Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 03/01/23...

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Results

Monday
Brentford	3-1	Liverpool

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Leicester Matchday Preview

Leicester City v Fulham | Tuesday 3rd January 2023 | 7.45pm | King Power Stadium | #LEIFUL

The opposition

    Many were surprised by Leicester's poor start to the campaign. They drew their opener against Brentford, but that was their only point won in their first seven fixtures – form which left them rooted to the foot of the table.
    Their squad is too strong to struggle for long, though, and a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest kickstarted their campaign, taking 16 points from their eight matches prior to the World Cup to move away from danger.
    But the Foxes have been unable to replicate that form since returning to action. A nightmare first half led to a 3-0 defeat by Newcastle United at the King Power, before a luckless night at Anfield saw Wout Faes score a brace of own goals to condemn them to a 2-1 loss.

Leicester team news

The club have received positive news regarding James Maddison's knee injury, but the first game of 2023 comes too soon for him. Patson Daka went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury against Liverpool so will almost certainly miss out, too, while James Justin, Jonny Evans, Ryan Bertrand, Ricardo Pereira and Dennis Praet are long-term injuries.

Fulham team news

Marco Silva said that everyone came through the Southampton victory unscathed, and that Layvin Kurzawa and Manor Solomon could be in contention to make the squad in the near future.

Tickets

Fans can continue to purchase tickets over the phone (0203 871 0810) until 12pm on matchday. No tickets will be available on the gate.

Weather

It will be a fairly mild evening in Leicester, but with a decent chance of rain.

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to live commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Fan support

Fans are politely reminded to be considerate of those around them when celebrating goals and on public transport at away matches.

Top scorers

Leicester: James Maddison (7)

Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrović (10)

Form

Leicester: WWWLL

Fulham: DLLWW



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/02/leicester-matchday-preview/

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Silva wary of wounded Foxes
Marco Silva insists that Leicester City will pose a serious test of Fulham's credentials to remain in the top half of the flight tomorrow evening.

The Foxes lost both of their post-festive fixtures but Silva told his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium that he wasn't about to take Brendan Rodgers' side lightly.

"We go there with full ambition to get the three points, but we know their quality as well. We know what type of game they can play if they're at their best level. After the break they've had two defeats – in the last one, I think they performed really well against Liverpool, the first one at home against Newcastle wasn't their best game.

But they want to react, because I know – and they know as well – how they were strong before the break. They didn't start the season well but they reacted and they started to get very good results, impressive scores as well, away and at home, against some good sides in this competition. They are really strong if they are at their best level, and we are preparing ourselves to play against them in their best level. It will be tough, it's always a tough place to go. There's a lot of individual quality around the team.

I think everything they have been doing since Brendan is there speaks for itself, even getting some important titles for the club. I think they are a really strong side. They want to react from the last two defeats, but at the same time, we want to keep doing the same – playing at our best level. We got a good result last game but we know that wasn't our best performance. We know that for us to get the three points at Leicester we have to perform better than the last game and be stronger to fight for the three points, and that is what we're going to do."

Silva feels that the Foxes have enough creativity in the engine room to ask questions of Fulham's defence despite the potential absence of playmaker James Maddison.

"Collectively, they are strong. They have a clear idea of the way Brendan wants to play. Some very good quality players in the midfield zone. With Maddison or without Maddison they are slightly different because you're talking about a top, top quality player. And there is a moment for Tielemans to come back again in their XI, a player that can give them that extra quality in the midfield zone and that creativity that all the teams need.

And of course after they have good players like [Wilfred] Ndidi and [Boubakary] Soumare behind to support that midfield line and attack line. They will probably start the game with [Jamie] Vardy, and [Harvey] Barnes on the left hand side, who are always a threat for all the backlines that they play against."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/01/silva-wary-of-wounded-foxes/

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'We'll be keeping all our key players,' says Silva
Marco Silva says none of the key players who have helped Fulham climb to eighth in the Premier League table will be leaving Craven Cottage during the transfer window.

Silva told this morning's pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Leicester that he would not speak about potential signings in detail but that work on the club's recruitment plans began months ago.

"We planned for the transfer market before the World Cup break. I sat with the board and was clear about what I would like to do, to strengthen some positions. It's not many changes to be honest. I think the January market is not for that, it's to do something specific if you can. But if players come they really have to add something to our squad, if not we are not going to do it."

