Sunday Fulham Stuff - 08/05/22...

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Results

Saturday
Birmingham	1-2	Blackburn
Bournmouth	1-0	Millwall
Derby	0-1	Cardiff
Huddersfield	2-0	Bristol City
Hull	1-1	Nottm Forest
Luton	1-0	Reading
P'borough	5-0	Blackpool
Preston NE	4-1	M'borough
Sheff Utd	4-0	Fulham
Stoke	1-1	Coventry
Swansea	0-1	QPR
West Brom	4-0	Barnsley

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Sheffield Utd 4-0 Fulham

Morgan Gibbs-White's first-half header was his 11th goal for Sheffield United this season

Sheffield United scored three goals in a blistering opening 25 minutes as they crushed champions Fulham to make certain of their place in the Championship play-offs.

The Blades were one of four teams in the mix for the final two play-off spots but knew a win would ensure a top-six finish irrespective of how Luton Town, Middlesbrough and Millwall fared.

Any fears of a nervy afternoon at Bramall Lane were soon dispelled when Morgan Gibbs-White headed the opener from Oli Norwood's delightful first-time cross from the right.

Gibbs-White teed up Iliman Ndiaye after a slip by Jean Michael Seri to slot in number two - his fourth goal in five games - and within four minutes the game seemed as good as done when Sander Berge rammed the ball home from six yards.

A joyous home crowd saw Berge unselfishly find Enda Stevens for a simple finish to make it 4-0 after the restart - a result which means the Blades finish fifth and will meet Nottingham Forest in the two-legged semi-finals.

United had started the action by recognising Fulham's achievements with a pre-match guard of honour, but that was as charitable as they got in a one-sided afternoon.

Paul Heckingbottom's side played with the sort urgency and quality that had been Fulham's trademark all season and led to them securing the league title with a 7-0 mauling of Luton Town on Monday.

But Wolves loanee Gibbs-White's early header set the tone for a sloppy day's work by the Whites, stand-in keeper Paolo Gazzaniga making a mess of his attempted save at the near post.

Seri's unfortunate slip deep in his own territory gifted a second goal and some more slick play ended with Berge and Stevens doubling that two-goal scoreline.

The comprehensive victory ensured the Blades finished above sixth-placed Luton on goal difference, and also means they go into the home leg against Forest in good form after a third successive win.

Boss Heckingbottom has masterminded a terrific turnaround from where they were when he took over in November with the team eight points off the top six and struggling following relegation from the Premier League.

Fulham rarely threatened to spoil the party having been overrun in the early stages. They had plenty of possession but at 3-0 down failed to create clear chances, with a Neeskens Kebano strike that flew over the bar and a Fabio Carvalho effort well saved by keeper Wesley Foderingham as close as they came.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom:

"The main thing was getting there. We wanted to do it our way. We didn't want to be thinking about results elsewhere. To do that, you've got to focus on your performance and do things right. The boys were good.

"I've said all along that we've got good players. We can't win every game - we know we'll not - but we've extended the season, which is great and what we all wanted.

"We couldn't have done much more in terms of being aggressive, stopping Fulham, trying to play forward quick, creating chances and we scored the goals.

"We'll celebrate being in the play-offs and we'll enjoy it, however we haven't won anything and haven't achieved anything. We've got more to do."

Fulham head coach Marco Silva:

"It wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us. We started well and dominated until they scored the first goal. The way we conceded the second and third goals reflects our performance.

"It is a good thing that in the last 15 days we had two moments to celebrate. The players deserve it.

"With the ball, we were really good in certain moments of the game but without the ball it was not good enough. We were not aggressive enough - most of the challenges they won.

"In terms of organisation, we were not at the level we should be and of course they punished us in those moments.

"I know why we lost the game, and we have to analyse the game and to prepare well ourselves for next season. It is a really important moment for this football club next season."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61280937

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Post-Sheff Utd Press Conference

Marco Silva felt Fulham weren't good enough out of possession in our season finale defeat by Sheffield United.

His side actually had more chances than our hosts, but some clinical finishing secured a 4-0 victory for the Blades.

Asked if the celebrations following Monday's title win were to blame, Silva replied: "This would be the easiest excuse, but I don't like to use this excuse. I know why we lost the game the way we did.

"It definitely wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us.

"With the ball, we did so many good things. Until they scored the first goal, we were the dominant team.

"The first time they went around our box... it was a good delivery, but you can't head that ball completely free around our six-yard box. They punished us in that moment.

"Their second and third goals represent our performance this afternoon. We were too sloppy in certain moments.

"We were not good enough without the ball. We were not aggressive enough, most of the challenges they won.

"We have to analyse again and prepare our football club for the next season."

Attentions of course now turn to preparations for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign – one that Silva hopes everyone can look back on admirably.

"We have to be proud of ourselves, and in one year's time I want us to be proud of ourselves again," he stated. "We know it will be a huge challenge, but in 12 months' time we have to be proud of ourselves again.

