Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 03/01/24...

[WhiteJC]

Reporter explains big problem stopping Fulham from completing £17m deal
Premier League outfit Fulham are yet to complete a deal for Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade because the Copa Libertadores winners are asking for a fee in excess of £17.5 million.

That is according to Caio Blois, the reporter taking to Twitter to shed some light on a saga which has rumbled on for much longer than many Fulham supporters would have liked.

TalkSPORT reported on December 18th that The Cottagers had reached an agreement in principle with Andre Trindade. A fortnight later, the wait goes on. As Blois points out, agreeing terms with Andre himself was the easy bit. Convincing Fluminense to cash in for a fee below the £20 million mark, however, is proving to be a much greater challenge.

Fulham still hope to sign Andre Trindade
"There is no agreement between Fulham and Andre. The English team cannot overcome the barrier of 20 million euros for now," the reporter explains.

Blois goes as far as to suggest that, as things stand, Andre may only become a Fulham player if Joao Palhinha makes way first. Bayern Munich are long-time admirers and may yet return for the Portuguese powerhouse after missing out in dramatic fashion late last summer.

"(Andre will join) only if they negotiate Palhinha, Bayern's target in the last window," Blois adds.

The tough-tackling Andre, who was labelled a 'quality player' by Pep Guardiola ahead of Man City's Club World Cup victory over Fluminense last month, has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Liverpool expressed their interest in the off-season too.

As things stand, however, Fulham appear to be the only club genuinely pushing to get Andre over the line this month. But, while his talent is not in question, it is far from certain that Andre would be able to fill the considerable void created by Palhinha's potential departure.

Does Joao Palhinha have to leave first?
"I watch the Premier League and it's a big dream to play there one day," Andre told Premier League Brasil after Fluminense beat Al-Ahly of Egypt 2-0 in earlier rounds of the Club World Cup recently.

"I'm focused on finishing the season at Fluminense and realising my dream of winning the Club World Cup. But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player."



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2024/01/02/reporter-explains-big-problem-stopping-fulham-from-completing-17m-deal/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham optimistic over deal to sign "monster" ahead of Liverpool
Marco Silva could be set for a major boost...

morten-frendrup-andre-liverpool-opinion

Sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone and in the comforts of mid-table in the Premier League, Fulham are gradually re-establishing themselves as a consistent Premier League side, much to the credit of Marco Silva. When the Cottagers lost Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer transfer window, it was easy to assume that they'd struggle, but Silva has got former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez firing on all cylinders once again to hand his side a major boost.

Now, with the January transfer window open, Fulham could make further improvements. And that could include winning the race to sign an in-demand midfielder ahead of Premier League rivals this month.

Fulham transfer news
Fulham's last result - a 2-1 win over Arsenal - sums up the progress that they've made since returning to England's top flight. The London club's best moments this season came back-to-back when they scored ten goals in two games as they smashed West Ham United and Nottingham Forest 5-0. They are results that Silva will want to see his side replicate on a more consistent basis, however, and the transfer window this month could play a major part in that, especially if they sign one particular target.

According to Ben Jacobs, Fulham are optimistic about signing Andre from Fluminense, who have become resigned to losing the midfielder after he verbally agreed terms with the London club.

Given that Liverpool were also reportedly interested in Andre in the build-up to the winter window, it would be some coup for Fulham to land the Brazilian in the coming weeks.

"Monster" Andre is better on the ball than Palhinha
If you cast your minds back to the summer transfer window, Joao Palhinha was reportedly steps away from completing a move to Bayern Munich when things fell through. If the Cottagers lost the midfielder, then they could have been stuck for potential replacements at the worst time possible. Andre can ensure that fears over finding a Palhinha alternative come to an end, however, with the Brazilian even better than the Portugal international in some ways. Andre's stats show that he could be the perfect upgrade at the heart of Silva's midfield.