The Fulham head coach was effusive in his praise for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has plundered ten goals in fourteen games this season and insisted that the Whites are only are interested in strengthening their squad.

"I'm really pleased to have him with me. He's really happy as well. We are in the beginning or in the middle of a process and some positions are impossible for us to change. It's easy. Our key players they will be with us until the end of the season."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/01/well-be-keeping-all-our-key-players-says-silva/

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Marco Silva addresses Daniel James future and possible Leeds United recall

The Wales international has struggled for game time since making the move to Craven Cottage

Marco Silva says there have been no talks between Fulham and Leeds Untied over a possible recall for Daniel James. The Wales international moved to Craven Cottage on a season-long loan at the end of the summer transfer window.

However, things haven't quite gone to plan. James has made ten appearances for Fulham, but has played just 341 minutes for the London club.

It was enough to for a call-up to Wales' World cup squad, but the forward has played over 45 minutes on just two occasions for the Cottages. Silva says the Welsh international is still adjusting to live at his new club.

Silva told reporters: "Of course, James is still adapting at our football club. It's a completely different style of play and all these things.

"Until now, we didn't speak about it, about this possibility. When we signed him on loan it was for him to stay the season with us. Of course now, from yesterday the market opened and many things can happen, but no news about it."



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marco-silva-addresses-daniel-james-25876533

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Marco Silva backs Aleksandar Mitrovic in Fulham penalty duties as he answers transfer window question on star

Aleksandar Mitrovic will continue to take Fulham's penalties despite missing for the second time this season.

Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu denied the striker late on in Fulham's win over Southampton, leaving Mitrovic's record at scored three, missed two for the campaign.

Ahead of facing Leicester away on Tuesday, Cottagers boss Silva insisted he has total faith in the Serbian.

He said on Monday: "[Mitrovic]'s the main [penalty-taker] until now, and the next one, he will be there again to take the penalty."

Mitrovic has scored ten goals in 14 games for Fulham this season, helping the newly-promoted side to seventh in the table after back-to-back wins since the restart.

With the January transfer window now open, Silva was asked what he would say to any club interested in the 28-year-old, and replied: "That I'm really pleased to have him with me since I joined, he's really happy here as well.

"We are in the beginning, or in the middle of a process. And some positions are impossible for us to change."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/mitrovic-penalty-silva-fulham-b1050347.html

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Pundit makes 'ordinary' Fulham claim as Leicester City prediction made

Latest Leicester City news from LeicestershireLive brings you Chris Sutton's prediction ahead of Fulham trip to King Power Stadium

Pundit Chris Sutton is backing Leicester City to come away with a win over Fulham at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

City fell to a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool after defender Wout Faes scored in his own net twice. The side's last win came at West Ham last month, prior to the World Cup break.

Despite the result at Anfield, supporters were encouraged by City's performance and Brendan Rodgers' side will be hungry for a win after being defeat in their last two games.

Former Celtic striker Sutton has predicted City to secure a 2-0 win.

"I like the way Leicester play and it was working very well against Liverpool until Wout Faes scored those two incredible own goals, which was a bizarre way to lose a game," he wrote in his BBC Sport column.

"Fulham, in contrast, were arguably a bit lucky to beat struggling Southampton last time out and I thought Marco Silva's side were pretty ordinary - if they play like that again here, Leicester will win comfortably."



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pundit-makes-ordinary-fulham-claim-7987090

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Leicester City v Fulham

Against Liverpool, Leicester City's Wout Faes became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score two own goals in the same game

TEAM NEWS

Leicester forward Patson Daka is expected to miss out, having gone off against Liverpool with a hamstring problem.

Ryan Bertrand, Jonny Evans, James Justin, James Maddison, Ricardo Pereira and Dennis Praet remain on the sidelines.

Fulham boss Marco Silva may pick the same side that beat Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Antonee Robinson are one booking from a ban.

CHRIS SUTTON'S PREDICTION

I like the way Leicester play and it was working very well against Liverpool until Wout Faes scored those two incredible own goals, which was a bizarre way to lose a game.

Fulham, in contrast, were arguably a bit lucky to beat struggling Southampton last time out and I thought Marco Silva's side were pretty ordinary - if they play like that again here, Leicester will win comfortably.

