Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 19/12/23...

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Record – Liverpool want signing of £60.2m midfielder – Contact already made
Liverpool have been linked with Portuguese international, Joao Palhinha, for some time and the latest reports are intriguing.

Earlier this month, we covered a story (via TEAMTalk) stating that the Reds are in contact to sign the defensive midfielder from Fulham.

As per today's version of Record (news image provided below), Liverpool want to sign Palhinha from the Cottagers but they are not alone in the race.

The famous Portuguese news outlet have mentioned that the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also interested in the play breaker.

Moreover, the latest team to join the race is English and European Champions, Manchester City.

Record claim, the 28-year-old former Sporting CP holding midfielder has a valuation of £60.2m (70 million euros).

In the summer, Endo arrived to replace Fabinho at Anfield and in all fairness, the Japanese international has not proved to be solid in the deep lying midfield role.

The Asian star is hard working but his passing and tackling ability is nowhere as good as Fabinho, hence, it is not surprising that Liverpool are linked with Palhinha.

The Seleccao star is one of the best play breakers in the Premier League. In your view, should Liverpool offer £60.2m to sign Joao Palhinha?



https://paisleygates.com/archives/49220

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Coleman to headline Fulham Foundation Q&A
Fulham cult hero Chris Coleman will return to Craven Cottage in February to help raise funds for the Fulham Foundation.

The popular former Fulham captain and manager will join host Les Strong in the Cottage on Tuesday 1 February for a special question and answer session to support the superb work of the Foundation. The Foundation works with more than 10,000 a people a year using the power of sport to change lives – both young and old. They benefit from a close relationship with London's oldest professional football club, but their reach into several London boroughs is not funded by Fulham and relies on the generosity of funders and the Fulham fans.

Coleman, a classy centre half, dropped two divisions to sign for the Whites from Blackburn Rovers in 1997 and captained Kevin Keegan's side to the Second Division title as well as the FA Cup fifth round in 1999.

Coleman was a key player in Jean Tigana's team that romped to the First Division title in 2000/01 but his participation in that record-breaking season was cruelly curtailed by a car crash in which he broke both of his legs. The proud Welshman returned to play for his country but had to hang up his boots prematurely. He became part of the club's coaching staff before being parachuted into the managerial hotseat with the Whites facing relegation in 2003, taking ten points from five games as a caretaker manager to secure Fulham's top flight status.

Coleman beat off competition from George Burley and Klaus Topmoller to become the Premier League's youngest ever manager and defied the doomsayers by guiding the Whites to ninth place in his first full season in charge, despite the loss of prolific striker Louis Saha midway through the campaign. He kept the club in the top flight until his sacking in 2007 and went on to lead Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in their first appearance at a major finals since 1958.

Coleman, a superb storyteller who has overcome great adversity to break new ground in the game, will be a fantastic guest alongside the laconic Les Strong and the ability to hear from two special Fulham characters in the unique Cottage setting will make for a unique evening. You book your place via the Foundation's ticketing page.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/coleman-to-headline-fulham-foundation-qa/

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Marco's Pre-Everton press conference
Marco Silva addressed the press ahead of our Carabao Cup Quarter-Final with Everton on Tuesday night.

The team travel to Merseyside coming off the back of a long away trip to Newcastle at the weekend but Marco's side will be hoping to come away with a better result on Tuesday night, having reached the Quarter-Final in the competition for the first time since 2004.

"The games are always really tough to play at Goodison," Marco started. "I know really well what this means.

"The reaction from them since to point deduction just shows their resilience.

"The size of the Club, you can see they all click together.

"The fans, the team, the staff; we know when these types of things happen to a club like Everton, they are always really strong.

"I'm not surprised because they have very good players and a really experienced manager with a proper way to play football, knowing what he demands from his players."

Tuesday's fixture opens up the opportunity for Fulham to reach the Semi-Final of the Carabao Cup, something that Marco believes shows the ambitions of the Club since his arrival.

"It's something that just shows what we have been doing in this football club, the staff and players, in the last two seasons.

"Also, last season we went to the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup and we wanted to be able to go through in that competition.

"We already spoke about the many reasons why we didn't and now we are one step away from the Semi-Finals.

"We have to be proud of it, but we want more.

"We're not just happy because we achieve the Quarter-Finals, we want to play the Semi-Finals.

"Of course, it's going to be a tough one, but we have all the desire, the ambition, to go and to play this game and to be in the Semi-Finals."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/december/18/marco-s-pre-everton-press conference/

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What happened in Fulham's last two League Cup quarter-finals?

Fulham head to Goodison Park this week for a Carabao Christmas cracker, as Everton host the Whites in the quarter-finals. George Rossiter looks back at what happened on the previous two occasions that Fulham made the last eight of this competition.

