Saturday Fulham Stuff - 23/12/23...

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Who is Rebecca Welch? Meet the female Premier League referee making history in charge of Fulham vs Burnley
Rebecca Welch will make history this weekend by becoming the first female to referee a Premier League match.

The 39-year-old will be in charge of Fulham vs Burnley on Saturday after the PGMOL announced official appointments earlier this month.

Welch became the first woman to be a fourth official in the Premier League at Craven Cottage earlier this season for the Cottagers' fixture against Manchester United.

She also became the first female referee of an EFL match when she took charge of a League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale in April 2021.

Wendy Toms was the first woman to be appointed as a top-flight assistant referee in 1997 before Sian Massey-Ellis and Natalie Aspinall were handed their opportunities more recently.

Former player Welch, who qualified as an official through the Durham County FA, ventured into officiating at the age of 27 after being encouraged to do so by a friend.

She went on to referee in university football and in Sunday league games in Sunderland before going on to combine the role with an administrative job with the NHS.

Welch is a regular in the Women's Super League and was a part of the officiating team at this summer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

She became the first woman to referee a men's Championship match earlier this year when she took charge of Birmingham's game with Preston in January.

Welch also officiated Birmingham's FA Cup clash against Plymouth in the same month and in doing so, she became the first female to referee in a third-round tie.

Ahead of Welch's historic Premier League debut as a referee, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has been speaking about the appointment.

"It is a milestone," Kompany said. "I think she will take great pride in having done it herself.

"A lot of women, in general, and within the game as well, specifically, will see this as a way to achieve at the highest level.

"I am always pro any kind of extension anyway because it just widens the pool of talent.

"And I do think we need access to all the available talent, so we have the best referees in the best league in the world."

"What you have to look at is not necessarily what it means for the person themselves," he added.

"Behind it, there are a lot of people who don't think it is possible, who don't think they can achieve it.

"By seeing those examples they will say: 'I could be the next one, maybe I could do something positive'."



https://talksport.com/football/1628086/

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Sources: Tottenham make Tosin Adarabioyo transfer decision after confirmed news
Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is not at the top of the list for Tottenham as they eye centre-back reinforcements in January, sources have told Football Insider.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has confirmed his side will be in the market for a new defender in the new year – insisting it is a "priority".

The Lilywhites tried to sign Adarabioyo during the most recent summer window, alongside Ligue 1 side Monaco, but an agreement didn't materialise before the 1 September deadline.

It is believed a shortlist of top targets for Postecoglou and his recruitment staff has now been prepared ahead of 1 January – but the Fulham star does not feature prominently.

Adarabioyo has just six months remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage and can discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in days.

The 26-year-old has missed the majority of the 2023-24 campaign through injury but has returned to fitness, starting each of the last three Premier League games.

Ex-Man City star Adarabioyo made 29 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring once.

Fulham activated a one-year extension clause in the centre-back's contract back in January but are now set to lose him at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

He has been with the west London outfit since October 2020 and has racked up 113 appearances for the club.

Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League after leading the pack early on in the season.

Injuries to the likes of Micky van de Ven and James Maddison have stunted Spurs' growth under Postecoglou, who was appointed during the off-season.

Adarabioyo and Fulham sit 11th in the table after a purple patch of recent form.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-tottenham-make-tosin-adarabioyo-transfer-decision-after-confirmed-news/

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Premier League manager describes 26-year-old Spurs target as 'a special player'
Marco Silva has described Tosin Adarabioyo as 'a special player', admitting that the rumoured Tottenham target posesses qualities that none of his other centre-backs have.

Adarabioyo was sidelined with a groin injury for almost three months but since returning to full fitness at the end of last month, the 26-year-old has recently come back into the starting eleven for the Cottagers and served a reminder of the quality which he possesses.

The English defender has just six months left to run on his contract at Craven Cottage (Transfermarkt) and reports over the last couple of weeks have continued to suggest that Spurs are continuing to keep a close eye on the player (Football.London).

Just a couple of days ago, The Telegraph named Adarabioyo as one of the centre-backs on Tottenham's radar and added that Fulham are bracing themselves for enquiries for the defender ahead of January.

Silva praises Adarabioyo
Silva spoke in glowing terms of Adarabioyo after his side beat Everton on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday evening, with the Portuguese coach admitting that his side missed the centre-back when he was on the treatment table.

When asked about the rumoured Tottenham target, the Fulham boss told The Standard: "He's a key player for us. He's one of the leaders in our dressing room.