Prediction: 2-0



MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    Leicester have won two of the past three Premier League meetings, having failed to beat Fulham in any of the previous five encounters in the division.
    Fulham are looking to earn consecutive away league victories against the Foxes for the first time since September 1967.
    The Cottagers' 16 away league victories versus Leicester is more than they have managed against any other side.

Leicester City

    Leicester are without a win in all 10 of their league matches this season against teams currently above them in the table, conceding 26 goals in those games.
    The Foxes have suffered successive home league defeats for the first time since losing four in a row under Claude Puel between December 2018 and February 2019.
    They have lost an unrivalled 17 points from a winning position this season.
    Leicester are vying to avoid losing three straight top-flight home matches without scoring for the first time since August to September 1983.
    All five of the goals they have conceded in their two games since the World Cup were scored in the first half. They did not let in a first-half goal in any of their previous eight league fixtures.

Fulham

    Fulham's tally of 25 points is their highest after 17 games of a top-flight season since 2009-10. In their two most recent Premier League campaigns, they finished on 26 points in 2018-19 and 28 points in 2020-21.
    The Cottagers are aiming to win three consecutive Premier League matches for the second time this season, a feat they last managed in 2011-12.
    They could also earn back-to-back Premier League away victories in the same season for the first time since April to May 2011 under Mark Hughes.
    Fulham's only victory in their past 23 top-flight away fixtures in January came at West Brom on New Year's Day a decade ago.
    Aleksandr Mitrovic has faced Leicester seven times in the Premier League without scoring, his longest wait for a goal against any side in the division.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64099602

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Fulham could be without three players for Leicester City clash

The latest Leicester City news as we take a look at the Fulham players who are expected to miss out on Tuesday night's Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium.

Fulham are set to be without three players for the Premier League clash against Leicester City on Tuesday night.

Both teams go into their first Premier League games of the new year in contrasting form since the restart of the league following the World Cup break. City have lost their two league games against Newcastle and Liverpool, but did show an improved performance against the Reds and may have been unlucky to get nothing from the game.

Meanwhile, Fulham have come out as 3-0 and 2-1 winners against Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively. Those results leave the Cottagers in seventh place in the Premier League table, while City sit in 13th position.

Ahead of the game, Fulham boss Marco Silva has outlined the challenge that City could pose to his team when they visit the King Power Stadium for the midweek encounter. He also provided the latest team news from his squad.

Main striker Aleksandar Mitrovic recovered from injury to start the games against Palace and Southampton, with Silva saying he's 'getting better'. The forward did miss a late spot kick in the win over the Saints.

Silva has also confirmed that he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Tuesday's game, but all the players will be 'assessed' after the final training session. It means that the squad will likely be the same as the one who he named against Southampton.

The game is likely to come too early for full-back Layvin Kurzawa who has made just one Premier League appearance since signing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

It's a similar situation for winger Manor Soloman, who is currently building up his fitness after returning to training last week. He is expected to be available soon, but the clash against City could come too early.

Fulham will also be without long-term absentee Neeskens Kebano, who was a regular starter for the side before he ruptured his Achilles tendon in training ahead of the Premier League game against Manchester City back in November.



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-could-without-three-players-7987792

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Away Day Guide – Leicester City

Fulham travel to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night in search of a third straight victory following festive period wins over Crystal Palace and Southampton.
Ticketing Information

Tickets are available to supporters with a previous booking history via the Fulham ticket office on 0203 871 0810 before 12 noon on match day priced at £30 for adults, £27 for supporters aged over 65 and under 22 and £18 for under 18s.

There will be no sales on the gate to away supporters and Fulham fans are advised not to travel without a match ticket.
Getting to the King Power Stadium
By car

Exit the M1 at junction 21 and take the A5460 towards Leicester City centre. A couple of hundred yards after you go under a railway bridge, turn right after the traffic lights into Upperton Road (following the signs for Royal Infirmary) and take another right into Filbert Street. The best parking option is probably the Leicester Tigers Rugby Club at Welford Road (LE2 7TR), which costs £10. Alternatively, the Leicester park and ride runs from Enderby (LE19 2AB),.
By train

There will be no trains into Leicester due to train strikes.
By coach

The official club coaches leave Motspur Park and Craven Cottage at 2.45pm tomorrow.
Away pubs

Be prepared for the fact that most of the pubs are a fair walk from the ground. The Counting House (40 Almond Road, Leicester, LE2 7HF) or the Westcotes Constitutional Club (124 Wilberforce Road, LE3 0DG). Alcohol should be available inside the ground, but this is sometimes withdrawn during a high profile games.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2023/01/away-day-guide-leicester-city-2/

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Fulham move for Arsenal's Cedric Soares stalling over wage demands

Fulham's move for Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares is being held up because of the player's wage demands.

