Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 31/05/22...

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Celtic want £5m star Postecoglou has been 'desperate' to sign... but Fulham want him too

Celtic want Ko Itakura but now face a battle with Fulham and Bournemouth for the Manchester City defender's signature.

Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title last season and are looking forward to a bright future under Ange Postecoglou.

Yet the Bhoys do need to improve in Europe – especially having watched Rangers go all the way to the Europa League final.

That means reinforcements will be needed and Postecoglou could once again use his knowledge of the Japanese market.

Celtic want Ko Itakura

Postecoglou oversaw a real Japanese influx with Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi all arriving.

Yet there was another Japanese player Celtic wanted and they couldn't quite land him.

Celtic were keen on defender Itakura last summer but he went to Schalke instead, with the German club claiming that Celtic were 'desperate' to land him.

Itakura has help Schalke win promotion but they are still struggling to pay up just £5million to sign him permanently.

That means Itakura could head elsewhere and the Manchester Evening News claim that Celtic are back in the race.

The problem for Celtic now is that other clubs are joining the race for Itakura.

Sky Sports report that Fulham and Bournemouth – both recently promoted to the Premier League – are looking to sign Itakura.

Add in interest from Hoffenheim and Freiburg and Celtic's push for Itakura looks very difficult.

Postecoglou's links to the City Football Group may help Celtic, having spent time as Yokohama F. Marinos boss under the CFG umbrella.

The 25-year-old centre back is quick, reads the game well and isn't afraid in the tackle. Add in a decent goalscoring ability as a centre back and you can see why Celtic fancy Itakura.

Beating Fulham and Bournemouth really won't be easy given their riches upon reaching the Premier League, but Celtic will hope to lure him with the prospect of joining his compatriots at Parkhead.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/30/celtic-fulham-bournemouth-manchester-city-ko-itakura/

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Borussia Dortmund interested in Fulham-linked Super Eagles star – report

The German giants are revamping their defence line after succumbing tamely to bitter rivals Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga race this season

Borussia Dortmund are interested in adding Nigeria international Calvin Bassey to their squad this summer as the German side looks to rebuild their defence ahead of next season, says respected transfer insider Lahcen Senhaji.

Dortmund finished second this term, eight points behind league champions Bayern Munich, but the BVB would rue what could have been if they had a better defence.

The Yellow Wall conceded an astonishing 52 goals in 34 matches, the worst defensive record of any side in the top eight.

The revamp has started with Dortmund already welcoming Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle to replace the departing Marin Pongracic (who was on loan from VfL Wolfsburg) and Dan-Axel Zagadou, whose contract will not be extended.

With Matts Hummels irreplaceable and Manuel Akanji eyeing a move to the Premier League, there is room for one more defensive reinforcement at the Signal Park.

And football journalist Lahcen Senhaji reports that Dortmund are looking to fill the gap with Glasgow Rangers versatile defender Calvin Bassey.

Bassey has made the headlines for the right reasons in recent weeks, winning the man-of-the-match awards in the finals of the Europa League and the Scottish Cup.

The 22-year-old was also on hand to assist Cyriel Dessers' first international goal for Nigeria as the Super Eagles fell 2-1 to Mexico in a friendly on Sunday.

Able to play as a centre-back, wing-back, and left full-back, Bassey is already the subject of a £3.5 million bid from Fulham and is on the radar of Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

It could, however, take a transfer fee closer to £15 million to convince Rangers to part with an asset they got for next to nothing from Leicester City two years ago.



https://soccernet.ng/2022/05/borussia-dortmund-interested-in-fulham-linked-super-eagles-star-report.html

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Season Ticket Renewals: One Day To Go

Season Ticket Holders have until 5pm tomorrow, Tuesday 31st May, to keep your existing seat for the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Current seats will remain on hold until the deadline - any unrenewed seats will then be made available on 1st June to 2022/23 Season Ticket Holders wishing to move seats, before being released on General Sale, subject to availability.

Supporters considering a seat move are encouraged to renew their existing seat to ensure your place at Craven Cottage is not lost.

To renew, please visit tickets.fulhamfc.com and log in with your OneFulham Account. Your available seat(s) will be displayed on the Tickets Profile homepage, listed under Your Reserved Tickets.

More information including pricing can be found by visiting our Season Tickets page here.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/30/season-ticket-renewals-one-day-to-go/

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'£60m clause': Agent reacts to Everton and Fulham links with Prem ace

Miguel Almiron's agent has played down talks of a move to Everton and Premier League newcomers Fulham for the £20 million Newcastle United winger, speaking to Versus Radio.