"And the work starts right now."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/07/post-sheff-utd-press-conference/

[WhiteJC]

Neco Williams' Fulham loan ends with injury – pivotal summer awaits

Neco Williams did not have the chance to don Fulham's colours again this season as injury ruled him out of their Championship finale at Sheffield United.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a productive loan spell at Craven Cottage after swapping Liverpool for Fulham in the January transfer window.

Williams featured 15 times for Marco Silva's side, scoring and assisting twice, as they dominated the Championship to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

But his final appearance for the Cottagers, this season at least, came against Nottingham Forest in late April having missed the 7-0 thumping of Luton and the final trip to Sheffield United.

Silva confirmed his absence on the final day was due to "a small issue in his knee." The Fulham boss was quick to say it is "Nothing serious, but he won't be available for the next match."

It effectively brings Williams' loan to a close and a return to Anfield beckons ahead of a pivotal summer in his young career.

The Welshman signed a five-year Liverpool contract in 2020 and knows an Anfield stay would see him continue to act as Trent Alexander-Arnold's deputy, but talks of an exit have long existed.

Williams has previously acknowledged that he will return "a more mature player and improved player" but that he "wants to play as much as possible."

With a shot at a World Cup campaign with Wales, Williams will not want to see his momentum halted but minutes at Liverpool would come only as a rotation option for Liverpool's No. 66.

A permanent switch was flirted with last summer, with Liverpool open to an exit with a £10 million bid but it soon cooled and Williams remained for the first half of the season.

It, therefore, presents this summer as an important juncture in his young career as he will not be short on suitors, Fulham will likely be one – but it will have to be right for the player and Liverpool.



https://www.thisisanfield.com/2022/05/neco-williams-fulham-loan-ends-with-injury-pivotal-summer-awaits/

[WhiteJC]

Everton, Fulham rival Leeds United in Ryan Kent race

Everton and Fulham have reportedly entered the race to sign Rangers winger Ryan Kent, who is also a target for Leeds United.

According to 90 Min, Leeds United are set to face competition from Premier League rivals Everton and newly-promoted side Fulham for the signing of Rangers winger Ryan Kent ahead of the summer transfer window.

Kent, a product of the Liverpool youth academy, has been with Rangers since 2018. Having joined the Scottish giants on a loan deal initially, the 25-year-old made the switch permanent in 2019 and has been an integral member of the team, helping them to the Premiership title last season and the UEFA Europa League final this term.

Kent has made 171 appearances for Rangers, producing a tally of 30 goals and 47 assists. The Englishman has had direct involvement in 22 goals from 43 games (three goals, 19 assists). His form for the Gers has attracted interest from clubs in England and the rest of Europe, with Leeds United, Fulham, Everton and RB Leipzig keen.

Leeds United are long-term admirers of Kent and have made previous attempts to sign him, only to be rebuffed on each occasion by Rangers. However, with there being question marks over the future of Raphinha and Daniel James not performing consistently enough, they are once again in the market for a winger, with Kent on their radars.

As for Everton, they are also on the lookout for a new wide player, with Richarlison being linked with an exit in the summer. With Andros Townsend recovering from a serious injury and Demarai Gray's form fizzling out after a bright start, the Toffees can do with some spark in the wide areas. Although, given Kent's past ties with Liverpool, there could be a reluctance on the player's part to join the club.

Fulham, meanwhile, are looking to add more quality to their roster ahead of their return to the Premier League. While the Cottagers have scored more than 100 goals in the Championship this term, they could do with added depth in the squad, more so with Fabio Carvalho set to depart at the end of the season. Kent, to that end, is a viable target for the London club.

Rangers are keen on holding on to their prized asset. However, they risk losing him for nothing next year when his contract expires. So, it remains to be seen what the Scottish giants decide as the interest in Kent continues to grow, with Barcelona also being linked.




http://www.thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/05/07/everton-fulham-rival-leeds-united-in-ryan-kent-race/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic: Who's scored more goals in an English season?

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 2021/22 campaign is now forever etched into footballing folklore.

Following Fulham's final match of the season away at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon, which they lost 4-0, the former Newcastle striker has finished on 43 Championship goals.

To score that number of goals in the modern era is frankly absurd, especially when you remember that the previous record in the division was 31 goals, set by Brentford's Ivan Toney in 2020/21.

Mitrovic's enormous tally will likely not be equalled by another player for a long, long time.

So, the question that remains is; who has managed to score more goals during a single season in one of England's top four divisions?

Well, the answer is quite a few players.

According to a detailed document by the folks over at RSSSF, 18 players in the long history of the English game have rippled the back of the net 44 or more times in a season.

Let's take a look at who they are...

