Thursday Fulham Stuff - 09/12/21...

[WhiteJC]

Report: Chelsea now keen on signing 'fantastic' Championship attacker, his contract's up soon

Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close eye on Fulham's highly-rated youngster, Fabio Carvalho.

This is according to Goal, who claim Carvalho is being tracked intently by the Blues and numerous other clubs.

The attraction to the teenager is understandable.

At just 19-years of age, the former Benfica prodigy has already established himself as a Fulham first-team regular.

After impressing in the Cottagers' youth ranks, the England Under-18 international earned a call up to the senior squad towards the end of 2020/21.

His debut – coincidently in a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea – was Carvalho's reward for scoring 12 times for Fulham's development side.

Put into context, nobody within Frank Lampard or Thomas Tuchel's squad managed more than a dozen goals last season, with Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham tying at the top.

Classy Carvalho
Fulham's relegation from the Premier League allowed the exciting attacking midfielder to really showcase his skills.

Five games into the current Championship campaign and Carvalho had already converted on three separate occasions.

One of those arrived in the 2-1 away win at Millwall, where the Whites' main man could hardly be called a man at all.

DIVOCK ORIGI DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
"Carvalho was fantastic. It is something he has been doing since pre-season," said Marco Silva after Carvalho's A-star display at the Den.

Unfortunately, a succession of injuries and then testing positive for covid took the wind out of his early-season sails.

Since returning to the team in late October, the youngster has rippled the net just once.

But it's clear why he is so valued at Craven Cottage.

Fabio on the move?
However, it begs the question: why are they even entertaining the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid?

That answer is pretty simple.

Carvalho's contract runs out next summer and he seems destined to play in the top division once again.

Of course, Fulham might well earn promotion anyway, following a terrific start to the term.

Yet, their wonderkid is just holding off renewing his deal, for now, just to see how the situation plays out.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/report-chelsea-now-keen-on-signing-fantastic-championship-attacker-his-contracts-up-soon/

[WhiteJC]

Watch Our FA Youth Cup Clash For Free!

Fans are able to watch Friday evening's FA Youth Cup Third Round tie for free via our app and website.

The young Whites kick-off their cup journey at Goodison Park against an Everton side that made it to the Quarter-Finals last season.

Our coverage will begin at 6:45pm with kick-off at 7pm. Commentary will be provided by Gentleman Jim.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/08/Watch-Our-FA-Youth-Cup-Clash-For-Free/

[WhiteJC]

Report reiterates Chelsea, Liverpool's interest in Fabio Carvalho ahead of January

A fresh report from Goal claims all of Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Fabio Carvalho at Fulham.

Carvalho, 19, has now rejected multiple contract offers from Fulham.

The Englishman has scored four goals in his 11 Championship appearances this season having spent time on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Fulham and Marco Silva have been sweating over his future – they're desperate to keep hold of him but Carvalho seems to have his head turned after rejecting Fulham's approaches to sign a new deal.

With several clubs having been linked previously, including all of Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid, Goal's report now reiterates each club's interest heading into the January transfer window, which could prove a testing time for Fulham.

Sticky situation
The Whites will of course still have hope that they can secure Carvalho's future. But failing that, their next best bet would be to cash in on the midfielder next month, as to avoid losing him for free next summer.

It's a sticky situation that the club finds themselves in – just a few weeks away from the winter transfer window opening, these weeks will be pivotal for Carvalho and equally as pivotal for Fulham, both in their title race and in their bid to secure Carvalho's future.

Any of the linked clubs would prove an attractive option for the attacking midfielder. But he remains young and relatively inexperienced, and he's getting game time at Fulham this season, so perhaps it could be in his best interest to stay on at Craven Cottage for now – or so the club would hope.



https://the72.co.uk/257242/report-reiterates-chelsea-liverpools-interest-in-fabio-carvalho-ahead-of-january/

[WhiteJC]

O'Neill keen to clinch PL Cup qualification

Fulham under 23s midfielder Ollie O'Neill is eager to clinch qualification from the PL Cup group stages with victory over Southend United tonight.

