Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 3/05/23...

[WhiteJC]

How do Fulham make it back-to-back wins at Anfield?

Jack Stroudley assesses our midweek trip to Merseyside as Fulham take on Liverpool.

Despite an admirable performance against the current Premier League champions, Fulham fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the weekend keeping themselves firmly in the top half (despite the likes of Crystal Palace and Bournemouth closing the gap). With the games coming thick and fast, we now head to Merseyside in midweek and look to make it consecutive wins at Anfield for the first time in history. Despite a disappointing turn in form, the trip to Liverpool provides Fulham with a good opportunity to maintain the performance level from last weekend. But how do we go about it?

The opposition
Following a disappointing trip to the Etihad last month, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six league fixtures, including four consecutive wins. Jurgen Klopp's side go into the game with no new injury concerns and looking to keep their slim chances of the top four alive. Liverpool's main threats will be in attack with a fluid front three which can cause any side in the world problems with 15 goals from their last 4 games.

Despite a dominant attack, Liverpool's problems in midfield and defence have been apparent throughout the course of the season with the midfield three on the weekend being Curtis Jones, Fabinho and (of course) Harvey Elliott. Van Dijk has also been hot and cold throughout the season and for all the attacking qualities Trent Alexander-Arnold provides, his defensive limitations continue to be mentioned.

How do we prepare?
Fulham will be without some key names at Anfield with Tim Ream and Andreas Pereira joining Willian on the injury table along with the suspended Aleksandar Mitrovic. As mentioned above, Liverpool's midfield is a weak point and an area that can be exploited. So how do Fulham do that?

I'd make three changes to the side that lost narrowly to Manchester City. The first two are due to injury with Issa Diop coming in for Tim Ream and slotting into that left centre-half role at Anfield and more than likely the remainder of the season. Andreas Pereira is also out for the remainder of the season, which gives Tom Cairney a chance in the starting line-up.

Cairney has been brilliant off the bench this season and when replacing Pereira on Sunday, he was exceptional and deserves a chance to start the game. I imagine that we will adapt slightly as Cairney doesn't have the pressing abilities of Pereira and therefore will sit deeper alongside Reed and Palhinha and look to pick out the likes of Harry Wilson and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

Cairney will more than likely not last a full 90 minutes and as a result we could see Solomon come on to replace him and one of Reid or Wilson then drop into a role we've seen Pereira play for the whole of the season.

The final change is the reintroduction of Dan James for Carlos Vinicius. This feels harsh on Vinicius, who more than held his own against Manchester City, but this feels like a different game. Despite playing away at Liverpool, I feel we will have a fair share of the ball and having Dan James as the focal point allows us to hit on the counter and his pace can cause the Liverpool defence problems that Vinicius wouldn't be able to.

The final verdict
I can't believe I'm saying this but I am quietly confident going into this one. Liverpool are phenomenal in attack and will create a lot of chances meaning that Bernd Leno will need to produce a performance we have become accustomed to over the course of the season. I also feel that we will create chances of our own, it's just down to (what feels like) a second string attack to be clinical in those moments and cause Liverpool problems. I feel that Liverpool will just win, but if Fulham got a result I really wouldn't be shocked. Liverpool 2-1 Fulham.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-05-03-how-do-fulham-make-it-back-to-back-wins-at-anfield/

[WhiteJC]

Joe Bryan stance detailed as Bristol City, Blackburn, Cardiff, Millwall and others chase signature
Joe Bryan wants to be playing regular football and accepts the importance of the right situation at the right club as Championship interest swells

Out-of-contract Fulham defender Joe Bryan wants to play as much football as possible and accepts that the right situation at the right club is more important than high wages amid interest from Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City, Millwall, Stoke City, and Swansea City, according to Bristol Live.

It is understood that the positive progress Bristol City have made under Nigel Pearson this season and the emotional factor of a return to his boyhood club means the Robins have a strong negotiating position.