"We missed him a lot in the first three months of the season. Issa [Diop] did really well, but Tosin is a special player for us — I can't hide that situation. The way he can defend the box, and on the ball, he's a special player. He can build the way I want to play.

"He's just played the last four or five games, and he's getting better and better. A great performance from him tonight, and to be able to take the decisive penalty, he deserves all the credit."

Spurs Web Opinion
Adarabioyo has demonstrated over the last few weeks just why Tottenham were keen on landing him last summer. The 26-year-old is quick, aggressive and excellent on the ball, and is a very good fit for Postecoglou's backline. I would not be surprised if Spurs reignite their interest in the player next month.



https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/premier-league-manager-describes-26-year-old-spurs-target-as-a-special-player/

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Silva: Willian fit to return for Burnley game
Fulham boss Marco Silva says Willian will be fit to face Burnley at Craven Cottage on Saturday after coming off against Everton with a hamstring problem.

The Brazilian winger was forced off midway through the second half of the Whites' Carabao Cup quarter-final victory at Goodison Park but Silva confirmed he will be in contention to face the struggling Clarets.

"We knew for the Everton game he would no the 100 per cent to play the 90 minutes," Silva said.

"But he trained today (Friday) and will be OK for tomorrow."

Silva's in-form side have won their past two home matches 5-0, against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, and face a team that have the leakiest defence in the Premier League and the lowest-scoring attack.

"It would be wrong to think this is going to be an easy game," Silva said.

"But it has been a good December for us but to have a really good Christmas it's our ambition to win this match."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-willian-fit-to-return-for-burnley-game

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Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham interested in Borja Mayoral?
Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham are reportedly interested in signing Getafe striker Borja Mayoral.

The Spaniard, who joined Getafe from Real Madrid in August 2022, has proven to be one of the standout players in the 2023-24 La Liga season.

Having scored 12 goals in 18 top-flight appearances this term, the Getafe forward is currently the second-highest scorer in La Liga.

As a result of his fine form, Mayoral is just one strike behind Real Madrid talisman Jude Bellingham, who tops the scoring charts with 13 goals in 16 matches.

Despite having a contract until the summer of 2027, Mayoral's impressive campaign has led to links with three Premier League clubs.

According to Fichajes, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all showing an interest in the 26-year-old striker.

Brentford are seemingly on the lookout for a new marksman, amid speculation linking Ivan Toney with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Even if the England international remains with Thomas Frank's side, they could still bring in reinforcements, with Bryan Mbeumo sidelined for three months and Yoane Wissa set to head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Fulham, meanwhile, are searching for a replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in the summer.

Although Raul Jimenez scored three goals in two games before he was recently sent off against Newcastle United, there is still doubt as to whether he can find the net on a consistent basis.

As for Crystal Palace, they are keen to bolster Roy Hodgson's current forward options, which include Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

With Mayoral being closely watched by three Premier League clubs, there is a belief that Getafe have set his asking price at around £12m.

However, it is currently unclear whether the Spanish side will sanction a sale in the middle of a campaign where they are challenging for European competition.

Jose Bordalas's side will head into the new year in eighth position with just two points separating them from seventh-placed Real Betis.

Getafe's reluctance to let go of a key player in the January window may force Mayoral's potential suitors to wait until the end of the season before pursuing a deal.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brentford/transfer-talk/news/brentford-crystal-palace-fulham-interested-in-borja-mayoral_532013.html?t=123987456&s=zero

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Sources: Fulham want £50m+ for Palhinha as Arsenal and Liverpool linked
Fulham will again demand a fee of between £50-60million for midfield star Joao Palhinha in January, sources have told Football Insider.

That is despite the Portugal international, 28, signing a fresh five-year deal at Craven Cottage in September.

However, his new contract has not warned off potential suitors such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

Bayern came close to sealing a deal for between £50-60million late in the summer window before Fulham pulled out as they couldn't source a replacement.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (18 December) that Palhinha is not a "top priority" for Jurgen Klopp and his Reds recruitment staff at this time.

The Merseysiders have made the decision they are unlikely to firm up their interest in Palhinha next month following their mega-money midfield overhaul in the summer.

Meanwhile, sources have also told Football Insider (15 December) that Bayern are prioritising a move for a centre-back in the new year – but remain interested in a potential January move for the midfielder.

Football Insider revealed on Sunday (17 December) that Arsenal are also keen on a potential move for Fulham star Palhinha in 2024 – but Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz is the number one target.

The Portugal international has made 14 appearances in the Premier League this term, notching two goals and one assist.

