Saturday Fulham Stuff - 29/04/23...

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:04:39 PM

Chelsea and Man Utd must pay over £50m for Joao Palhinha

According to Football Insider, Chelsea and Manchester United will have to pay over £50 million to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.

The Portuguese star joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon last summer and he has played a key role in their fantastic return to the Premier League.

Palhinha has been a huge hit due to his strong defensive presence and Football Insider now claim that he could be sold for a hefty profit this summer.

Fulham bought him for £20 million from Sporting and will demand in excess of £50 million from his suitors. As per the report, Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in signing the 27-year-old midfield star.

Quality
Palhinha has been brilliant with his tackling in the Premier League. He is top of the list for tackles won with 119, way higher than second-placed Moises Caicedo (91).

His strong defensive diplays have been pivotal to keeping Fulham away from the relegation battle and the Cottagers may ideally prefer to keep him for next season.

However, the London outfit are unlikely to resist the prospect of selling him for a big profit this summer.

Both United and Chelsea will have plenty of funds to spend in the transfer market and Fulham will be hoping for a bidding battle for Palhinha to secure the best price.

The Portuguese would be a fantastic signing for both clubs. At United, he could play second fiddle to Casemiro for holding midfield role. He could also start alongside the Brazilian on occasions.

Meanwhile, Chelsea could offer him more minutes from the starting line-up than United but the big question mark is whether he would join them without European football.

Palhinha made a brave decision to sign for the Cottagers after their promotion but could now prefer a move to a Champions League club over joining another team in transition.

United could have the upper hand over Chelsea in the pursuit of the midfielder, considering they are very close to securing Champions League football for the 2023/24 season.

https://football-talk.co.uk/183706/chelsea-and-man-utd-must-pay-over-50m-for-joao-palhinha/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:06:32 PM

Fulham vs Man City injury & suspension news - Three doubts & three ruled

Kevin De Bruyne is the big injury concern for Manchester City ahead of the Premier League contest.

Manchester City will hope Kevin De Bruyne is available for the Premier League trip to Fulham this weekend.

The Blues head to Craven Cottage on the back of the excellent 4-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night that saw City take the initiative in the title race, and they're now just two points off top having played two matches fewer than the Gunners.

But the one downside to the game was De Bruyne being replaced in the second half as Guardiola revealed afterwards that the Belgian requested to come off because he was suffering 'with niggles'. It's unclear how serious the problem is at this stage and whether De Bruyne's participation in Sunday's game is under threat, and Guardiola will almost certainly be asked about the midfielder's fitness in Friday's pre-match press conference.

Elsewhere, the only other injury concern for City at present is Nathan Ake. The Dutchman has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury and given that Guardiola was unsure during the week if Ake will be back in time for the Real Madrid game on 9 May, City's no.6 is not expected to be available for Sunday.

As for Fulham, they'll be without Aleksandar Mitrovic who remains suspended following the lengthy ban he received as punishment for his red card in March's FA Cup loss to Manchester United. Layvin Kurzawa is also set to miss out with a knee injury.

Marco Silva has two doubts ahead of the game, with Harry Wilson replaced in the midweek loss to Aston Villa due to an illness, while Willian missed the game altogether after sustaining a hamstring injury in the warm-up.

The side from West London are one of the few clubs in the top flight who have little to play for in the final weeks of the season. Sitting in 10th, Fulham are 16 points clear of the relegation zone but are eight points off the European spots.

Doubts: Wilson, Willian (Fulham); De Bruyne (City)

Unavailable: Kurzawa, Mitrovic (Fulham); Ake (City)

https://www.manchesterworld.uk/sport/football/manchester-city/fulham-vs-man-city-injury-and-team-news-4122647

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:07:33 PM

Man Utd can repeat Edwin van der Sar transfer trick with Premier League star
Manchester United are plotting a busy summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag making several demands.

Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention to Fulham star Joao Palhinha in a bid to improve their midfield options this summer. The 27-year-old has impressed at Craven Cottage this season and numerous top European clubs are now circling.

Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his options in the centre of the park this summer, with loanee Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay both potentially leaving Old Trafford.

Brighton star Moises Caicedo and Borussia Dortmund's prospect Jude Bellingham have both been identified as potential targets, though their significant price tags has prompted the Red Devils to explore other options.

Palhinha has shone in the heart of Fulham's midfield this season, with United reportedly set to try and lure the Portugal international to the Theatre of Dreams. Chelsea and Tottenham are also said to be keeping tabs on the former Sporting star, with a bidding war the best-case scenario for Fulham - who are strapped in and awaiting offers.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1763607/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Edwin-van-der-Sar-Joao-Palhinha

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:10:38 PM

What should Fulham do with Dan James this summer?

Malcom Eisenhardt looks at the pros and cons of securing our on-loan winger this summer.

Until our glorious win in the sunshine at Goodison Park, I had not thought much of Dan James this season, and I certainly didn't think we should entertain making his loan permanent in the summer. To me, the fact that he featured in as many as 17 games for the Whites was surprising.

However, the speedy Welshman made a serious statement up in Merseyside and it inspired me to do some research. The 25-year-old forward, on loan from Leeds United, has more than 100 Premier League appearances and experience playing in the Champions League, the Euros, and the World Cup. With 74 appearances for Manchester United, there's no doubt big figures in football see his potential, but is he worth a punt this summer? Let's take a look.

Why buy him?
Throughout the 2022/23 campaign Marco Silva has been spoiled for choice for wingers, with seven different players featuring: Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Dan James, Neeskens Kebano, Manor Solomon, Jay Stansfield, Willian, and Harry Wilson. However, the position is a point of concern for next season as the contracts of James, Willian, Kebano, and Solomon are all coming to an end. Very tough decisions must be made.

Age Annual Salary (£ millions) Contract Expiry

James 24 2.60 2023

Willian 34 2.08 2023

Reid 30 1.95 2024

Wilson 26 1.71 2026

Solomon 23 1.04 2023

Kebano 31 0.70 2023

Stansfield 20 0.10 2024

Source: Spotrac

Willian has been superb for the Cottagers this season, adding vital goals and assists. Nevertheless, he turns 35 in August and can't be expected to perform at such a high level for too much longer.