Joe Bryan's situation at Fulham
Bryan left Ashton Gate in 2018 to join Fulham in a multi-million-pound move and helped the West London club win promotion to the Premier League but has fallen out of favour in recent years.

The 29-year-old has spent the season on loan at Ligue 1 side Nice and is set to become a free agent when his contract at Craven Cottage expires in the summer.

Championship clubs chase Joe Bryan
A report from Bristol Live has revealed that a host of Championship clubs are in pursuit of the left-back, including his boyhood club.

Blackburn, Cardiff, Millwall, Stoke, and Swansea are also thought to be interested in signing the defender on a free transfer this summer.

The report claims that the emotional pull of returning to Ashton Gate and the positivity surrounding the South West club means that Bristol City are in a strong negotiating position.

It is also said that Bryan wants to be playing as much football as he can at this point in his career while there is said to be an acceptance that the right situation at the right club is vital, which could help solve an issue concerning his wages.

As per Capology, he is on around £30,000 per week at Fulham - a salary that Bristol City and most of the other clubs keen are unlikely to match.

Would Joe Bryan be a good signing for the clubs in pursuit?
Bryan's Fulham career looks set to peter out but the 29-year-old would be an outstanding signing for the Championship clubs in pursuit.

He has proven himself a top-quality defender in the second tier over the years, both defensively and going forward, so if the wage issue can be sorted he represents an excellent addition on a free transfer.

It would be a surprise if there isn't more interest as the summer approaches - particularly with some big clubs set to be relegated from the Premier League.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/joe-bryan-stance-detailed-as-bristol-city-blackburn-cardiff-millwall-and-others-chase-signature/

[filham]

Surprised we are interested in paying a transfer fee and offering James a contract, no doubt he has the much needed pace but he has not really impressed this season.

[WhiteJC]

Stoke City linked with 'elite Championship left-back' amid fierce competition

News and gossip from the bet365 Stadium heading into busy summer transfer window for Stoke City

Stoke City are among a cluster of Championship clubs believed to be on the chase of free agent left-back Joe Bryan.

The 29-year-old is expected to leave Fulham at the end of his contract this summer, having spent the season on loan at Nice, where he has had a frustrating lack of first team action.

Our colleagues at BristolLive claim that Stoke, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Swansea and Cardiff have all declared their intent, as well as his former and hometown club Bristol City.

They write: "With his contract in west London reaching its end, and a reputation as an elite Championship-level left-back, he's among the most sought-after free agents in the second tier, with Bryan's desire in his late 20s to simply play as much football as is possible. Wages are a potential stumbling block but equally there is also an acceptance that the right club and environment is more important."

Bryan came through the ranks at Bristol City, making 230 appearances before being sold to Fulham in 2018. He has played 119 times for Fulham but has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Marco Silva in 2021.

Nigel Pearson is likely to be in the market for a left-sided defender amid speculation that Jay Dasilva will leave Ashton Gate next month. He has been strongly linked with C

A full-back or two are likely to be on Alex Neil's agenda in a busy summer at Stoke. Neil signed both Dujon Sterling and Ki-Jana Hoever on loan and will be plotting his next move and whether or not he is able to get them back from Chelsea and Wolves respectively.

 Josh Tymon had emerged as a key figure on the left under Neil's predecessor Michael O'Neill but he has only started three matches since early February. O'Neill had signed Harry Clarke to cover the right last summer but Clarke was returned to Arsenal to be sold to Ipswich in January.

Tom Edwards returned from a loan at New York Red Bulls but signed on loan for Barnsley. He returned to Stoke for treatment on a knee injury in January and was named in the squad submitted to the EFL but he is yet to feature under Neil.



https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-joe-bryan-8407124

[WhiteJC]

Fulham rank second for owner funding
Fulham's pre-tax loss reduced from £94m to £57m in 2021/22, despite revenue dropping £44m (38%) from £116m to £72m following relegation, partly offset by profit from player sales increasing from just £146k to £12.5m.   The main driver of Fulham's £44m revenue decrease was broadcasting, which more than halved in the Championship from £105m to £51m.