Liverpool 3-0 Fulham (AET), 13 December 2000

The end of the first year of the new Millenium is on the horizon and Jean Tigana's side are absolutely bossing the then-First Division. It's the absolute dream for those of us who don't quite fight for trophies every year – the potential for promotion and a cup run in the same year. Fulham's eventual captain in the 2010 Europa League final, Danny Murphy, lined up alongside Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's midfield. Liverpool's eventual Champions League winner in Istanbul, Steve Finnan, made a real impression on Fulham's right-hand side. Quite unfairly, future Ballon D'Or winner Michael Owen ended up coming off the Liverpool bench.

Don't let the scoreline deceive you, this was no standard thrashing by a Premiership side against a second tier side. Tigana's men took the eventual treble winners (UEFA Cup, League Cup, and FA Cup) to extra time, but couldn't quite keep up the same intensity they'd managed over 90 minutes into extra time. Lee Clark and Louis Saha had good chances in regular time, and Liverpool keeper Westerveld was forced into a couple of saves from powerful long-range efforts courtesy of Bjarne Goldbaek and the previously mentioned Finnan. Substitute Andrejs Solcers even nearly put Fulham ahead on the verge of half time of extra time, but once again Westerveld was at hand to stop that from happening.

Ultimately, Liverpool's quality and world class depth was to shine through in the final 15 minutes of the 120. While Fulham replaced Fabrice Fernandes with Stolcers, Liverpool were bringing off Robbie Fowler for Michael Owen. It was Owen who broke the Fulham resolve just as the teams headed towards the final quarter of an hour of extra time, finishing from a Vladmir Smicer cross. It would be Smicer who would add a second not long after, before England international Nick Barmby completed the scoring in the final seconds.

Liverpool went onto beat Crystal Palace in the semi-final, who themselves had overcome Tranmere Rovers in a barnstorming 6-5 win in the last 16, before dispatching of Birmingham City in the final. Both teams would of course experience success by the season's end, with Fulham winning the First Division title with a mind boggling 101 points. And it wouldn't be too long before Fulham reached this stage of the League Cup once more...

Fulham 1-2 Chelsea, 30 November 2004.

Chris Coleman was playing at right-back in December 2000. Fast forward nearly four years and this time the Welshman found himself managing the Whites at this stage of the competition. This time, it was against local rivals Chelsea in a clash that was settled in 90 minutes. Wayne Bridge was on Chelsea's left-hand side, and future Fulham manager Scott Parker played alongside some bloke called Claude Makelele.

Once again, the difference in squad depth was there for all to see. Fulham's singular change involved Elvis Hammond coming on. Meanwhile, Chelsea called upon the minnows of Joe Cole, Eider Gudjohnsen and Frank Lampard. Even Alexey Smertin played for the Blues, making it five Chelsea players on the night who ended up with some sort of playing involvement at Craven Cottage. West London must be quite the place to live...

Anyway, to the game. Heartbreakingly in hindsight, it was Damien Duff who opened the scoring for Chelsea not long after the half time break. Fulham had started the brighter of the two teams in the first half, with notable chances for Mark Pembridge and Sylvain Legwinski, but a lack of killer instinct meant Chelsea survived the first 45 and took their chance not long after, with a Duff effort deflecting off Ian Pearce and past Van Der Sar following a beautiful piece of play from Dutch legend Arjen Robben.

With 15 minutes remaining, Fulham had a deserved equaliser. Elvis Hammond, only subbed on seconds before, took the ball from Steed Malbranque and laid it into the path of the clinical Brian McBride who beat Carlo Cudicini at his near post. Unfortunately, it was Chelsea who had the last laugh. Substitute Lampard's 88th-minute effort bounced up onto the crossbar and across the line, silencing most of the 14,500 in attendance at the Cottage.

Just like Liverpool four years previously, Fulham lost to the eventual winners of the competition, with Chelsea going onto beat Liverpool themselves in the final 3-2 under serial winner Jose Mourinho. By this time, Coleman was really settling into his first managerial role and eventually led Fulham to a safe mid-table spot in that year's Premier League, with the likes of cult heroes Papa Bouba Diop and Brian McBride in the side.

Hopefully it's third time lucky (this century) at Goodison Park. Tigana and Coleman couldn't make the final four; can you, Marco Silva?



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-12-18-what-happened-in-fulhams-last-two-league-cup-quarter-finals/

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Marco Silva provides triple Fulham injury update ahead of EFL Cup clash v Everton
Fulham manager Marco Silva has provided a triple injury update ahead of their cup match against Sean Dyche's Everton.

The West London side travel to Goodison Park on Tuesday (19 December) for an English Football League (EFL) Cup quarter-final encounter.

And the visiting boss has now given updates on Fulham trio Tim Ream, Adama Traore and Calvin Bassey ahead of the match.

"Same situation from the last game," said Silva, as quoted by BBC Sport. "Tim Ream is still out and Adama Traore too. Calvin will probably be available."

Boost
Everton have certainly been handed a boost with the latest injury update from Silva, who of course managed at Goodison Park once upon a time.

But the home supporters will be keen for the boss to have a torrid return to Merseyside in their meeting under the lights.