In February, Manor scored five goals in five games and was nominated for PL player of the month, despite not starting a single game. However, with six months left on the 23-year-old Israeli's contract at Shakhtar Donetsk and interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, signing him come June will be far from a formality.

Neeskens is much-loved in Fulham-world and was a key to the club's dominance last year. However, the 31-year-old is returning from a serious achilles injury and – while he is not expensive – may seem like a risk to those in charge.

If Leeds go down, DJ will not want to play Championship football and his wages may be too much in the club's rebuilding phase.

Striker option
Along with his ability to play on either flank, DJ also has the potential to play striker. In fact, I would argue that he is more useful as a replacement striker than a winger. He offers a very different threat to that of Aleksander Mitrović and Carlos Vinícius.

Fulham's forward strategy aims to get the ball into wide areas using the pace of our full-backs and wingers. The idea is we get the ball wide as soon as possible to create space for a ball to be played into the box, where Mitro can bully his opponents and employ his deadly finishing. This works either through the centre-backs beating the press and passing to the full-backs, centre-backs hitting diagonal passes directly to wingers, or the creation of triangles between the back four, Mitro/Andreas Pereira/Harrison Reed, and the wingers.

However, as the season has progressed, we have learned that this does not always work. When opponents play five at the back, or with two very physical centre-backs, Mitrović is less able to consistently find the same joy from crosses into the box. In my opinion, we have often failed to successfully turn to a plan B when we need to. With James's blistering pace, we can opt for balls over the top to relieve pressure, gain territory, and be more clinical on the counter. He is also more disruptive when pressing in comparison to our other striker options.

Against Everton, DJ was crucial to the first goal in beating everyone to Wilson's strike against the post, setting up BDR. He then scored one of his own after a clever run from a Kenny Tete free-kick, before beating both Everton centre-backs and slotting it past Jordan Pickford.

Marco magic?
DJ is a now an established footballer with a wealth of experience. But the Welshman has only started in five of his 17 appearances, averaging a little more than 30 minutes. He has played more than 45 minutes only four times and only once for an entire game under Marco.

However – despite limited playing time – I believe Silva can turn James into a useful plan B player. DJ has almost 0.35 goals per ninety minutes this campaign, which is more than Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Willian, and Welsh teammate Harry Wilson.

Why let him go?
To be clear: on the whole, I've been very unimpressed by James this season. He has featured in 10 of Fulham's 12 losses, and has often looked out of place on a Premier League football pitch. He never clicked at Manchester United or Leeds. If we do manage to keep Kebano, Solomon, and Willian, I would not use him as a winger.

DJ's best chance of salvaging a place in this Fulham side is as a striker, but even then, can we find a better and cheaper back-up for Mitro? He was uninspiring versus Villa on Tuesday night.

If Leeds are relegated, DJ will not want to play Championship football and his wages may prove too high during the club's rebuilding phase. Could he come on the cheap? While Leeds paid £25m, I believe his current value is more like £7-8m, or less given his performances this season.

DJ's current Fulham salary is £2.6m, £500,000 more than Bobby, Neeskens, Solomon, Willian and Wilson. His impact is not close to warranting this salary. If we do sign him, he should expect a major pay-cut.

What I would do
Ultimately, James's future is dependent on several things: the future of other Fulham wingers, Leeds relegation, Fulham's FFP compliance, and his performances for the rest of the season. For now, it is a waiting game.

Personally, I hope Marco starts him up top for the remainder of Mitrović's suspension so he can build on his brilliant Everton performance. Just as Vinícius had his chance, James deserves his.

It's time to turn all that promise seen in him by so many – with added the benefit of experience – into results. I hope he can build on his Everton performance to reignite his club career.

https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-04-28-what-should-fulham-do-with-dan-james-this-summer/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:12:11 PM

Club urged to sell Fulham target "as soon as possible" – Can bring in "at least €10m"

Belgian side Gent have been urged to sell striker Gift Orban as soon as possible, with Fulham reportedly keen on his signature.

La Dernière Heure, relayed by Voetbal Nieuws, cover the player today after his impressive season so far, in which he has managed nine goals and two assists in ten games in the Jupiler League.

He's also bagged five in six in the Europa Conference League, meaning he has a tally of 14 goals and two assists in 16 games, numbers which have not gone unnoticed.

Indeed, a report in Italy at the end of March made it clear that Fulham were among his suitors as they look to bolster their forward line at the end of the season.

That stated that Fulham, and Bayer Leverkusen, had been keeping a close eye on Orban's performances this season, despite the fact he only signed for Gent from Stabæk Fotball at the end of the January transfer window.

He's impressed since then and Gent have now been urged to cash in on his growing reputation if they are presented with an opportunity to do so.

"Sell Orban as soon as possible," La Dernière Heure write on the forward today.

"Given his record, he will bring Gent at least €10m in the summer, but he does not have the talent of a Boniface with his back to goal or in combination.

"He has the necessary technical and tactical gaps. I can see him ending up at a Lille or Bologna to continue his development."

http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-urged-sell-fulham-target-soon-possible-can-bring-least-e10m/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:12:49 PM

How Manchester City could line up against Fulham

Nathan Ake is Manchester City's sole injury concern ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, as the Dutch defender remains a doubt due to a hamstring strain.

With the Premier League title race in Man City's hands following Wednesday's 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal, Pep Guardiola may be tempted to make limited changes as the defending champions look to leapfrog the Gunners at the summit of the table.

Erling Braut Haaland will continue to lead the line after scoring his 33rd Premier League goal of the campaign in midweek, taking his tally for the season to 49 goals in 43 games across all competitions.

The Norwegian striker is likely to be supported by Jack Grealish and the returning Riyad Mahrez, who found himself on the bench against Arsenal despite netting a hat-trick in Man City's FA Cup semi-final triumph over Sheffield United last weekend.

Thanks to a brace and an assist on Wednesday, Kevin De Bruyne has notched three goals and five assists across the past five league matches, so the Belgian maestro is expected to be joined by Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.