Fulham compensated for lower revenue with steep reductions in staff costs. The wage bill was cut by £24m (21%) from £114m to £90m.    Fulham's good performance on the pitch came at a cost, as their £57m loss was the worst in the Championship, even higher than Bournemouth £56m and Nottingham Forest £46m.

Fulham's £57m loss last season was the fifth highest ever in the Championship, albeit a long way short of the division's record loss, which was the £88m posted by Stoke City in 2019/20.  The Cottagers' losses on their previous two occasions in the Championship (£48m in 2019/20 and £45m in 2017/18) also featured in the top 11 losses. It is clear that Fulham have spent big to give themselves the best possible chance of getting back to the top flight.

Losses are nothing new for Fulham, as the last time they made a profit was in 2011. Since Shahid Khan bought the club in July 2013, they have posted £358m of losses, averaging £40m a year.  In fact, the losses have been accelerating with nearly £200m in the last three years alone. In two of those years, their owner absorbed huge losses in a bid to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, but they also lost a massive £94m in the intervening season in the top flight.

Fulham's revenue will be significantly higher this season in the Premier League. This is dependent on the final finishing position in the league, though revenue for clubs promoted in the last six seasons was on average £134m, which would represent a £62m increase for Fulham.

Transfers

Fulham's profit from player sales increased from just £146k to £12.5m, including Frank Anguissa to Napoli and Aboubakar Kamara to Aris Thessaloniki, which is the second highest to date in the Championship.  Fulham have spent nearly quarter of a billion (£249m) on player purchases in the last four years, though the annual outlay has now fallen three years in a row from the club record £120m in 2018/19.  However, Fulham have spent much more on player recruitment this season with purchases adding up to £79m.

The expanded Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage will increase capacity by around 4,000 to 29,600. The club has described this as a "game changer" with the new stand including new restaurants, cafés, bars, corporate hospitality and event space.  The total cost of the project has risen to £200m, so significant funding from the owner will be required to complete the development. Work started at the end of the 2018/19 season, but progress has been delayed by COVID. The expectation is that it will be completed in advance of 2023/24.

Fulham's £90m wage bill was easily the highest in the Championship, around 50% more than the other promoted clubs, Bournemouth £61m and Nottingham Forest £59m. It was actually more than a couple of clubs in the Premier League, namely Watford and Brentford.   In fact, Fulham's £90m wages are the highest ever recorded in the Championship, very slightly above Newcastle United (2016/17), but well ahead of Aston Villa £83m (2018/19) and Leeds United £78m (2019/20).

Owner support

In the last decade all of Fulham's £557m available cash has come from the owners' pockets. Most of this was spent on players with £248m (net), but also a fair amount (£164m) went on infrastructure with £118m used to cover operating losses.  In the five years to 2022 Khan's £479m funding was miles more than other clubs competing in the Championship last season.   The only club in England where the owners have put in more money than Fulham in the last five years was Everton.  Fulham have received more owner funding than the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City plus aspirational clubs like Aston Villa and Leicester City.

They are fortunate that owner Shahid Khan continues to provide significant financial support. This high level of investment was designed to help the club bounce back at the first attempt – and it worked.  This season back in the Premier League has been even more impressive, as Fulham have survived with ease.



https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2023/05/fulham-rank-second-for-player-funding.html

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva warns Fulham squad to 'embrace the challenge' in Liverpool clash

Marco Silva believes Fulham will "embrace the challenge" of Wednesday's trip to Anfield in the same way they pushed Manchester City close on Sunday.

Despite losing 2-1 against City at Craven Cottage, Fulham put in a courageous display, which included Carlos Vinicius scoring a superb equaliser.

Silva hopes his side can tap into that performance when they visit an in-form Liverpool side who have risen to fifth, thanks to four wins on the bounce.

