Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 31/05/23...

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Canaries closing in on Duffy
Fulham defender Shane Duffy is set to join Norwich City on a free transfer this summer, according to the Sun's Alan Nixon.

The Irish international converted his loan move from Brighton and Hove Albion into a permanent switch in January to allow Fulham to bring in Cedric Soares before the deadline but he will leave Craven Cottage on a free transfer next month. The 31 year-old has made seven appearances under Marco Silva this season, with his only start coming in a 2-1 defeat at League Two Crawley in the League Cup.

His last appearance came as a substitute against Leicester City, where he received a rapturous reception from the Hammersmith End, but made a dreadful defensive error to let the Foxes back into the game. Duffy, who made 150 appearances in six seasons at Brighton and Hove Albion, is eager to play regular first-team football and will become Norwich's second signing of the summer after they swooped for Burnley's Ashley Barnes.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/05/canaries-closing-in-on-duffy/

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'Sensational' Leeds loanee now expected to return to the club after their relegation

Winger Daniel James is expected to return to Leeds United after spending the season on loan at Fulham.

A report from the Daily Mail has shared more details on who may be staying or going at Elland Road this summer.

Relegation was confirmed on Sunday after a heart-breaking 4-1 defeat to Tottenham.

Even a victory wouldn't have been enough due to results elsewhere.

It's yet to be decided whether or not Sam Allardyce will still be in charge next season.

He only picked up one point from his four games at the helm of the club.

Whoever is in the dugout next season has a huge job on their hands rebuilding the squad.

However, Daniel James looks set to re-join Leeds having been at Fulham this season.

It was an interesting decision from Jesse Marsch to allow him to leave at the end of the summer transfer window.

The move didn't pay off for either party and the £25m winger now has a big decision to make on his future.

James to return to Leeds after Fulham loan
The report from the Daily Mail suggests who might stay or leave this summer.

They believe that, 'A Championship squad would continue to feature experienced players such as Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Adam Forshaw but also young players such as Joe Gelhardt, Archie Gray, Sam Greenwood and Charlie Cresswell.

'Dan James is also expected to return from his loan spell at Fulham.'

The 'sensational' winger has been a bit-part player under Marco Silva throughout the campaign.

James would sometimes not even feature in Fulham's matchday squad but did feature 20 times for them in the league.

He scored against Manchester United and Everton to help the Whites finish 10th on their return to the Premier League.

Fulham are likely to let James return to Leeds given the price they would likely demand to sell him.

They would want to avoid making too big a loss on a player who was a big outlay back in 2021.

Leeds already have plenty of young wingers who could benefit from a season in the Championship.

So, although James won't be making his move to West London permanent, he could end up moving on later on in the transfer window if the right bid arrives.



https://tbrfootball.com/sensational-leeds-loanee-now-expected-to-return-to-the-club-after-their-relegation/

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From relegation to the top 10: Fulham's Premier League journey

The 2022/23 Premier League season has witnessed Fulham's remarkable resurgence. Strategic decisions, both on and off the pitch, have been at the heart of this successful campaign. The Whites' solid performance throughout the season has secured their first top 10 finish for more than a decade – a remarkable turnaround considering the distance they had to cover over the past few years.

The blackjack analogy
Comparing Fulham's journey to a game of blackjack might seem unusual initially, but the analogy holds on closer inspection. Much like in blackjack, where the players must adapt to the hand they're dealt, Fulham has had to adapt to the challenges presented throughout the season. The strategic decisions made by the management, the skill shown by the players, and the occasional stroke of luck have all contributed to Fulham's successful campaign, much like a well-played game of blackjack.

With this successful season under their belt, Fulham can look forward to the next season with optimism, ready to play their next hand in the Premier League.

Marco Silva's influence
The appointment of Marco Silva as head coach has been a catalyst for Fulham's transformation. Silva took the reins at Craven Cottage in the summer of 2021 following Fulham's relegation to the Championship.

Silva's tactics and management style have been vital to Fulham's successful campaign. Despite a mixed bag of experience in English football, Silva proved his managerial prowess at Fulham, leading them to a swift promotion back to the Premier League. His tactics have been instrumental in Fulham playing some of the most enchanting football in the country.