John Stones could move back into defensive midfield alongside Rodri, as Guardiola has tinkered with his favoured formation in recent months, although Phil Foden and Kalvin Phillips are pushing for a start.

With 10 Premier League clean sheets to his name this season, Ederson will continue to operate between the sticks, with Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte expected to start in defence.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/title-race/predicted-lineups/how-man-city-could-line-up-against-fulham_512576.html

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:15:46 PM

Do Marco Silva sides always suffer late-season drop-offs?

Will Gardner looks back through history to see whether or not a tail-off in form is a hallmark of a Marco Silva side.

We find ourselves in a pretty odd spot; our confidence had picked back up following wins against Leeds and Everton, but after losing four in the league on the bounce prior, a loss against Villa and now the daunting task of heading to title chasing Man City, we could fall back into a bit of a lull.

This isn't new territory for Marco Silva's Whites, as we hit a similar rocky patch while the team were on the beach last year after securing automatic promotion, but I wanted to have a look if this was a pattern among Silva's previous sides, or if it's just a Fulham trait we've picked up after achieving our goals swiftly in both years of his tenure.

I've taken a look at his time at Hull, Watford and his first season at Everton to judge whether the late season lull is a Marco Silva curse, or if it's all just a coincidence.

Hull City
There was a lot of talk about our man Marco when he first signed for Fulham back in the summer of 2021; people remembered the drama of his time at Watford and Everton but one role that was largely overlooked was his time at Hull.

Brought in on 5 January following the sacking of Mike Phelan, Marco was tasked with the job of keeping the newly-promoted Tigers in the Premier League. It was a tricky job; they were sitting 19th in the league and had three wins in 20. A team consisting of Harry Maguire and Andy Robertson were floundering towards the bottom of the table and in desperate need for someone to sort them out and it briefly looked like Marco was the man.

Winning his first league game in charge with a 3-1 win over Eddie Howe's Bournemouth, the team immediately lifted themselves up a spot to 18th. The great start continued for Hull despite a brutal fixture list where they had to go away to Chelsea, away to the mighty Whites in the FA Cup, then home to Man United for the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, back to Old Trafford in the league and then home to Liverpool. Remarkably despite this run of tough opponents they only lost two of these games, and one of them was against a Fulham side in the Championship, where we tanked them 4-1 thanks to goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin, Sess and Stef Jo.

The point that should be taken away from the above is that they managed to beat Man United in the cup (but fell out of the competition on aggregate after losing the first leg), drew with United away at Old Trafford and then beat Liverpool. Marco had turned this team of all sorts into a unit who were able to compete at the highest level against the highest teams. But we still rinsed them 4-1 at the Cottage.

During this run of tricky games their task was made even more difficult due to the injury of their star summer signing Ryan Mason. After signing for £10m in the summer, Mason was seen as the key in the middle of the park for Hull and the orchestrator for their attack, however stumbling it may have been before Marco's arrival. But a clash of heads with Gary Cahill left him with a fractured skull and in the hospital for more than a week.

Then their other key midfielder, Robert Snodgrass, who had contributed more than 50% of goals and assists throughout the first half of the season, was sold to relegation rivals West Ham. This left Marco with the unenviable task of some last-minute recruitment and bandaging together an already ramshackle and struggling side.

Despite this Hull managed to win three of the next seven games, and after beating Middlesbrough 4-2 on 5 April they found themselves out of the relegation spots for the first time since the 22 October and that's where they would stay until the start of May, when a 2-0 loss at home against already relegated Sunderland condemned Marco to his first home defeat.

This meant that they went into the penultimate day of the season with it all to play for, and it is safe to say that it all went wrong for the Tigers. They fell to a 4-0 defeat to Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace and had a total of zero shots on target despite having a whopping 70% possession. A Big Sam masterclass and a win for Swansea meant that Hull were relegated with one game left.

Was there a lull?
It's probably not fair to say that Marco had a late season lull with this team that were odds-on to be relegated when he took over, but poor results in crucial games like losses to Leicester, Stoke and Sunderland in the latter half of the campaign meant that despite his best efforts, the Yorkshire side would be back in the Championship. The fact is when it mattered most, they fell away. In his last game in charge of the Tigers they lost 7-1 at home to Spurs.

Drop in form period: GW32 – GW38. Result: relegation

Watford
Could you even call this one a late-season slump when he wasn't there late in the season?

Despite Hull's relegation, Marco won a lot of plaudits and he swiftly found himself at Watford. And what a start he had for the team that finished 17th the year earlier.

Only losing once in his first eight games in charge Watford found themselves as high as fourth after a 2-1 win at home to Arsenal, in what was the famous "cojones" win that saw some beef build between Arsenal and Troy Deeney. This run of form caught the eye of a certain Merseyside club who, like Watford, have a habit of chopping and changing managers in the middle of the season.

The flirting between Marco and Everton saw Watford's form falter and they started to slide down the table. I won't go into the details surrounding this love triangle between Marco, Watford and Everton, but from the outside, a team that finished 17th a season earlier, shouldn't start panicking just because they're 11th.

What irked the Watford hierarchy was the impression that Marco didn't want to be there anymore, and the results reflected that. This was especially prevalent during December when they lost four on the bounce to Burnley, Palace, Huddersfield and Brighton, all teams that they should've got a result over as their early season form indicated. What's never mentioned during this period when Watford were struggling was the fact that they had a number of injuries and suspended players. Key players like Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure were missing for these run of games and they could only be described as the spine of the team.

Following a limp 2-0 loss against Leicester in January, Marco was sacked by Watford and they issued a sassy statement that blamed the "unwarranted approach" of a rival Premier League team as the reason for the decline in form. Not the fact they had a favourable opening six games and then a number of injuries, obviously.

Was there a lull?
The drop in form was dramatic; Watford only picked up five points from a possible 50 throughout December and January, and calling that a lull may be an understatement. Even despite a strong start, form falling off a cliff that dramatically would always raise alarm bells and certainly at a club like Watford. While it's easy to make the argument that Marco had his head turned by Everton and that caused the drop in form, I think the more glaring and alarming fact is that without key players the team crumbled and looked lost even against the poorest opponents. Strong back-ups in key areas are crucial for us moving into next season.

