Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 13/12/23...

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'Huge credit'... Gary Lineker very impressed by 46-year-old manager who Nottingham Forest 'dream' of appointing
Gary Lineker has raved about Nottingham Forest-linked Marco Silva. The Reds would dearly love to appoint the Portuguese boss should a decision be made on Steve Cooper.

The Reds head coach has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Speculation over his future has intensified recently, following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Silva's Fulham last Wednesday.

Forest did bounce back on Saturday by claiming a well-deserved point at Wolves. Harry Toffolo did give Forest the lead in that one, but Matheus Cunha snatched a point for the hosts.

Lineker raves about Forest-linked boss Silva
Evangelos Marinakis was so incensed after the Fulham game that he tossed his matchday pass into a bush. Still, he didn't decide to pull the plug on Cooper and he lives to fight another day.

It did come out shortly after, however, that Forest dream of appointing Silva, with the club's owner a huge fan having worked with him at Olympiacos in the past.

On this week's edition of The Rest is Football, Lineker and Alan Shearer praised Fulham. They followed up the 5-0 win over Forest by beating West Ham by the same scoreline on Sunday.

Shearer said: "What about Fulham, eh, five goals against Forest and another five on Sunday. Raul Jimenez has found the way to go again."

Lineker was keen to focus on Silva and continued: "I think the manager deserves huge credit as well for those results."

Silva would be amazing appointment if Cooper goes
It's not unreasonable to suggest that Cooper might leave even if the form picks up. It emerged last week that Crystal Palace like the Forest man and are closely monitoring the situation.

At 46-years-old, the Forest-linked Silva has really worked wonders at Fulham. He led them to promotion in his maiden season and during 2022/23 he oversaw a 10th place finish in the Premier League.

Before Silva signed a new contract, he had a release clause inserted. However, it's not clear whether the Cottagers have included one in his new deal or not.

For now, Forest will continue to back Cooper. It's not unfair to suggest that Marinakis has already started sounding out alternatives, however, in a sad indictment of modern-day football.

Silva would be a wonderful addition if Forest do decide to let Cooper loose. He knows the league, is a burgeoning coach, and would ultimately welcome the financial backing that Marinakis typically gives his managers.



https://www.nottinghamforest.news/2023/12/12/huge-credit-gary-lineker-very-impressed-by-46-year-old-manager-who-nottingham-forest-dream-of-appointing/

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Gary Lineker suggests one player in the Fulham squad is really 'underrated' right now
Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have been raving about Fulham captain Tom Cairney after his recent performances.

The pair were chatting alongside Alan Shearer on The Rest is Football Podcast.

It's been an unbelievable seven days to be a Fulham fan, after back-to-back 5-0 wins at Craven Cottage.

Nottingham Forest and West Ham simply couldn't cope with Marco Silva's side who are now in the top half of the Premier League after a tough spell before the last international break.

Any concerns over Fulham's ability to score goals have been quashed over the last few weeks.

No team in the Premier League has scored more than the Whites since the last international break and Raul Jimenez finally seems to be finding his feet in West London.

The obvious change to the team that Silva has made has been to introduce Tom Cairney to the starting line-up.

The 32-year-old earned plenty of praise from Silva after the West Ham match as he once again controlled proceedings in the centre of the pitch.

Gary Lineker has now suggested that Tom Cairney is underrated but no one at Fulham would ever suggest such a thing.

After notching his 300th appearance for the club at the weekend, there will be calls for his time at the club to be extended into a tenth season next year.

The way he's playing right now, how can Fulham say no to a new deal?

Lineker and Richards praise Fulham star Cairney
Speaking about Fulham's recent upturn, Micah Richards said: "There's been a little tweak that he's done as well, he's brought back in Tom Cairney into that centre midfield role.

Gary Lineker added: "He's a really gifted player Cairney, isn't he? I think he's underrated! Do you not think he's underrated?

Richards replied: "In the Championship he was unbelievable, I remember when I was in the Championship I was thinking, who is this guy?

