Monday Fulham Stuff - 27/03/23...

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Has red card rage cost Aleksandar Mitrovic a transfer to Man Utd? Fulham striker was wanted by Red Devils before referee shove

Aleksandar Mitrovic was reportedly a transfer option Manchester United were considering prior to his FA Cup sending off against the Red Devils.

    Serbian striker a regular goalscorer for Cottagers
    Has always had a fiery side to his game
    Facing lengthy ban for pushing a match official

WHAT HAPPENED? The Serbian striker, who has 12 goals for Fulham to his name this season, lined up against United at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of domestic knockout cup competition. He opened the scoring in that contest, but failed to see the game out after being dismissed in the 72nd minute.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mitrovic was forced from the field after inexplicably shoving referee Chris Kavanagh following a VAR review into a penalty incident involving a handball from Cottagers team-mate Willian. The fiery frontman has history when it comes to red card rage, and his latest display of petulance may have cost him a summer transfer.

AND WHAT'S MORE: The Daily Star reports that Mitrovic was a player United were considering in their ongoing hunt for another proven No.9 – while the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona are also said to have been monitoring his progress – but that interest may now have been dropped.

WHAT NEXT? Mitrovic is yet to discover his fate for pushing a match official, with suggestions his impending ban could range from six matches to six months, and it remains to be seen what the short and long-term future holds for the passionate 28-year-old in west London.



https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/red-card-rage-cost-aleksandar-mitrovic-transfer-man-utd-fulham-striker-wanted-before-referee-shove/blt6a3e613fd37efd2d

[WhiteJC]

Pereira: 'I'm playing my best football at Fulham'
Andreas Pereira has told the Brazilian press that he is playing the best football of his career at Fulham.

The attacking midfielder, who moved to Craven Cottage last July from Manchester United for £10m after spending a season on loan at Flamengo, has scored three goals and added six assists in 32 games for Marco Silva's side, who have surprised the pundits to sit ninth in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup quarter finals.

In a wide-ranging interview with Uol, the 27 year-old revealed he felt he has become a more complete footballer since making the move to London.

    "I'm very happy here. I feel like I'm playing my best football. I'm more mature, more experienced. I learned a lot from everything that happened at Flamengo, both the good and the difficult moments. Now it's [time] to keep working and seeking to evolve more and more."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/03/pereira-im-playing-my-best-football-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Man United 'DROP their transfer interest in Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic' after his red-card rage at Old Trafford, with the Serbian facing a lengthy ban after shoving ref

    Manchester United have reportedly ended their interest in Aleksandar Mitrovic
    The Red Devils were said to be keen on signing the Fulham striker this summer
    But they have now changed their mind after his red-card outburst, claim reports

Manchester United have changed their mind on signing Aleksandar Mitrovic after his shocking red card for shoving a referee, according to reports.

Fulham striker Mitrovic was sent off in his side's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford last week after barging into official Chris Kavanagh, who instantly showed him his marching orders.

The Cottagers - who were 1-0 up at the time after the Serbian star's opener - then saw Willian also receive a red for a goal-line handball, with manager Marco Silva sent off as well for his protestations.

The FA have charged Mitrovic with violent conduct and he could face a lengthy ban.

In 1998, Paolo Di Canio received an 11-game ban for pushing over ref Paul Alcock and Mitrovic's punishment could be similar, meaning he could miss the rest of the campaign.


Manchester United have reportedly changed their mind on signing Aleksandar Mitrovic (right)


The Fulham striker was sent off for barging ref Chris Kavanagh (right) in his side's 3-1 FA Cup defeat against United at Old Trafford last week


The Serb then had to be restrained by team-mates and opponents as he totally lost his head


The FA have charged Mitrovic with violent conduct and he is facing a massive potential ban

And according to the Daily Star, the 28-year-old's actions will not only cost him a potential ban - but also a big-money move to United.

They state Mitrovic, who has 12 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season, was on a summer shortlist of targets for Erik ten Hag's side, with the club keen to strengthen up front.

However, a potential ban keeping him out for the rest of the season would deny him the opportunity to impress interested clubs.

European giants Barcelona and Premier League duo Chelsea and Tottenham are also eyeing up a move, add the Star.