Shifting players: The crux of success
A masterfully curated squad of players has greatly shaped Fulham's triumphs. A blend of seasoned pros and burgeoning stars arrived at the club's doorstep during the transfer season. You only have to look as far as Aleksander Mitrovic, who has scored 15 in all competitions this season, putting to bed the debate of if he can handle it in the Premier League.

A number of other astute transfers, such as João Palhinha, Andreas Pereira, Bernd Leno, Issa Diop, Carlos Vinícius, and Willian have broadened the team's repertoire. These are the unsung heroes contributing tirelessly to Fulham's robust campaign.

A deep dive into performance
This season, Fulham has unfurled its prowess to the world, locking horns with football's biggest names. They showed their mettle with memorable victories against the likes of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, scoring three without reply in each game. Even after a few blips on the radar – the 4-1 home defeat against Newcastle United and losing 3-0 to Arsenal – Fulham demonstrated they belonged back in the top division.

Their performance is a cocktail of robust defence and explosive offence, marking their territory in 10th spot in the Premier League table.

The cornerstones
Aleksandar Mitrović, Fulham's leading scorer, has emerged as the linchpin in the final third this season. His potent mix of raw power, positional understanding, and scoring prowess has often been the difference between victory and defeat.

João Palhinha, Fulham's defensive midfield recruit from Sporting Lisbon, has been a revelation; shielding the defense and stymying rival advances. His presence has fortified Fulham's defense, enabling the midfield to join the offensive onslaught, thereby adding another layer to Fulham's game.

Bernd Leno and Issa Diop, veterans at the back, have fortified Fulham's defences, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Their stability at the back has been instrumental in Fulham's successful season.

The final word
Fulham's journey in the 2022/23 Premier League season can be likened to a pulsating round of blackjack — every tactical manoeuvre, skill execution, and the occasional streak of good fortune counts towards a winning hand. The management, the squad, and the genuine fans can eagerly anticipate more electrifying action as Fulham forges ahead in the Premier League.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-05-30-from-relegation-to-the-top-10-fulhams-premier-league-journey/

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Last Chance: Season Ticket Renewals

The 2023/24 Season Ticket renewal window closes tomorrow at 5pm!
Ensure you're there for all of next season's Premier League action by renewing your Season Ticket.

For 2022/23 Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed, these seats will be held until 5pm on Wednesday 31st May. After this point, they will be released for other supporters to purchase.

Marco Silva's Fulham side have made a historic return to the top-flight this season, finishing in the top half of the table - don't miss out on securing your seat for another exciting season of Premier League action!

To renew, please visit tickets.fulhamfc.com and log in with your OneFulham Account. Your available seat(s) will be displayed on the Tickets Profile homepage, listed under Your Reserved Tickets.

Supporters can also renew by calling the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810, with extended phone line opening hours today to accomodate this busy period.

RENEW ONLINE
Ticket Office Phone Line Opening Hours:

Tuesday 30th May: 9am-7pm
Wednesday 31st May: 9am-5pm

Further season ticket renewal information can be found here.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/may/30/last-chance-season-ticket-renewals/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 2022-23 season review - star player, best moment, standout result

Following a wild ride involving three promotions and two relegations in the space of five seasons, Fulham's objectives for 2022-23 were simple: avoid another immediate return to the Championship and shake off the 'yo-yo club' tag.

As it turned out, the Cottagers exceeded all expectations and managed to register their highest Premier League finish since 2011-12, ending the campaign seven points inside the top half while reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for good measure.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look back at Fulham's 2022-23 campaign, which saw Marco Silva's side cement their status as a competitive top-flight team.

SEASON OVERVIEW
Final league position: 10th

EFL Cup: Second round

FA Cup: Quarter-finals

Top scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (15)

Most assists: Andreas Pereira, Willian (6)

When Fulham were promoted to the Premier League in 2018 and 2020, the club's transfer strategy was lambasted as countless players arrived and departed in the lead-up to both seasons, seemingly without any real plan.