Drop in form period: GW14 – GW24. Result: sacked

Everton
After a drawn-out saga in the press, Marco finally found himself in the Everton dugout, and looked to build on this perpetual dream that Everton have of being a club that challenges for things, despite never once challenging for anything.

Things started pretty brightly for the Toffees after he took over. Silva once again started unbeaten after a few matches in charge and Everton found themselves in sixth.

But the good times did not continue and throughout the winter months, with only one win in December, a 5-1 boxing day win away at Burnley following a 6-2 home defeat to Spurs on Christmas Eve Eve. Everton found themselves slipping out of the European spots and into the bottom half of the table. After a promising start to the season they danced around the mid-table spots from December to March, with four wins during that time against teams around the bottom of the table.

After this mid-season slump they managed to only lose two out of the next 11 matches with wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. The two losses during this period were a scrappy back-an-forth 3-2 loss with Newcastle and then a 2-0 hammering by the mighty Whites, which ended our nine-match losing streak. I reckon Marco has always had a soft spot for us.

The dreams of Europe slipped away for Everton in the last few games after a draw to Palace saw Wolves climb just out of reach for the Toffees. That meant that Marco was not able to better the finish from Everton under Big Sam, but instead built the confidence ahead of the following season.

Was there a lull?
It's clear that Everton could have been finishing in the top six if it wasn't for that mid-season lull through the winter months that saw them pick up only a handful of points, and even the unenviable result of losing against his former side in Watford. While the drop in form didn't exactly raise alarm bells, it did condemn Everton to another season of mid-table mediocrity and while their strong run in towards the end of the season may have raised hopes for the following campaign, those hopes were swiftly discarded and Marco was sacked on 4 December after a 5-2 loss to Liverpool, with the team sitting in 18th.

Drop in form period: GW14 – GW27. Result: eighth Place (three points off of Europe).

So, should we be worried about the regularity of these drops in form? Yes and no. Drops in form are inevitable for everyone. Having a drop in form after we've secured our goal for the season isn't the end of the world, however frustrating it is to lose against West Ham and Bournemouth. But one thing we certainly should be worried about is the lack of quality and results when key players are missing. Everton also looked abject when they played teams above them in the league. They only won one game out of nine against teams above them at the midway point of their slump.

The things that we need to look out for next season are recruiting players in key positions to provide competition and quality. Alternatively we need to look at how different systems can work when missing key players or when faced against teams above us in the table. We showed some variety in the matches against Everton and Leeds with Dan James and Bobby De Cordova-Reid leading the line and while that may have worked against poorer opposition, it was completely nullified against a resurgent Villa team.

This season has been wonderful; we're mathematically safe and on course for our highest ever Premier League points total, and even if we don't get there how great is it to have a drop in form that sees us move from Europe to mid-table as opposed to falling from 18th to 19th like we've seen in previous years. Let's embrace the last few weeks of this magical season and heap praise upon the genius that is Marco Silva.

https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-04-28-do-marco-silva-sides-always-suffer-late-season-drop-offs/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:17:33 PM

"We need to show passion, charisma, and love" - Pep Guardiola pre Fulham Press Conference

Pep Guardiola was very talkative after City's huge win against Arsenal on Wednesday night, in previewing the away trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. The Catalan talked about the potential to go back to the top of the Premier League, Nathan Ake's injury progression, the need to bass the ball quicker, the leaders, and motivational speaking.

Fulham:

"They're exceptional. Mitrovic is suspended, who's been incredible for them. You have to be aggressive and attack [as much] as possible [against them]."

Pass and move, faster:

"We didn't pass the ball before. Against Bayern Munich [away] we didn't pass enough the ball, and the game at the Emirates, we didn't pass the ball. Our strong points is attacking quick, but before attacking quick you have to pass more the ball - use the keeper more, turn more. Before the last games we just started right and finish right, start with left and finish with left. To attack better when a team is high pressing like what happened against Bayern Munich and Arsenal, you have to move them a little bit more, otherwise it's more difficult to find the right spaces and after this process to be quick and be faster."

Nathan Ake update:

"He's much better, he seems now really good. His symptomatology - feels good, that is important because in the end the player knows his body and his reaction, but still he's not training with the team. It will not be longer. Maybe tomorrow the doctor will come and say he's ready to train, but I think he's not [ready yet]."

Kevin De Bruyne's improvement:

"He's the same player from a month ago if he plays or doesn't. You cannot demand every single player of ten years with a game every three days to be all the time on the up. Sometimes you have to see it and say okay let him refresh his mind - his standards are so high."

The title race:

"It is not over, It will be over when it is over. We still have seven games. We have to do our game. I know what happened when we win at the Emirates, then we draw at Nottingham Forest. Now we go to Fulham against an incredible team. We're taking nothing for granted. We're happy for the last game and the performance but that is all."

"I know it's not 20 games left, it's seven, but seven games are seven games. Especially considering we have Champions League games and so on. Don't misunderstand me, even if we were in the same position ten points behind - I trust my players. The players are the same, you have to seduce them every single day to make sure it works. Losing is part of the competition. We are there to to try and [win the title]. The feeling is good but we have to prove it again."

Planning for Madrid yet?

"No. I have an idea more or less but specifically, if they changed from last season, with Carlo. Normally I'm concerned with the next game. We don't have time to prioritize anything. To be champion again is the similar level as Champions League. The Premier League is so attractive, so nice. It's every week against everyone. My attention is Fulham, then West Ham, then Leeds. Then after we prepare for Madrid."

After Fernandinho, leaders stepped up?

"Yeah of course: Gundo, Kyle, Scott Carson, Rodri, Ruben. Normally [we talk] about the game itself. Sometimes some specific actions [are talked about] but always for the benefit to get better. What I don't like is when a club is flat. Good or bad, no matter, that is the worst. After winning in the past, the club has to be a charismatic team, show passion, love. This is the key point."

Got to keep winning:

"We have some margin, but not much. We have seven games but they [Arsenal] have five. It is really close. The performance against Nottingham Forest [after winning at the Emirates] was one of the best this season. Travelling up from London, the late night, only two days [between]. The team played incredible, but we dropped points."