It's no shock, given the numbers, that Fernando Campos had nothing but good things to say about Andre. The journalist posted on X: "Pressure and playing with the confidence of someone who knows they are different. Get out of the way and make the team work. André Trindade is the best midfielder in the country and is a monster of a player."

In what could be one of the smartest deals of the January window, Fulham could land themselves an improvement at the heart of midfield for Silva to take things up a level at Craven Cottage.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-transfer-news-optimistic-over-deal-to-sign-andre-star-ahead-of-pl-rivals/

[WhiteJC]

Bayern Munich 'set to reignite interest in Trevoh Chalobah, Joao Palhinha'
Bayern Munich are reportedly set to renew their interest in Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah and Fulham's Joao Palhinha.

The German champions made a significant impression in the summer window with the signing of Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.

While they also recruited Kim Min-jae, Daniel Peretz, Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro, Bayern did miss out on a couple of their summer targets.

A proposed loan deal for Chalobah fell through, before they ran out of time to complete the permanent transfer of Palhinha.

The Portugal international had travelled to Munich in anticipation of becoming a new Bayern player, but he had to return to West London following the transfer deadline.

Despite failing to get those two deals over the line, The Independent are reporting that Bayern will reignite their pursuit of Chalobah and Palhinha in the January window.

The report claims that Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is happy with his current squad, but he still wants to reinforce the spine of his team.

They could find it difficult to prise Palhinha away from Craven Cottage in the middle of the season, with the midfielder regarded as a key part of Marco Silva's side.

The 28-year-old has made 17 appearances across all competitions this season, chipping in with two goals and one assist.

Fulham are also in a strong position when it comes to negotiating a transfer after tying Palhinha down to a long-term deal in September.

The former Sporting Lisbon man put pen to paper on a new contract that runs to June 2028 with an option to extend by a further year.

While it could prove tricky to secure Palhinha's services, Bayern may fancy their chances of agreeing a deal with Chelsea for Chalobah.

The 24-year-old, who has struggled with injury this season, is set to leave Stamford Bridge this month after being deemed surplus to requirements.

The Blues are determined to agree a sale for one of their academy products due to concerns over Profit and Sustainability rules.




https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/transfer-talk/news/bayern-munich-set-to-reignite-interest-in-chalobah-palhinha_532710.html?newsnow

[WhiteJC]

'Probably to Fulham' – Player tipped for quick move to Marco Silva's side, negotiations to resolve future
Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho is expected to return former club Fulham after returning to Anfield from RB Leipzig.

That's according to SportBILD, who say the youngster's next move will 'probably be to Fulham' after returning six months earlier than expected.

The midfielder had spent the first half of the season on loan at Leipzig after joining on loan in the summer in the hope of regular playing time not on offer at Anfield.

That never worked out, though, with him barely featuring for the German side in the Bundesliga or Champions League and all parties electing for him to return to Liverpool.

Playing time is unlikely to be on offer at Anfield, though, and reports have made it clear that he is likely to head out on loan. BILD cover that and will 'probably be Fulham' who secure his signature.

the Portuguese youngster spent the early part of his career at Craven Cottage, rising through the ranks and managing 44 games for the first team before his eventual move to Anfield and it seems, at least in Germany, they think he might be heading back there now Leipzig have sent him packing.

That'll necessitate a deal being done with Liverpool, but that doesn't seem difficult given a general acceptance that Carvalho will need another move this month.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/probably-fulham-player-tipped-quick-move-marco-silvas-side-negotiations-resolve-future/

[WhiteJC]

Jeff Stelling raves about £30k-a-week Fulham man people wrote off at the start of the season
Jeff Stelling has been raving about the recent form of Fulham legend Tom Cairney and reacting to the news that he's extended his contract with the club.

Fulham fans were rejoicing on New Year's Eve when Cairney put in another stunning performance and have even more to celebrate today.

Speaking on TalkSPORT (2/1 9:07am), Stelling and Dean Saunders were talking about the silky playmaker.