Appearing to have learnt from past mistakes, the Cottagers made a handful of shrewd acquisitions last summer, bringing in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha for £18m, Andreas Pereira in a £8.5m deal from Manchester United, Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno for £3m and ex-Chelsea winger Willian on a free transfer.

Teaming up with established players such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Tim Ream and Harrison Reed, the new signings helped Fulham make a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign, with Marco Silva's men holding Liverpool to a 2-2 draw on the opening weekend, courtesy of a Mitrovic brace.

Following a goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mitrovic scored a 90th-minute winner as Fulham secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brentford, extending their unbeaten start to three matches.

However, a shock EFL Cup exit at the hands of fourth-tier Crawley Town sparked a run of five losses in seven games for the Cottagers, who suffered league defeats to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and West Ham United during that period.

Fulham stopped the rot with a four-match unbeaten streak in October, picking up victories over Aston Villa and Leeds United while drawing with Bournemouth and Everton, but Silva's men suffered back-to-back defeats just before the World Cup break.

Still, the Cottagers finished the first phase of the season in ninth place thanks to an impressive start to the campaign, and they bolstered their squad during the break with the addition of experienced centre-back Shane Duffy, Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic and Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares.

Fulham returned from the World Cup break with a run of five successive victories across all competitions, defeating Crystal Palace, Southampton, Leicester City and Chelsea while kicking off their FA Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Hull City.

Between December and February, Silva's side suffered just two defeats in 14 games, rising as high as sixth in the Premier League table while dispatching Sunderland and Leeds to set up an FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Manchester United.

However, things turned sour in March as Fulham endured a five-match losing run and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Man Utd in the FA Cup, with star striker Mitrovic receiving an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh during the loss at Old Trafford.

It is no coincidence that Fulham's form took a turn for the worse while Mitrovic was suspended, with the Cottagers recording five defeats in seven outings following his ban, but the prolific Serb returned to fire his side to an impressive top half-finish, scoring three goals across the final three matches.

Despite a 2-1 defeat to Man Utd on the final weekend, Fulham ended the season in 10th place – seven points clear of 11th-placed Crystal Palace and seven points shy of ninth-placed Brentford – achieving a hugely respectable finish on their return to the Premier League.


PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Wins: 15 (=10th)
Draws: 7 (=10th)
Losses: 16 (=10th)
Goals scored: 55 (9th)
Goals conceded: 53 (=10th)
Yellow cards: 80 (=6th)
Red cards: 1 (=14th)
Passes: 16,197 (10th)
Shots: 429 (=13th)
Big chances missed: 30 (=16th)
Saves: 146 (=2nd)
Tackles: 624 (11th)
Own goals: 2 (=11th)
Hit woodwork: 15 (=11th)
Clearances: 714 (12th)


HOW DID IT COMPARE TO LAST SEASON?
Of course, it is difficult to make a direct comparison to how Fulham fared during the 2021-22 campaign, given that Silva's side were competing in a different league, but there are still plenty of notable facts and figures to discuss.

The Cottagers won 27 of their 46 matches en route to claiming the Championship title, giving them a win rate of 59%, while Silva's men also netted a whopping 106 goals, meaning that they averaged 2.3 goals per game.

In 2022-23, Fulham picked up 15 victories in 38 Premier League outings, winning 39% of their matches, and they also averaged 1.4 goals per game after finding the back of the net 55 times.

It is also worth noting that Fulham enjoyed an improved FA Cup run this time around, reaching the quarter-finals after falling in the fourth round last season, although they recorded an earlier exit from the EFL Cup.

Top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic bagged 43 goals in 44 appearances during the club's Championship title-winning campaign, averaging almost one goal per game, and although he adapted well to top-flight football in 2022-23, he scored 14 goals in 24 Premier League outings.


PLAYER OF THE SEASON: JOAO PALHINHA
Following Mitrovic's record-breaking campaign in the Championship, it was difficult to imagine anyone other than the Serbian striker being Fulham's star player in 2022-23, but Joao Palhinha enjoyed a standout debut season at Craven Cottage.