But United - perhaps wary of signing a red-card risk whose ban may even continue into next season - are now said to have dropped their interest.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11903619/Man-United-DROP-transfer-Fulhams-Mitrovic-red-card-rage.html

[WhiteJC]

'No-****heads policy' – Charlton boss on Fans' Forum comment as he is asked about deal for former Fulham centre-back

Dean Holden has confirmed that Michael Hector passes his "no-dickheads policy" in terms of the Charlton Athletic manager's summer transfer recruitment.

The Addicks boss made the comment at Thursday night's Fans' Forum.

Holden is sizing up which players he wants to retain and former Fulham centre-back Hector is only on a contract until the end of the season.

There are other first-teamers who are also due to be up in the likes of Ryan Inniss and Sean Clare.

Asked about whether centre-back Hector would be one to potentially land a longer deal, Holden replied: "With all the players out of contract, we have to make a decision on them.

"Michael has proved himself to be a really good defender, certainly at this level.

"He provides that level of composure, next to Ryan. There are players we'll be speaking to over the next few weeks.

"Yeah (of course Hector passes his 'policy'). I knew that prior to bringing him in, in January.

"It's got a little bit of exposure, what I said at the Fans' Forum, but it's true. You can certainly get some short-term results with some characters who are not great but are certainly good footballers. But over the course of a successful season, to build a squad that is capable of promotion, you need a group of people who are together and give everything every day. That's ultimately what I was talking about.

"Michael certainly fits the bill.

"When the players are in the building, all the focus is on the players. And when they've left, all the focus is on different things – preparing the next training, preparing for the next game but there is also a big chunk that goes into recruitment for next season. We're already putting a lot of hours into that."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/no-heads-policy-charlton-boss-on-fans-forum-comment-as-he-is-asked-about-deal-for-former-fulham-centre-back/

[WhiteJC]

Why it isn't all doom and gloom at Fulham
A week on from the minute of madness that cost Fulham a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the dust hasn't settled. It's still blowing every which way. If you don't believe me, take a look at the weekend papers. The Mail on Sunday has a ridiculous piece suggesting that Marco Silva thinks he's the new Jose Mourinho, the Sun describes Aleksandar Mitrovic as 'a Serbian brickhouse' whilst praising Harry Kane as a role model (oblivious to the fact that England's new record goalscorer placed his hands on a referee as Luke Shaw was sent off on Thursday) and the incident has apparently cost him a move to Old Trafford. Every cloud carries a silver lining and all that.

The absurd over reaction to Mitrovic's altercation with a match official continues. It was nice to see him smiling as he led the line for Serbia in their opening European Championship qualifier the other night. Both Silva and Mitrovic were in the wrong and will be punished. The precise nature of that punishment is what it is at issue. The drumbeat of demands for a ban that would see Fulham's number nine miss the remainder of the season was only briefly interrupted by striking outpouring of common sense in the Sheffield Star, adding the crucial context that Paolo di Canio's 11-match suspension was not merely a result of his pushing Paul Alcock, but a consequence of the Italian having been red carded before he attacked the referee.

The neutrals will believe that these instances of ill-discipline will come to define Fulham's season. The ugly scenes will, however long the punishment, deny the Whites the services of their head coach and their most potent goalscorer for some considerable time. What rankles, as I wrote in an earlier piece, is the fact that the book will be thrown at little old Fulham for their transgressions because they aren't too big to punish. But it shouldn't doom our first campaign back in the big time. Yes, Silva, a strong contender for manager of the season by the way, should reflect on his touchline demanour – where he is too quick to question a debatable decision – but we have coped without him before and Luis Boa Morte, one of the first people onto the pitch to calm things down last Sunday, can continue his development as an underrated coach by taking over from his compatriot.

Boa Morte, rather like Mitrovic, has nothing to prove to the Fulham faithful. Not only was he one of the key figures in the stylish Jean Tigana side that stormed to the Division One title, but the wily winger became one of the Whites' most consistent performers as London's oldest professional football club established themselves in the top flight. His winner against Chelsea, just like the one Carlos Vincius headed home in January, became a moment in Fulham folklore but Boa Morte had already starred in the SW6 derby – sending Marcel Desailly for a hotdog at Stamford Bridge to secure a valuable point for Chris Coleman with the Whites battling relegation in 2003. Boa Morte turned down various chances to leave Craven Cottage for bigger clubs – and didn't even want to exit when Fulham accepted a £5m offer from West Ham in 2007.