Steve Wigley's side sit in pole position in their group with seven points from three matches. Having kicked off the competition with a win at Roots Hall in September, O'Neill is confident the young Whites can go through this evening but the Irish under-21 international isn't writing off the Shrimpers.

He told the club's official website this morning:

"Yes, we've had a good start and it would be nice to get qualification wrapped up as soon as possible. Southend brought quite a good intensity to the last game and they play at a different rhythm to what we're used to, so it will be important for us to match that and control the game.

A good Cup run brings a good set of opportunities for certain players to show different things. It's also an enjoyable experience for the group as a whole; the games certainly have a different feel to them when compared to PL2 games."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/oneill-keen-to-clinch-pl-cup-qualification/

[WhiteJC]

Exclusive: Jobi McAnuff picks out two Fulham players who have gone under the radar

Discovery+ and Quest pundit Jobi McAnuff picked out Jean-Michael Seri and Neeskens Kebano as two players who have gone under the radar with their excellent performances for Fulham this season.

The Cottagers are in a commanding position at the top of the Championship with a seven point cushion on West Bromwich Albion in third place. Seri and Kebano were both out on loan last term as Scott Parker's Fulham failed to compete in the Premier League. However, both have impressed Marco Silva to become integral parts of the club's promotion procession.

Fulham went down with a whimper last season, picking up just 28 points and finishing the campaign 11 points from safety. Retaining players with experience of a second tier promotion in the squad was a smart move to give them bags of knowhow to call upon in climbing to the summit this season.

When asked who Fulham's unsung heroes this season have been, Jobi McAnuff exclusively told Football League World:

"Seri this season has been fantastic, another one who's come out of the cold having been loaned out in the last couple of seasons and not had much of an impact at the football club. Marco Silva came in and gave everyone a clean slate.

"I think Kebano has had an outstanding season, really putting in the consistency that we haven't really seen in his game. He's always been a player that has talent and ability. From his point of view, probably one of the unsung heroes. The two that have gone under the radar would be Seri and Kebano."

Fulham finish 2021 with the quartet of Luton Town, Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Reading, a positive run could see them leave Bournemouth and the chasing pack in their tracks ahead of the January transfer window.

Silva and the squad have done tremendously well to go unbeaten in their last ten, winning seven, and storm to the top of the league, quietening down Fabio Carvalho's contract saga in the background.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-jobi-mcanuff-picks-out-two-fulham-players-who-have-gone-under-the-radar/

[WhiteJC]

Can anyone stop Fulham and AFC Bournemouth in the Championship?

It's fair to say Fulham and AFC Bournemouth have firmly set the pace in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

The Cottagers sit at the summit of the league table having amassed 44 points from 21 games so far, whilst Scott Parker's Cherries sit one point and one place below them in second.

There is a six point gap between Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion in third spot, so both sides are already starting to secure a nice buffer between themselves and the chasing pack. So, can anyone oust them this season?

That is the topic of our latest debate show on FLW TV!




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/can-anyone-stop-fulham-and-afc-bournemouth-in-the-championship/

[WhiteJC]

2 players who could leave Fulham next month

Fulham are sitting pretty at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table but will be itching to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Three draws on the spin has maintained their unbeaten run but stunted their streak of wins and getting back to regular three-point hauls will be the aim over Christmas.

After that, of course, we have the January transfer window and the Cottagers have the ability to strengthen if they need to, though they obviously have huge quality already.

On the flipside, meanwhile, there's every chance we'll see players leave the club in the winter market so, that said, here are two players that could end up going through the exit door next month...

Fabio Carvalho
Back in the side but not yet at the table to ink a new contract, Fabio Carvalho's situation at the club past the end of this season remains unclear.

He's nearing his last six months of his deal and, that in mind, there will be huge speculation around him in January that could well lead to him leaving or some kind of arrangement to do so in the summer at least.

Fulham will be eager to try and avoid that eventuality by sorting a new deal.

Anthony Knockaert
Whereas Carvalho is very much a key member of the first-team despite what's going on around him, Frenchman Knockaert has been on the periphery all year.

He's occasionally appeared during matches but no way near as much as he would have liked, with the likes of Harry Wilson and the in-form Neeskens Kebano in front of him in the pecking order.