When the Portuguese defensive midfielder arrived from Sporting Lisbon last summer, few could have predicted the impact that he would make, but it is safe to say that his £18m price tag now looks like an absolute bargain.

Palhinha started 35 of Fulham's 38 Premier League encounters, missing only three matches due to suspension, as the 27-year-old picked up a league-high 14 yellow cards, which tells you everything you need to know about his tenacity and eagerness to win the ball for his team.

On top of that, Palhinha finished miles clear at the summit of the Premier League's tackles leaderboard, making a colossal 147 tackles throughout the campaign, with Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo finishing second with 100 and Everton's Idrissa Gueye finishing third with 97.

Having also chipped in with four goals across all competitions, Palhinha is now widely regarded as one of the most complete midfielders in Europe, so it is no surprise that a number of high-profile clubs are reportedly looking to secure his signature this summer.


STANDOUT RESULT: FULHAM 5-3 LEICESTER CITY
Fulham ran riot against relegation-doomed Leicester during the final few weeks of the season, scoring five goals in front of a delighted Craven Cottage crowd, without the help of suspended striker Mitrovic.

The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes thanks to goals from Willian and Carlos Vinicius, with the latter then turning provider to set up Tom Cairney, who made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time.

Six minutes after the break, Cairney scored his second and Fulham's fourth before the Foxes pulled a goal back, but Willian completed his brace following a Jamie Vardy penalty miss to make it 5-1 midway through the second half.

Although Silva's side conceded a couple of late goals to take the shine off the final score, the game will always be remembered for Fulham's relentless attacking performance.


BEST MOMENT
With less than two miles separating Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge, it is easy to understand why Fulham love getting the better of Chelsea, especially when the result keeps them above their local – and higher-profile – rivals in the table.

On January 12, the Blues made the short trip across West London but returned home empty-handed, as the Cottagers claimed a memorable 2-1 victory on the banks of the River Thames.

Willian put Fulham ahead midway through the first half before Kalidou Koulibaly equalised two minutes after the break, but following a straight red card for Chelsea debutant Joao Felix, Carlos Vinicius scored the winning goal to secure the bragging rights for his side.

Fulham ended up finishing eight points above troubled Chelsea in the final standings, underlining the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs.


TOP PRIORITY FOR SUMMER
There is no hiding the fact Fulham are a completely different outfit without Mitrovic in the team, as Silva's side struggled when their talismanic forward found himself on the sidelines at various points throughout the season.

Not only did the Cottagers lose five of their eight matches while Mitrovic was suspended, but they also lost four of their five games while the striker was injured, so it goes without saying that Silva will be looking for attacking reinforcements this summer.

The likes of Pereira, Vinicius, Willian and Manor Solomon chipped in with goals throughout the campaign, but signing a striker who can compete with Mitrovic would be a smart move.

Former Cottager Moussa Dembele is out of contract this summer, meaning that Fulham could engineer a free transfer for the Lyon forward, while Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino are also out of contract.

Of course, Thuram and Firmino are ambitious targets, but if Fulham want to build on their impressive comeback campaign and continue to climb the Premier League table, they should be looking to sign players of this calibre.

It is also worth remembering that key centre-back Tim Ream turns 36 later this year, so Fulham may aim to add some fresh legs to the defensive department during the off-season.


FINAL VERDICT
Given that Fulham finished 18th and 19th in their previous two Premier League campaigns, Silva and his players can be proud of what they achieved in 2022-23.

Having gained promotion from the Championship last year, the Cottagers were among the pre-season relegation favourites, but they ended up proving their doubters wrong in style, finishing 18 points clear of the drop zone and seven points inside the top half.

Silva's men may be slightly disappointed to have missed out on European football after spending a sizeable portion of the season in and around the top seven, but they can have very few complaints about their final league position.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/feature/fulham-2022-23-season-review-star-player-best-moment-standout-result_514997.html

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Summer transfer window 2023: When does it open and close? Dates, Deadline Day, how to follow with Sky Sports

The summer transfer window opens on Wednesday June 14 and will close at 11pm on Friday September 1; follow all the latest in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms as well as Sky Sports News

The summer transfer window is set to be a busy and newsworthy one. From key dates to how to follow with Sky Sports, here's what you need to know...