After three league defeats on the bounce, all eyes were on Marco Silva's team selection heading into their match against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side were top at Christmas and a reaction was expected after their defeat to West Ham when they dominated proceedings.

Plenty of fans would have feared the worst after Bukayo Saka's early goal, but Fulham responded perfectly and Cairney played a key role in the first goal, finding Raul Jimenez at the back post.

Stelling was raving about Cairney this morning and the impact he's had at Fulham over the last eight and a half years.

He's led the club to three promotions from the Championship and next week will likely captain Fulham during their first-ever Carabao Cup semi-final.

He'll be 33 by the end of the month but looks to be getting better and better alongside Joao Palhinha in midfield.

Stelling praises Cairney impact after Fulham win
Covering the news of Cairney's new contract this morning, Stelling said: "Tom Cairney, who has played more than 300 games for the Cottagers, has extended his deal which was up in the summer.

"And I tell you what, a lot of people would have written Tom Cairney off at the start of the season, couldn't get in the side and now he's back playing a key role for them."

Dean Saunders added: "Yeah, he's a bit similar to Harry Wilson, they were like fringe players, they can't seem to nail their place down in the Premier League team.

"But Tom Cairney, I remember he was at Hull for a bit and he's sort of got better with age, he's holding his own now. He played great against Arsenal."

Stelling concluded: "He's been a wonderful, wonderful servant for Fulham."

The £30,000-a-week playmaker has settled into a deeper role alongside Palhinha and never appears fazed in possession even against the most aggressive of presses.

So much has been made of the strength of Arsenal's midfield and yet Cairney never looked flustered, launching attack after attack for Fulham which left Stelling and Saunders impressed.

Managing his minutes is obviously going to be an important job for Silva with Fulham still fighting on three fronts.

Relegation shouldn't be a concern meaning it wouldn't be a surprise for Silva to name strong sides in both upcoming cup matches.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/01/02/jeff-stelling-raves-about-30k-a-week-fulham-man-people-wrote-off-at-the-start-of-the-season/

[WhiteJC]

Premier League club now confident of keeping £60m player who Chelsea wanted
Fulham look set to keep hold of Joao Palhinha despite the midfielder being linked to some big clubs, including Chelsea.

Joao Palhinha is a player who Fulham are confident of retaining beyond the January transfer window, according to the Evening Standard.

The same outlet, though, also claims that the west London club would consider bids of around £60m for the 28-year-old.

Last month, the Daily Star reported that Palhinha was a target for Chelsea but their interest cooled with Mauricio Pochettino not wanting to bring in another midfielder.

Palhinha has quickly become one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His average of 4.9 tackles per game is the highest in the division (WhoScored).

Will Chelsea sign Joao Palhinha this month?
Looking at the above, Palhinha could be a superb addition to Pochettino's squad.

However, Chelsea have had their midfield revamp, bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez in the last two transfer windows. It would be a surprise if they made another expensive signing in that position.

Palhinha could still leave Craven Cottage, though, even if Fulham are confident of keeping him and their west London rivals have dropped their interest.

There seems to be a price that the Whites would actually sell the Portugal international for, while he is such a good player that it is hard to imagine no one asking the question before the transfer market closes.

He is certainly one name to keep an eye on during this window.

As for Chelsea, other areas of their squad seem to be the priority right now. They continue to be linked with central defenders, including Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice. The Blues signing someone like that is probably more likely than Palhinha arriving at Stamford Bridge from Craven Cottage this month.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/premier-league-club-now-confident-of-keeping-60m-player-who-chelsea-wanted/

[WhiteJC]

€39.3M target passes "transfer audition"; he's willing to agree Anfield switch
Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson is willing to move to Liverpool and after passing his "transfer audition" with a top display against Arsenal.

 On the weekend, reports emerged suggesting that the American is willing to agree a move to Anfield as the Reds seek an understudy to Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson.