Champagne ready for Champions League qualification?

"Yes. Ask Arsenal [what it means] - after a seven year absence. It is a success, absolutely."

Motivational speaking:

"I don't give motivational speeches, I didn't ready a book [on motivational speaking]. It's what I feel about the game we're going to play. Sometimes the boys are more calm or aggressive, sometimes you have to lift them. Against Arsenal, I didn't say one word. Playing for the Premier League? They know perfectly. I asked how they warmed up, they said they warmed up so calm' Players in that situation they're relaxed they know exactly what they have to do. Same with Madrid, they know what they're playing for in the semi-finals of the Champions League."

Arsenal won't give in:

"I know perfectly Mikel, I know, the players know - they will not give up. If we were ten points ahead then I'd say it's over. But we are two points behind. We have to beat West Ham and Fulham. The reality, we are behind, if today the season finished: they'd be champions. It's possible you can lose points and draw games in one week. We have to be aware of that."

https://www.mcfcreport.com/post/we-need-to-show-passion-charisma-and-love-pep-guardiola-pre-fulham-press-conference

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:18:20 PM

Pre-Man City Press Conference

Marco Silva knows it would be dangerous to worry solely about individual players on Sunday afternoon.

Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne linked up to devastating effect in Manchester City's vital midweek victory over title-rivals Arsenal, but when asked if those two were the main threat to Fulham, Silva replied: "We have to try to stop the Man City team.

"Of course we understand your question, so many goals that [Haaland] already scored, he is their top target man for them to finish all the moments that they create. They have so many ways to create for him, and that is difficult to stop.
Marco Silva at Villa Park

"And it's not just Haaland, because if it's not Haaland there will be another one. Last game that they played, they were winning clearly and Haaland just scored in the last minutes of the game, one goal.

"You mention a player who in this position is one of the best, if not the best, in this country – that is De Bruyne. He is one of the most important players for them, but you cannot put your focus on just one player.

"I understand the main target is the striker, the big guy there with a lot of quality and capacity to score, but there are all the other players around.

"The two wingers that they are going to play, with De Bruyne behind him, are always a threat and have quality in any moment of the game. Let's see who will be the other midfielder, if it will be [Ilkay] Gundogan playing as an offensive midfielder, he's a player with the capacity to arrive in the box and to score goals as well.

"So many individual players for us to look at, we prefer to look in a different way, to look in a collective way. They are strong, one of the best teams in the world, if not the best, and clearly the best team in this competition."

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/28/pre-man-city-press-conference/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:20:40 PM

Fulham v Manchester City

Willian, 34, has started 20 Premier League games for Fulham this season

TEAM NEWS
Fulham will assess Willian, who missed Tuesday's defeat at Aston Villa after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up.

Fellow winger Harry Wilson is expected to be fit despite being withdrawn after 17 minutes in midweek due to illness but Aleksandar Mitrovic remains banned.

Nathan Ake is still out for Manchester City but manager Pep Guardiola says the defender is making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman is expected to be City's only absentee on Sunday.

CHRIS SUTTON'S PREDICTION
I think the general consensus is that the Premier League title race is done and Manchester City are going to win it for the fifth time in six seasons.

The only real doubt I have now is whether City can get the balance right when they make changes.

That will be most important in the league games around their Champions League semi-final games against Real Madrid on 9 and 17 May, but they will probably rotate here too.

I wrongly accused Fulham of being on the beach when they were on a dreadful run of form a few weeks ago and I think they will score on Sunday - I just think City will score three. They are going to slip up at some point, just because of their schedule - but not this time.

Prediction: 1-3

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Manchester City have won their last 13 games against Fulham in all competitions.
Fulham won 3-1 at the Etihad on 12 April 2009 but are winless in 15 subsequent league meetings (D3, L12).
The Londoners have failed to keep a clean sheet in all 14 of their Premier League home games versus City.

Fulham

Marco Silva's side have lost five of their past seven Premier League games, one more defeat than in their previous 16 fixtures.
Fulham have gone eight league matches without keeping a clean sheet, conceding 13 goals.
They have lost all six of their league fixtures this term against sides currently in the top four, conceding 14 goals and scoring four.

Manchester City

Victory would ensure Manchester City go top of the Premier League for the first time since 17 February.
They have won their previous seven top-flight games, their best run since a 12-match streak between November 2021 and January 2022.
Pep Guardiola has won two-thirds of his Premier League away fixtures against London sides (25 of 38), the highest win rate of any visiting manager to take charge of at least 10 such matches.
All eight of Guardiola's top-flight losses in the capital have come against either Tottenham (five defeats) or Chelsea (three).
Erling Haaland's haul of 33 Premier League goals is a record in a 38-game season and one shy of the highest ever total scored by Andrew Cole (1993-94) and Alan Shearer (1994-95) in 42-match campaigns.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65363995

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:22:48 PM

Games for the Week-end 29/04
We welcome Man City to the Cottage for a 2 o'clock Sunday kick-off

Loosing both Willian and Harry Wilson so early in the game didn't help our cause against Villa however we now face one of the toughest games of the season.
We did OK against them in the reverse fixture last November, albeit against 10 men, and were unlucky not to come away with a draw.

The way that Man City took Arsenal apart in their last game was frightening, 4-1 actually flattered Arsenal, they could easily have been down 8-0 by halftime.

Our recent record against Man City is dire, 1 win, 16 losses and 3 draws however that game against them in the "Great Escape" season will live long in Fulham folk-law.

Current Form:
Fulham – LLWWL
Man City – WWWWW

I'm assuming that neither Willian or Harry will be available so my team would be...

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Saturday 29th
Palace v West Ham
Brentford v Forest
Brighton v Wolves
Arsenal v Chelsea

Sunday 30th
Bournemouth v Leeds
Fulham v Man City
Liverpool v Spurs

come on over to the forum and join in the conversation...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0

http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=2617

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:23:19 PM

Team News: Update On Wingers

Marco Silva provided an update on the availability of Harry Wilson and Willian ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.