When does the window open?
The summer transfer window opens on Wednesday June 14 for all clubs in England and Scotland.

Despite the domestic window opening on June 14, clubs will not able to sign players based overseas until the international window opens on Saturday July 1.

When does the window close?
The summer transfer window will close in England at 11pm on Friday September 1. Europe's top five leagues will also close their transfer window on the same date.

When does the January 2024 transfer window open?
The Premier League has announced that the January 2024 transfer window will open on Monday January 1 and close on Thursday February 1 at 11pm.

Who could be on the move?
Premier League clubs spent £1.9 billion during the last summer window - and similar figures could be hit this time around with some world-class talent potentially up for sale.

Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Mason Mount, just to name a few, are players that could potentially be on the move. And then there is Jude Bellingham, arguably the most exciting player in world football. He is likely to leave Borussia Dortmund for huge money but which club will end up his destination?

Follow all the latest across Sky Sports
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Our Good Morning Transfers show will be returning to Sky Sports News in the summer, airing Monday to Friday throughout the window, rounding up the latest transfer news with analysis and extended interviews.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12893159/summer-transfer-window-2023-when-does-it-open-and-close-dates-deadline-day-how-to-follow-with-sky-sports

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Unclear picture remains for returning Leeds United man after PL loan stint – View

Fulham loanee Dan James is expected to return to Leeds United this summer after his stint came to an end, and it's unclear what the future holds for him.

When looking at Leeds' squad for the 2023/24 season, there are a lot of players who aren't going to be present even for pre-season training, let alone the start of the campaign.

There are some that are going to be vital to the side after relegation, while there are some that have returned from loans with their futures certainly up for debate.

Dan James is one of the latter, with his unconvincing stint at Marco Silva's Fulham coming to an end, with the Daily Mail reporting that he is expected to be reporting back to Leeds this summer and be part of the side.

Here, we look at two things Leeds need to weigh up as they see the Welsh international head back to West Yorkshire this summer...

How much is Dan James worth?
It's been less than two years since Leeds put down £25million to bring the winger over from the wrong side of the Pennines, and while he's certainly done little to showcase he's worth that fee, he could be worth something to Leeds.

Coming into the Championship again, Leeds are going to have to raise funds in order to spend how they wish, and selling fringe players like James could be vital.

While he wasn't exactly at his blistering best at Craven Cottage, he's a player that could prove valuable to some clubs in the bottom half of the Premier League.

If Leeds can recoup a large portion of the money they spent on James, it's something that should surely be considered – all while taking out a chunk of the wage bill in the process.

Could James have an impact in the EFL?
The flip-side of this argument is considering whether the lightning-quick Welsh international might be worth keeping in the Championship.

Looking back at the 2018/19 season, James nearly joined Leeds in January after Marcelo Bielsa fell in love with a winger that was using his speed to make mincemeat out of second tier defenders.

He hasn't lost his pace, but has in fact garnered four years of Premier League experience, playing at a higher standard.

James still has the same drawbacks to his game that he did have previously, but putting him in a division with poorer defenders might get the best out of him, and he'd be someone that no EFL side would want to see warming up with 35 minutes left to play.



https://www.leedsallover.com/unclear-picture-remains-for-returning-leeds-united-man-after-pl-loan-stint-view/

[WhiteJC]

Aleksandar Mitrovic raves about £50m midfielder Arsenal reportedly want to sign

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has claimed that midfielder Joao Palhinha is the signing of the season amid claims Arsenal want to sign him.

Speaking on The Fulham Fix, Mitrovic was discussing the brilliant season the club have had in the Premier League.

There were doubts from outside the club as to whether the Serbian would be able to make the step up after his record-breaking campaign in the Championship.

However, no one at Fulham expected that to be the case and despite injuries and an eight-game ban, he still scored 12 goals this season.

Fulham boss Marco Silva did a fantastic job in adding to his squad last summer.

The majority of his new signings worked out and helped the club record a top-half finish.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has singled out midfielder Joao Palhinha for praise amid claims Arsenal want to sign him.