If the right offer came in for Knockaert there is every chance that he'll move on come the start of the new year.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-players-who-could-leave-fulham-next-month/

[WhiteJC]

Decordova-Reid delighted to make difference

Bobby Decordova-Reid was delighted to come off the bench and earn a point in Fulham's top-of-the-table clash with Bournemouth last Friday and wants to continue their ten match unbeaten run at Luton this weekend.

The former Bristol City forward linked up with fellow substitute Tom Cairney to create a late equaliser for Tosin Adarabioyo against the Cherries and Decordova-Reid told FFC TV this afternoon that Marco Silva's changes illustrated the importance of Fulham's strength in depth.

"I think that's the squad's there for. When we're called upon, we've got to be ready and to make a difference. We needed a goal and so we kind of had to take that risk to get it.

Decordova-Reid revealed that he is now fully fit after being struck down by the bug that swept through Motspur Park after he returned from international duty with Jamaica and is hoping to make more crucial contributions to Fulham's promotion push.

"I came back from international duty and wasn't too well at the time. I know I had to bide my time until I get back into the squad and the minutes I get, I've got to be ready to do good for the team. I'm good now. I'm getting back to my full fitness and hopefully I can get on the pitch and show what I can do."

He feels that Fulham have done very well to put together a ten-match unbeaten run in a division as demanding as the Championship, but won't be taking Luton lightly.

"Very difficult. I didn't even notice we were ten matches unbeaten. We take every game as it comes, try and put it in a performance. If we get the three points or a point, we'll take it and move on.

I don't think you can take that into consideration in the Championship – every game's different, every team can bounce back. We're fully focused, ready for the game and ready to get three points. Listen, we're ready for whatever any team brings. We respect every team as well and how they play: we'll go out there to play our football and win the game."




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/decordova-reid-delighted-to-make-difference/

[WhiteJC]

Games for the Weekend 11/12
We travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town for a 3 o'clock kick off

Friday nights draw against Bournemouth was a little bit of a disappointment, yet again obvious penalty claims ignored and how Bournemouth kept 11 players on the pitch is a bit of a mystery? My favourite chant was when we replied "we're top of the league" after Tosin's goal, Bournemouth fans had vocalised the same message after their goal, schadenfreude can be a good thing?

Anyhow, on to Luton, I know our friend HatterDon will be looking forward to this game, and it's good to see Luton still in the Championship after their difficult initial season. Luton will be encouraged by their 0-3 win away at Blackpool so we'll have to be "on our game", there are no easy games in the Championship.
Hopefully the sickness bug has run its course and most of the squad are back to something close to full fitness. Mitro will be disappointed that he's not scored in the previous 3 and will be keen to rectify that this weekend.

Our record against Luton is only a couple of games, a draw and a win, so not enough to gauge? however current run of form is:
Luton: LLDLW
Fulham: WWDDD

Once again assuming that everyones fit, my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Saturday 11th
Birmingham City v Cardiff
Bournemouth v Rovers
Luton v Fulham
Peterborough v Millwall
West Brom v Reading

Monday 13th
Sheff Utd v West Brom

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1883

[WhiteJC]

Four-star Fulham U23s see off spirited Southend

A late flurry of goals saw Fulham inch ever closer to qualification for the quarter finals of the Premier League Cup with victory over a stubborn Southend United side at Motspur Park tonight.

Steve Wigley's side took an early lead through Kieron Bowie but were made to wait until the final five minutes before making sure of their thirteenth win in fourteen games by brilliant goalkeeping from the Shrimpers' Collin Andeng-Ndi. The Cameroonian custodian kept the hosts at bay until Ollie O'Neill found the bottom corner with an assured finish after outstanding approach play down the right flank from Luciano D'Auria-Henry and Sonny Hilton.

That sparked a spell of two further goals as Fulham gave the scoreline a more resounding look. Bowie burst down the left wing immediately and Steven Sessegnon arrived at the back post to fire home before Jean-Pierre Tiehi followed up Adrion Pajaziti's fierce drive to score his first goal since rejoining the club in September. A four goal margin was harsh on Southend, whose diligent defending and clever counter attacks made this a far more uncomfortable evening for the young Whites than many had predicted.