"He sort of came to the Premier League, didn't get as many games as you thought [he would] the second time around, I was thinking, he's so good on the ball.

"Lovely left foot, can see a pass, he always looks to play forward, he gives a license to [Alex] Iwobi to go down the wing and I just think he brings so much to this team attacking-wise."

Fulham don't tend to get too much attention from major media outlets but Lineker and Co. will have to pay more attention to Cairney and his teammates going forward.

Richards's assessment of Cairney's past campaigns in the Premier League is very harsh considering the injury troubles he had during that time.

The midfielder had a long-term knee injury during the 2020/21 season that ruled him out for essentially an entire campaign, while he was plagued with smaller issues during other top-flight seasons.

Cairney now looks fully fit and Silva trusts him to play a lot more minutes than last year which is very positive.

He's not played for Scotland since 2018 but with a Euros on the horizon next summer, surely a late call-up isn't off the cards?



https://www.fulham.news/2023/12/12/gary-lineker-suggests-one-player-in-the-fulham-squad-is-really-underrated-right-now/

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Why Tosin is so important to Fulham

Following his return from injury, Jack Stroudley looks at the importance of Tosin.

What a week it's been for Fulham. Two 5-0 victories in a row has left Fulham in the top-half of the table and comfortably clear of the bottom three. A lot of credit will understandably go to the attacking players in the side with the likes of Andreas Pereira and Raul Jimenez finally seeming to find a bit of form, but I want to give a nod to the defence and one man in particular. It was great to see Tosin back playing for Fulham and I think he could be so important to the development of this team, and here's why.

Comfortable in the system

It's evident the way that Marco Silva wants us to play allows Tosin to excel with maintaining possession and building out from the back so key to it. This allows the now 26-year-old to really shine. With an average of 4.87 progressive passes per 90 over the last year as well as pass accuracies of 87% against Nottingham Forest and 90% against West Ham United, he is certainly someone that now fit, Silva can use at his disposal.

As well as his strength on the ball, his ability to win the ball back is something that shouldn't go unnoticed either. With 6.64 clearances per 90 he is in the top 1% of defenders for this, his stats over the last week for winning the ball back has been very impressive as well with six out of eight successful duels against Nottingham Forest and four out of five successful duels against West Ham.

Finally, in a more attacking sense, he is always a threat in the air. A goal against West Ham on Sunday, he's shown his ability from set pieces in the past with goals against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Reading. If Pereira can continue to improve on this purple patch we could add even more goals to our game.

Sign the ting

There is one obvious concern, Tosin's future is still uncertain. He looked set to leave all summer with rumours of AS Monaco the ideal suitor alongside murmurings from Tottenham. His contract is up in the summer and he's still yet to agree a deal, at 26 he is going to start to reach his peak and would be an ideal pickup for a lot of clubs. With his recent performances I'm sure there will be suitors taking an interest, I just hope we're able to tie him down because he could be a mainstay in this Fulham side for years to come.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-12-12-why-is-tosin-so-important-to-fulham/

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Brentford and Fulham given easy route for signing in January – PL duo 'admirers' of player
Brentford and Fulham are in the picture to sign AS Roma's Andrea Belotti, according to Romagiallorossa.it.

The striker has clocked in less than 700 minutes from 15 games this season, managing five goals and two assists in the process. José Mourinho has mainly used him as a backup for Romelu Lukaku.

Belotti could change clubs next month and both Brentford and Fulham are mentioned as possible destinations.

The 29-year-old is followed 'intensively' by Fiorentina, Genoa and Palmeiras. He also has 'admirers' in England and this is when the Bees and Marco Silva's side are mentioned.

Tammy Abraham is expected to return from a serious knee injury in February. In addition to this, Sardar Azmoun [on loan from Bayer Leverkusen] isn't expected to leave Roma in January.

This could see the former Torino man drop down the pecking order, which is why the Giallorossi may get rid of him in the winter market.

In other words, Mourinho's side could make it easier for Brentford, Fulham and other interested parties to sign Belotti.

