualities in what he does, which aren't those of a winger taking  defenders on, but finding space, laying te ball off, then  finding more space to receive the ball.

A great, unselfish, team player.

[jarv]

Agree with Mr. Smith.  Sess was able to find all sorts of space in the box and score (quite often) tap ins. Also, his partnership with our left back was a joy to watch down the left side.  Roberts probably never saw him play at Fulham.

[filham]

We made a few million on the sale of Patrick Roberts and Ryan Sess. Neither have done well since leaving us, let this be a message to Carvalho.

[The Cravenette]

We made a few million on the sale of Patrick Roberts and Ryan Sess. Neither have done well since leaving us, let this be a message to Carvalho.

And we made next to nothing on Dembele the 2nd and Harvey Elliot, who are both doing OK, so maybe that should be a lesson to us to convince Fab to sign ASAP!