"We like to embrace the challenge," Silva admitted. "It is not easy to start the game against a top side [City], one of the best in the world, and concede a penalty inside the second minute.

"Even so, we were able to react as a team, equalise, make it difficult for them and show personality. [Liverpool] are in a good moment right now and want to keep the momentum [going]. It is up to us to be ready. It will be difficult, but we like this type of challenge."

While Jurgen Klopp's team have had a largely off-colour season, they are finishing strongly.

Fulham's campaign has been the opposite. Tipped for relegation, they have spent much of the season above tonight's opponents, only to fall away in the last couple of months.

Willian could return from a hamstring injury, but Aleksandar Mitrovic still has two matches of his eight-game ban to serve. Tim Ream and Andreas Pereira are both out for the season after suffering injuries against City.

Fulham have been as high as fourth this season, and their campaign got off to an encouraging start when they held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage on the opening day.

Midfielder Harrison Reed hopes he and his team-mates can upset the odds again tonight. "A lot of people looked at that as a dead cert for Liverpool," said Reed. "But we went into it with zero fear and maybe caught them and everyone else a bit by surprise."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/marco-silva-liverpool-vs-fulham-fc-premier-league-2023-b1078492.html

[WhiteJC]

Joao Palhinha: Bayern Munich send scouts to watch Fulham star - sources

Bayern Munich are ready to join the race to sign Fulham star Joao Palhinha this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed that the Bundesliga giants sent scouts to watch the 27-year-old in action against Aston Villa last month (25 April).

Sources have told Football Insider that Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is in the market for a new 'number six' midfielder this summer and believes that Palhinha would tick a lot of boxes.

The Bundesliga leaders are just one of several top European clubs watching the Portugal international after his outstanding debut season in the Premier League.

English sides such as Liverpool, Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea are all monitoring Palhinha's situation at Fulham as the summer window approaches.

Palhinha has been a mainstay in Marco Silva's Fulham side, making 35 appearances across all competitions and scoring four goals.

He signed a five-year deal at Craven Cottage after the Londoners paid Sporting CP a reported £20million for the midfielder last summer (2022).

Nevertheless, Fulham are now braced for big-money offers for the midfielder – who earns a reported wage of £50,000-a-week at the club.

According to FBRef, Palhinha has made the most tackles of any top-flight player this term (122) – well ahead of highly-rated duo Tyler Adams and Moises Caicedo.

The 20-cap Portugal star's discipline has been the only black mark on his stellar campaign, as he has missed three games for an accumulation of yellow cards in 2022-23.

Fulham sit 10th in the Premier League and face Europe-chasing Liverpool away on Wednesday (3 May).

Silva's side were once in contention for a top-seven finish but have fallen adrift after a barren run of recent form.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/joao-palhinha-bayern-munich-send-scouts-to-watch-fulham-star-sources/

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool: Jota could be sidelined for Fulham clash
The Reds could be without yet another star in their next Premier League fixture.

Liverpool have suffered a blow ahead of their fixture with Fulham, with Diogo Jota potentially ruled out of the clash, as reported by This is Anfield.

What's the latest Liverpool injury news?
The Portugal international featured in the Reds' last game against Tottenham, coming off the bench to bag the winner in a 4-3 victory over their Premier League rivals. There was controversy too surrounding the goal, with Spurs chief Ryan Mason feeling the 26-year-old shouldn't even have been on the pitch prior to the strike following an incident with Oliver Skipp.

Jota has been a key player for Liverpool this campaign so far too, with the player regularly producing the goods when he has been fit and available for selection. In ten league starts so far this campaign, he's managed a total of five goals and four assists. It means that the forward has produced a rate of 0.88 goals or assists per 90 - the second-best rate at Anfield this season (via FBRef).

With the Reds wanting to try and push on for a European spot in their final few games of the season then, they'll want as many of their best players to be fit and firing as possible. With Thiago already ruled out for the rest of the campaign, it will be a further blow then to hear that Jota is now a "doubt" for their next game against Fulham, via This is Anfield.