He has a deal until 2025 and the report makes no mention of the formula/fee needed to take the player away from Roma.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/brentford-fulham-given-easy-route-signing-january-pl-duo-admirers-player/

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EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal target Joao Palhinha after learning Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz asking price
Arsenal have begun eyeing a deal for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha following Aston Villa's stance regarding a move for Douglas Luiz, FootballTransfers have been told.

Luiz remains Mikel Arteta's first-choice option as the Spaniard seeks to sign a new defensive midfielder in January, but Aston Villa are insistent that he is not for sale.

As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers in early December, Unai Emery's side are demanding a whopping £110 million (€128m) for the Brazil international and this huge asking price has seen Arsenal turn their attention to Palhinha.

The Portuguese international was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich during the summer window, but the move collapsed on Transfer Deadline Day and he signed a new deal at Fulham in mid-September.

The former Sporting CP midfielder is now contracted to the Craven Cottage club until 2028.

However, an exit is on the cards in 2024, with Bayern set to pursue his signature once again. But, we understand that Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Palhinha and the Gunners have spoken internally about the possibility of signing the Fulham star during the January window.

It's believed that a fee of around £50m (€58m) would be enough to seal a deal for Palhinha - significantly less than what Luiz would cost.

Palhinha to leave Fulham?
The Fulham man had his heart set on a move to Bayern this summer and is still hoping to join Thomas Tuchel's side next year, but he could be enticed to the Emirates in January with the allure of a Premier League title challenge.

Arsenal are currently second in the English top flight table, just one point behind league-leaders Liverpool after 16 games.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for Palhinha too after his impressive debut campaign at Fulham last year. The 28-year-old midfielder made 35 league appearances for the Cottagers, scoring three goals, as they finished 10th in the Premier League table.



https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/tag/exclusive-newsnow/arsenal-transfer-news-joao-palhinha-fulham-douglas-luiz-aston-villa-steve-kay

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Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham all 'willing to spend' on same signing – Player's attitude makes club reluctant to sell
With both Matt Targett and Dan Burn injured, Newcastle United are currently being forced to play Tino Livramento as a left-back, out of position.

That's why there have been some murmurs that Eddie Howe could go after someone who plays that role in January, and Tutto Juve report one of the players targeted is Andrea Cambiaso.

Newcastle aren't the only ones after the 23-year-old, as Aston Villa and Fulham are also interested, as the website reveal all three are 'willing to spend' €15m to get him.

The problem for the Villans, the Magpies and the Craven Cottage side is that Juventus aren't that keen on letting him go, regardless of how much money is put on the table.

While some of their players could be sold, neither Federico Gatti nor Cambiaso are on that list, 'even in the face of important offers'.

The reason for this is they feel the pair are the 'concrete representation' of what the clubs stands for in 'team spirit and soul', having reached their current status 'from the bottom and without anyone's help'.

This means that Aston Villa, Fulham and Newcastle will need to look somewhere else to bolster their left-back position going forward.

Unai Emery's side have been after a new left-back since the summer, initially targeting Marcos Acuña from Sevilla, to no avail, as they were looking to get rid of Lucas Diane.

Aston Villa failed in their endeavours, and appears to have now moved onto Cambiaso instead.

As for Fulham, it's fair to say the loan of Fodé Ballo-Touré has been an abject failure, as Antonee Robinson has played in all but one game in the Premier League this season, with Timothy Castagne stepping into his position during the missed fixture, a 1-0 win over Luton Town.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/newcastle-aston-villa-fulham-willing-spend-signing-players-attitude-makes-club-reluctant-sell/

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Watch FA Youth Cup Tie Live For Free!
Fulham Under-18s' upcoming FA Youth Cup opener at Cardiff City will be shown live on FFCtv, free of charge.

The two sides go head-to-head on Friday 15th December at The Cardiff International Sports Stadium, with kick-off at 7pm.

The game will be shown live on our club website and app. Due to competition rules, only supporters based in the UK will be able to access.