The pair were both due to start Tuesday's meeting with Aston Villa, but Willian tweaked his hamstring in the warm-up, while Wilson only lasted 16 minutes.

"Harry Wilson we believe is going to be okay for the match," Silva revealed. "As I said, it was nothing really so serious. He didn't feel well the night before the match, the matchday he was okay but there was something in his stomach.

"After one or two days, he lost some energy, he wasn't feeling well, but this morning he worked with the team and he's good and he'll be in condition to be involved in the match.

"Willian will be more difficult. Of course, we have the session tomorrow, we have to assess him again, but it will be more difficult for him to be available.

"All the other players, apart from Mitro as you know, are going to be available."

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/28/team-news-update-on-wingers/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:25:29 PM

Harrison Reed interview: Fulham don't fear 'huge' Man City challenge... we've earned Premier League respect

Midfielder is relishing Kevin De Bruyne battle as Marco Silva's side attempt to derail the City juggernaut

Harrison Reed has been a mainstay for Fulham under Marco Silva / ES

Harrison Reed will come full circle when he lines up to face Manchester City at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

The midfielder will be in the Fulham side who have the tough task of facing a team in blistering form and coming off the back of Wednesday night's 4-1 demolition of Arsenal.

It is a daunting prospect for any player but, for 28-year-old Reed, it will not compare to the stress of his Premier League debut, aged 18, a decade ago.

Trusted by then-Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, he was thrown on late on against City to help his side earn a point at St Mary's. Reed admits it was his "most nervous moment in football", but this time he knows he belongs on this stage.

"Manchester City are the best team in the world," says Reed, who has been a key player for Fulham in their impressive season under Marco Silva. "It is a huge challenge, but one as a player you have to look forward to, as you can test yourself against the best. We want to go into the game and cause an upset.

"I feel confident going into every game. We fear no one. We go into every game to implement our style — that never changes. We will do the same on Sunday."

Having played against Samir Nasri and Aleksandar Kolarov on his debut in 2013, Reed now goes up against Kevin De Bruyne, just days after his imperious display against Arsenal.

Asked whether he enjoys facing players of the calibre of the Belgian, he says: "Sometimes! But it is a tough job. He is one of the most exceptional players in the Premier League with his quality, but when you come up against him, and I don't think it is spoken about enough, you can just see how hard he works for the team.

"He is everywhere, in and out of possession. He is a really good player, but I hope to come out on top on Sunday."

Reed will also come up against Erling Haaland, who has scored 49 goals in all competitions this season and has Everton icon Dixie Dean's English record of 60 goals in his sights.

"He has taken the League by storm and he is improving every week," he says. "He probably has my vote [for PFA Player of the Year]."

City can knock Arsenal off top spot with a win, but Reed is talking up Fulham's chances of springing a shock and causing a twist in the title race.

One of the favourites to be relegated at the start of the season following their promotion, Fulham are on course of a top-half finish. Reed was confident they would prove the doubters wrong.

"There's no getting away from it, you hear it all," he says. "You have to use it as motivation or it gets to you. I think the whole team has done that. I feel that as the season has gone on, we've earned respect from teams and fans alike."

Reed was not always destined to make it in the top flight and had loan spells with Norwich and Blackburn when he failed to break through at Southampton.

I feel that as the season has gone on, Fulham have earned respect from teams and fans alike

He thanks Fulham manager Silva for changing his game and taking it to the next level. "I remember my first conversation with him, he told me how he sees me, which I was surprised about," he says. "I saw myself as a six, but he said I was dynamic and had quality and could be used in different ways than before."

With three goals and two assists this season, the box-to-box midfielder has added a threat in the final third.

"I feel at home in the Premier League but with a lot to still improve on," says Reed. "I have established myself in a side that's looking up in the table and had a really good season."

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-man-city-harrison-reed-b1077681.html

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:27:07 PM

Fulham boss Silva refuses to focus on Haaland, De Bruyne alone ahead of tricky City test

Marco Silva insists he will not focus on the threats of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne when Fulham host Manchester City this weekend.

City's midweek victory over Arsenal made them clear favourites to retain the Premier League title and they could yet add FA Cup and Champions League crowns as well.

Fulham have seen their hopes of qualifying for Europe almost certainly ended by a poor run but will want to finish the season strongly.

Haaland needs only one more goal to hit a half=-century for the season for City, but Silva told a press conference: "We have to try to stop the Man City team.

"Of course we understand your question, so many goals that (Haaland) already scored. He is their top target man for them to finish all the moments that they create. They have so many ways to create for him and that is difficult to stop.

"And it's not just Haaland, because if it's not Haaland there will be another one. Last game that they played, they were winning clearly and Haaland just scored in the last minutes of the game.

"You mention a player who in this position is one of the best, if not the best, in this country – that is De Bruyne. He is one of the most important players for them, but you cannot put your focus on just one player.

"We prefer to look in a different way, to look in a collective way. They are strong, one of the best teams in the world, if not the best and clearly the best team in this competition."

Fulham's main goal threat, Aleksandr Mitrovic, remains suspended while Willian is a major doubt after sustaining a hamstring problem in the warm-up ahead of Tuesday's loss to Aston Villa.

Silva is hopeful, though, that Harry Wilson will be available after he left the pitch early feeling unwell.

https://www.football365.com/news/fulham-boss-silva-refuses-focus-on-haaland-de-bruyne-alone-ahead-city-test

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:27:57 PM

Simon Hooper appointed as referee for Fulham vs Manchester City

Manchester City will be looking to go top of the Premier League table with their trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday. Simon Hooper will be the man in the middle, and the game kicks off on Sunday, 30th April, at 2 pm (BST). The game will be televised on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.

Simon Hooper
Hooper will take charge of his sixth City game of the season in all competitions on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's men have won four of those games, drawing to Aston Villa at Villa Park in September. The wins include the Blues' 4-1 victory over Liverpool and the stunning second-half comeback against Spurs at the Etihad.

The 40-year-old has refereed 24 Premier League games this season, giving out 79 yellow cards at a rate of 3.3 per game. He is yet to show a red card during this campaign.