Defender Bassey looks likely to return, but his fellow defender Ream will be a big miss, as will be the attacking threat of Traore.

But the Toffees may not need to rely on such a blow for Fulham, with Dyche undoubtedly focusing only on Everton at this moment in time.

The man in the dugout may be a bit annoyed that their momentum in the league will now be disrupted by this cup clash, but at the same time it is a fantastic chance for the club to continue their journey elsewhere.

Toffees supporters haven't had much to cheer about in recent years, but a cup win would be massive, particularly with all the off-field issues ongoing at Goodison Park.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2023/12/18/marco-silva-provides-triple-fulham-injury-update-ahead-of-efl-cup-clash-v-everton/

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Everton vs Fulham team news: six players out and three doubtful for Carabao Cup quarter-final - gallery
Everton and Fulham injury news ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at Goodison Park.

Everton can take a step closer to Wembley when they face Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park (16.30 GMT).

The Toffees are in outstanding form, having won their previous four Premier League matches. After being hit with a 10-point deduction for a breach of profit and sustainability rules - which they have appealed - that punishment has now been completely wiped. Victories over Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea and most recently a 2-0 triumph against Burnley means Sean Dyche's side are seven points above the relegation zone - and would sit 10th in the table if not for the docking.

Now optimism is aplenty that the Blues could go all of the way to the Carabao Cup final, although Dyche will keep his troops grounded. Everton suffered a 1-0 loss to Fulham on the opening day of the campaign. And while the Cottagers suffered a 3-0 defeat by Newcastle United last weekend, they put five goals past Forest and West Ham United in their previous two encounters.

There's plenty on the line for both outfits and here's the latest on the injury front heading into the tie.

1. Seamus Coleman - doubt
The Everton captain returned from a seven-month lay-off against Newcastle earlier this month. He's missed the past two games after suffering an issue in that game.

2. Ashley Young - doubt
Limped off against Chelsea with a suspected hamstring injury and was absent against Burnley.

3. Abdoulaye Doucoure - doubt
Forced off with a hamstring injury against Burnley at half-time and is now rated as touch and go to feature in the Fulham tie.

4. Vitalii Mykolenko - doubt
Also missed out against Burnley because of a minor groin issue. The left-back's injury is not serious but could rule him out of Fulham's visit.

5. Jarrad Branthwaite - return
The centre-back is again available after serving a one-match suspension.

6. Idrissa Gana Gueye - return
Ditto Branthwaite. Dyche believes that Gana has been 'terrific' lately.

7. Andre Gomes - doubt
Continues his comeback from a calf injury. Still to complete 90 minutes for the under-21s, which is Dyche's usual final fitness test before reintroducing a player after a long lay-off.

8. Dele - out
Back in team training but the midfielder still needs several weeks to build up fitness and strength.

9. Raul Jimenez - out
The Fulham striker was sent off for a rash challenge in his side's 3-0 loss against Newcastle and has to serve a three-match ban.

10. Adama Traore - out
The former Wolves man has made just two appearances for the Cottagers since signing in August.

11. Tim Ream - out
The defender has a calf problem that sidelined him for the Newcastle loss and he may not be back to face Everton.

12. Calvin Bassey - return
Missed the Newcastle reverse with an illness he had throughout last week. Much will depend how the full-back gets over that issue but Fulham boss Marco SIlva expects him to be back.




https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/everton/everton-vs-fulham-team-news-six-players-out-and-three-doubts-for-quarter-final-4449085

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Fabio Carvalho wants Fulham return as Liverpool consider recall
Fabio Carvalho is 'open' to re-joining former club Fulham, should he be recalled by Liverpool next month.

The 21-year-old forward was sent out on a season-long loan to RB Leipzig at the start of the summer, but has struggled for minutes in Germany and has started just one Bundesliga game so far.

As a result of his limited opportunities, it was reported last week that Liverpool are 'unhappy' with the situation and have opened talks with Leipzig about cutting short the deal and bringing their player back to Merseyside.

If that happens, Carvalho could well be sent out on loan again for the second half of the 2023/24 season, with the Mirror reporting that Fulham is a possibility.

The report claims that the Portugal Under-21 international would be 'open' to re-joining the club he left for Liverpool back in 2022.

Carvalho came through Fulham's academy and shone in the Championship during the 2021/22 season as he helped win promotion back to the Premier League, contributing 10 league goals in 36 appearances.

It is said that Fulham too could also be interested in a reunion, though Marco Silva is not thought to be prioritising attacking additions in the January window.

Talk of Carvalho's next club could yet be redundant, however, with Leipzig reluctant to let the player return to Liverpool, despite his lack of game time.

Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder played down talk of Liverpool's interest in recalling the young forward in the German press, claiming: "These are typical power games that ultimately emerge."

Carvalho arrived at Liverpool as a highly rated prospect and started well in 2022/23 following the £7m transfer.

He scored twice in the opening months of the season – including a late winner against Newcastle – but quickly faded and was rarely used by Jurgen Klopp in the latter half of the campaign.