The Paraguay international, Daniel Campos says, is 'happy' with life under Eddie Howe on Tyneside, having started seven of the Magpies' last eight league games in 2021/22.

That could change sooner rather than later, however.

With Newcastle now increasingly confident that a deal can be reached with Bayer Leverkusen for the fearsome France international Moussa Diaby, Almiron's Tyneside renaissance feels decidedly short-term. 

To put it simply, the former Atlanta United talisman will find himself on the bench in 2022/23, if Newcastle's ambitious summer plans come to fruition that is.

According to The Sun, Everton are keen on Almiron, a player who's explosive pace and relentless work ethic makes him a potentially inspired addition to Frank Lampard's counter-attacking side.

Fulham are keen too, having seen a deal for Manor Solomon collapse after a lengthy transfer saga.

Is Miguel Almiron leaving Newcastle United?

"For now, he has a contract for two more years," says Campos, Almiron's agent.

"We do not have any information about interest from another club. Rather, there are rumours from the press. Many times, the clubs negotiate among themselves but they haven't told me anything yet.

"He has a release clause of £60 million. He's very comfortable at the club (Newcastle). He is playing, he is happy."

According to The Mirror, Newcastle are willing to accept a cut-price fee of just £10 million for a player who's end product has often left a lot to be desired in black-and-white stripes. That stunning winner against Crystal Palace was his only Premier League goal since a brace in a 3-2 victory over Southampton all the way back in February 2021.

"He is one of many players playing for their future. We know Newcastle will reinvest," Magpies legend Alan Shearer said on BBC's Match of the Day. 

"One thing you can never throw at him is his work-rate or attitude, which is always superb. His number of goals has never been good enough. He now has until the end of the season to prove he deserves to stay."



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/30/60m-clause-agent-reacts-to-everton-and-fulham-links-with-prem-ace/

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Fulham and Bournemouth join race to sign Manchester City's Itakura

Fulham and Bournemouth have joined the race to sign Manchester City's Ko Itakura, reports Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas.

Both Fulham and Bournemouth earned promotion from the Championship this season. Fulham claimed the title whilst a former manager of theirs, Scott Parker, guided Bournemouth to a 2nd place finish.

And both now look set to bolster their ranks in the summer transfer window with Fulham in particular having been linked with a number of potential new signings.

Now, Sky Sports reporter Thomas says that the pair are keen on Manchester City's Itakura, who has just completed a season on loan with German outfit Schalke 04.

He impressed with the Bundesliga 2 side, helping them claim the title. Thomas says that Schalke want a permanent deal for the Japanese international, with Celtic having been linked with the City man too.

Itakura can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. The 8-cap Japanese international joined Manchester City in 2019 from Kawasaki Frontale but he is yet to make a compeitive appearance for Pep Guardiola's side, having spent time on loan with Dutch side Groningen for both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

An unknown quantity...

Given Itakura's lack of experience in England, he's something of an unknown quantity for both Bournemouth and Fulham.

But with so many top tier sides looking at the City man, it suggests that he's a player with potential, and after failing to break into the City squad he could well be eyeing up a summer transfer.

Being a City player, he could cost quite a bit this summer. Whilst it'd be a risky transfer, it could easily be one that pays dividends for either Bournemouth or Fulham, who need to bolster appropriately this summer as to beat the drop next time round.



https://the72.co.uk/274535/fulham-and-bournemouth-join-race-to-sign-manchester-citys-itakura/

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Mitro Wins PFA Player Of The Year!

Aleksandar Mitrović has been named PFA Fans' Player of the Season for 2021/22.

Almost 70,000 votes were cast, with Mitrović claiming more than a third of those (34 per cent).

Harry Wilson was also up for the accolade and received 16% of the public vote, which saw him finish just below Ben Brereton Diaz (19%) and Dominic Solanke (18%).

Andreas Weimann and Billy Sharp were the other players in contention.

With 50 goals involvements, and having won five PFA Player of the Month awards, Mitrović always had a good chance of claiming the seasonal prize.

Congratulations Mitro!

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/30/mitro-wins-pfa-player-of-the-year/

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Mitrovic wins PFA fans' player of the year

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has been voted the PFA Championship fans' player of the year.