The Cottagers want to sign Cedric as they bid to build on their strong start to the season with new signings in the January transfer window.

But the 31-year-old earns around £65,000 a week at Arsenal and Fulham are reluctant to cover his salary in full.

Fulham are eighth in the Premier League after two wins over Christmas and they can move level with Liverpool in sixth place with a win away at Leicester tonight.

Arsenal are ready to sell Cedric, who has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season. His only start came in a Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.

Fulham manager Marco Silva is keen to strengthen in defence and midfield but the club do not feel they need to take unnecessary risk in the transfer market this month.

Fulham have also shown a reluctance to reunite Silva with his Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who earns around £120,000 a week at Goodison Park.

Ahead of tonight's trip to Leicester, Silva said: "We are trying to strengthen the squad and some positions. But the most important (players) are here. They are working hard."

Silva has confirmed on-loan duo Layvin Kurzawa and Manor Solomon are available following injury.

Kurzawa and Solomon have made just one appearance each for Fulham since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-arsenal-cedric-soares-transfer-news-b1050427.html

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How do Fulham make it three wins from three?

Jack Stroudley looks ahead to our trip to the Midlands on Tuesday as the Whites face Leicester City.

While the performance wasn't one to remember, Joao Palhinha's late header meant that Fulham gained even more ground on the bottom three, and with the help of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal rose to seventh. Some fans are beginning to ironically murmur the phrase 'Europa Conference League' and while I think it's far too soon to even begin to dream of another tour a tricky run of games now should give Fulham a bit of perspective on how they match up with the rest of the pack.

The first of those tricky games come at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night as we travel to Leicester. It's a game which fans will be excited for given our current form, but how do we keep up our 100% record since the restart?

The opposition
It's been a very up-and-down season for Leicester so far, who started it horrifically – winning just one of their opening ten matches, causing fans to call for Brendan Rodgers to be sacked. But the board stuck with Rodgers, who won four of the final five games before the World Cup break. They have restarted the season poorly though, losing to Newcastle and Liverpool, leaving them in 13th, just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Brendan Rodgers usually rotates between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-4-1 depending on the opposition. In terms of how they play, it seems to change depending on the quality of their opponent. They often sit back and are narrower in games they think they'll struggle (Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, etc) but when playing teams they are confident they can get a result against, Leicester like to play wider but still deploy a slightly more defensive stance, with only four players spending more time in the opposition half than their own in victories against Wolves, Leeds and the example below Everton.


Leicester average position map in 2-0 victory against Everton

Leicester's goals don't mainly come from the ever reliable Jamie Vardy as they have in prior years, with those sitting behind the striker usually creating more chances and ultimately scoring more goals than their forwards. The prime examples of that come from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, who combined have 17 goal contributions this season with the most clinical striker for Leicester coming in the form of Patson Daka who has bagged three goals so far this season. Fortunately for Fulham, according to numerous reports, James Maddison will miss the game through injury. Interestingly they get their best results away from home with points being hard to come by at the King Power picking up eight of a possible 24 points.

How do we prepare?
I would expect Leicester (similarly to Southampton) will sit a little bit deeper on Tuesday night, allow us to have most of the ball and look to create chances on the break with the likes of Tielemans and Dewsbury-Hall bringing the ball forward for Barnes, and Daka. Marco Silva's Fulham became used to sides sitting back more in the Championship last season, so it will be interesting to see how we fair against a tougher opposition doing the same thing.

After Crystal Palace I was banging the drum of keeping the side unchanged as I didn't feel we needed to do anything differently, and looking at how Leicester will likely play I wouldn't be against keeping it the same again.

When it was 11 v 11, Crystal Palace sat deeper and struggled to get the ball. We controlled possession, moved it from side to side and eventually found an opening so there is nothing to suggest we couldn't do the same against Leicester. That being said, the three games in eight days may take its toll on this Fulham side and I wouldn't be shocked if Silva did slightly rotate bringing in Wilson for Decordova-Reid who didn't perform excellently against Southampton.