Speaking this summer, Carvalho put his first season struggles at Liverpool down to positional issues.

He said: "I feel like the reason it hasn't worked at Liverpool is because of the position I have been playing on the left, which is not really my position. I was told I'd come in and play as a 10, but we don't really play with a 10. Whereas here [at Leipzig] we play with two 10s. And it's more I'm able to get on the inside, I'm able to turn and go forward. So I'd probably say that's the reason it hasn't worked out."

When polled on social media whether Carvalho still had a future at Liverpool, 53.9% of Anfield Watch voters said yes.



https://anfieldwatch.co.uk/fabio-carvalho-wants-fulham-return-as-liverpool-consider-recall/

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Silva expects Bassey to be fit for quarter-final
Fulham boss Marco Silva says Calvin Bassey should be fit to face Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

The defender missed the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle because of illness but is expected to be available for Tuesday's game. Tim Ream remains sidelined and is likely to be out until the new year.

Silva said: "He (Bassey) is going to be available. He will have another (training) session, but I think it is enough time for him to recover for the game. But Tim Ream and Adama Traore are still out."

Victory at Goodison Park would see the Whites reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history.

Silva, who managed Everton between May 2018 and December 2019, has won on his two returns to his former club as Fulham boss but will face an in-form opponent who have won four successive matches since being docked 10 points.

Fulham have not won away from home in eight Premier League matches and will be without striker Rl Jimenez after his red card at Newcastle.

But insists his players will head to Merseyside not feeling any pressure despite the chance to reach uncharted territory.

He said: "We are in a very good moment. It is not going to be the last game that we take with us, the red card to Jimenez changed the game, and it will not take away from us the good place we were in before that game.

"There is no pressure, only ambition. If you are doing so well that you can do something the club have never achieved, it is not pressure it just shows what we have done at this football club.

"The staff, all the players have done so well. Last season we got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and we wanted to go through.

"But we want more than quarter and semi-finals, we want more. It is going to be tough, but we have all the ambition to get through this game."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-gives-injury-updates-on-fulham-defenders-ahead-of-tough-everton-clash

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Silva: 'We all have the desire to reach semi-finals'
Marco Silva wants his Fulham side to make history by beating Everton tomorrow night and reaching the League Cup semi-finals.

The Whites have been beaten in six League Cup quarter-finals in their history but have failed to progress beyond the last eight – most recently and perhaps famously when Paul Bracewell's side blew a 2-0 lead to lose on penalties at Leicester City. Silva has been impressed by the way his side have approached the competition, having knocked on Spurs on spot-kicks back in August, and told his pre-match press conference that his side's progress shows the scope of Fulham's ambition.

"It's something that just shows what we have been doing in this football club, the staff and players, in the last two seasons. Last season we went to the quarter final of the FA Cup and we wanted to be able to go through in that competition. We already spoke about the many reasons why we didn't and now we are one step away from the semi-finals.

We have to be proud of it, but we want more. We're not just happy because we achieve the quarter finals, we want to play [in] the semi-finals. Of course, it's going to be a tough one, but we have all the desire, the ambition, to go and to play this game and to be in the semi-finals."

Silva is acutely aware of how difficult Fulham's assignment against an Everton outfit, revitalised under Sean Dyche, having managed at Goodison Park himself for two years.

"The games are always really tough to play at Goodison. I know really well what this means. The reaction from them since the point deduction just shows their resilience. The size of the club – you can see they all click together. The fans, the team, the staff; we know when these types of things happen to a club like Everton, they are always really strong. I'm not surprised because they have very good players and a really experienced manager with a proper way to play football, knowing what he demands from his players."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/silva-we-all-have-the-desire-to-reach-semi-finals/

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Fulham loanee Kieron Bowie was playing through pain and came close to being taken off before scoring his late leveller against Carlisle United
'I was knackered and I think I was supposed to come off a few minutes before but I was like 'no, I want to stay on' and I'm glad I did!'

Kieron Bowie played through the pain barrier and was close to being substituted shortly before scoring his last-gasp equaliser in Saturday's stirring 2-2 draw with Carlisle United.

The 21-year-old forward, currently on loan at Cobblers from Premier League Fulham, suffered a dead leg in the very first minute of the game at Brunton Park but battled on and did so to great effect as he contributed to both Town goals.

He did brilliantly to release Shaun McWilliams for the opener on 30 minutes and then popped up with a dramatic late leveller three minutes into stoppage-time, connecting sweetly with Patrick Brough's cross to drill a shot low and hard through Carlisle goalkeeper Tomas Holy.

"I got a dead leg literally in the first minute of the game and I was hobbling about for the rest of the match," said Bowie afterwards. "I was glad to stay on the pitch and play my part.

"I honestly can't remember too much about the goal. I was knackered and I think I was supposed to come off a few minutes before but I was like 'no, I want to stay on' and I'm glad I did!