The Serbian striker, who scored an incredible 43 league goals as Marco Silva's side stormed to the second tier title, scooped over a third of the 70,000 votes cast. Blackburn's Ben Brereton Diaz came second, slightly ahead of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, with Harry Wilson finishing fourth on 16%.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/05/mitrovic-wins-pfa-fans-player-of-the-year/

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What can we expect from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fulham's midfielders in FPL?

Our series on the newly-promoted Premier League sides continues with a look at Fulham's midfielders and forwards.

We have already assessed the Cottagers' head coach Marco Silva and their defence, with focus now switching to the prolific Aleksandar Mitrovic and the creative options immediately behind him.

WHAT IS FULHAM'S GOAL-SCORING POTENTIAL?
Fulham were crowned 2021/22 Championship winners with the best attacking record in the division, having scored 106 goals in their 46 league fixtures.

In fact, the Cottagers' were the first team to score more than 100 goals in the second tier since Kevin Keegan's Manchester City in 2002.

There was an almost even split in terms of home and away goals scored, with 56/50 respectively.

P   W   D   L   F   A   GD   PTS
Total   46   27   9   10   106   43   +63   90
Home   23   14   4   5   56   20   +36   46
Away   23   13   5   5   50   23   +27   44

Underlying stats-wise, Fulham were top for most of the attacking metrics, including shots, shots on target, big chances created and expected goals (xG), while only Swansea City enjoyed more possession.

ATTACKING STATS 2021/22
   Total   Rank v other Championship clubs
Goals   106   1st
Shots per game   16.1   1st
Shots on target per game   6.1   1st
Big chances created   99   1st
xG   96.3   1st
Possession   60.8%   2nd

However, the Cottagers' biggest test under Marco Silva is yet to come, and questions remain about their ability to compete at the very highest level given that key attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho has been sold to Liverpool.

The 19-year-old produced 10 goals and eight assists last season, and his departure leaves a big hole in the team.

2021/22: APPS, GOALS AND ASSISTS
Player   Position   Apps   Goals   Assists
Jean Michael Seri   MC   26 (7)   1   6
Tom Cairney   MC   16 (10)   3   4
Harrison Reed   MC   32 (7)   0   2
Nathaniel Chalobah   MC   11 (9)   0   1
Josh Onomah   MC/AMC   8 (12)   1   3
Tyler Francois   MC   1 (1)   0   0
Harry Wilson   RW   40 (1)   10   19
Fabio Carvalho   AMC   33 (3)   10   8
Neeskens Kebano   LW   31 (9)   9   6
Bobby De Cordova-Reid   LW/AMC   27 (14)   8   7
Ivan Cavaleiro   LW   5 (13)   2   0
Domingos Quina   AMC   1 (1)   0   0
Aleksandar Mitrovic   ST   44   43   7
Rodrigo Muniz   ST   2 (23)   5   0

THE MIDFIELDERS
Harry Wilson had a season to remember under Marco Silva, scoring 10 goals and creating 19 more in 40 appearances, as he made the EFL Championship Team of the Season.

As a result, he was one of only five players to finish the campaign with double figures for both goals and assists

And his willingness to shoot, coupled with the threat he poses from set-pieces, could make him an appealing Fantasy option, certainly when the fixtures fall kindly.

The former Liverpool man led all Fulham players for chances created (102), big chances created (18), crosses (164) and xA (10.4) in 2021/22, while only Aleksandar Mitrovic could beat him for xG.

Although he spends most of his time hugging the right touchline, he often moves into central areas, much more so than Neeskens Kebano on the opposite flank.


Above: Neeskens Kebano (left) and Harry Wilson's (right) touch heatmaps 2021/22, via Sofa Score

Wilson's Premier League loan spell at Bournemouth yielded a modest seven goals in 31 games as the Cherries' were relegated, but it does feel like the winger is in a better place to succeed this time around.

Fabio Carvalho, meanwhile, was one of the standout players of the season, but will leave Fulham this summer for Liverpool.

The Championship young player of the year nominee produced 10 goals and eight assists in 33 league starts, and was deployed as a no. 10 or advanced no. 8, often drifting into the left half-space to receive the ball.

Carvalho's departure does leave a significant hole in the Cottagers' attack, and how they respond will be key: do they attempt to sign a like-for-like replacement, or perhaps shift to a 4-3-3 formation, which you'd think would add a bit more defensive solidity to the team?