Palhinha joined Fulham from Sporting CP reported fee of just £20million in 2022 and the Cottagers stand to make a big profit on the midfielder in the coming years.

The Cottagers are next in action against Burnley on Saturday (23 December).



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-fulham-want-50m-for-palhinha-as-arsenal-and-liverpool-linked/

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Sources: Liverpool move for Andre collapses - he's close to joining rivals
Liverpool are set to end their interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre as he closes in on a move to Fulham, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseysiders, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham, held a strong interest in the 22-year-old Copa Libertadores winner.

Football Insider revealed in August that Liverpool saw multiple bids for Andre rejected by Fluminense in the summer window.

The Reds wanted to make the defensive midfielder part of their midfield rebuild – which saw the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch arrive at Anfield.

But Fulham have now stolen a march on their Premier League rivals and look the firm favourites to land Andre when the January transfer window opens.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (22 December) that the Cottagers have reached an agreement in principle with Fluminense for the Brazil international's transfer.

It is believed that it is now up to Andre himself to green-light the move to west London.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that playing in the capital is a "big draw" for the 22-year-old – who could join countrymen Willian, Andreas Pereira, Carlos Vinicius and Rodrigo Muniz at Craven Cottage.

The player has already indicated that a move to the Premier League would be a "dream".

He has made 61 appearances across all competitions in 2023 as Fluminense won the Copa Libertadores, scoring one goal.

Andre has racked up four Brazil caps and played 90 minutes in their recent qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

Liverpool are challenging for the Premier League title in the 2023-24 campaign while Fulham sit 11th after a purple patch of recent form.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-liverpool-move-for-andre-collapses-hes-close-to-joining-rivals/

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Vincent Kompany claims Burnley need to find their 'mojo' in one key area ahead of Fulham test
Vincent Kompany says his Burnley side must find their "mojo" in both boxes if they're to come out in key moments in games.

The Clarets boss felt his side matched Everton last week during the 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor, but ultimately came out on the losing side as a result of two set pieces.

It will be something Kompany's men will be looking to put right when they take on Fulham this afternoon at Craven Cottage.

When asked if defending set pieces has been a priority in training this week, Kompany said: "These types of things, every game creates its own story a little bit. This was the story of the last game.

"But for us it's more in general, you can be in games as much as you want but these phases are key moments in the game.

"Whether it's a transition for you, a transition against you, whether it's a set play. It's all part of the things you have to be good at to be in the Premier League.

"It's come under different forms for us this season, but the main thing for us is to believe we have enough chances ourselves, so those key moments can go both ways."

While Burnley have learned to stay in games in recent weeks and have been more competitive, Kompany knows there's still progress to be made.

"The game has to be won in both boxes," he added.

"The reason why I made such a big point about being in games and having the flow of the game being consistent, whether you're on the ball or off the ball, it looks like a team performance and that's been the case for a while now.

"When you have done that, you give yourself a right to talk about those key moments, whether it's set plays, whatever it is. Moments in both boxes that decide games.

"That's where at the moment we have to find our mojo and go and get what you deserve based on the effort you've put in.

"It's not an easy league, but there's no reason why we can't make those steps."



https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/vincent-kompany-claims-burnley-need-to-find-their-mojo-in-one-key-area-ahead-of-fulham-test-4455316

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Up next: Burnley (h)
Fulham will head into a busy festive fixture schedule in fine spirits following their progression to the League Cup semi-finals in midweek. The Whites had to graft for their spot in the last four at Everton, showing a more tenacious side to their game to win on penalties at Goodison Park, and will be targeting a third consecutive home win against the side are currently bottom of the division after Sheffield United's point at Aston Villa last night. But Marco Silva, who heaped praise on Vincent Kompany and the Clarets during his pre-match press conference yesterday, has warned his side that they can't afford to underestimate Burnley despite their lowly league standing.

Kompany won plaudits for way he swiftly switched Burnley's style having been appointed last June. The former Manchester City defender, who had won the Belgian Cup with his boyhood club Anderlecht in his first managerial role, led the Clarets to an immediate return to the top flight as his side romped to the Championship title, losing just three league games, as they became the first side to break the 100-point barrier since Leicester City in 2014. Kompany has remained true to his philosophy despite a difficult testing campaign that seen Burnley concede 36 goals – second only to Sheffield United – but signs of hope have appeared early this month with a 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United and an impressive point at high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Clarets do have history of recovering from seemingly doomed positions, including in 2018/19 when Sean Dyche's side recovered from having collected only twelve points at this stage of the season to finish fifteenth after a remarkable second half of the season. Kompany's side were well beaten by Everton last weekend but should be able to welcome back key defender Charlie Taylor, holding midfielder Jack Cork, England youth international Aaron Ramsey and Icelandic international Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who spent two years in the Fulham academy, from injury. Kompany has urged caution regarding the participation of striker Lyle Foster, who returned as a substitute last week, having taken a break due to mental health issues. Current captain Josh Brownhill has spoken of his 'excitement' at making the trip to Craven Cottage, with the Clarets having good memories of their last two visits to Fulham – having relegated Scott Parker's side in 2020 as well as knocking the Whites out of the FA Cup at the third round stage.