The players who have scored more than 43 goals in an English season
Jimmy Cookson (Chesterfield, 1925/26) – 44 goals

Albert Whitehurst (Rochdale, 1926/27) – 44 goals

Dixie Dean (Everton, 1931-32) – 44 goals

Tom Bamford (Wrexham, 1933/34) – 44 goals

Arthur Rowley (Leicester City, 1956/57) – 44 goals

Kevin Hector (Bradford Park Avenue, 1965/66) – 44 goals

Jimmy Hampson (Blackpool, 1929/30) – 45 goals

Peter Simpson (Crystal Palace, 1930/31) – 46 goals

Derek Dooley (Sheffield Wednesday, 1951/52) – 46 goals

Alf Lythgoe (Stockport County, 1933/34) – 46 goals

David Morris (Swindon Town, 1926/27) – 47 goals

Tom Waring (Aston Villa, 1930/31) – 49 goals

Clarrie Bourton (Coventry City, 1931/32) – 49 goals

Terry Bly (Peterborough United, 1960/61) – 52 goals

Joe Payne (Luton Town, 1936/37) – 55 goals

Ted Harston (Mansfield Town, 1936/37) – 55 goals

George Camsell (Middlesbrough, 1926/27) – 59 goals

Dixie Dean (Everton, 1927/28) – 60 goals

It's been over 50 years since a player finished an English season with more goals than Mitrovic in 2021/22, the last to do so being Hector with Bradford Park Avenue in 1965/66.

Mental, right? We really watched history unfold in front of our eyes at Craven Cottage this season.

Dean's record of 60 goals in a single season is likely to remain unbroken for the rest of the time, as that number is just beyond ridiculous.

Even the GOATs Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had to settle for 50 and 48 goals respectively in their finest league campaigns.



https://www.givemesport.com/88004654-aleksandar-mitrovic-whos-scored-more-goals-in-an-english-season

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Sheffield United 4-0 Fulham: The Blades THUMP lacklustre champions to secure a play-off spot as goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Iliman Ndiaye, Sander Berge and Enda Stevens help end the season in style

    Sheffield United thrashed champions Fulham 4-0 to secure their play-off spot
    Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring for the Blades just 10 minutes in
    Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge also both scored in the first half to make it 3-0
    Enda Stevens fired home for Paul Heckingbottom's side early in the second half

Sheffield United made absolutely certain of their play-off status as their Bramall Lane fortress was far too much for partying Fulham.

Knowing a win would do, three goals in the opening 25 minutes wrapped up the three points as their intensity and desire blew away the Championship winners.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge had Blades fans in celebratory mood well before half-time and gearing up for a crack at Nottingham Forest in the play-offs.


Fulham appeared to play the match doing their utmost to live up to the 'on the beach' cliche

However, for supporters of the teams trying to deprive them a play-off spot at the start of the day in Middlesbrough and Millwall, this would have made for dispiriting viewing.

Paul Heckingbottom's side played like everything was on the line; the West Londoners were here in body but their minds were still celebrating the title success achieved in the 7-0 romp over Luton at Craven Cottage on Monday, and they subsided meekly.

Reaching the play-offs caps a tremendous turnaround for United since Heckingbottom replaced Slavisa Jokanovic at the end of November.

Hopes of a top-two finish had already gone by then as they languished in 16th place, but they have actually picked up more points than promoted pair Fulham and Bournemouth since then.

It has all been built around a near-impregnable home record of ten wins and just one defeat in 14 games and they will look to use that next Saturday when they welcome Forest here in the first leg of their semi-final.

Cottagers boss Marco Silva had made five changes to the starting line-up and it only took the play-off chasers ten minutes to pick them apart as Gibbs-White headed in off the post from Oliver Norwood's cross.

It was an 11th goal of the season for the Wolves loanee, who has come to the fore with injuries to all four of Sheffield United's frontline strikers, but the efforts of goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga to keep it out will have raised a few eyebrows.


Four minutes after Ndiaye's goal, a bad Fulham error let Sander Berge in to slot home for 3-0


Fabio Carvalho (No 28) had Fulham's best chance of the first half but Wes Foderingham saved

For the second goal, midfielder Jean Michael Seri tried a turn in his own half and slipped, leaving Berge to pick up the pieces. He worked it to Gibbs-White and onto Ndiaye, who swept it home.

Four minutes later, the Blades again waltzed through the visitors' backline as Gibbs-White flicked on, Ndiaye was first to the loose ball and under little pressure, rolled it across for Norwegian Berge to slot through Gazzaniga's legs from six yards.

Even Fulham's much-vaunted attack, which has plundered 106 goals on their way to the title, failed to fire as Fabio Carvalho, in his final game before almost certainly moving to Liverpool, should have pulled one back but he was denied by Wes Foderingham.


Fulham manager Marco Silva's reaction summed up what was a final day to forget for his team

That was just a brief respite as the Blades added a fourth early into the second half. Berge squared the ball perfectly to left wing-back Enda Stevens, in acres of space in the box, and he swept it home.

The Championship's player of the season and scorer of an astonishing 43 goals, Aleksandr Mitrovic, was then taken off after an hour, as Premier League-bound Fulham waved the white flag while Neeskens Kebano hit the post with a late deflected effort.

But on this display and with momentum on their side, Sheffield United will still hope they can renew acquaintances with them in the top flight next season.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10792391/Sheffield-United-4-0-Fulham-Blades-hammer-lacklustre-champions-comfortably-secure-play-spot.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U18 1-2 Leicester U18

Fulham Under-18s slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat on Saturday at the hands of Leicester City.