If the more mellow 45 year-old now feels like he is making up for lost time at Motspur Park, it might be because Fulham failed to take him on permanently after the cult hero began his coaching career by assisting the club's academy coaches. He gained experience at Sporting Lisbon, worked as a scout with his old club Arsenal and enjoyed spells with Portimonense, Sintrese and Maccabi Haifa before linking up with Silva at Everton. Boa Morte has made such an impact on Fulham, especially on wingers like Neeskens Kebano, that several Championship clubs considered him as a potential manager last season and there is a feeling within the English game that could potentially progress to the very top now that the scowl with which he played has almost permanently been replaced by a disarming smile.

Boa Morte stepped into the manager's role when Silva suffered through an FA Cup replay on a press gantry at Sunderland and is likely to do so again. He will have no shortage of support from Silva's experienced coaching staff, which also includes Stuart Gray, a man who has literally been there and seen everything during a lifetime in football. A prolonged suspension for Silva, alongside a big ban for Mitrovic, will be damaging to Fulham's immediate fortunes but should foster a further sense of togetherness in what remains a tight-knit dressing room. Judging by the reaction of the Fulham faithful at the end of our Cup run and since on social media, a siege mentality could follow from the fans.

The biggest problem is probably what to do in Mitrovic's absence. Fulham's talisman is much more than a goalscorer, although his relief at ending almost three months without a goal at Old Trafford was obvious. He is the focal point of the attack, able to drop deep and start moves as well as finish them and every centre back is scared of Mitrovic's movement and aerial prowess. You'll never get another striker like the Serbian number nine, which is why his sending off was so maddening. The impending ban will give Vinicius, who finished impressively against two of our near neighbours for his two Fulham goals to date, the sort of run in the side that the Brazilian hasn't had since signing back in September. Carlos can't be considered a like-for-like replacement; he's an entirely different forward, but I don't believe he's as dreadful as some of the social media critics claim.

Fulham don't like to make things easy for their long-suffering followers. We know that – and being a follower of a team that has never won a major honour is character-building within itself. You learn to lose gracefully, even when you don't feel like accepting defeat. It might feel like doom and gloom at present, but there is an opportunity around the corner. Plenty of people have written off the remainder of the season with Silva and Mitrovic set to be missing for a while. I take a different view. Fulham's run in is kinder than most of the teams in and around the top half. The Whites have made the pundits eat their pre-season words already; why can't this terrific team do it again?



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/03/why-it-isnt-all-doom-and-gloom-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham transfers: Silva's predicted XI next season if the transfer rumours are true including Everton and Coventry City pair

A look at how Fulham could line up next season based on recent transfer rumours and speculation

Fulham have impressed in the Premier League this season under Marco Silva. The Whites were only promoted from the Championship last year and are currently 9th in the table.

They return to action after the international break away at Bournemouth. In the meantime, here is a look at how they could line up next term based on recent transfer rumours and speculation...

GK: Bernd Leno: He has been a hit since joining Fulham from Arsenal last year.

RB: Kenny Tete: The Dutchman currently has competition for his place from January addition Cedric. Former Chelsea man Ola Aina has been linked with a summer switch to Craven Cottage (TuttoMercato).

CB: Issa Diop: The ex-West Ham man has impressed since joining the Cottagers.

CB: Attila Szalai, Fenerbahce: Silva's side are said to be keen on landing the centre-back from the Turkish Super Lig ( SporX).

LB: Alejandro Grimaldo, Benfica: Fulham have been credited with an interest in the left-back (Record via SportWitness) and he could replace Antonee Robinson if he leaves.

CM: Joao Palhinha: The decision to sign him from Sporting Lisbon last summer was a masterstroke.

CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton: He was on the Whites' radar in January (The Athletic) and he is out of contract at the end of June.

RW: Willian: Fulham have a host of useful options going forward like Bobby Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira and Harry Wilson.

LW: Manor Solomon, Shakhtar Donetsk: He has caught the eye on loan and the London club will look to snap him up permanently.

ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic: The striker is the club's top scorer in this campaign so far.

ST: Viktor Gyokeres, Coventry City: Fulham are said to be plotting a move for the Sweden international (Football Insider).