Silva, who feels that Burnley are well organised and will be tough to break down as well as posing a threat on the counter attack, has urged his side to make the most of their home fixtures and turn Craven Cottage into a fortress. The duel 5-0 thrashings of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United in the space of four days earlier in December showed that the Portuguese head coach's plans in the final third are beginning to come together, but the challenge will be for Fulham, who will again be without the suspended Raul Jimenez, to reprise that form and finesse once again. Silva's side could record a fourth successive top flight win at Craven Cottage for the first time in seventeen years. Whether the Fulham boss will look to shake up the side that has delivered a pair of peerless performances in the league by the banks of the Thames remains to be seen, especially as he did employ a degree of rotation on Merseyside in midweek.

The key decision will be who will lead the line after Jimenez's moment of madness at St. James' Park. Rodrigo Muniz got the nod against Everton and made Fulham's goal with a fantastic piece of hold-up play and vision under pressure from James Tarkowski, but his compatriot Carlos Vinicius saw out the contest – and converted an ice-cool penalty in front of the Gwladys Street End – after Muniz was immediately substituted following an off-the-ball incident with Tarkowski. Vinicius probably has the edge in terms of penalty box potency this season and experience at Premier League level – although rumours persist to link the pair with returns to Brazil during the January transfer window.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Palhinha, Cairney; Iwobi, Willian, Pereira; Vinicius. Subs: Rodak, Castagne, Ballo-Toure, Adarabioyo, Reed, Lukic, De Cordova-Reid, Wilson, Muniz.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/up-next-burnley-h-2/

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Willian fit to face Burnley, says Silva
Marco Silva will be able to include wily winger Willian in his side to face Burnley this afternoon despite the Brazilian veteran only playing an hour of the League Cup tie at Everton in midweek.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea wide man was taken off early at Goodison Park with the busy Christmas schedule in mind, according to the Fulham head coach. Silva told his pre-match press conference yesterday:

"We knew for the Everton game he would not be 100 per cent to play the 90 minutes. But he trained today [Friday] and will be okay for tomorrow."

Fulham's only absentees for the visit of the Clarets to Craven Cottage are Tim Ream, who is still sidelined by a calf complaint, and Adama Traore – with the winger struggling to shake off his own hamstring problem.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/willian-fit-to-face-burnley-says-silva/

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Fulham v Burnley: Team news, predicted teams and TV details as Clarets look to bounce back from Everton disappointment
Burnley head to the capital two days before Christmas as they look to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Everton.

Vincent Kompany's men take on a Fulham side that clinched their spot in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in midweek with a penalty shootout win over the Toffees.

Burnley, meanwhile, have had a free midweek to pick the bones out of their 2-0 reversal at the hands of Sean Dyche's men.

The result means they remain 19th in the table, but now sit six points adrift of safety ahead of the busy festive period.

Fulham, meanwhile, sit 11th, sandwiched in-between their West London rivals Chelsea and Brentford.

Here's all the important information ahead of today's fixture:

When and where is the game taking place?
The match is being held at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium on Saturday, December 23. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Is it on TV?
No, the game falls behind the UK's Saturday 3pm blackout.

How else can I follow the game?
Burnley FC writer Matt Scrafton will be providing live updates on his Twitter feed, followed by a match report, post-match reaction and further analysis on the Burnley Express' website.

What's the latest team news?
Charlie Taylor returns after serving his one-match ban, having accumulated five yellow cards.

Vincent Kompany is also hopeful of having two of Jack Cork, Aaron Ramsey and Johann Gudmundsson back available for selection after the trio missed the Everton game with injuries.

Luca Koleosho, however, will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future with a serious knee injury.

Lyle Foster could also play some part once again after making his surprise early return off the bench against Everton last week.

As for Fulham, Raul Jimenez misses out through suspension after being shown a straight red card against Newcastle.

Tim Ream (calf) and Adama Traore (hamstring) are also injury doubts.