Speaking about the Portuguese man, Jurgen Klopp said:

"Diogo struggles. He got a knock in the back in the West Ham game, a bruised rib, could not train before the game but could play without an injection or whatever. He could play, but got another knock immediately when he came on.

"He didn't train since then, so that's a doubt. He's a doubt at least, but I hope he can recover before tomorrow night."

Will Liverpool struggle without Diogo Jota?
Considering that the Reds are already missing several players through knocks and injuries, it will be a bigger loss to be without Jota.

The goals and creativity of the 26-year-old will be a big miss and it means Jurgen Klopp will have to rely on some of his other forward options to produce the goods in his absence. Whilst they are certainly capable of doing so, there are few in the side that can split open opposition defences and take people on like the Portuguese maestro - former player Michael Owen has praised the player, calling him "brilliant."

He's proven that since arriving at Anfield, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.77 in the league this year and managing a score of 7.34 when started out on the left wing for the club. Whilst the Reds then have good forward options to step in, few have impressed like Jota and he will be a big miss if he can't play against Fulham.



https://www.footballfancast.com/liverpool-jota-premier-league-injury-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Bristol City manager addresses Joe Bryan transfer talk as competition hots up for his signature

Nigel Pearson didn't rule out a return to the club for Joe Bryan but other Championship rivals could stand in the way

Nigel Pearson says Joe Bryan's potential Bristol City reunion would not be for sentimental reasons should the popular left-back return to the club five years after leaving.

Bristol Live can confirm the Robins are one of the Championship sides interested in the 29-year-old who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer with his deal expiring at Fulham. Stoke, Blackburn, Millwall, Swansea, and Cardiff also hold an interest in Bryan who was sold by City to the Cottagers in 2018.

Pearson was relatively coy when asked whether the reports had any truth to them but didn't deny that Bryan could be making a return to BS3. The Bristol-born defender has spent the season on loan with Nice in the French top flight but has been limited to just 10 appearances.

"We're always looking to improve and rather than answer it simply with a yes or no, we're going to try and strengthen and we'll see which players are doable for us," Pearson said in his final pre-match press conference this season.

"Again, I don't really enjoy too much speculating on these types of stories because you'll know when we're interested or when we're looking to sign a player when it's appropriate and that is when things are either agreed or things have to be agreed between the clubs and of course the player.

"For somebody like Joe Bryan who has been here before, let's be absolutely clear, the only way that we would be interested is - it wouldn't be a sentimental journey. It would be one in which if he's very keen to be a success here then obviously that's an important aspect of it.

"We only want to go out there and bring players in who are hungry for success and want to improve us as a football club and themselves individually so all those things remain the same."

Given the competition for his signature and his current stature having featured 44 times as a Premier League player since leaving City, wages could prove an obstacle. The club have implemented a salary structure to ensure greater disparity across the group of players and Pearson suggested there is still plenty of work to conclude behind the scenes before a deal is secured.

Although with the move representing the opportunity for Bryan to return to his home town club where he made 230 appearances after making his debut for the Robins in 2012, City would hold that considerable and unmatchable emotional advantage over their rivals.

"They'll be players who will be attractive to lots of football clubs so whether we are interested or not, there's still a lot of work to be done before those types of deals were done," Pearson added.

"Like I say, it's an important window for us because we need to get the balance right between adding players with experience and know-how but also keeping the very vibrant identity that we have and that is a team that can pit our wits against any side in the division. That is one of the most important improvements this season."

If Bryan does sign, it will raise the debate over the left-back position going forward with Cam Pring enjoying a brilliant season. AFC Wimbledon talent Jack Currie is also likely to remain a transfer target as they look towards the future. That said, Bryan is versatile enough where he can cover multiple positions, even in central midfield, if required.