The big team news is that both Layvin Kurzawa and Manor Solomon are fit and ready to be involved in the game on Tuesday night. Solomon's return has been eagerly awaited by Fulham fans and while we all want him to hit the ground running I don't think we'll see more than a cameo off the bench against Leicester with more minutes afforded to the Israeli in the FA Cup against Hull.

The final verdict
I'm excited for the game on Tuesday; it's a chance for us to control a lot of the ball and prove once again that we deserve to be at this level and show another side why we are where we are. While I don't think it will be easy and Leicester's attacking quality is something we need to be very wary about I am quietly confident we will get a result.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-01-03-how-do-fulham-make-it-three-wins-from-three/

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Leicester City looking to avoid ending 39-year streak in Fulham game

Leicester City will be bidding to avoid ending a 39-year streak when they play host to Fulham on Tuesday evening.

The Foxes have endured a disappointing Premier League campaign, winning five and losing 10 of their 17 fixtures in the top flight.

Despite avoiding defeat in just seven of their matches, Leicester remain three points clear of the relegation zone, a consequence of an improved run ahead of the World Cup break.

However, since the resumption of action, Brendan Rodgers's team have suffered back-to-back defeats to Newcastle United and Liverpool.

The loss versus the former came at the King Power Stadium by a 3-0 scoreline, making it successive setbacks at their East Midlands home after an earlier 1-0 reverse to Manchester City.

Leicester have not lost more than two league fixtures in a row at home since they suffered four successive defeats during the 2018-19 campaign under Claude Puel.

Meanwhile, a spell at the start of the 1983-84 season was the most recent occasion when Leicester failed to score in three successive home encounters in the top flight.

In total this season, Leicester have collected just eight points from as many home fixtures, failing to find the back of the net in half of those games.

Nevertheless, on the flip side, Rodgers has prevailed in eight of his nine Premier League fixtures versus the Cottagers, losing the other game in 2020.

That was the last time that Fulham visited Leicester, but they have not emerged victorious in consecutive away league games versus their upcoming opponents since 1967.

Fulham, who are in eighth spot, currently hold an eight-point advantage over Leicester in the standings.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leicester-city/news/leicester-looking-to-avoid-ending-39-year-streak-in-fulham-game_503347.html

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Fulham transfer update on Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure emerges with January exit on the cards

Fulham are reportedly reluctant to let Marco Silva reunite with Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure at Craven Cottage.

According to the Evening Standard [3 January], the Cottagers' boss wants to bring the Mali international to London after enjoying a good relationship with him at Watford and at Goodison Park.

However, the 30-year-old, who earns a staggering £120,000 a week at Goodison Park is not being pursued seriously by the Fulham board at the moment.

Sell him

We're surprised that Fulham are looking for cheap deals as they've been known to splurge the big bucks whenever they've secured promotion.

This season, they've managed to navigate the relegation battle pretty well and look well on course to secure survival for next season.

They have a billionaire owner who is crazy about the game and is willing to take his side to the next level.

For Everton, they need to get Doucoure off their books and make the most of the demand for his services as it's unlikely to come again in the summer.

Fabrizio Romano claimed that the 30-year-old's exit was on the cards but it's still in the early stages as it factors on a number of decisions.

It's pretty evident that Silva is keen on signing him and he's proven his worth at Fulham next season so we will not be surprised to see them coming in with an official bid in this month.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2023/01/03/fulham-transfer-update-on-everton-midfielder-abdoulaye-doucoure-emerges-with-january-exit-on-the-cards/

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In Person Book of Condolence: George Cohen

The Club would like to thank the hundreds of fans who have paid tribute to George Cohen via our online Book of Condolence.

For those who would prefer to pay their respects in physical form, we're pleased to confirm that this option remains available to supporters for a further two weeks. 

A Book of Condolence is set up in the main Reception on Stevenage Road, from 9:30am – 4:30pm (Monday-Friday) for fans to leave their messages.

The Book will not be available on matchdays for logistical reasons. 



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/03/in-person-book-of-condolence-george-cohen/

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DGW19 FPL stats: Fantasy managers pin hopes on Mitrovic

Fulham star most transferred-in player for his Double Gameweek against Leicester and Chelsea

More than one million Fantasy Premier League managers snapped up Aleksandar Mitrovic (£7.1m) for Fulham's Double Gameweek.