Coverage will begin at 6:45pm and commentary will be provided by Gentleman Jim.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/december/12/Watch-Upcoming-FA-Game-Live-Youth-Cup/

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Club expected to open talks for Fulham player – Will be 'more aggressive' than usual
With the end of the Brazilian season, clubs are now figuring out the purchases and sales they're set to make in the coming months.

As Lance today writes about Palmeiras' transfer plans, a Fulham player ends up getting a mention.

It all starts with the outlet saying that with coach Abel Ferreira confirming he's staying, the Verdão are set to be 'more aggressive' than usual to build a strong team.

One of the demands made by the manager to continue at the club was big new signings, and Fulham striker Carlos Vinícius is said to be one of the names on his list.

Lance recalls that the 28-year-old had already been a target for Palmeiras during other windows. This time, they're still to reopen talks with his entourage, although the idea was always to start negotiations after the end of the league last week.

Carlos Vinícius has three goals in 12 appearances for Fulham this season. As both he and Rodrigo Muniz fight for a place in Marco Silva's attack, their little playing time is the reason why Brazilian sides are targeting both of them.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-expected-open-talks-fulham-player-will-aggressive-usual/

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Osimhen, Palhinha head Pochettino's January wish list as Chelsea target new spine
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is a key target for Chelsea in January while Joao Palhinha's representatives have sounded out the Blues over a deal as Mauricio Pochettino aims to build a new spine for his team, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.

Chelsea are again set to be one of the most active clubs in the upcoming transfer window as Pochettino pushes for improvements to his struggling side.

The Argentinian wants a whole new spine for his team with reinforcements in every area of the squad on his wish list.

The coach has major concerns over the current quality and options at his disposal, with TEAMtalk reporting on Monday that Pochettino is set to axe seven Chelsea stars – worth a combined total of £160million – to make way for new recruits.

A new goalkeeper is an ambition, but the club have continued to back Robert Sanchez as No.1 and it will be difficult to convince the hierarchy of otherwise before the summer of 2024.

AC Milan and France star Mike Maignan is admired but would cost around £70million with his contract with the Rossoneri running until 2026.

A new centre-back is a priority and Marc Guehi has been coveted for a long time, but Crystal Palace are adamant he will not be sold until after next summer's European Championship.

A top defender will be brought in, meanwhile, while buyers could soon be sought for Axel Disasi among others.

One to watch is Goncalo Inacio, the Portugal international currently playing for Sporting Lisbon who has a £52million release clause. Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back, is also being looked at.

Mauricio Pochettino pushing for Chelsea revolution
Another midfielder is desired, with Pochettino asking for better quality and depth, and Conor Gallagher could be a potential makeweight in any deal with contract talks still unresolved.

Joao Palhinha's agents have spoken with Chelsea in a bid to try and secure their Fulham-based client a big move in the coming weeks.

The key target is a striker who can fire the club back to the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

Victor Osimhen is the preferred option and there is growing anticipation of a bid in January, despite the huge cost it will take to move him from Napoli.

Ivan Toney is also on Chelsea's radar but there is still no major movement on a deal – and he could sign a new contract at Brentford who are keen to tie him down to a new long-term arrangement.

Viktor Gyokeres has also been looked at and is seen as a viable option should they be priced out of a January move for Osimhen or beaten to the signature of Toney.

The Sporting striker has been in superb form with nine goals in 12 Liga Portugal games and is admired by several clubs around Europe.

Sporting are not keen to lose a key player midway through their campaign and sources say he will cost a huge fee, and some are misled if they think he is a cheaper alternative.

The Swede signed for Sporting last summer from Coventry City for an initial €20million fee, with another €4million achievable based on certain targets being met. Moreover, the 25-year-old's contract included a €100million termination fee.

Another name in the frame for Chelsea is Club Brugge's electrifying Norwegian attacker Antonio Nusa. Chelsea had a £23million bid knocked back for the 18-year-old last summer and are expected to try again in 2024.