The destructive Portuguese international has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season.

It's no surprise that after 12 months he's already being linked with moves elsewhere.

Mitrovic praises Arsenal target Palhinha
Asked about this season's new recruits, Mitrovic said: "I think this year there's been some sensational [signings] that we have made.

"For me personally, [Joao] Palhinha is the signing of the season so far, amazing, amazing [player].

"[Bernd] Leno is the signing that we made that's amazing. The players who fit straight away and didn't need time to adapt like before, they fit straight away."

Valued at £50m, Palhinha has been the best tackler in the league this season.

Although he's also picked up 14 bookings, it's hard to underestimate his impact at Fulham.

Arsenal don't necessarily need a defensive midfielder in Palhinha's mould.

They tend to control possession a lot more than Fulham, making his best attributes less valuable.

He does have an underrated range of passing and is capable of spectacular long-range shots.

Mitrovic will be hoping Palhinha rejects a move to Arsenal to stay at Fulham next season.

It might be hard to convince him to not leave for Champions League football if a bid does come in.



https://tbrfootball.com/aleksandar-mitrovic-raves-about-50m-midfielder-arsenal-reportedly-want-to-sign/

[WhiteJC]

£25million flop expected to remain a Leeds United player this summer – Report

Leeds United are expected to welcome back Dan James from his loan at Fulham this summer, as the side prepares for the Championship.

A rebuild is going to take place at Elland Road this summer with the side set to lose a host of their key players after suffering relegation from the Premier League.

However, there are some that are going to be staying at the club in order to help the side fight for promotion back to the top-flight in 2023/24.

Who are Leeds going to hold onto?
Younger players that didn't have much opportunity to shine in the midst of a tough season are going to be key for Leeds next season, while the club could command huge fees for those that might attract interest.

On top of this, there are multiple coming back from loans this summer and they are bound to be involved in pre-season at the very least, to see what they can bring after spending 2022/23 away from the club.

Will Dan James stay?
Another returning from his loan is Dan James, who spent the season with top-half finishing Fulham, ending the campaign with 24 appearances, two goals and one assist.

The Daily Mail are reporting that the Wales international is expected to remain at the club this summer as he makes his way back up north after his loan spell at Craven Cottage.

James cost Leeds £25million back in the summer of 2021, signing a five-year deal until the summer of 2026, which means he has three more years left.

I'm torn with James, because there's part of you that thinks he could do a job in the Championship against poorer defenders, but then there's the other side of the argument which is that he's not been good enough for two seasons and we should cash in.

We can still get a decent fee for him, and he's not going to be a starter for us no matter what next season, no matter whether we keep Crysencio Summerville or not.

If the right money comes in for him, I think we should be cutting our losses, but he won't be a terrible option in the EFL if not.



https://www.leedsallover.com/25million-flop-expected-to-remain-a-leeds-united-player-this-summer-report/

[WhiteJC]

English Soccer Club Tottenham Hotspur Reportedly Eyeing Israeli Soccer Star Manor Solomon

The English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly a top contender to possibly offer a deal to Israeli soccer player Manor Solomon as the white-hot striker will be able to leave the Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk this summer.

In June 2022, FIFA wanted to help protect foreign players based in Ukraine or Russia impacted by the war and amended its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) to allow the athletes to freely suspend their employment contracts until June 2023. Last week, on May 22, FIFA announced its decision to extend that ruling for another year — until June 30, 2024. Solomon's contact with the Ukrainian team already expires on December 31, 2023, and now after that, because of FIFA's new ruling, he can sign with a new club for no fee.

Solomon, 23, have been putting on an impressive performance while on a year-long deal with Fulham since the summer of 2022 after suspending his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk following the start of Ukraine's war with Russia. The former Maccabi Petah Tikva player scored five goals in five consecutive games with Fulham and is also one of only four Fulham players to strike in four consecutive Premier League matches. In February, he was nominated for FIFA's Premier League Player of the Month award and the Premier League's Budweiser Goal of the Month award. He was nicknamed "Manor Star" by his former boss at Maccabi Petah Tikva and fellow Fulham winger Neeskins Kebano said he calls his teammate Pikachu, after the electric Pokemon character, "because he's fast as lightning."