The Cottagers visit Leicester City on Tuesday before hosting Chelsea in their second match of DGW19 on Thursday 12 January.

Confidence in Mitrovic remains high despite him missing a penalty in the 2-1 win over Southampton and registering zero points in Gameweek 18. He's one of just four players to score 10 goals or more this season and has taken a league-leading 65 shots. 

DGW19 most transferred-in players

Player	Transferred in by ('000s)	Pts
Mitrovic	1,011	-
Odegaard	402	-
Rashford	388	-

Martin Odegaard's (£6.6m) outstanding form saw him recruited by over 402,000 Fantasy managers ahead of Arsenal's home encounter with Newcastle United. 

The Norwegian has registered an impressive four double-digit hauls in the last five Gameweeks. Over that run he's combined four goals and three assists with 11 bonus points.

Marcus Rashford (£6.9m) came off the bench to score the only goal as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 last Saturday.

Brought in by 388,000+ for Tuesday's enticing home match against AFC Bournemouth, his tally of 30 shots in the box is more than double that of any team-mate.

DGW19 most-captained players

Player	Captained by (000's)	Pts
Haaland	5,938	-
Mitrovic	944	-
Salah	879	2

Mitrovic was second only to the record-breaking Erling Haaland (£12.2m) in the captaincy stakes.

Haaland has blanked just twice all season, amassing 24 attacking returns and earning six double-figure hauls. Manchester City travel to Chelsea on Thursday.

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for the backers of the third choice in the captaincy stakes, Mohamed Salah (£12.9m), who blanked as Liverpool lost 3-1 at Brentford. The Egyptian took just one shot in the entire match.

Prior to Gameweek 19, he'd recorded double-digit returns in each of his two previous road trips.

DGW19 most transferred-out players

Player	Transferred out by ('000s)	Pts
Toney	453	0
Trossard	361	-
Cancelo	351	-

A leg injury led to Ivan Toney (£7.4m) becoming the most-sold player before Gameweek 19. 

Despite notching four goals and two double-figure hauls across his last three outings, many used him as a makeweight to bring in Mitrovic.

That proved to be the right decision as Toney didn't feature at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Three successive blanks ensured Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) continued to be sold in large numbers, featuring among the top three transfers out for the second consecutive Gameweek.

His goal threat has dropped significantly over his last four outings, mustering just three shots in the box. In contrast, he took 13 shots inside the penalty area across his four previous appearances.

More than 351,000 Fantasy managers parted company with Joao Cancelo (£7.3m) following back-to-back benchings.

He remains the fourth most-selected player overall, found in over 5.2m squads, but with a current total of 71 points, he has work to do if he's to match last season's 201-point tally.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/2999185

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Leeds United: Dan James return would see permanent transfer exit likely

A possible return to Elland Road for Leeds United winger Dan James in January would only likely end in another loan move or a permanent exit, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

James has failed to impress or gain many minutes during his current loan spell at Fulham, one which the Whites hierarchy thought would work in his favour.

The Yorkshire Evening Post confessed that the likely scenario for James in January is that he'll be put out on another loan or leave Elland Road altogether.

"Although the ideal scenario would be for James to be playing more at Fulham, the only likely scenario that sees him return to Elland Road this month is to send him elsewhere for another temporary spell and more minutes, or make a permanent move possible," as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post print edition. (Jan 3, pg. 44).

Crazy career.

James began his career with Hull City, where he played in the academy before joining Swansea City in 2014.

The Welshman made his professional debut for the club in 2018 and quickly became a key player, helping them earn a promotion to the Championship.

In 2019, he was named the EFL Young Player of the Year after a string of impressive performances, which earned him a big-money move to Manchester United. He made a strong start to his career at Old Trafford, scoring three goals in his first four games, however, his form became inconsistent and he has faced criticism from some fans and pundits.

Leeds United signed James in August 2021, something which felt like a bit of a bizarre move at the time and one that certainly hasn't played out well for the Whites.

The winger was subsequently sent out on loan to Fulham in September 2022 where he has since failed to make a dint in Marco Silva's team.