It will be a very busy month for the London side and fans can yet again expect Chelsea to be dominating the headlines and spending more to try and improve upon their lacklustre season.



https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/osimhen-palhinha-pochettino-january-wish-list-chelsea

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Premier League clubs vote for five-year limit on paying transfer fees regardless of length of players' contracts
Premier League clubs no longer be able to spread cost of a transfer fee across more than five years of a player's contract; Chelsea signed a number of players on lengthy deals in the summer of 2022 and in January of this year; rule change will not be backdated

Premier League clubs will no longer be able to spread the cost of a transfer fee across more than five years of a player's contract.

In June, UEFA announced it had closed a loophole allowing clubs to spread a fee over a longer period, and on Tuesday the Premier League confirmed its clubs had now voted to amend competition rules to bring the league in line with European regulations.

Chelsea signed a number of players on lengthy deals in the summer of 2022 and in January of this year, including handing eight-and-a-half-year contracts to Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk in January. The rule change, however will not be backdated meaning such deals will be unaffected.

If transfer fees are spread evenly over the course of a contract, it means the longer it is, the smaller the annual payments recorded on the club's accounts are.

For instance, a £100m fee would be amortised at £20m a year with a five-year contract, but at only £12.5m a year if a deal was eight years.

A league statement read: "Going forward, a five-year maximum will apply to all new or extended player contracts."

Clubs also approved a rule amendment empowering the league's board to block a club from registering new players where they owe a transfer debt to another Premier League or EFL club until the debt is paid.

The board also has the option to deduct the amount owed from the club's entitlement to the central league funds.

Dorsett: Spreading the cost won't impact big transfer fees
Sky Sports senior report Rob Dorsett:

"It's complicated, but it's important, so if you're a Chelsea fan read on.

"The Premier League clubs have today voted on a very significant new rule. The length of time with which a club can spread the cost of a transfer fee is going to be limited.

"Up until now, you could sign a player for 10 years, and spread the payment of that contract over 10 years. It's called amortisation.

"From now, you're only going to be able to spread the cost across five years.

"Look at Mykhailo Mudryk, for example, who signed the longest contract in Premier League history, and he was signed for £88.5m. In old rules, because it was an eight-year contract, that fee would only cost Chelsea about £10m a year.

"Chelsea have used it carefully and cleverly. Crucially, this isn't going to be backdated. Only players signed from now are affected.

"This brings the Premier League in line with UEFA rule, who already had this in place. It makes clubs more sustainable and reduces their risk.

"Nobody wanted to punish Chelsea here, which is why they've decided not to backdate. Crucially, it means Chelsea have had the advantage of putting these players on long contracts, but they won't be allowed to do that again with new players.

"I don't think it will have an impact on transfer fees. It's just an accounting procedure. Clubs can account for the player they've signed. Clubs can still make longer deals, but accounting-wise, the cost can only be spread over five years."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13028764/premier-league-clubs-vote-for-five-year-maximum-player-contracts

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"Fulham received a present" – Transfer decision increasingly looks a smart one, club may be regretting sale
Fulham "received a present" from Ajax when they allowed them to sign Calvin Bassey for €22.5m this summer.

That's according to journalist Süleyman Öztürk, who says there may be increasing regret at the Dutch giants that they allowed the defender to leave.

Bassey joined Fulham in the summer transfer window after a miserable year at Ajax following a move from Rangers in July 2022.

He had arrived at the Dutch club with a growing reputation following his time at Ibrox, where he had been a key player, particularly in their run to the Europa League final.

Ajax had signed him as the successor to Lisandro Martinez following his move to Manchester United, but he was unable to live up to the Argentine, struggling to impress while playing at centre-back and left-back.

His time at the club was not a happy one and thus Ajax were happy to sell him in the summer, even taking a small loss on the €23m they had paid to sign him from Rangers.

He's quickly been getting back on his feet at Fulham, though, overcoming initial early struggles to now impress for Marco Silva's side.

That's not gone unnoticed in the Netherlands, where Öztürk insists that there is a growing sense of disappointment about the transfer.

