Monday Fulham Stuff - 03/04/23...

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Results

Sunday
West Ham	1-0	Southampton
Newcastle	2-0	Man Utd

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Fulham and West Ham reportedly interested in attacking midfielder transfer swoop

Latest transfer news emerges involving both Fulham and West Ham

Fulham and West Ham have both credited with an interest in Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech. The Morocco international is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

According to a report by French news outlet Jeunes Footeux, he remains in contact with PSG after seeing a move to the Ligue 1 giants fall through in the January transfer window. However, there appears to be plenty of competition for his signature.

Fulham and West Ham have been mentioned as two potential suitors along with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. European teams such as Real Betis, Sevilla, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are also said to be interested.

Ziyech has been on the books at Chelsea since 2020 when they signed from Ajax. He has scored 14 goals in 102 appearances for the Blues in all competitions but has slipped down the pecking order under current boss Graham Potter and may well move on for a new challenge at the end of this season.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham-and-west-ham-reportedly-interested-in-chelsea-playmaker-4089192

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Fulham's Marco Silva speaks after defeat to AFC Bournemouth

FULHAM boss Marco Silva believed his side showed "two faces" in their 2-1 defeat to Cherries.

The Cottagers led by a goal at the break after Andreas Pereira opened scores after 16 minutes, Fulham also smacking the bar via Antonee Robinson in what was a controlling first-half performance.

Cherries head coach Gary O'Neil rang the changes at the break, bringing on Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie to great effect.

Tavernier produced a fine long-range effort to restore parity, before Christie's parried shot led to Dom Solanke's winner.

Fulham boss Marco Silva said: "It was so good how we started the game and how we controlled the first half.

"We had a clear plan and the players took this plan, but we just had a lack of killer instinct to score the second goal.

"The second half was completely different and difficult to understand.

"We prepared the players for what was coming and we knew that we had to start really strong in the second half and we didn't do it.

"We have to analyse why this happens because we can't show two faces like we did today."



https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/23429601.fulhams-marco-silva-speaks-defeat-afc-bournemouth/

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Exclusive: Marco Silva surprise candidate to become Chelsea manager after Graham Potter sacked

Fulham manager Marco Silva is in contention to become the next Chelsea manager after Graham Potter was sacked following Saturday's Premier League defeat to Aston Villa

Marco Silva has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over at Chelsea after Graham Potter was finally sacked.

Julian Nagelsmann, sacked last week by Bayern Munich, is the club's no.1 target while former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is also under consideration.

But Fulham boss Silva could be yet another left-field appointment by Chelsea's co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. The Portuguese former Fulham and Everton boss has admirers at Stamford Bridge with his promoted club sitting above the Blues in the Premier League table.

Potter was sacked on Sunday night, 24 hours after losing at home to Aston Villa, with Chelsea 11th in the table and 12 points off the top four.

The 2021 Champions League winners have won just four of their last 19 Premier League matches having spent more than £550m on new players this season.

Chelsea say Potter "has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition" and that Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach.

In a statement, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: "We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person.

"He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome."

Speaking after what proved to be his final game in charge, Potter insisted he'd take "responsibility". He said to BBC Sport: "The most important number is the one that goes against us (the scoreline). We have to do better.

"In terms of the game, you can see the players gave everything, they took on the responsibility, they tried, they had lots of entries into the box and shots and attacks.

"After a defeat there is always a disappointment. There is always a feeling we have not moved forward, that's fair to say. We have to analyse the performance and look at the things we've done well and what we can do better.

"I don't like to blame anybody, I have to take responsibility. We are a team, we have to stay together, we are together. We win or lose together."

Chelsea host Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday and face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 12 April.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/next-chelsea-manager-marco-silva-29613397

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Chelsea 'consider leftfield' manager not on three-man shortlist to replace Graham Potter
Chelsea are looking for Graham Potter's successor after sacking their head coach on Sunday.

Chelsea are reportedly considering Marco Silva as a surprise possible replacement for the sacked Graham Potter. Silva apparently has admirers among the Stamford Bridge hierarchy for his excellent work at Fulham.

The Blues' West London rivals were comfortably promoted from the Championship last term and have enjoyed a remarkable Premier League season under Silva. It has been so good, in fact, that Fulham are a point ahead of 11th-place Chelsea in the top-flight table.