Olly Sanderson's volley put us ahead, but goals from Amani Richards and Chris Popov turned the game on its head.

In terms of team news, Xavier Benjamin came into the defence as a replacement for Stefan Parkes, who began on the bench. Lemar Gordon returned to the wing to form a front three alongside Olly Sanderson and Terrell Works.

Neither side was able to create any decent opportunities in the opening 10 minutes. The young Whites got themselves into some decent positions but couldn't quite find that all-important final ball.

Ali Melloul's side thought they should have won a penalty on 17 minutes, when Charlie Robinson's header across the Leicester area appeared to strike a hand. The referee, however, was quick to dismiss our protests.

Our lads were on top and nearly went ahead a couple of minutes later. Works breezed past a defender down the right before squaring the ball to Sanderson, who was quickly ushered away from goal before he could pull the trigger. Delano McCoy-Splatt then had a go from range but his effort was blocked.

Works came close on the half-hour mark, firing a left-footed shot just over after picking the ball up on the edge of the area.

We eventually took the lead, courtesy of Sanderson. Tanton was released down the right and his brilliant cross was expertly volleyed home at the back post by our number nine. Advantage to the hosts.

Unfortunately, we weren't to head into the break with the lead. Leicester's Richards curled a neat shot into the top corner after producing an excellent spin on the ball to open up some space.

After a pretty tense opening half, the two sides went in tied.

Leicester's Sammy Braybrooke, who had a lively first half, produced the first shot after the break. His powerful bouncing effort was well collected by Allen.

Allen made an even better save on 57 minutes, diving to his right to keep out a well hit Jamari Lindsay effort. Benjamin came to the rescue for his side seconds later, clearing the ball off the line.

The visitors went ahead soon after, courtesy of striker Popov. Robinson's loose pass was intercepted before being calmly slotted home.

The young Foxes could've, and probably should've added a third on 68 minutes. Logan Briggs travelled down the left-hand side before squaring to Richards, who despite having the whole goal to aim at, smashed his effort wide.

Substitute Michael Olakigbe was fed through on 80 minutes after some sloppy Leicester passing. His low effort was excellently saved by Arlo Doherty who came sprinting out of his goal.

Then, seconds later, Imani Lanquedoc's clever lofted ball was nearly tapped in by Sanderson. The forward couldn't quite reach it but any touch would've led to an equaliser.

The lads pushed and pushed but in the end, slipped to a narrow defeat at Motspur Park.

Fulham U18: Allen, Araujo, Benjamin, Robinson, Tanton, Gordon, McCoy-Splatt, Works (Olakigbe 70'), Okkas, Lanquedoc (Caton 82'), Sanderson

Subs: Parker, Parkes, Caton, Borto, Olakigbe




https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/07/Fulham-U18-1-2-Leicester-U18/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham end brilliant season with a thrashing at Sheffield United

Sheffield United 4 Fulham 0

Champions Fulham ended a brilliant season with a woeful performance at Bramall Lane.

They were all over the place in the first half and three goals in the space of 15 minutes sent them in at the interval three down.

Morgan Gibbs-White headed in Oli Norwood's right-wing cross and Iliman Ndiaye doubled Sheffield United's lead by slotting home after Jean Michael Seri had slipped and given the ball away.

Sander Berge netted from close range after more shoddy Fulham defending to make it three.

And Enda Stevens rounded off a nice Blades move with their fourth goal.

Fulham: Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Ream, Robinson, Seri (Reed 72), Chalobah (Onomah 30), De Cordova-Reid, Carvalho, Kebano, Mitrovic (Muniz 60).
Subs not used: Fabri, Tosin, Cavaleiro, Stansfield.




https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/sheffield-united-v-fulham-fc-report

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'I arrived too late to help Fulham keep Carvalho' — Silva

Marco Silva has suggested his arrival at Fulham came "a little bit late" for him to convince Fabio Carvalho to renew his contract instead of signing for Liverpool.

The Athletic revealed in April that the 19-year-old attacker was set to join Champions League finalists Liverpool for £7.7 million in the summer.

Fulham completed their Championship-winning season at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 to Sheffield United. But they still won the league by a two point margin over Bournemouth, finishing on 90 points.

Speaking after the game about his Portuguese compatriot, Silva said: "I think he has a brilliant career in front of him. He is a top top talent in my opinion.

"Unfortunately for me, I probably arrived a little bit late in this football club. With more time, he would have renewed his contract before. Definitely.

"It was a tough moment for us that we couldn't renew the contract before. And of course when a player that age starts to play the way he played week in, week out, doing very good performances every single match.

"There were many clubs around him, a lot of rumours around him, and (it) was really tough for us to renew his contract. It is not not normal for a boy of 19 years old, from the first two months of the season, (to have) a lot of rumours around him from clubs around Europe.

"He never lost the focus, he let other people take care of it, and he really helped our football club to get promotion, to be champions. For a boy of 19 years old it is a fantastic sign and I believe that he has all the qualities to perform at a high level and to keep improving.