"You see images of him against Feyenoord and Ajax that weren't tactically good and Bassey is a victim of the choices of a trainer," he said.

"Now at Fulham with Tosin Adarabioyo alongside him he can play football. You see a 23-year-old who wants to get better.

"He's been sold to Fulham for €23m and people laughed about it in the Netherlands and said 'how on earth did they manage to sell that clown for €23m to Fulham' but Fulham received a present for that price. That's now the feeling in the stands.

"He made mistakes against Tottenham last month I know, and he will make mistakes under pressure, but I think he still has an incredible growth margin. He was laughed at here but he's an excellent defender with a margin to grow.

"I think he is now at his place. It's nice to see. You have to be careful how you go about assessing players individually. Calvin Bassey is still young, has developed and has qualities that suit the English standards and Fulham's standards."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/452137-2/

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Arsenal identify 'cheap alternative' to Aston Villa star ahead of January transfer window
The latest Premier League transfer news as Arsenal consider a move for a £50m-rated Fulham star.

Arsenal have reportedly identified Fulham star Joao Palhinha as a target during the January transfer window as a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz remains out of reach.

Palhinha has been in impressive form for Fulham and has reacted positively following the collapse of his move to the Bundesliga champions. The Portugal star received firm praise from Cottagers boss Marco Silva, praising the midfielder's 'attitude and commitment' in the aftermath of a draw with Brighton earlier this season.

He said: "He (Palhinha) leads by the attitude. Clearly, he's not the most vocal guy. He's improving his English as well. To lead in that position is really important, for Joao, for Sasa Lukic, and for Harrison Reed. To lead by example, I want to see Joao doing it more. His attitude, commitment, the way he lifts others around him — it is not easy to find in football. In moments when we lose the ball, his reaction is impressive."

Despite Palhinha signing a new deal at Fulham, talk over his future and a possible move away from Craven Cottage has never been far from the headlines. Football Transfers have now claimed Arsenal are ready to make a move for the midfielder after being priced out of a deal for Villa star Luiz.

The Brazil international has caught the eye throughout what has already been a memorable season for the Midlands outfit and has been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal during that time. However, a reported £110m asking price has forced the Gunners to turn their attentions elsewhere - and Palhinha is said to be under serious consideration.

The report states Luiz remains Mikel Arteta's 'first-choice option' as he looks to add a new defensive midfielder to his ranks - but Palhinha is now a genuine target, with a £50m offer said to be enough to secure a move to the Emirates Stadium.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/arsenal/arsenal-identify-cheap-alternative-to-aston-villa-star-ahead-of-january-transfer-window-4442990

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Chelsea (A) Tickets
Tickets for Fulham's away fixture against Chelsea will go on sale from Friday 15th December, 10am.

Fulham make the short trip across West London to face local rivals Chelsea on Saturday 13th January, kick-off 12.30pm.

Join us for our first Premier League fixture of 2024!

Tickets for this fixture will be released periodically based on loyalty points to 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders from Friday 15th December, 10am before being released to all 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders on Thursday 28th December, 10am. Tickets will then be released to all 2023/24 Members on Friday 29th December at 10am, before remaining tickets will go on sale to Supporters with Previous Booking History from Sunday 31st December, 10am.

Supporters are able to purchase one ticket per person for this match.

More information about this fixture, including the stadium Bag Policy, can be found here.

BUY TICKETS FROM FRIDAY

Seats can be secured online at tickets.fulhamfc.com or by calling the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810, or by visiting the Ticket Office in person.

Please note, supporters will need to ensure they are logged in to their OneFulham Account and have linked their ticketing account in order to purchase online. For more information on the OneFulham Account, please click here.