"I was just sort of hanging out at the back post and I saw the ball come across towards me. About three people must have missed it and it just fell to me. I was speaking to Rico before the game and he was saying not to hit them too hard but I smashed that one right into the corner.

"I went back across the goal and the goalkeeper dived but it went through his legs. I'm just glad it went in and we got a point in the end after being 2-1 down. We'll definitely take it after how the game went.

"It means a lot to see nearly 400 fans spend their money and come all the way up here to support us. I'm so pleased I was able to give them something to celebrate at the end.

"We have a great bunch of players and we never give up – we always fight to the end. I think club wants to become an established League One club and hopefully we can start to do that this season."



https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-loanee-kieron-bowie-was-playing-through-pain-and-came-close-to-being-taken-off-before-scoring-his-late-leveller-against-carlisle-united-4449562

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Manager raves about 'absolutely top' player Fulham sold after Championship promotion
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior has been raving about midfielder Jean Michael Seri who played a key role in Fulham winning the Championship 18 months ago.

Fulham are blessed with midfielders right now, with Joao Palhinha unsurprisingly the star of the show.

However, the form Jean Michael Seri showed at the end of his Fulham career appears to have continued at Hull as Rosenior was explaining on TalkSPORT (18/12 8:10am).

The signing of Seri back in 2018 seemed to epitomise everything that was wrong with Fulham's recruitment back then.

The Ivory Coast international – alongside Maxime Le Marchand – arrived from Nice for more than £30m.

Unfortunately, Seri's wondergoal against Burnley was a false dawn and as Fulham struggled in the Premier League, the 32-year-old looked more and more disinterested.

Loan spells at Galatasaray and Bordeaux looked like they would spell the end of his time at the Cottage.

However, Marco Silva reinvigorated Seri at Fulham and Rosenior is enjoying a similar player at Hull in the Championship right now.

It was a surprise to some fans that the Whites didn't extend Seri's contract when they returned to the Premier League.

Seri joining Hull was even more shocking but 18 months and more than 50 league starts later, Seri is a fan favourite at the MKM Stadium.

Rosenior raves about Seri after leaving Fulham
Asked by Jeff Stelling about the midfielder, Rosenior said: "Mika we call him, he's a genius. He could play football with his slippers on.

"His understanding of the game, technically he's incredible and he just makes the whole team better and the way that we play suits him.

"He's getting pretty much 80-100 touches a game, he dominates the game for us in midfield and I think the likes of Tyler Morton next to him with the energy that they have really help him and compliment his game.

"He's an absolutely top player and he's a great character as well and he's one of the experienced ones that we count on."

Rosenior will be delighted that Fulham decided to allow Seri to leave at the end of his contract after helping guide the club back to the Premier League.

He's been superb for the Tigers and at 32 still looks very comfortable at this level controlling games from the centre of the pitch.

It's not quite playing at Camp Nou like he was linked with the year he headed to Fulham, but he's got a dedicated fanbase singing his name on a weekly basis and after a mixed spell at the Cottage, many Fulham fans will be delighted he's continuing to thrive in England's second tier.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/12/18/manager-raves-about-absolutely-top-player-fulham-sold-after-championship-promotion/

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Bassey back to face Everton
Marco Silva says Calvin Bassey will be available to face Everton in the League Cup tomorrow night after recovering from the bug that ruled him out of Saturday's defeat at Newcastle United.

The Fulham head coach is likely to select a strong side at Goodison Park as the Whites seek to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time. Silva confirmed that the Nigerian international will be available for selection during his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this morning:

"He is going to be available. He will have another [training] session but I think it is enough time for him to recover for the game. But Tim Ream and Adama Traore are still out."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/bassey-back-to-face-everton/

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Fulham target's expected transfer could be delayed until summer – Club eyeing bigger sale
With not many updates in Fulham's chase for Fluminense midfielder André, we now get to see that the player's move out of Brazil may not happen in January after all.

This is a story that comes from Globo Esporte, who claims the Rio de Janeiro side now consider holding the 22-year-old until the next summer.

Their piece explains that even though Fulham and other clubs are interested in André, none of them placed formal bids yet.

Fluminense now understand that this may have to do with the winter window, which doesn't attract such big investments.

Since their idea is to make the midfielder their biggest sale ever, it may be worth waiting until the summer to see the big offers coming.

It's said there's also a chance for the Brazilian side to negotiate the player now and only let him leave in the middle of the next year.

Globo Esporte recalls that Fulham sent scouts to watch André in action in the Copa Libertadores final, and despite showing interest, they never really placed their bid.

Since Fluminense are currently playing the Club World Cup, the situation should become clearer soon.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-targets-expected-transfer-delayed-summer-club-eyeing-bigger-sale/

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Sources: Fulham plot January bid for Montpellier star Akor Adams
Fulham are weighing up a January bid for Montpellier forward Akor Adams, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed the Cottagers have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old in action in Ligue 1 on several occasions this season.

Adams has hit seven goals in 16 Ligue 1 outings so far in the 2023-24 campaign – his first in France.