Andeng-Ndi's only mistake came in the first minute when he was booked for clattering into Bowie as the former Raith forward looked likely to convert a sweeping Sessegnon ball. He made a terrific stop to keep a 25-yarder from Sessegnon before being beaten by Bowie, who made light of an acute to lash a finish high into the net after brilliant link-up play between Marlon Fossey and Hilton.

O'Neill drilled just over from outside the area before being thwarted by a brave save from Andeng-Ndi after a fine run from Fossey and Idris Odutayo had an effort ruled off by an offside flag. Fulham finished the half strongly with the Southend keeper saving well from Fossey and Hilton, but the visitors almost snatched an equaliser in added time when Damien Las kept out a powerful drive from Cameron Brown.

Southend clearly took heart from that as they came out with added intent after the interval. Las did brilliantly to turn aside an audacious strike from O'Shane Stewart and the visitors thought they had levelled matters from the resultant corner. Ergis Shala felt his firm header had crossed the line before Las clawed it clear, but the referee waved away the Albanian's appeals. Luke Reeve came close to connecting with a dangerous Tom Clifford free-kick before Fulham pushed the Seasiders' back..

D'Auria-Henry, who replaced the returning Tyrese Francois at half time, extended Andeng-Ndi with a long-range strike and Bowie was thwarted by the visiting goalkeeper when he looked likely to bury Hilton's gorgeously weighted through ball. Hilton then had an effort cleared off the line by Jaden Crowhurst before Sessegnon skied over from eight yards as the hosts searched for a second.

Tiehi had two good chances in two minutes – contriving to shoot wide after being teed up by fancy footwork from O'Neill and then seeing Andeng-Ndi palm a low drive around the post – and Hilton drilled one straight at the Southend number one. O'Neill made no mistake from ten yards with six minutes left and there was the cue for the away side's brave resistance to crumble somewhat, although they should still plenty of heart from their evening of impressive defending.

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): Las; Fossey, S. Sessegnon, Mawson, Odutayo; Francois (D'Auria-Henry 45), Pajaziti; Hilton, Bowie, O'Neill; Tiehi. Subs (not used): Allen, McAvoy, Ablade.

GOALS: Bowie (11), O'Neill (85), S. Sessegnon (86), Tiehi (90).

SOUTHEND UNDER 23s (4-5-1): Andeng-Ndi; Crowhurst, Clifford (Arrowsmith 71), Reeve (Droney 64), Shala; Stewart, Brown, Anyadike (Williams 85), Garzon, Unwin; Lambourne. Subs (not used): Grossart, Quamina.

BOOKED: Andeng-Ndi.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/four-star-fulham-u23s-see-off-spirited-southend/

[MikeTheCubed]

Bit harsh on Kebano  :dft012:.

[Woolly Mammoth]

Games for the Weekend 11/12
We travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town for a 3 o'clock kick off

Friday nights draw against Bournemouth was a little bit of a disappointment, yet again obvious penalty claims ignored and how Bournemouth kept 11 players on the pitch is a bit of a mystery? My favourite chant was when we replied "we're top of the league" after Tosin's goal, Bournemouth fans had vocalised the same message after their goal, schadenfreude can be a good thing?

Anyhow, on to Luton, I know our friend HatterDon will be looking forward to this game, and it's good to see Luton still in the Championship after their difficult initial season. Luton will be encouraged by their 0-3 win away at Blackpool so we'll have to be "on our game", there are no easy games in the Championship.
Hopefully the sickness bug has run its course and most of the squad are back to something close to full fitness. Mitro will be disappointed that he's not scored in the previous 3 and will be keen to rectify that this weekend.

Our record against Luton is only a couple of games, a draw and a win, so not enough to gauge? however current run of form is:
Luton: LLDLW
Fulham: WWDDD

Once again assuming that everyones fit, my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Saturday 11th
Birmingham City v Cardiff
Bournemouth v Rovers
Luton v Fulham
Peterborough v Millwall
West Brom v Reading

Monday 13th
Sheff Utd v West Brom

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1883

No Kebano ? or have you put Kongolo instead of Kebano in error.