Kebano had his best season at Fulham, becoming a key part of their attack with nine goals and six assists, but could be the one to drop out if Silva recruits a new winger in the summer.

The idea behind Silva's tactic is to get Mitrovic, Wilson and Kebano on the ball as often as possible, players who make things happen in the final third, so there seems little reason to look beyond that trio for our Fantasy teams, at least initially.

For example, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney and Nathaniel Chalobah are often the deepest midfielders in Silva's 4-2-3-1 formation, pulling the strings from number six roles. Jean Michael Seri, meanwhile, has been released, with media reports suggesting that they are also ready to listen to offers for Anthony Knockaert, Josh Onomah and Ivan Cavaleiro, all of whom have seen limited game time.

THE FORWARDS
Aleksandar Mitrovic hit a whopping 43 goals in 44 appearances throughout the title-winning season, breaking all sorts of goalscoring records along the way.

As a result, he was named Championship Player of the Season.

MITROVIC IN NUMBERS 2021/22
   Total
Goals scored   43
Goals scored from open-play   31
Goals scored from headers   12
Penalties scored   6

Mitrovic also produced seven assists in 2021/22 – the most he has managed in a single season during his senior career. That is in part because of Silva's tactics, with the Serb often taking up deeper positions and dropping into midfield to help with the team's build-up play.


Above: Aleksandar Mitrovic's touch heatmap 2021/22, via Sofa Score

Despite some impressive numbers, you do get those players who are too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League, but does that apply to Mitrovic?

His most recent Premier League experience, in 2020/21, was underwhelming, as he scored only three goals, making just 13 starts as he fell out of favour with Scott Parker. That season, he actually scored more for Serbia (seven), helping them to qualify for the World Cup.

The 2018/19 campaign, however, was better, as he hit the ground running with four goals in his first five league games, ending it with a respectable 11 in 37 appearances.

MITROVIC'S CHAMPIONSHIP V PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Division   Appearances   Goals   Assists   Minutes per goal
Championship   125   85   16   116
Premier League   104   24   10   286

Fulham may struggle for chances in the top flight but what they do create will go through Mitrovic, who is the focal point of most of their attacks.

So, you would think success in that respect will come down to whether or not his team-mates can deliver those crosses and through balls into the box he so often thrives off.

"Of course, if you ask me right now if next season we will have 70 per cent of possession every single match, I'll answer to you directly: no. It's up to me and my staff to create the conditions to get the best from our players. Mitrovic is a very good player. If you ask me if he can play Premier League — he already did it. He already scored goals there as well. It's up to us to keep working with him, to keep improving, because he has many things to keep improving. Playing in a different way, as well, because we will not be so dominant for sure in certain games and of course, we have to find different ways to take the best from him and from the others." – Marco Silva

Backup for Mitrovic arrives via Rodrigo Muniz, who should at least see some minutes providing another forward doesn't arrive, and might be of interest for those planning to start with just one forward alongside two cheaper options on the bench.



https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2022/05/30/what-can-we-expect-from-aleksandar-mitrovic-and-fulhams-midfielders-in-fpl/

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Report: Seville, Everton and Fulham eye Tottenham man

The Sun claim Sevilla, Everton, Fulham and Southampton are all in the race to sign Tottenham and England midfielder Harry Winks. Spurs are willing to sell their academy product, if a fee of £20million is tabled this summer.

Winks, 26, has fallen down the pecking order this season after Spurs signed Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus. Oliver Skipp is also ahead of him after a new contract, as is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Signings are also likely.

With there still a glimmer of hope that Winks could break into the England side destined for the World Cup in the winter, he needs game time. The Sun report that Spurs will cash in on Winks to the tune of £20million.

Among the clubs interested are Premier League trio Fulham, Everton and Southampton – but the latter might struggle to afford him. La Liga side Sevilla, who qualified for the Champions League, are also interested.

Everton in race for Tottenham midfielder Winks: £20m is a bargain

Winks is a top midfielder. But he has never really got a regular run of games at Spurs and needs to drop down a level in order to become first choice. A move to any of the four names would give him that, this summer.

Sevilla need a midfielder, while Everton could lose Allan. Southampton have options, but Winks is an improvement alongside James Ward-Prowse. Fulham will want Premier League experience in order to stay afloat.

Winks will finally get the chance to fully show the Premier League, Spurs fans, and Gareth Southgate what he is capable of on a regular basis.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/30/report-seville-everton-and-fulham-eye-tottenham-man/