The Nigeria Under-20 international stands at 6ft 3in and has wowed Fulham scouts, as well as those from West Ham, with his powerful play in the final third.

Marco Silva's side are in the market for striking reinforcements in January after losing former talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer window.

It is believed Adams is just one name on the striker shortlist for the Cottagers as the new year approaches.

Football Insider revealed last week (15 December) that Fulham scouts have watched Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez in action in the Champions League – but the red-hot Mexico international could prove an unrealistic target.

Sources have also told Football Insider (11 November) that Silva's side are ready to smash their transfer record to bring a new striker to the club in January.

Adams only joined Montpellier from Norweigan side Lillestrom in the summer window and is under contract until June 2027.

He hit 17 goals in 18 games for Lillestrom earlier this year before departing for Ligue 1.

Fulham initially struggled for goals in the early part of the 2023-24 campaign but have hit 16 strikes in their last five Premier League games.

The London side sit 11th in the top-flight following their 3-0 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday (16 December).



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-fulham-plot-january-bid-for-montpellier-star-akor-adams/

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Calvert-Lewin dropped, 5-4-1: The predicted Everton XI to face Fulham in the EFL Cup
Here is the predicted starting XI for Everton against Fulham in the EFL Cup.

    Everton and Fulham face off in the EFL Cup quarterfinals after defeating tough opponents in previous rounds.
    Everton's Jordan Pickford is likely to start in goal for the all-Premier League clash.
    Everton's defensive unit, including Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, and Ben Godfrey, will likely remain unchanged for the match.

Everton welcome Fulham to Goodison Park on Tuesday evening for an all-Premier League affair in the EFL Cup.

Both sides have made it into the quarterfinals of the competition after getting past some difficult opponents.

The Toffees eased to victory in the last round, beating Sean Dyche's former side Burnley 3-0. While Fulham secured an impressive 3-1 win away at high-flying Ipswich Town.

The pair have also done well in the Premier League this season, with Everton sitting in 16th place on 16 points, despite the fact they suffered a 10-point deduction a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Marco Silva's men are sitting in mid-table with 21 points, seven points adrift of the European places.

Both sides will be keen to get into the semi-finals of the competition, and while we see how it plays out, here we have looked at the possible starting XI for Everton...

GK: Jordan Pickford
Everton are likely going to take this match seriously, and therefore, it is likely Sean Dyche is going to rely on Pickford, as he's done all of this season.

The England man is Everton's number one choice, and he will be called upon for this EFL Cup game that is an all-Premier League affair.

RWB: Nathan Patterson
Patterson will likely retain his spot for this clash as Ashley Young picked up an injury in the game against Chelsea, and he looks set to remain out for this clash.

The defender was part of a strong defence in the club's win over Burnley on Saturday night.

CB: Michael Keane
As part of that stonewall defence, Michael Keane made a rare start for the club and even got on the scoresheet, helping the Toffees to a 2-0 win.

The 30-year-old has only featured seven times this season in all competitions, but has played in both EFL Cup games before this one and will likely start once again on Tuesday.

CB: James Tarkowski
Tarkowski has started 19 of the 20 games Everton have played this season, with the only game being the Doncaster Rovers one in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The 31-year-old has been a key part of Everton's climb up the table and is held in high regard under Dyche, so with the game being against a fellow Premier League side, Tarkowski is likely going to keep his place in the team.

CB: Ben Godfrey
Godfrey has found himself on the sidelines for most of this season, as he's fallen down the pecking order under Dyche.

The 25-year-old started his first league game of the season on Saturday, with his only other appearances coming against Sheffield United and Doncaster earlier in the campaign.

However, with Everton having limited options in defence, it could be that Godfrey keeps his place from the last match.

LWB: Dwight McNeil
Saturday wasn't the first time that we saw Dyche use Dwight McNeil in an unfamiliar role, with the natural winger playing in a left-wing back role.

This was done as Everton are limited with their options in defence, and it meant that the Everton boss went with a back five instead of the usual four.

Given how well it worked on Saturday, it is likely that he will keep with the same defensive unit that kept another clean sheet on the weekend.


RM: Jack Harrison
It has taken him a bit of time, but Jack Harrison seems to be slowly finding his feet in an Everton shirt.

The winger has only scored once so far this season, but he has been a key part of what the club has done going forward, and he will likely be once again on Tuesday.

CM: James Garner
Garner's natural position is in central midfield, but Dyche hasn't been afraid to use the former Manchester United man in a wide role in recent games.

It is a decision that has worked, but for this cup tie, he could be restored to his normal midfield role, as Abdoulaye Doucoure is potentially a doubt for the game.

CM: Amadou Onana
Onana has been a key player for the Toffees since joining the club and has been working his way back to full sharpness in these last two games for the club.

Ideally, Dyche may want to rest the Belgian in this game, but given Everton's lack of options and injury concerns, Onana will likely start this game against Fulham.

LM: Arnaut Danjuma
Danjuma has yet to get his Everton career going, with him being in and out of the starting XI for much of this season.