RELEASE DATE	SUPPORTER CRITERIA
Friday 15th December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 1000 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Monday 18th December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 800 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Tuesday 19th December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 600 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Wednesday 20th December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 500 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Thursday 21st December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 400 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Friday 22nd December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 300 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Saturday 23rd December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 200 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Wednesday 27th December, 10am	Season Ticket Holders with 100 points or more - 1 ticket per person
Thursday 28th December, 10am	All 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders - 1 ticket per person
Friday 29th December, 10am	All 2023/24 Members - 1 ticket per person
Sunday 31st December, 10am	Supporters with Previous Booking History - 1 ticket per person

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/december/12/chelsea-a-tickets/

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Craven Cottage Stadium Sleepout
Fulham FC Foundation are very excited to announce we are hosting our first ever Stadium Sleepout!

On Thursday 21st March 2024, we are offering the exclusive opportunity to sleep out under the stars for the first time at Craven Cottage, in support of Fulham FC Foundation.

At Fulham FC Foundation, we are passionate about building better lives through sport. We deliver programmes seven days a week to a broad range of the community, supporting disabled young people, refugees, socially isolated adults, people with mental health challenges and many others. We change the lives of over 10,000 people every year, using sport as a tool to improve both the physical health and mental wellbeing of our participants.

The night is guaranteed to be a special experience. You'll get the chance to see parts of the stadium never usually open to the public, such as our iconic Cottage, before settling down for the night next to the hallowed turf in the Putney End.

Before you brave the elements there will be entertainment and opportunities to get food to fuel you for the night ahead! This is an inaugural event for Fulham FC Foundation, so you will not want to miss out on being one of the first ever people to sleepout overnight in the stadium.

This is set to be a truly unique event, and we would love to have you join us. Spaces are limited, with access only to adults aged 18 and over. Registration is £50, with those taking part asked to raise £500 towards Fulham FC Foundation's work in our community.

Wrap up warm and take part in this unmissable experience and help us on our mission to build better lives through sport!

Register

Fulham FC Foundation



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/december/12/craven-cottage-stadium-sleepout/

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Report: Fulham Planning Future Midfield Stars
Fulham's Strategic Moves: Eyeing Timber as Potential Palhinha Successor

In the constantly evolving landscape of football transfers, Fulham's latest manoeuvre is drawing significant attention. As Dean Jones of TEAMtalk astutely reports, "Quinten Timber is emerging as a transfer target for Fulham as we head into the new year." This move indicates a strategic planning approach by Fulham, particularly considering the uncertainty surrounding their star midfielder, Palhinha.

Spotlight on Quinten Timber: A Rising Star
Quinten Timber, currently plying his trade at Feyenoord, has captured the interest of several Premier League clubs, thanks to his impressive performances. As Jones notes, "A handful of Premier League clubs are expected at the Celtic-Feyenoord game," reflecting the heightened interest in Timber. His attributes as a "combative central midfielder with high energy" make him an ideal candidate for Fulham's midfield, an area they are keen to strengthen.

Palhinha's Future and Fulham's Midfield Dynamics
The future of João Palhinha at Fulham remains a topic of much speculation. As Jones points out, "While contacts close to the club expect the 28-year-old Portugal international to stay until the summer, eyes are already turning to how the team might look over the next two years." This anticipation mirrors the club's forward-thinking approach in the transfer market, ensuring stability and continuity in their midfield.

Andre: Another Potential Midfield Reinforcement
In addition to Timber, Fulham's radar also includes Fluminense's Andre. His acquisition would serve as a proactive measure to prepare for any eventual departure of Palhinha. As Jones mentions, "The aim of such a deal would be to get him on board and slowly integrate him into the side in the hope that he can make a full impact next season." This strategy demonstrates Fulham's commitment to building a robust and dynamic midfield capable of competing at the highest level.

Navigating Transfer Market Challenges
However, the transfer market is never without its challenges. The rising profile of Andre, especially with his performances in the Copa Libertadores, could attract interest from bigger clubs, as Jones rightly highlights. This situation underscores the competitive nature of the transfer market and the need for clubs like Fulham to act swiftly and decisively.