Vincent Kompany's pre-match comments
"A lot is made about the Brighton's and Brentford's who have consistently built over time to a very successful model, but I think Fulham in their own way are one of those clubs.

"The profile of their players has been very carefully selected, you can see there is a lot of cohesion in their squad now.

"I think they've gone down and come back up and they come up stronger it looks like to me. A lot of their players now are aged between 26 and 30 are really ready for this league and have had experience throughout their careers.

"It's a healthy squad, it's a good looking squad and definitely one of the clubs that deserve a positive mention for the work they've done over the years."

What are the predicted teams?
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Cairney, Palhinha, Iwobi, Pereira, Wilson, Muniz

Burnley: Trafford, Vitinho, Beyer, O'Shea, Taylor, Brownhill, Berge, Gudmundsson, Odobert, Amdouni, Rodriguez

Who is the referee?
Rebecca Welch. The official will create history by becoming the first female referee to take charge of a Premier League fixture. Welch has taken charge of eight games so far this season, dishing out 42 yellow cards and one red. She has never refereed a Burnley game before.

What are the latest odds?
Fulham: 4/6

Draw: 29/10

Burnley: 4/1

Odds according to SkyBet.



https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/fulham-v-burnley-team-news-predicted-teams-and-tv-details-as-clarets-look-to-bounce-back-from-everton-disappointment-4454942

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Before The Whistle: Fulham v Burnley

The cupboards are full of food you can't eat; the tree is flanked by dozens of presents you can't open – thank God Fulham's here to give you an early Christmas treat.

Well, so we hope. We face 19th-placed Burnley this weekend at the Cottage, and it's safe to say the Clarets have found life back in the Premier League tougher than they might've thought.

But mugs they are not; Vincent Kompany has shown he's got the minerals for management, so rest assured there's still plenty of fight left in this particular dog.

Traore and Ream are both still out, and Raul Jimenez is serving game two of his three-match ban. Muniz was given the nod against Everton in midweek, but it remains to be seen who'll Silva will opt for in the league.

It was interesting to see Iwobi in the 10 in the Carabao Cup, and although the former Everton man didn't look as effective as he has in other roles this term, it was a telling move from Marco – I'd not be surprised to see him get the nod over Pereira again.

As always, Joao's place on the pitch is cemented. It's who will line up next to him that's the question. Could Cairney come back in for a game in which we'd expect to see more of the ball? I can't see Reed keeping that spot, as good as he is.

This is a golden opportunity to move us back into the top half before we tuck into our Christmas dinners. What an early gift that'd be. You Whites.
ℹ️ MATCH DETAILS

Kick-Off: Saturday, 3.00PM
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Competition: Premier League
TV Channel (UK): None
🚦 LEAGUE FORM

Fulham: ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌
Burnley: ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ ⬜ ❌

⚖️ MATCH PROBABILITY

Fulham: 47.2%
Draw: 28.6%
Burnley: 24.2%
🥊 MOST RECENT MATCHES

May 21: Fulham 2-0 Burnley
Feb 21: Burnley 1-1 Fulham
Jan 21: Fulham 0-3 Burnley
Jan 19: Burnley 2-1 Fulham



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p

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Bassey: 'Fulham was the perfect move for me'
In a revealing interview with The Athletic this morning, Calvin Bassey has revealed that he feels his transfer to Fulham this summer came at exactly the right time after being struggling to settle at Ajax.

The Nigerian international, poised to represent his country at the African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast next month, also revealed how he had almost given up on football before having a successful trial at Leicester City and how the game saved him from the grip of gangs in south London.

Speaking about how he has fitted in seamlessly to Marco Silva's back four at Craven Cottage, Bassey said:

"I moved to Fulham at the right time. I can build under a manager (Marco Silva) who wants to play football."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/12/bassey-fulham-was-the-perfect-move-for-me/

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Liverpool transfer 'collapses' after 'multiple bids' with midfielder to join Premier League rivals
Liverpool are set to give up on a deal to sign Andre as the Fluminense midfielder closes in on a move to Premier League rivals Fulham, according to reports.

The Fluminense academy product has been in great form this season and has established himself as a key player in the senior team after making his breakthrough in 2020.

Andre has already made 164 appearances for Fluminense and now has four caps for the Brazilian national team after making his international debut in June.

The 23-year-old has turned heads in Europe with his impressive displays seeing him linked relentlessly with a move to the Premier League.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are among the clubs rumoured to be interested in Andre, while it has been Fulham who have hit the front in recent weeks.

And now Football Insider claim that Liverpool's move for Andre has 'collapsed' with the Reds 'set to end their interest' in the Brazilian 'as he closes in on a move to Fulham'.