But he has started all three previous EFL Cup games this season, and he could well start again on Tuesday as Dyche keeps his team fresh.

ST: Beto
Another player who could well start for Everton on Tuesday is forward Beto, as he comes in to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Everton manager will want to keep Calvert-Lewin injury-free, and therefore, while he will want to progress in the competition, he may take the forward out of the starting XI for this game.

Beto has been limited to just a handful of starts this season, so he will be keen to get a rare start and show Dyche what he can offer.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/calvert-lewin-dropped-5-4-1-the-predicted-everton-xi-to-face-fulham-in-the-efl-cup/#st-beto

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Everton vs Fulham injury news as 7 out and 2 doubts for Carabao Cup quarter-final
Fulham and Everton are both hoping to achieve Carabao Cup glory for the first ever time.

Fulham are aiming to reach the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup for the first time in their history. The Cottagers are looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the league, in a tie that promises to be a challenging test for Marco Silva's side against his former employers Everton at Goodison Park.

The Toffees enter the fixture high on confidence with a run of four consecutive victories in the league - almost instantly cancelling out the 10-point deduction that was served to them at the start of the month. Both sides have never previously tasted Carabao Cup glory, although Everton have experienced semi-final heartbreak on three separate occasions, whilst also losing the final to arch-rivals Liverpool in 1984.

The highly-anticipated quarter-final match comes during a hectic period of the season with fixtures coming in thick and fast. With that in mind London World rounds up all of the latest team news from both club's ahead of the game at Goodison Park.

Fulham injury and suspension list
Raul Jimenez - Out
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez was beginning to show glimpses of his best form after a run of three goals in two games against Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

But that goal-scoring run came to an end when he received a straight red card in the first half against Newcastle. This match marks the first of three matches that Jimenez will miss during a busy period of fixtures.

Adama Traore - Out
Explosive winger Adama Traore has struggled for fitness since arriving in West London, he misses out with a hamstring injury.

Tim Ream - Out
Veteran defender Tim Ream is expected to be sidelined for a further two weeks as he recovers from a calf injury.

Calvin Bassey - Doubtful
Calvin Bassey has been a first team regular since his arrival. He missed the team's most recent clash with Newcastle through illness and now faces a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Everton injury list
Dele Alli - Out
Two time PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli has not played for Everton since the start of last season. He is currently recovering from a groin problem.

Andre Gomes - Out
Andre Gomes has missed the entire season through injury and is still gaining match fitness ahead of a return in a few weeks time.

Ashley Young - Out
2017 Carabao Cup winner Ashley Young misses this week's game with a muscle injury.

Seamus Coleman - Out
Seamus Coleman impressed during his comeback at Newcastle but misses this Carabao Cup clash with a knock.

Abdoulaye Doucoure - Doubtful
Abdoulaye Doucoure has been one of Everton's stand out players during the Sean Dyche era. He was substituted at half time during the 2-0 victory over Burnley and is a doubt for this game due to a hamstring problem.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/everton-vs-fulham-injury-news-as-7-out-and-2-doubts-for-carabao-cup-quarter-final-4449649

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Mauricio Pochettino doesn't want Chelsea to sign £50m Premier League player
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly no longer keen on Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the January transfer window.

However, according to the Daily Star, Joao Palhinha was a target for Chelsea but their interest in him has cooled because of Mauricio Pochettino's reluctance to sign another midfielder.

It means Manchester City could have one less team to worry about, with the same outlet claiming that the Premier League champions are planning to make a £50m swoop for Palhinha.

He has been a key player for Fulham since arriving there from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Midfield does not need to be a priority for Chelsea
Looking at Chelsea's squad, it is not crying out for a new midfielder.

It was during the summer after they lost the likes of N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, but they were eventually replaced by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

The latter, who former Liverpool player Don Hutchison has suggested was a panic buy, is yet to kick a ball for Chelsea because of injury. But once he is fully fit again, Pochettino will have a really good crop of midfielders, with the Argentine also having Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher at his disposal.

If Chelsea do decide that they want to sign a new man for the engine room next month, though, then Palhinha is a name they seriously have to consider.

The Portugal international continues to thrive in the Premier League. He is currently making 5.4 tackles per game, which is the highest average in the top flight (WhoScored).

It is really no surprise, then, that Palhinha is being linked to so many top clubs like Chelsea and City. Whoever signs him will undoubtedly be getting an amazing midfielder.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/mauricio-pochettino-doesnt-want-chelsea-to-sign-50m-premier-league-player/

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Everton v Fulham

Fulham beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park in August in the Premier League

Everton's Amadou Onana has urged his team-mates to keep "changing the story" when the Toffees face Fulham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Toffees have won their past four games to climb out of the relegation zone following a 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches.

They will reach their first major semi-final since 2016 if they make it five straight wins.

"I feel like the mentality in the team is changing," said Onana.