Full Appointments
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Simon Long & Neil Davies
Fourth Official: Graham Scott
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis

https://www.mcfcreport.com/post/simon-hooper-appointed-as-referee-for-fulham-vs-manchester-city

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:30:09 PM

Fulham To Launch Official Podcast

Introducing our brand new podcast: Fulham Fix!

The Club is delighted to announce the launch of our first ever official audio podcast.

An evolution of the Fulham Fix video show which ran across FFCtv and YouTube, the revamped show will give fans the chance to consume content in an all new way, as you will be able to listen to Fulham Fix in the car, at the gym, or on your way to Craven Cottage!

The presenters

The podcast will be hosted by lifelong Fulham fans Felix White and Ivan Berry.

Felix made his name with hugely popular indie band The Maccabees, with whom he had a number one album, while he's now a best-selling author and co-host of the hugely popular cricket podcast Tailenders, alongside Radio 1 breakfast show host Greg James and England bowler Jimmy Anderson.

Ivan's voice is now synonymous with a generation of supporters at the Cottage, having taken over as our Matchday Announcer going into the 2013/14 season, and he's also got plenty of other experience behind the microphone with his work across various radio stations.

the guests

The new audio podcast will see the pair welcome a different personality from our past or present to each show, where they will open up on their relationship with the Club by sharing their Fulham anecdotes and memories.

Season One of Fulham Fix will launch on Friday 5th May, featuring Dimitar Berbatov's most candid ever interview about his time at the Club. Thereafter, a new episode will be released every Tuesday, starting on May 9th, and running until mid-June. Season Two lands as we head into the 2023/24 season.

We've got some fantastic initial episodes lined up, with former players Berbatov, Sylvain Legwinski, Zoltan Gera and Rachel Yankey in the hotseat, while we also speak to Aleksandar Mitrović and Willian, as well as actors - and staunch Whites supporters - Charlie and Paul Cooper.

how to listen

Episodes will be available wherever you get your podcasts, in addition to on fulhamfc.com and our YouTube channel.
felix white

Fulham Football Club has been an inseparable part of my life for close to 30 years now. It's likely there hasn't been a day that has passed since my first game where I haven't said the phrase, 'Come on Fulham.' It works for everything, no matter what you are doing.

I've spent big chunks of my life going every week, home and away, and other periods checking the score from afar when life has dragged me away. I think of Craven Cottage as a version of home. Every football fan thinks of their club as special or cursed or magical or particularly mundane in some specific way, and I feel all of these things about Fulham.

'This could only happen to us,' I like to tell myself. And I tell myself that all the time. Fortunately, in our case, a lot has happened to the Club in the last 30 years. A lot of still-fresh heartbreak, a lot of unprecedented joy, a lot of weirdly comforting mediocrity. In short, all the good stuff to live a footballing life through.

How could I not say yes to co-hosting Fulham Fix with Ivan and getting to exorcise these many demons, while talking to our greats on and off the pitch?

Felix White
ivan berry

I'm super honoured and excited to be co-hosting the first official Fulham podcast!

Not only do I get to live out the dream of interviewing Fulham legends, and footballing heroes, week in and week out, but I get to do it sat next to a man whose music I have loved and sung along to for the last 10+ years, Felix White.

I can't wait for everyone to listen and, hopefully, get as much enjoyment out of the podcasts as we have had making them.

Ivan Berry

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/april/28/fulham-to-launch-official-podcast/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:31:35 PM

Report: Tottenham and Chelsea both ready to swoop for one Fulham star

Football Insider have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are expected to launch a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.

It may have come as a bit of a surprise to some when Fulham won the race for Palhinha's signature last summer in a deal worth £20m, given that the midfielder seemed set for a switch to an elite club a couple of years ago.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding debut season in the Premier League, having been the Cottager's most consistent performer since his switch.

Football Insider claim that Palhinha's displays at Craven Cottage have caught the attention of several big hitters, including Spurs, who are said to be 'ready to swoop' for him this summer.

The report reveals that the North London club could face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for the Portugal international while Liverpool have also scouted him ahead of the summer.

Fulham are said to be aware of the growing interest in Palhinha, with Marco Silva's men bracing themselves for offers this summer.

Spurs Web Opinion
There is no doubt that Palhinha would be a significant upgrade on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and I would take the Fulham man over James Ward-Prowse, who has also been mooted as a target for Spurs this summer.

I can see the Portugal international's price skyrocketing as there could well be a bidding war for his services.

https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-tottenham-and-chelsea-both-ready-to-swoop-for-one-fulham-star/

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:33:34 PM

Marco Silva exclusive: Fulham boss discusses his football obsession and raising expectations at Fulham

Silva has Fulham on course for their best-ever Premier League points total in their first year back up from the Championship - but already has plans in place to improve again; watch Fulham vs Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm on Sunday; kick-off 2pm

"It's something that's much more than a job. It's something we love, our passion."

Marco Silva is happy to admit he's a football obsessive.

Like Unai Emery, whose Aston Villa team got the better of Silva's Fulham on Wednesday, and like Pep Guardiola, whose Man City side go to Craven Cottage on Sunday, the game consumes him.

"I believe in some years' time it will get easier but right now it's much more difficult," he says, when asked how hard it is to find balance between his work and life away from the game. "It's a difficult job to switch off, to be honest.

"I really value the people who have the capacity to do different sports, for example, that makes them forget football. And we have our families as well.

"But it's difficult because it's something we're thinking about from the first hour of the day until the evening, preparing our players.

"With more time, more age, things [will go] in a good way... or not! Maybe it will always be like that, you never know!"

Roy Hodgson's return to the Premier League at the age of 75 with Crystal Palace perhaps suggests it's an addiction that's impossible to kick. But Silva was forced to abstain for 19 long months before he took over at Fulham, following his exit from Everton.

It was a strange, unusual period for Silva, now 45, whose whirlwind career had taken him from Portugal's second tier with Estoril to a trio of Premier League jobs via Sporting and Olympiakos in the space of six years.

A few months into his separation, the COVID pandemic hit. That made logistics tricky but Silva and his team of coaches made the most of their time away from the game.