Liverpool 'saw multiple bids' for Andre rejected in the summer transfer window with the Reds strengthening that part of their team by signing Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

It is understood that the prospect of moving to London is a 'big draw' for the midfielder and he has given the 'green light' to move to Fulham with the Cottagers now 'firm favourites to land Andre when the January transfer window opens'.

He shouldn't have a problem settling in with compatriots Willian, Andreas Pereira, Carlos Vinicius and Rodrigo Muniz all at Craven Cottage, while he has alraedy said it would be a "dream" to play in the Premier League.

It could be a missed opportunity for Liverpool with TNT Sports Brazil commentator Bruno Formiga stating last month that Andre would fit in well at Anfield.

Formiga said: "I think, without a doubt. Andre, he is a guy who takes pressure very well. He gets off pressure very easily. He clears the field very easily. In the rotation, he gives options all the time and that, for what Klopp likes, to speed up the game often, I think he fits in an absurd way.

"Remember, Mac Allister plays this role at Liverpool. In the Argentina national team he will do something else. If you look at what he did against Brazil [in last week's World Cup qualifier], it's another movement, he's in a more open midfield line to the left side than in a central lane.

"I think he did well in the game but I understand that it shouldn't be Plan A for a team that already had other figures, playing this role with other characteristics. André, I don't know if Liverpool will come back or try Andre again, but...

"The Club World Cup can make Andre worth even more. Imagine if Fluminense eventually beats Manchester City, playing well. But I think he has everything to fit into Klopp's game model, a lot of things. I think he fits into several. I think he plays easily at City, not as a starter, but I think he fits in. I think he easily plays in Liverpool's team."



https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-transfer-andre-collapses-bids-fulham-fluminense

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Calvin Bassey reveals Rangers ice amid dressing room fire as he responds to sneering Ajax pundits who targeted him
Bassey believes the Gio van Bronckhorst's ice-cool demeanour was integral as he went from fringe contributor to vital cog

Thankful Calvin Bassey has heaped praise on former Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst for turning him into a bonafide Ibrox star amid a thrilling run to the Europa League Final.

Bassey believes the Dutchman's ice-cool demeanour was integral as he went from fringe contributor to vital cog before securing a £19.5m switch to Ajax in the summer of 2022. In a wide-ranging interview the now-Fulham star has opened up on his Rangers love affair and the non-stop verbals from A-list pundits in the Netherlands during an ill-fated 12 months in Amsterdam.

But the 23-year-old has spoken glowingly about van Bronckhorst and his ability to remain calm while others were losing their heads in the wake of their first leg semi-final defeat to Leipzig. Rangers produced one of their greatest ever European displays to dismantle the Germans 3-1 in the return at Ibrox and secure their place in the Final against Eintracht Frankfurt before losing agonisingly on penalties.

The appreciative star – speaking to The Athletic – said: "What a guy — from the first game, Gio said, 'Calvin, you're playing'. He said he trusted me, he knew I had some things to work on but he wanted me to go out and enjoy it. He didn't make me stronger or faster, he just gave me confidence.

"We were losing 1-0 to Leipzig after the first leg of the semi-final and we (the Rangers players) were arguing, but then he came in so chilled. He said, 'Calm. We're going to see them at home'. Ibrox was our fortress. We could win any game. I've played at a lot of grounds now but none are as loud or intense. Not a lot of players have experienced it so they can be rattled, no matter who it is."

Bassey was riding a crest of wave after his sterling displays in Light Blues made him the club's record sale. But his year with Ajax was met with turbulence. The defender suffered amid his club's wonky form and he became a lightning rod for criticism from acerbic pundits such as Rafael van der Vaart. But he believes he is now in the right place in the Premier League with Fulham.

He added: "I had become a £20million-plus player so I felt like I was trying to prove a point, but to who? At the start, we were flying, but we almost started too well. I didn't have the chance to fail a bit, then get better. I had come for a lot of money and wasn't the finished product so it was easy to pick on me. I wasn't Dutch and came from a league not as good technically. I was the one to get picked on and they didn't give me the time to adapt, which even Edwin van der Sar (then sporting director) said.

"It was so different. Rarely do you get a centre-back running into the No 6 position in the Premier League, it's just not done. Because Ajax always had the ball, you don't get punished as much. It is not easy to adjust to. I moved to Fulham at the right time. I can build under a manager (Marco Silva) who wants to play football."



https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/calvin-bassey-reveals-rangers-ice-31739207

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"Big draw" – Exciting 22-year-old who Liverpool covet set to sign for Fulham
Missing out on your transfer targets is always a disappointment, and Liverpool have had a fair bit of that in the recent past.