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulhams-predicted-xi-next-season-if-the-transfer-rumours-are-true-4079865

[WhiteJC]

Wembley, Craven Cottage, Twickenham... or West Ham's London Stadium? The possible venues Chelsea could use as a temporary home if they kick on with plans to build a new £2billion stadium at Stamford Bridge

    Chelsea may have to play home games at a different venue for next four years
    The Blues are considering building a new £2billion stadium at Stamford Bridge
    Wembley, London Stadium and Twickenham amongst venues being considered

Chelsea could be forced to play away from Stamford Bridge for the next four years as part of their plans to build a new stadium.

As revealed by Sportsmail, potential temporary venues for the Blues include Craven Cottage, Twickenham or Wembley.

There is a possibility of Chelsea playing most of their league games at Craven Cottage, with Champions League and category A Premier League fixtures taking place at Twickenham.

The club still need to overcome several hurdles if their plans to build a new ground at Stamford Bridge are to come to fruition. The stadium, which could have a capacity of 60,000, would likely cost up to £2billion.

Sportsmail assesses the potential homes Chelsea could use on a temporary basis if they go ahead with building a new stadium.

Select Car Leasing Stadium

Year Opened: 1998

Capacity: 24,161

Distance from Stamford Bridge: 39 miles

More commonly known as the Madejski Stadium, Reading's ground has a capacity of just 24,000, which is some way short of Stamford Bridge's 40,000.

There have been plans to expand the size of the stadium in the past, but these were  scrapped. 

Another issue is that it is a considerable distance from Stamford Bridge, and many Chelsea supporters wouldn't be happy at the prospect of the club playing home games outside of London.

The stadium has previously been used for rugby union matches, which suggests Reading would be open to other games being played there.

Wembley

Year opened: 2007

Capacity: 90,000

Distance from Stamford Bridge: 10 miles

Chelsea could follow in the footsteps of Tottenham by temporarily playing their home games at the national stadium.

Tottenham played at Wembley between August 2017 and March 2019, having also used it for European matches prior to that.

The stadium's large capacity is a major positive, as is the fact that it would see Chelsea remain in London.

However, Tottenham faced some opposition from local residents prior to playing at Wembley and the same could apply to Chelsea.


Craven Cottage

Year opened: 1896

Capacity: 22,384

Distance from Stamford Bridge: 2 miles

The key benefit of using Fulham's ground would be its close proximity to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has already informally approached Shahid Khan about the possibility of the Blues playing matches at Craven Cottage.

Fulham recently built a new Riverside Stand, although the capacity of the ground may be a concern.

Given that Fulham had to use QPR's Loftus Road as a temporary home in 2002 they are likely to be sympathetic if Chelsea request a ground share.

Twickenham

Year opened: 1909

Capacity: 82,000 (rugby)

Distance from Stamford Bridge: 8.5 miles

The only non-football stadium under consideration at present, Twickenham could be a useful option given its large capacity and the fact that it isn't too far away from Stamford Bridge.

The world largest rugby stadium, it is the fourth biggest ground in Europe and has also been used for Amercian football.

In addition, the Rugby Football Union are keen to expand the number of non-rugby events held at Twickenham.

However, there is scepticism over whether the move could go ahead as it was previously reported that there was fierce opposition from local politicians and residents.


London Stadium

Year opened: 2012

Capacity: 62,500

Distance from Stamford Bridge: 11 miles

West Ham's ground is another potential option being considered by Chelsea.

A recently-built stadium with a large capacity, London Stadium has also been used for other sports such as rugby and baseball.

Remaining in London would be a major positive for Chelsea and this would enable them to continue playing home games at a Premier League ground. 

However, the prospect of a ground share may not be especially appealing for West Ham and Chelsea supporters given the rivalry between the two clubs.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11880843/Chelsea-Wembley-Craven-Cottage-potential-temporary-homes-club-build-new-stadium.html

[WhiteJC]

1Xtra: Fulham FC fan Reece Parkinson gets leaving surprise

What's the best leaving present for a colleague who's a massive Fulham FC fan?

BBC Newsbeat presenter Pria Rai might have the answer.

She arranged for a special guest to gatecrash 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson's final interview.

Cottagers fan Reece got a huge surprise - and a side helping of banter - as he said farewell.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-65063955