Statistical Analysis by EPL Index: Quinten Timber's Rising Stock
Timber's Attacking Prowess

Quinten Timber's performance data is not just a collection of numbers; it tells the story of a player whose impact on the pitch is as measurable as it is profound. A statistical breakdown by Fbref paints the picture of a midfielder whose attacking contributions are exceptionally high-ranking. Amongst his peers, Timber excels in non-penalty goals, registering in the 93rd percentile. His ability to find the back of the net without the aid of penalties is a testament to his positioning and finishing skills, vital for any team looking to break down stubborn defences.

Possession and Playmaking
In terms of possession metrics, Timber's stats are equally impressive. The midfielder sits in the 99th percentile for both non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists (npxG+xA) and shot-creating actions, highlighting his crucial role in building up plays that lead to scoring opportunities. His knack for being involved in the buildup to shots is almost unparalleled, setting him apart as a creative force in the middle of the park.

Defensive Contributions
The chart also showcases Timber's defensive contributions, this is the part of his game which certainly has room for growth as shown by the chart, with tackles sat at 58th percentile and blocks sat at 41. However playing for Feyenoord who sit near the top of the Eredivisie may limit his defensive contributions.

In 1,751 minutes of play over the last year, Timber's performance data is a beacon for any Premier League side seeking a midfielder who combines attacking ingenuity with defensive potential. With such a robust statistical backing, it's no wonder Quinten Timber is a name on many lips and scouting reports.

As clubs continuously seek to enhance their squads, Timber's stats present a compelling case for his acquisition. His exceptional percentile rankings reflect a player ready to take on the challenges of the English top-flight, making him an intriguing prospect for teams like Fulham looking to solidify their midfield. Credit to Fbref for collating this data, offering a clear window into the qualities that make Timber such an attractive target.



https://eplindex.com/100666/report-fulham-planning-future-midfield-stars.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'planning to scout Feyenoord's Quinten Timber'
Fulham are reportedly interested in Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber.

The Cottagers are believed to be in the market for a new midfielder, with Joao Palhinha facing an uncertain future in West London.

Palhinha was on the verge of joining German champions Bayern Munich in the summer before the proposed move fell through on the final day of the window.

Palhinha ultimately remained with the Cottagers and subsequently put pen to paper on a contract extension until the summer of 2028 with an option for the club to extend by a further year.

Despite appearing to commit to his long-term future with the club, he continues to be linked with a move away ahead of the January transfer window.

While Bayern have reportedly cooled their interest, Palhinha has emerged as a potential target for fellow London club Arsenal.

A recent report also claimed that Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United were weighing up a possible move.

With Palhinha continuing to attract transfer speculation, Fulham are scouring the market in case the 28-year-old leaves in the new year.

According to TEAMtalk, Fulham are keeping tabs on Feyenoord's Timber, who is emerging as a transfer target for Marco Silva's side.

Fulham scouts will be in attendance to watch Timber in action in Feyenoord's Champions League clash with Celtic on Wednesday.

The midfielder has been a regular fixture in the Feyenoord team, having started 20 of his 21 competitive appearances this season, chipping in with five goals and six assists.

Timber, who is under contract until June 2026, has previously been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool.

Fulham scouting staff will also be keeping an eye on in-form striker Santiago Gimenez, who has scored 20 goals in 19 matches across all competitions this term.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/fulham-planning-to-scout-feyenoords-timber_531196.html?newsnow

[WhiteJC]

There's only one F in Fulham
Fulham 5 West Ham 0

Luckily I was away in Edinburgh for this one. Clearly the Spurs win took a lot of energy from the players and the side never looked at it for this. A Ward-Prowse free kick saved and a Bowen shot early doors promised better. But once the defence sat too deep and allowed Jimenez to score with a header it was all over. Only Harry Wilson's goal was a great effort, the rest saw some pretty horrific defending. The fifth was some a simple ball over the top and Sunday league stuff.

Benrahma had one decent effort at the keeper late on but it was a dismal day all round.The ill Alvarez was badly missed and the five extra games in Europe seem to have left the players exhausted. This was a game too far and we require much better against Freiburg on Thursday.



https://hammersintheheart.blogspot.com/2023/12/theres-only-one-f-in-fulham.html