Chelsea supposedly have a three-man shortlist of top candidates to succeed Potter, who was dismissed on Sunday evening. Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be the No 1 choice for the job, despite being linked with a return to Spurs to replace Antonio Conte.

Julian Nagelsmann, who was axed by Bayern Munich last week and is also in the running for the Spurs job, is liked by Chelsea chiefs. Roberto De Zerbi could also replace Potter for the second time this season. The Italian followed the 47-year-old into Brighton after Chelsea prised Potter away from the South Coast outfit.

But according to the Mirror, Chelsea could consider former Everton and Watford boss Silva as a fourth candidate. The 45-year-old has made Fulham a well-drilled, hard-working outfit and is reaping the benefits. After a tough spell with Everton, the ex-Hull tactician has revived his reputation in English football.

Reports suggest that Chelsea will conduct an exhaustive search for their next manager, with co-owner Todd Boehly supposedly believing the new man can return a Champions League triumph in the near future. The last Blues boss to do so, Thomas Tuchel, was of course dismissed by Boehly earlier in the season.

The American businessman and his fellow co-owner Behdad Eghbali reportedly backed Potter, and insisted he would be a long-term success, as recently as February. But a dismal run of just four wins in 19 Premier League matches, culminated by Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa, saw them twist the knife on a man for whom they paid Brighton around £21million in compensation last September.

Potter will not be able to oversee the Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid. Instead, his former first-team coach Bruno Saltor has been entrusted with the difficult role of interim manager until a permanent boss is found.

"On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea," a joint-statement by Boehly and Eghbali said. "We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.

"Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season. We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high."



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1754004/Chelsea-shortlist-Graham-Potter-sacked

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Fulham boss Marco Silva 'emerges as a surprise candidate to land the vacant Chelsea job', after Graham Potter was sacked as Blues manager... with 'Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino also in contention'

    The Fulham manager has helped lead his side up to 10th in the league table
    Their impressive form has led to Silva becoming a potential target for Chelsea
    Todd Boehly is searching for a new head coach after Graham Potter was sacked

Fulham boss Marco Silva has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate to land the vacant Chelsea job after Graham Potter was sacked on Sunday.

Blues chairman Todd Boehly called an end to Potter's stint in west London off the back of their disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday night.

Potter's side were comfortably swept aside by Unai Emery's visitors thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn on the day. 

The result left Chelsea sitting 11th in the table and, with a crucial Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid around the corner, has forced Boehly to act.

A number of Europe's top managers have already been linked with the vacant position, however a shock candidate from the Premier League has also emerged.

According to The Mirror, Fulham boss Silva has admirers at Stamford Bridge and is one of the leading candidates to replace Potter at Chelsea.

The Portuguese manager has helped oversee Fulham's tremendous season so far, with his side sitting one place above their west London rivals.

Silva, who has previously managed at Hull, Everton and Watford, took charged of the Cottagers after the were relegated and has helped inspire their top-flight return.

The same outlet claim that both Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino also remain in contention to land the Chelsea job.

Chelsea announced their decision to part ways with Graham Potter on Sunday night, with Bruno Saltor set to take over on an interim basis. 

A club statement read: 'Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition.

'In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.

'Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.'

Potter, who left Brighton for Chelsea in September, had repeatedly stated that despite the club's struggles he felt he had the full support of the owners at Stamford Bridge.

Should the Blues make a move for Fulham's Silva, it could see a fiery figure take to the touchline of Stamford Bridge, after the manager's recent charge from the FA.

Silva, as well as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian, were all sent off during the chaotic 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final loss at Old Trafford earlier this month.

The Fulham boss gave an explosive post-match interview in which he hit out at Chris Kavanagh, stating that his side had been 'unlucky' with the referee this season and appeared to suggest he didn't treat both sides equally on the day.

The FA have charged the Portuguese boss with misconduct for comments that 'imply bias and/or the question the integrity of the match official, and/or bring the game into disrepute'.

It is in addition to previous charges with showing abusive behaviour towards match officials and for allegedly throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee in the same match.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11932155/Fulham-boss-Marco-Silva-emerges-surprise-candidate-land-vacant-Chelsea-job.html