"Unfortunately he will not be in our shirt next season but I wish all the best for him."

Carvalho featured in 35 Championship matches for Fulham this season, scoring 10 goals.



https://theathletic.com/news/i-arrived-too-late-to-help-fulham-keep-carvalho-silva/BLGx8GVhz5Bd/

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Fabio Carvalho's "fantastic sign" that will delight Liverpool fans detailed by Marco Silva

The highly-talented Portuguese youngster made what is likely to be his final appearance for the Cottagers in their last day defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday

Fabio Carvalho has been given a ringing endorsement ahead of his summer switch to Liverpool.

The Portuguese youngster has excelled in the Championship with Fulham this season, playing a stellar role in helping the Cottagers seal the title. The 19-year-old has chipped in with 10 goals and eight assists across 36 league games and that form persuaded Liverpool to sanction a deal for him.

Whilst confirmation has yet to come directly from the Reds, it appears only a matter of time before the switch is officially confirmed.

Despite the youngster's contract with Fulham nearing its expiry, Jurgen Klopp's side will be permitted to pay a tribunal fee due to his age.

Whilst Carvalho himself has yet to entertain talk of a move to Anfield, Fulham director of football Tony Khan said this week: "We have made a deal that is best for the club and, since that agreement, it's worked out wonderfully because he has been such a valuable part of the promotion."

To that end, Saturday saw Carvalho make what is likely to have been his final outing for his current employers. And whilst it did not go the way they would have expected - losing 4-0 away at Sheffield United who now enter the play-offs - he received a glowing reference from Fulham chief Marco Silva.

Silva believes that had he arrived as manager earlier last summer - he was appointed on July 1 - he would have persuaded Carvalho to extend his stay in West London. Speaking post-match at Bramall Lane, Silva said: "I think he (Carvalho) has a brilliant career in front of him. He is a top top talent in my opinion.

"Unfortunately for me, I probably arrived a little bit late in this football club. With more time, he would have renewed his contract before. Definitely. It was a tough moment for us that we couldn't renew the contract before. And of course when a player that age starts to play the way he played week in, week out, doing very good performances every single

"There were many clubs around him, a lot of rumours around him, and (it) was really tough for us to renew his contract. It is not not normal for a boy of 19 years old, from the first two months of the season, (to have) a lot of rumours around him from clubs around Europe. He never lost the focus, he let other people take care of it, and he really helped our football club to get promotion, to be champions. For a boy of 19 it is a fantastic sign and I believe that he has all the qualities to perform at a high level and to keep improving.

"Unfortunately he will not be in our shirt next season but I wish all the best for him."

Despite the heavy loss, Fulham finish the season on 90 points having wrapped up the league title earlier in the week. Silva added: "It wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fabio-carvalhos-fantastic-sign-delight-26902113

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and 4 clubs who could sign 'blessed' £12m Newcastle star in 2022

Jonjo Shelvey could soon be seeking a transfer as he is not a big part of Newcastle United's future plans, so what five clubs could sign the midfielder now including Fulham and Leeds?

The Toon signed Shelvey from Swansea City in January of 2016 for £12m as they fought to avoid relegation. Championship football would ultimately arrive on Tyneside that year. But Rafa Benitez secured their instant Premier League return, with Shelvey playing a vital role.

Rarely has the 30-year-old not held an important presence at St James' Park across the last five top-flight seasons. When fit, Shelvey is an almost guaranteed starter and has oten also taken on the captaincy. Yet as Newcastle look to move up the table, he may be left behind.

Jonjo Shelvey could soon seek new club amid uncertain future at Newcastle

That's because Dean Jones says Shelvey is not going to be a big part of Newcastle's plans for the future. Boss Eddie Howe is keen to continue using the Magpies' Saudi-backed funds to improve his core players, which will see the six-cap England international fall to the side.

Newcastle have already spent a lot after their £305m takeover backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in October. Bruno Guimaraes was one of those to arrive in January, with the Brazilian completing a £35m move from Lyon featuring an additional £6.5m in add-ons.

Howe is likely to build his midfield around Guimaraes going forward after making a splash on Tyneside already. Alan Shearer has hailed the 24-year-old for his 'wonderful' start as a Toon player, having scored a clutch of important goals following a steady start at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur anchor Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the next midfielder to arrive at St James'. The Mirror report Newcastle are interested in Hojbjerg, and are prepared to pay Spurs £30m. So, what clubs can sign Shelvey this year with his Newcastle future uncertain?

Fulham can be Jonjo Shelvey's next club by signing Newcastle ace after promotion

Fulham could sign Shelvey from Newcastle as the Craven Cottage club target transfers as a Premier League side once again. The Cottagers will return to the top-flight next term after lifting the Championship title, and will be determined to avoid another instant relegation.

Following play-off success in 2017/18 and '19/20, Fulham suffered an immediate return to the second-tier. They have not been a consistent top-flight presence since 2014, when the Cottagers fell into the Championship following a 13 year period as a Premier League outfit.