Technical Director Brian Tinnion has previously said City will look to sign three or four players this summer. A left-back is an obvious option while two centre-backs are also likely to be targetted, depending on the immediate future of Tomas Kalas whose deal expires at the end of June.

When asked whether bringing in "three of four" additions is the right ballpark figure, Pearson responded: "Maybe, it depends how far we can stretch our resources and it depends on the players we would like to bring in, are doable. I think you've heard me say before, I don't really want to collect players and if we can't get the players we want, I'm not wasting money."



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-manager-joe-bryan-8408391

[WhiteJC]

Jurgen Klopp seriously impressed with 45-year-old Tottenham manager target this season

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been very impressed with Tottenham Hotspur manager target Marco Silva this season.

Silva's Fulham side travel to Anfield this evening, and in his programme notes Klopp spoke about the 45-year-old.

Liverpool require a win tonight to keep their faint hopes of a top-four finish alive.

Fulham on the other hand sit comfortably in 10th place after a remarkable return to the Premier League.

Tottenham have been linked with a whole host of managers over the past month.

The latest on that list is Sporting's Ruben Amorim, with a meeting potentially on the cards.

In the past few weeks, Tottenham have also been rumoured to be interested in Marco Silva, and Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the Portuguese.

After replacing Scott Parker at Craven Cottage, Silva guided Fulham to the Championship title and Premier League safety.

It's no surprise he's starting to attract interest from elsewhere in the league.

Klopp raves about Tottenham target Silva
In his programme notes ahead of this evening's match, Klopp said: "I would like to extend an especially warm welcome to Marco Silva and the players, staff and officials of Fulham Football Club and also to congratulate them on the outstanding season that they are having.

"The football that Fulham are playing and the results they are getting already seem 'normal' because both have been so consistent, but it is not normal to reach the levels that they have in the first season after promotion.

"To be 10th in the league with just five games to go speaks volumes for the work that Marco is doing.

"I have no idea what Fulham's expectations were when they kicked off the campaign against us back in August, but there is no doubt that they are one of this season's achievers and I could not have more respect for what they have done and the way that they have gone about it."

Tottenham have a huge choice to make in the summer, and Klopp's praise of Silva has also been echoed by other top managers.

Pep Guardiola is also a fan, and was very complimentary after Man City's 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.

Marco Silva is unlikely to be a name that excites many Spurs fans.

He's done a decent job in the Premier League with Everton and Watford too, but never managed a top-level side.

Silva has never been a project manager, and doesn't tend to stick around at clubs for a number of years.

He may be a good option, but doesn't look like the perfect fit for Tottenham.



https://tbrfootball.com/jurgen-klopp-seriously-impressed-with-45-year-old-tottenham-manager-target-this-season/

[WhiteJC]

The antiquated law that means Liverpool v Fulham can't be shown on TV

Wednesday night sees two Premier League games kicking off at the same time, with Liverpool taking on Fulham at Anfield, and Man City hosting West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's swashbucklers can return to the top of the English top-flight with a win over a Hammers side looking for the three points to help them in their fight against relegation.

Fulham already only have pride to play for given that they're unlikely to get into Europe or be relegated, and on that basis they could prove to be the trickiest opponents for Jurgen Klopp's side, who need the victory in order to be able to keep a grip on their own European aspirations.

Unfortunately for fans of the Reds and the west Londoners, they'll only be able to see the match if they happen to be at the stadium.

The reason for that is the antiquated Saturday 3pm blackout law which means that any games scheduled to kick off at that time will not be shown on UK television.

SQAF note that the law goes back some 60 years and was put forward by the-then Burnley chairman Bob Lord, who suggested TV audiences on a Saturday would see a drop in those attending the matches live.

As the Liverpool v Fulham game was originally a Saturday 3pm kick off, despite it being moved to a Wednesday night at 8pm, it still falls under the blackout rule per Sportbible.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/05/03/the-antiquated-law-that-means-liverpool-v-fulham-cant-be-shown-on-tv/

[WhiteJC]