Solomon previously scored four goals in 16 Champions League appearances with Shakhtar.

The Atlantic reported that although Fulham would like to sign Solomon to a permanent deal, Tottenham is currently leading the pack of teams that want the Israeli player, who will likely have other offers.

Fulham was close to signing Solomon permanently in June 2022 for $7.6 million but the deal was never finalized because FIFA then announced its ruling about foreign players, The Atlantic added. Fulham instead signed Solomon on a one-year free loan.
In March, Shakhtar Donetsk filed a complaint before the European Union Commission against FIFA, saying that its free transfer rules has resulted in the team losing around $43.63 million in player transfer income and revenue after "many international players" left the club, Reuters reported. "This complaint follows the club's intention to appeal against the decision of the FIFA Council to extend the temporary amendments to the FIFA RSTP," Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin said in a statement.

Shakhtar previously filed an appeal against FIFA's transfer rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport but it was dismissed in December.



https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/05/30/english-soccer-club-tottenham-hotspur-reportedly-eyeing-israeli-soccer-player-manor-solomon/

[WhiteJC]

Tim Ream supports newly promoted USMNT interim head coach B.J. Callaghan

United States men's national team and Fulham defender Tim Ream explained that the Stars and Stripes' goals remains the same after B.J. Callaghan was promoted to interim head coach.

Ream, who has made 51 appearances for the U.S. and most recently featured at the 2022 World Cup, is currently unlikely to feature this summer after undergoing surgery last month to repair a broken arm, but remains vocal on the ongoing procedures within the USMNT.

"First of all, congratulations to Anthony and we wish him all the best in his new opportunity. After speaking to B.J., one main takeaway is that nothing changes for this group. The messaging, goals, and ideas stay the same, with a new voice at the top," Ream said in a USMNT release.

"His is a familiar voice that we are all comfortable with and have been around for years. We are well positioned to win another Nations League and we need to be prepared from day one of camp to get the job done."

While Ream is recovering from injury, the U.S. and Callaghan will look to lean on Aaron Long, Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson, who are having sound seasons with their respective MLS clubs LAFC, Nashville SC and Atlanta United.

Callaghan could also look to rely on veteran John Brooks, who has enjoyed a solid season with Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim and most notable scored the winning goal against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup.

The U.S. and Mexico meet on June 15th in the Nations League semifinals, with the winner advancing to play the winner of Panama vs. Canada in the final on July 18th.



https://www.90min.com/posts/tim-ream-supports-newly-promoted-usmnt-interim-head-coach-b-j-callaghan

[WhiteJC]

Transfer News: Fulham eyeing surprise move for Manchester United midfielder
Fred could be on his way out of Manchester United with Fulham showing interest in the midfielder

According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United midfielder Fred has emerged as a potential target for Fulham in the summer transfer window.

United defeated Fulham 2-1 in the last game of the season and post the game, Fulham manager Marco Silva was seen talking to Fred igniting transfer rumours involving the Brazilian.

Fred had an outstanding game against Fulham and provided one of the assists of the season with his defence cutting through-ball for the second goal.

Opportunities have been hard to come by for Fred this season with Erik Ten Hag preferring a midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro more often than not.

Although he has made 55 appearances for the team, most of them have been off the bench and with his contract expiring at the end of next season in 2024, this summer does provide an opportunity for Fred to consider his options.

The club also provides a chance to recoup some of the transfer fees that was paid to Shakhtar Donetsk and use the funds to make quality additions to the squad.

While Fred has been a good servant to the club whenever called upon, he is not up to the standard of being a starter for the team every week and over time with more signings, his appearances off the bench will also reduce.

If he is comfortable with playing such a role, then keeping Fred does make sense as his attributes do have some advantages as well, especially when we need fresh legs and energy during the latter stages of the game.

If not, then the best option for all parties involved would be to assess the clubs that are interested in the midfielder and part ways where the club could recoup some money and the player can get regular minutes.



https://weallfollowunited.com/2023/05/31/fred-manchester-united-fulham-transfer-news/