The Belgium midfielder added: "We're kind of changing the story. It feels healthier around the dressing room and in the team, so I'm just pleased to be a part of this team."

Fulham have already won at Goodison Park this season and boss Marco Silva believes his team's recent cup runs show the ambition of the club.

The Cottagers reached the FA Cup quarter-finals last season but now ex-Everton boss Silva wants to go further.

"We're not just happy because we achieve the quarter-finals, we want to play the semi-finals," added the Portuguese.

"Of course, it's going to be a tough one, but we have all the desire, the ambition to go and to play this game and to be in the semi-finals."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67688634

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Fulham keeping tabs on Mats Wieffer

Fulham are considering an approach for Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer as a potential replacement for Joao Palhinha.
Football Insider have named Fulham as a potential suitor for Mats Wieffer ahead of the January transfer window. The Cottagers could dip into the transfer market for a new midfielder if Joao Palhinha gets his move to a big club. So, the Dutch midfielder, valued at around £20-25 million has emerged as a target for Marco Silva.

Who is Mats Wieffer?
Mats Wieffer had a meaningful 2022/23 season with Feyenoord, helping them clinch the Eredivisie title and become Arne Slot's mainstay. The club had expected big clubs to knock on the door for the Dutch midfielder, and the time may have come in January.

He is a defensive midfielder by trade, capable of showing versatility in the position, meaning he can play as a sole No.6 or in a double pivot. Wieffer is also a duel master and, most importantly, financially accessible to teams keen on signing a player with massive potential at the right age.

At 25, Wieffer brings plenty to the table, and some notable clubs are keen on signing him. For instance, Real Madrid are keen but so are Barcelona. Following Feyenoord's Champions League exit, they might consider offers for the £20-25 million-rated Dutch midfielder in January.

Fulham Calling?
Fulham had recently scouted Santiago Gimenez. But the report states they might have watched Wieffer in action against Celtic. Marco Silva might dip into the transfer market for a new midfielder, significantly if Joao Palhinha departs.

The Portuguese midfielder is attracting considerable interest from top Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. Bayern Munich came close to signing him in the summer and could make another attempt if they have funds.

In any case, they might lose the Portuguese international, which may see them sign a replacement. Wieffer, for his profile and price, may appeal to the Cottagers. Other clubs may have also kept close tabs on the £20-25 million-rated Dutch midfielder, but none have surfaced with an interest.

Feyenoord would ideally like to keep the Dutchman until the end of the campaign to aid them in their quest to retain the Eredivisie title. However, an extensive approach from England, even from Fulham, might appeal to the midfielder, and he could consider making a big move.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/12/18/fulham-keeping-tabs-on-mats-wieffer/

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Everton vs Fulham

Carabao Cup Preview
Everton have their sights on a fifth successive win and a place in the last four of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening as they take on Fulham under the lights at Goodison Park.

It will be the second visit to L4 of the season for Marco Silva and his men, with the Cottagers having already recorded a victory over the Blues on the opening day of the season, albeit against a team lacking any focal point up front and which didn't have the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite in defence.

The towering young centre-back is expected to return to the starting XI after serving a one-match ban against Burnley on Saturday while, up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will provide the robust target that was lacking the last time the two clubs met.

Calvert-Lewin was injured at the start of the season and Beto had not yet been signed but both are likely to play a role in this quarter-final and both looking to increase their respective goal tallies in the competition. Beto scored his first Everton goal in the second round against Doncaster Rovers while Calvert-Lewin has an impressive scoring record in the League Cup overall.

In midfield, Idrissa Gueye is eligible again after he, too, was suspended for the win at Turf Moor but the fitness of the vital attacking cog Abdoulaye Doucouré and in-form left-back Vitalii Mykolenko is a concern after the Frenchman was forced off against Burnley feeling a tight hamstring and the Ukrainian failed a fitness test on a groin strain.

With no natural replacement, Doucouré's absence would pose a conundrum for Sean Dyche who pushed Jack Harrison up behind the striker against Newcastle when Amadou Onana and James Garner were missing and he may opt for the same strategy against Fulham.

Arnaut Danjuma is another option in that role but the Dutchman appears to have fallen out favour recently and it may be that Lewis Dobbin is again preferred to him in any changed attacking formation.

At the back, much depends on whether Mykolenko will be risked. Dyche described his situation as "touch-and-go" after Saturday's game but should he miss out and assuming Michael Keane felt no ill-effects from his goalscoring return to Turf Moor, it could be a case of same again at the back with Branthwaite coming in for Ben Godfrey in a back five.

Fulham will be without striker Raul Jimenez following his red card at St James's Park over the weekend but Alex Iwobi would be eligible to face his former team-mates given that he did not feature in the second round before his move to Craven Cottage.

Kick-off: 7:45pm, Tuesday 19 December 2023
Last Time:  Everton have not played Fulham (H) in the League Cup before

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Patterson, McNeil, Onana, Garner, Harrison, Dobbin, Calvert-Lewin



https://www.toffeeweb.com/season/23-24/news/44299.html