"It was a moment to refresh many things," he said. "The first one was to analyse the seasons before because after Olympiakos, when I first joined the Premier League with Hull, Watford and Everton, it was everything really quick and many changes in this short period of time. Three different clubs in the Premier League in a short time.

"It was a moment to analyse everything, not just the last 18-19 months with Everton but what happened before with Watford and Hull. It was a difficult moment for everyone because it was the COVID situation but there was a lot of football on TV for us to analyse. We could not travel to see live games but to have games to analyse, to meet and speak with the technical staff, was to try to keep improving, keep working hard so at that moment to come back [we would] be ready."

It proved to be a valuable use of the time he had on his hands. Silva hit the ground running at Fulham, winning the Championship with 90 points and 106 goals scored. Back in the Premier League, they're already mathematically safe from relegation and on course for their best-ever points total in the competition.

He's hungry for more.

"I can tell you we have the big plan for the next season already there, we're already on track," Silva reveals, when asked about whether stability in his role - this is his longest tenure since starting at Estoril - has allowed for long-term planning.

"This season was one of the most important seasons for Fulham Football Club so far because after the last two Premier League seasons, where the club didn't perform at that level - for many reasons, I don't want to be unfair because I wasn't here - this season was crucial for the club to remain in the Premier League.

"We are doing it and we are doing it playing well, improving players, making the fans proud of us.

"We are building the momentum and the platform for next season as well. Next season will probably be even more important than this one because we have to start to sustain this club in the Premier League for everyone to see Fulham as a Premier League club.

"I believe it's where the club belongs and for this to happen, season after season we have to do the right things on the pitch and off the pitch and show the ambition to compete with all the clubs like we've been doing on the pitch but at the same time off the pitch as well. We have to show that in the next few months."

Silva on Man City
"Everyone who loves football should admire what they've been doing. We see so many good things, and so many good things that are really difficult to play against. If you go to press high, the capacity they have to punish you. The last game [against Arsenal] is a good example of it. If you're in a middle block the capacity is there to frustrate you of the ball and create and explore the gaps they want to do in certain areas of the pitch.

"They have this capacity playing from the back, positional attack... they are the best team in the world in this way because they can punish any team in many ways."

While Fulham fans may head to Craven Cottage on Sunday cautious about what Man City - a team Silva describes as the best in the country and possibly the world - could do, expectations about what Fulham can achieve next season will be on the rise.

"That's a normal thing," he says, inviting the challenge. "Our fans have expectations in a different level and it's a good sign they raise their expectations. First it shows they believe in ourselves, it reflects what we're doing - to make them believe more, to dream more that's a consequence from our performance. It's a good feeling, a good pressure, a privilege to have this pressure and raise the expectations on yourself.

"It's up to us to prepare well ourselves. For us to do the same or even better next season we have to do many things."

Rather than winding down towards the off season, Silva is itching to work even more. It's his football obsession.

Fulham's remaining fixtures
April 30: Man City (H) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports

May 3: Liverpool (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm

May 8: Leicester (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 13: Southampton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 20: Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 28: Man Utd (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12868701/marco-silva-exclusive-fulham-boss-discusses-his-football-obsession-and-raising-expectations-at-fulham

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:34:41 PM

Fulham's Wilson passed fit to face City

Harry Wilson will be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday after recovering from a stomach bug that forced his out of Fulham's midweek defeat to Aston Villa.

In-form Wilson, who has scored two goals in his last three matches after a difficult season where he has failed to find a regular spot in the team, came off after just 17 minutes at Villa Park but Whites boss Marco Silva said he will be ready to take his place in the squad to face Pep Guardiola's side at Craven Cottage.

"Harry Wilson we believe will be OK for the match," Silva said.

"It was nothing serious he just didn't feel well the night before the match on the matchday he was OK but he had a sick stomach.

"He's lost some energy but this morning he worked with the team and is good."

Veteran winger Willian suffered a hamstring strain in the warm-up on Wednesday and Silva confirmed the former Chelsea and Arsenal player is losing his fight to be fit for the game.

"For Wilian it will be more difficult to be fit but we have one more session to assess him.

"But all our other players apart from (Aleksandar) Mitrovic will be available."

City will come to Craven Cottage in red-hot form having won seven successive Premier League wins with Erling Haaland still on track to beat Dixie Dean's scoring record of 60 goals in a campaign.

The Norwegian striker has 48 goals in 42 City games in all competitions – including 32 goals in the Premier League.

However, Silva says stopping the City is more than just keeping Haaland in check.

"We have to try and stop the whole Man City team," Silva said.

"The reality is that they have so many different ways to create for him and it is difficult to stop.

"Kevin De Bryune is one of the best players in the world and we can't just focus on one man."

https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-star-passed-fit-for-man-city-clash

WhiteJC · April 28, 2023, 11:35:57 PM

Report: Club ready to enter talks with manager amid Tottenham interest

Football Insider have claimed that Fulham are now ready to intensify talks with Marco Silva over a new contract amidst interest from Tottenham.

Soon after Antonio Conte's sacking last month, Silva was reported to be one of the names on Tottenham's wishlist to replace Antonio Conte (The Athletic).

However, the situation appears to have changed completely since, with Julian Nagelsmann now said to be at the top of Tottenham's shortlist.

According to The Independent, Spurs are expected to try and persuade the German to take over, failing which they would turn their attention to Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.

Football Insider have now revealed that Tottenham did show interest in Silva, although the North London club did not make any concrete approach for the Portuguese coach.

The report adds that the 45-year-old is set to run into the final year of his contract this June and that Fulham are keen to tie him down to a long-term deal to ward off any interest.

The outlet asserts that the Craven Cottage hierarchy will intensify talks with Silva at the end of the season, with the West London club hopeful of reaching an agreement with their head coach.

Spurs Web Opinion
It is clear that Silva was never really a serious option for Spurs at any time.

While the Portuguese coach has done an excellent job at Craven Cottage, his spells at Hull City and Everton would likely deter any top clubs from considering an approach for the 45-year-old.

https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-club-ready-to-enter-talks-with-manager-amid-tottenham-interest/