Shelvey can offer Fulham plenty of top-flight experience and leadership if the club were to eye a transfer with Newcastle. He is also a steady and well-rounded operator in the engine room, whom former Magpies boss Steve Bruce spoke fondly of during his time in charge.

"Jonjo has always been blessed – it becomes easy, the game of football, like a game of golf to him," Bruce said in 2020, via the Newcastle website. "He's blessed with a natural ability. He can see a pass that other people can't, he can deliver a pass [and] he can score a goal."

Leeds can solve midfield issues with Newcastle raid for Jonjo Shelvey

Leeds can solve their midfield issues if the West Yorkshire club were to sign Shelvey from Newcastle this summer. The Whites have struggled for numbers as they have dealt with a variety of injuries this season, having kept a small squad under former boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Jesse Marsch is seemingly keen to atone for the Argentine's error during his first window in charge this summer. Voetbal Primeur report the American is interested in Leeds signing Nicolas Raskin from Standard Liege. But Genoa and Belgian outfits are also in the running.

Raskin is a highly-rated 21-year-old who could serve as a long-term option at Elland Road. But Leeds could benefit far more in the immediate future with a move to sign Shelvey from Newcastle as the club strives to move back up the Premier League table, if they stay up.

Crystal Palace can replace Conor Gallagher with Jonjo Shelvey

Patrick Vieira has done a tremendous job at Crystal Palace after replacing Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park last year. Conor Gallagher has been an instrumental factor behind what the Eagles have achieved, with the Chelsea loanee a leading figure in south London all season.

But Gallagher is unlikely to be at Selhurst Park next term, and Vieira is already considering replacements. The Daily Mail report Crystal Palace are interested in signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea. But Everton, West Ham and Jose Mourinho's Roma are also keen.

Shelvey would be a very solid alternative to Loftus-Cheek should Crystal Palace fail to edge their rivals. His ability to play clinical long-range passes can be a superb addition for Vieira, as he would be able to unlock space to free Michail Olise, Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha.

Wolves can find Ruben Neves heir in Jonjo Shelvey if club signs Newcastle ace

Wolves could find themselves in the market for a new midfielder this summer with Ruben Neves' Molineux future uncertain. Sport report the Portuguese is eager to join Barcelona, while Sky Sports note Arsenal have made Neves one of their top targets for the off-season.

Shelvey can serve as Neves' heir in the West Midlands, and is unlikely to command a high transfer fee. Newcastle could look to sell Shelvey this summer as he will enter the last year of a £70k-a-week contract in June. He penned the terms back in March 2020 under Bruce.

With Howe now keen to move on from the likes of Shelvey, Newcastle are unlikely to give him a new contract. Clubs in need of new central midfielders – possibly like Wolves – then may look to sign Shelvey over the summer if it becomes clear he has no future at St James'.

Huddersfield Town could intensify Premier League return by signing Jonjo Shelvey

While Fulham and Bournemouth have gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, the Championship play-off spot remains available. Huddersfield Town are among the clubs who will compete in the play-offs as they eye their top-flight return after three years away.

The Terriers were last in the Premier League in 2018/19 when Aaron Mooy was the star of the John Smith's Stadium midfield. Carols Corberan could find his own Mooy in Shelvey if his West Yorkshire club were to secure top-flight status and then sign the Newcastle star.

Huddersfield would severely lack Premier League experience in the centre of the field after also selling Philip Billing in 2019. Lewis O'Brien is Corberan's most-often utilised option in midfield, but the 23-year-old has so far never played in the top-flight in his still raw career.




https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/07/fulham-and-4-clubs-who-could-sign-blessed-12m-newcastle-star-in-2022/

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Transfer News: Fulham, Leeds United interested in Morgan Gibbs-White

Fulham and Leeds United are reportedly keeping close tabs on 22-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

According to TEAMtalk, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is attracting attention from Leeds United  and London giants Leeds United ahead of the 2022 summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old came through the ranks at the Midlands side, making his debut as a 16-year-old in 2017. He has since made 86 appearances for Wolves, scoring three goals and assisting one more.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Gibbs-White is versatile enough to serve various roles across the field. It should hold him in good stead in the years to come. Currently, on loan at Championship side Sheffield United, the 22-year-old Englishman played a major role in them finishing fifth in the second division, earning themselves a spot in the playoffs.

Gibbs-White is at the right age to take the next step in his career and there are thankfully clubs who are keeping a keen eye on him. Relegation-threatened Leeds United and Premier League-bound Fulham are two of the clubs interested in him.

Jesse Marsch's arrival has done little to help Leeds in their efforts to put some distance from the relegation zone. Unless results pick up soon, there is every chance that they will face a fight for survival. Should relegation turn into a reality, it is unlikely that Gibbs-White will be keen to spend another season in the second division by joining Leeds.

Fulham, on the other hand, could present an interesting proposition. Marco Silva's side have been the standout performers in the Championship this season, and the London giants will now strut their stuff in the Premier League. Silva has built an exciting side that plays good football, and Gibbs-White would thrive in the setup.