Both Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo turned down the Reds in favour of moving to Chelsea, though the former has still not made his debut for his new club because of persistent injury concerns.

Another player that Jurgen Klopp had tried to sign last summer was exciting 22-year-old Brazilian star, Andre.

However, it's believed that Fluminense turned down multiple bids from the Reds because they wanted the player to help them to win the Copa Libertadores.

Andre also played in Friday's Club World Cup final against Man City, and that could prove to be his last game for the Brazilian outfit.

That's because Football Insider are reporting that he's set for a January move to the Premier League, but to Fulham rather than Liverpool.

It's believed that Andre sees playing in London as a "big draw" and it will allow him to play alongside a number of his countrymen, which will surely have influenced his decision.

Fulham have reached an agreement in principle for the player and whilst the deal isn't done and dusted as yet, it appears that only the formalities are left to be sorted out.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/12/23/big-draw-exciting-22-year-old-who-liverpool-covet-set-to-sign-for-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Does Andreas Pereira deserve to be in the starting XI?

Josh Hallmark asks if our Brazilian playmaker still deserves to start every game for the Whites.

Having struggled to break into a talented Manchester United team, Andreas Pereira has played a crucial role in Silva's side that finished top 10 last season with a record number of wins in the Premier League.

This campaign however, He's not been able to replicate the creative style that we used to take for granted and his presence can go unnoticed. The effects of his injury, where he broke his ankle against City at home, may be hindering his performances. Nevertheless, it took until match week 15 for Pereira to pick up his first assist of the season. This was one of three in a spectacular performance against Nottingham Forest. Squad depth is not an issue in our midfield this season so Pereira may need to pull up his socks as someone on our bench will be eagerly waiting for his spot.

Gaps in his game

Pereira's only goal this season helped earn us an impressive point against Arsenal, opening the scoring in the first minute. Despite this, his goals-per-game ratio has been declining. Last season he scored a goal every 8.25 games whereas now it is one per 17. We know what he is capable of, having scored screamers in the past, such as his goals against West Ham and against Brentford in the pre-season of the 21/22 season for Man U. He even gained the nickname the "Pre-season Pirlo."

AP knew when the correct opportunity to go for goal was, but it hasn't felt this way lately. His decision making has been poor. A passage of play against Liverpool particularly stands out. He had the option to play it to Bobby De Cordova-Reid but instead blazed it over the bar, wasting a good chance that we needed to take advantage of. Lately, he's been slowing down counter attacks and often makes the wrong choice, whether it be choosing an incorrect pass or a wrong time to shoot. On this note, his shooting opportunities have seemed few and far between and part of this is his own doing.

Room for improvement

An aspect of his game that needs to be improved is his anticipation and reading of the game. In circumstances against Palace or Wolves, he has been given the opportunity for a tap in, but he failed to predict the path of the ball and dart into the box. To add more goals to his tally, and more importantly add goals to Fulham's tally, he must spot the danger areas and attack them. This is especially true in cases where Jimenez received the ball on the wing as our main striker is not available in the box.

It's not just goals that Pereira is lacking, but assists too. Part of this could be down to the fact we have less of an aerial presence. With the loss of our target man Mitrovic, corner routines have to get more creative. Last season he received 13 of our corners – the second most out of any player in the league. He could be the reason as to why we have only scored 3.7 goals per 100 set pieces so far this season, which ranks us 11th in the table, whereas last season, we scored 5.6 goals per 100 set pieces, which was the second-highest in the league.

Pereira could be partly to blame for this too. In recent encounters, when we haven't elected to go short, the ball has rarely got past the first man, which is so frustrating to watch. To his credit, Tosin's header against West Ham came from an excellent corner from Andreas. Not to mention his free kicks that threaten our opponents each time. During his time at Fulham, he has hit the woodwork five times, most recently against Forest. For this reason, he deserves a start but his freekick ability is replaceable by Willian who too can take one just as good.

Competition for places

Since signing Iwobi, we have greater squad depth and options for our midfield. It's now a given that Iwobi should start in some capacity, due to his enthusiasm, goal-scoring threat and the fact that he has scored three goals. With Tom Cairney's recent form, it would be extremely harsh for him to not start. Silva has opted to play Iwobi on the wing despite the fact he is better and prefers playing as a number eight. For this reason, it has allowed Pereira to consistently start. This prevents a very in form Wilson from starting and Iwobi playing in the midfield. Silva needs to consider if it is worth sacrificing the strengths of Iwobi in order to start Pereira.