Where next for James you ask? It seems like the 25-year-old will be anywhere other than Elland Road.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-dan-james-return-would-see-permanent-transfer-exit-likely/

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Pundit impressed by 'really good' Leicester City player at Liverpool as Fulham prediction made

Leicester City news from LeicestershireLive as Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson backs the Foxes to pick up three points tonight

Football pundit Mark Lawrenson believes Leicester City have got their "mojo" back and believes the club will return to winning ways against Fulham tonight after back-to-back festive defeats.

The Foxes had been flying with four Premier League victories and two in the EFL Cup before Christmas, but a 3-0 home defeat by Newcastle on Boxing Day and 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Friday has dented their progress back up the division.

However, the performance against Jurgen Klopp's Reds deserved more, says, Anfield legend Lawrenson who has tipped Brendan Rodgers' men for success over a Fulham side who go into tonight's King Power clash brimming with confidence after festive wins over Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Giving his predictions for the Premier League programme, Lawro told PaddyPower.news: "Leicester should have got a point at Liverpool the other night, if not three. They had loads of opportunities and impressed me.

"Wout Faes is a really good player and he just had a bad night with the two own-goals. I think they may have got their mojo back.

"Fulham have been one of the stories of the season so far. Their recruitment has been spot on, buying the right players in the right positions."

Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Fulham.



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-lawrenson-prediction-fulham-7988999

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Update emerges regarding Fulham pursuit of Arsenal and Everton duo

Latest news on the transfer front involving Fulham.

Fulham's pursuits of Arsenal's Cedric Soares and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure are reportedly being affected by their respective wage demands. The Cottagers can bolster their ranks again now with the January transfer window open.

According to a report by the Evening Standard, their move for Cedric is being 'held up' with London club said to be reluctant to pay the big wage he is currently on at the Emirates Stadium, with the same situation applying to Doucoure. The latter played under Marco Silva at Goodison Park.

Fulham have had a brilliant season so far and have their fans dreaming of Europe as they sit in 8th place. They picked up another win last time out against Southampton at home.

Cedric, 31, has been linked with a switch to Craven Cottage for a while now and has fallen way down the pecking order with the table topping Gunners. He has played just twice so far this term so a departure to the Whites would make sense. However, there needs to be some compromise from the parties involved if he is to make the transfer this month.

Doucoure has played nine games in this campaign for Frank Lampard's Everton and is no longer a regular starter with the Toffees. He signed for them back in 2020 after an impressive four years at Watford but is facing an uncertain future at this moment in time.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/update-emerges-regarding-fulham-pursuit-of-arsenal-and-everton-duo-3972354

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Arsenal transfer news: Gunners now struggling to sell star to English club

Arsenal are reportedly struggling to sell Cedric Soares to Fulham with the west London club stalling on a deal due to the Portuguese defender's wage demands.

According to the Evening Standard, the Cottagers are unwilling to match Cedric's £65,000-a-week salary as Mikel Arteta looks to sell the 31-year-old fullback this month, with Marco Silva eager to reunite with his former Sporting Lisbon star.

As per the report, Fulham won't take any unnecessary financial risks this month despite the eighth-place Premier League side looking to add to their squad after a fantastic campaign back in the top-flight, with a win tonight against Leicester City taking the Cottagers level with Liverpool in the standings.

However, it appears that Fulham are struggling to get off the ground in regards to a move for Cedric, with Arsenal likely to cover some of the defender's wages if the north London side are to push through a sale of the former Southampton right-back this month.

Indeed, Cedric has hardly played for Arsenal this season, with the 31-year-old's only start coming in a 3-1 League Cup loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, with the fullback also making just one substitute appearance in the Premier League.

Interest has been high in Cedric beyond Fulham, yet with the Cottagers now in talks for the defender, it would make sense for the Arsenal man to lower his demands in order to secure a move from the Emirates Stadium, with a reunion with Silva arguably the best possible outcome for the right-back.

Cedric must agree deal with Fulham to ensure Arsenal sale
Cedric's time with Arsenal is clearly up, with the defender hardly featuring for the Gunners this season with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu way ahead of the 31-year-old in the right-back pecking order, and agreeing a move to Fulham would now be perfect for all parties involved.

After all, Fulham would be able to offer Cedric regular football whilst also playing under a manager the defender knows very well. And whilst salary demands are important, it will be hard for the fullback to find a better contract that what the former Saints' star is currently earning with Arsenal.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/01/03/arsenal-transfer-news-gunners-now-struggling-to-sell-star-to-english-club/