His parent club, Wolves are also well aware of the talent they have on their hands. Manager Bruno Lage appears ready to give the 22-year-old a chance at the Molineux next season. With Ruben Neves likely to leave the club in the summer amid interest from Barcelona, there could be an opening for Gibbs-White to exploit in the Wolves roster.

The 22-year-old midfielder has a long-term deal with the Midlands side, and it hands them the advantage when it comes to potential transfer negotiations. Whether Fulham and Leeds make an offer that Wolves cannot refuse or whether Gibbs-White's future lies at the Molineux will be interesting to see.



http://www.thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/05/07/transfer-news-fulham-leeds-united-interested-in-morgan-gibbs-white/

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Sheffield United stroll into the play-offs

Was it the after-effects of the raucuous celebrations that followed the lifting of the Championship trophy? Marco Silva didn't want to employ 'easy excuses' after Fulham's fabulous season ended with very little fight at Bramall Lane this afternoon. Perhaps Anthony Knockaert's prowess with a paintball gun was to blame. The Whites, scorers of more than a century of goals and assured of a place in the Premier League, wilted in a white-hot atmosphere as Sheffield United strolled into the play-offs with a 4-0 win that was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.

None of Silva's four changes from the side that thrashed Luton Town on Monday proved particularly effective. Paulo Gazzaniga made Marek Rodak look like Lev Yashin when he remained rooted to the spot rather than stopping Morgan Gibbs-White's header from going in off the post, Michael Hector showed precisely way he will be a free agent in a month's time, Neeskens Kebano spurned his only sight of goal and Nathaniel Chalobah limped off injured after half an hour. Even Jean Michael Seri stumbled – with Sander Berge seizing on the Ivorian's slip to feed Gibbs-White, who turned provider for Iliman Ndiaye to make it 2-0.

The game was over as a contest five minutes later when Ndiaye breezed beyond Hector having latched onto a flick on from Gibbs-White and saw a low cross turned in by Berge – with Gazzaniga and Tim Ream both not doing enough to prevent the close-range finish. Fulham, who had actually began the game brightly with one-touch football between Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fabio Carvalho, were completely overrun in midfield with Ollie Norwood, who whipped in a brilliant cross for the opening goal from the left wing, outstanding for the hosts. It took until stoppage time for the visitors to fashion a clear-cut opening when Bobby Decordova-Reid's deep cross dropped invitingly for Carvalho, who appeared certain to mark his farewell with goal, only for former Fulham goalkeeper Wes Foderingham to make a fine reaction stop.

There wasn't much respite in the second half. Bramall Lane was bouncing after a lovely move along the left saw Enda Stevens, marauding forward from wing-back, lash in a fourth after one-touch approach play from John Fleck and Berge. Gazzaniga reacted well to keep out John Egan's header from a Norwood set-play after a crude foul by Hector, but the visitors' afternoon was summed up at the other end when Josh Onomah couldn't even score from close range when an attempted clearance came into his path.

Fotheringham, who was denied a professional deal at Craven Cottage by the emergence of Marcus Bettinelli, made a couple of sharp saves to deny Kebano and substitute Rodrigo Muniz in quick succession. It seemed a sad way for Ream's association with the Whites to end – as it appears poised to this season – with a line of stewards preventing the American veteran from showing the true extent of his appreciation to a travelling support, who partied on regardless of this resounding defeat. Silva's side might have been scintillating on their way to the title, but this is plenty of work to be done this summer to make the Whites Premier League ready.

SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-4-1-2): Foderingham; Basham, Egan, J. Robinson; Osborn, Stevens, Norwood, Fleck (Hourihane 75); Berge; Gibbs-White (Jebbison 78), Ndiaye (Osula 62). Subs (not used): A. Davies, Norrington-Davies, B. Davies, Baldock.

BOOKED: Fleck, Stevens.

GOALS: Gibbs-White (10), Ndiaye (21), Berge (23), Stevens (49).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Tete, A. Robinson, Hector, Ream; Chalobah (Onomah 30), Seri (Reed 72); Kebano, Decordova-Reid, Carvalho; Mitrovic (Muniz 60). Subs (not used): Fabri, Adarabioyo, Cavaleiro, Stansfield.

BOOKED: Hector.

REFEREE: Josh Smith (Peterborough).

ATTENDANCE: 30,028



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/05/sheffield-united-stroll-into-the-play-offs/

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Silva: 'We were not aggressive enough'

Fulham head coach Marco Silva felt his side didn't show enough fight as the Championship winners were thrashed 4-0 at Sheffield United on the final day of the season.

The Blades booked a play-off place with a comprehensive victory, secured by three goals in the first 25 minutes from Morgan Gibbs-White, Iliman N'diaye and Sander Berge. Wing-back Enda Stevens added a fourth early in the second half.

Silva told his post-match press conference:

"It wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us. We started well and dominated until they scored the first goal. The way we conceded the second and third goals reflects our performance.

"It is a good thing that in the last 15 days we had two moments to celebrate. The players deserve it.