There's no denying that Pereira is a fantastic player, but you also can't deny that his form has dipped compared to last season. Despite moments of brilliance, his declining goal and assist contributions have raised concerns, with decision-making lapses evident in crucial matches. In recent games, however, he has mirrored his excellence of the season prior and helped us get back-to-back 5-0 wins and upping his assist tally to four in two games.

As the team adapts to new dynamics, the emergence of Iwobi and the revival of Cairney further complicate Silva's midfield choices but it seems like Fulham have found the formula to score goals without Mitro and Pereira is a key part in it. If he can maintain these performances, he certainly deserves to keep hold of his position in the starting lineup. One thing that he must improve upon is his anticipation to spot good goalscoring opportunities as well as his decision making so that we can be more threatening on the counterattack. Something is clearly working with Silva's tactics and line-ups, so why change that? If Silva believes he is the right man for the job, in Silva we trust.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-12-23-does-andreas-pereira-deserve-to-be-in-the-starting-xi/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League's Midfield Chess Game Over Sunderland Star

Midfield Mastery: Premier League's Mid-Season Shuffle
Transfer Window Tactics
As the January transfer window looms, the football world buzzes with speculation and strategy. The latest from the Evening Standard reveals a midfield shuffle that's set to add a new dimension to Premier League and Championship interactions. Crystal Palace and Fulham have their sights set on Pierre Ekwah, the 21-year-old French dynamo making waves at Sunderland.

Ekwah's Rising Star
Ekwah's departure from West Ham's nurturing grounds to Sunderland marked a pivotal turn in his career. With 35 appearances under his belt, he's carved out a reputation as a resilient box-to-box midfielder. His time at Chelsea's academy has not faded from memory, with Nottingham Forest joining the chase for his signature.

Fulham's Midfield Mission
Fulham, despite securing Joao Palhinha's allegiance till September, face the stark reality of his potential departure. The Portuguese international's prowess is no secret, and his retention is a testament to Fulham's ambitions.

Crystal Palace's Midfield Conundrum
Crystal Palace's midfield quandary, compounded by Cheick Doucoure's injury, has thrust Chris Richards from defence to midfield—a stopgap revealing the need for reinforcement. The candid discourse from manager Roy Hodgson and chairman Steve Parish underscores a determined January quest to strengthen their core.

Sunderland's Stand
Sunderland's stance remains firm: Ekwah is integral to their play-off aspirations. With Michael Beale at the helm, Sunderland's climb up the Championship ladder relies heavily on retaining their French midfield maestro.

In conclusion, this winter window hints at a tussle for talent that could reshape the midfield lines across leagues. As teams like Palace and Fulham look to reinforce and Sunderland aims to rise, all eyes will be on Ekwah's next move.



https://eplindex.com/101104/premier-leagues-midfield-chess-game-over-sunderland-star.html

[WhiteJC]

'Moving as if he's 21'... Alex Iwobi says one Fulham player looks way sharper than he should
Willian has been one of the most surprising players in the Premier League over the last 18 months.

With all due respect, everyone thought the Brazilian was finished when he left Arsenal.

Willian looked poor at the Gunners, and when he moved back to Brazil, we all thought we'd seen the last of the winger.

Willian also failed to make much of an impact at Corinthians, and when Fulham signed him on deadline day in 2022, many were baffled.

However, the winger has turned back the clock since arriving at Fulham. He's now one of the Whites' most important and most talented players, and speaking to Football Focus, Alex Iwobi has been full of praise for the attacker.

Willian is so sharp
Iwobi spoke about his teammate.

"One thing about our team, it's one of the oldest teams in the Prem, and it does help in that regard, Willian is still moving as if he's 21, Pereira, when he has the ball you can make a run and know he's going to find us, Raul had it tough at the start, but he's someone who works so hard all the time, so we knew it was just a matter of time," Iwobi said.

Joy to watch
Willian may well be the most joyful player to watch at Fulham.

When he's on his game, you can just tell he's a cut above anyone else at the club.

There's a reason he spent so many years at the very top of this sport, he's a technical marvel, and we may not have seen a more talented player at Craven Cottage since Dimitar Berbatov.

At the age of 35, Willian, somehow, seems to have a lot left in the tank, and while this, obviously, can't go on forever, we can't help but enjoy it while it lasts.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/12/23/moving-as-if-hes-21-alex-iwobi-says-one-fulham-player-looks-way-sharper-than-he-should/

[WhiteJC]