"With the ball, we were really good in certain moments of the game but without the ball it was not good enough. We were not aggressive enough – most of the challenges they won.

"In terms of organisation, we were not at the level we should be and of course they punished us in those moments.

"I know why we lost the game, and we have to analyse the game and to prepare well ourselves for next season. It is a really important moment for this football club next season."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/05/silva-we-were-not-aggressive-enough/

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Football is an unfair playing field for smaller clubs but there is hope
Jason Stockwood
Money is the competitive advantage in football so a better flow of funding throughout the football pyramid is essential

The "free market" is a dangerous lie. All systems are bounded by the choices we make on both a societal and individual basis. Seeing Fulham and Bournemouth promoted to the Premier League confirmed this idea and embeds the narrative that money is the competitive advantage in football. That they are beneficiaries of "parachute payments", in a league where most clubs rely on the support of wealthy benefactors to underwrite their losses, further confirms that change is necessary if the game has any chance to retain any semblance of moral authority.

There is, of course, no suggestion that Fulham or Bournemouth are corrupt or immoral. It's the dangerous narrative of the "free market" that needs changing and the people to change it are not those currently in power as it is a narrative that serves the "elites" in both society and sport.

The current mythology presupposes that we live in a meritocracy and those at the top in terms of sporting success, wealth or business are there because of hard work and ability alone. Whilst these are undoubtedly necessary conditions of success they are not sufficient. More important is how we benefit from embedded advantages of the systems we operate in. In football terms, that would be those who happen to have been around the Premier League at the time of its inception and for the last 20 years. On an individual basis, that is those who benefit from the accidents of birth across gender, ethnicity or wealth.

In his book A Theory of Justice, the philosopher John Rawls asks, what principles would we choose to govern our society if we had to choose from behind a "veil of ignorance". Rawls' thought experiment asks us to think about how we would treat all people in our society if we had cognition prior to birth but knew nothing about the life we will be born into across any dimension of class, race, sex etc. It seems obvious that when we take into consideration the randomness of our birth that we would only permit social and economic inequalities as long as they were to the advantage of the least well off because that could just as easily be any of us. The fact I was born white and male in Grimsby and not otherwise is completely arbitrary.

I have been thinking about Rawls in relation to the health of our society or our football leagues. For the system to be fair, it has to be judged on how we treat everyone in the system rather than the winner takes all mentality we are seeing in both broader society and our sport. Rawls also had something to say on intuition as a guide to moral choices and surely no one can think that it is fair that Fulham can pay their top striker Aleksander Mitrovic a reported £3m per year while Peterborough have to sell their top striker, Siriki Dembélé, to survive.

In all of this, there is hope. The government has declared it is supportive of the recommendations from the fan led review authored by Tracey Crouch MP. The most important items in that review are the need for an independent regulator, someone who can enforce a better flow of funding throughout the football pyramid, for a broader definition of who can be owners and directors of football clubs and for greater fan involvement in decisions that affect the future viability of clubs. It seems clear from statements by both the government and EFL that the Premier League have no interest in updating the financial arrangements to support lower leagues further. The arguments the Premier League makes are symptomatic of the inequality in broader society, where you can easily compare the Premier League with the "elites" in our society.
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The Premier League and the top earners in our country both believe that the success and wealth they create is entirely down to their own brilliance and personal endeavour. I see this again and again when I meet wealthy people who often feel like they have earned their wealth through hard work and ingenuity alone and see no need to offer up further support through more progressive taxation. The issue about inequality is how people disregard the benefits of being part of historically robust systems and years of investment in making those systems work. Jeff Bezos didn't invent the internet his business is built on, pay for the schools his employees are educated in or tarmac the roads that delivery trucks drive on but his wealth is built on all of them.

Likewise, those who now sit at the top of the football tree derive their success at least partially on the 100 plus years of organised football in our country and the contributions made by the Grimsbys, Port Vales and Stockports as much as the Arsenals, Manchester Uniteds and Liverpools. When the arguments are being made most disregard the fact that football clubs sit in such lofty positions today because of all that has gone before them or that people are often successful at least in part due to the advantages of their birth and the systems they are born into.

The other argument I see being made against greater solidarity across football or society is that existing systems are wasteful or too bureaucratic. In football terms, so many clubs are loss making because the current incentives reward overspending. Gary Neville and the team at Salford were pilloried for losing £91,000 a week but they are obviously only trying to do what is best for their club. The problem is not that owners will spend, it is that the system is unbounded and drives up wage demands across the board. If we made it a precondition of ownership that clubs cannot run up such losses then the system can police itself.

A mentor of mine used to tell me "deals only really work if they work for everyone". I think this is true in all parts of life. It's time to rethink the narratives we tell ourselves if we want our game and our society to flourish. We need to take a longer view of what football clubs mean to our communities and create ethical boundaries that serve all stakeholders and not just those who hold the money today. These decisions are too important to leave solely to those in boardrooms or in the higher tax brackets.

Jason Stockwood is the chairman of Grimsby Town




https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/08/football-is-an-unfair-playing-field-for-smaller-clubs-but-there-is-hope