Both Liverpool fullbacks are out injured after sustaining serious injuries.

Jurgen Klopp is understandably worried about the state of his squad and what might happen if Joe Gomez gets injured.

 The Daily Express reports that Robinson passed his "transfer audition" with a fine display against Arsenal as Fulham held the Gunners to a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

The result not only allowed Liverpool to go five points above Mikel Arteta's side but Robinson shone.

After keeping Mohamed Salah uncharacteristically quiet in the Reds' 4-3 win over Fulham, Robinson once again showed his quality by limiting Bukayo Saka to half chances, pinning him to the sideline for most of the game.

Data from Sofascore shows that he made three interceptions and six tackles, putting in a real shift to deny Arsenal crucial points in the Premier League title race.




https://www.anfieldcentral.co.uk/transfers/antonee-robinson-passes-transfer-audition

[WhiteJC]

FA Cup Ref Watch – Millers v Fulham
Rotherham United's first foray into the FA Cup sees them play at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Friday night when Dean Whitestone from Northamptonshire has the whistle.

Dean was last in charge of a Millers game at the New York Stadium in October when Bristol City were the visitors. After Jordan Hugill had a goal ruled out for offside just after half-time for the Millers, Tommy Conway opened the scoring for City on eighty-one minutes. Tyler Blackett equalised five minutes later but Conway struck again deep into time added on which saw City take all three points.

Last season saw Dean in the middle for three Millers games the last one being in January when Blackburn Rovers were the visitors to the New York Stadium. A first minute goal from Hakeem Odoffin gave Rotherham an early lead with three second half goals from Ollie Rathbone, Shane Ferguson and Conor Washington seeing the hosts get a four-nil win.

He was also in the middle for our Bonfire Night game at the New York Stadium against Norwich City. City took a seventeen minute lead with a goal from Kenny McLean with Ollie Rathbone equalising shortly after half-time. But just a minute later Aaron Ramsey scored for the visitors giving the Canaries all three points. A month earlier Dean was again in town for Matt Taylor's first game in charge of Rotherham and on nine minutes gave the Millers a penalty after Millwall's Jake Cooper scythed Ben Wiles down in the area. Dan Baralser stepped up and duly put the spot-kick away. But the visitors grew into the game and a cracking Zian Flemming goal gave Millwall a point on the evening.

Before that Dean was in the middle for our FA Cup tie at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers in January. Goalless after ninety minutes the game came to life in extra time when Michael Ihiekwe put the visitors in front on the ninety-eighth minute but seventeen minutes later Lyndon Dykes scored to take the game to penalties which Rangers won eight-seven.

A League One game at Priestfield in April 2018 also saw Dean with the whistle when a goal on twenty minutes from Will Vaulks saw the Millers get all three points. Earlier that season Dean was also in charge when Rotherham travelled to take on AFC Wimbledon. The game was a three-one victory for the hosts with Lyle Taylor getting a hat-trick. Joe Newell scored for the Millers. Anthony Forde and David Ball were booked that Tuesday night.

In August 2015 Dean was in the middle for our Championship game at Loftus Road which hosts QPR won four-two. Tjaronn Cherry scored twice and a Charlie Austin goal made it three-nil but goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Tom Thorpe made it three-two with two minutes to go. Dean Whitestone then gave Rangers a penalty in the final minute of the game after he thought Lee Frecklington had fouled Seb Polter in the area which Austin scored from to make it four-two. Yellow cards were shown to Austin and the Millers Lewis Buxton.

Good Friday 2015 saw Dean was in charge of a Millers game at St Andrew's Stadium. Robert Tesche and Clayton Donaldson gave Birmingham a two-nil lead in the first half with Matt Derbyshire getting a consolation three minutes into the second half for the visitors. Dean booked two players from each side that day – Kirk Broadfoot and Craig Morgan of the Millers and City`s Jonathan Grounds and Andrew Shinnie.

The season before Dean was in the middle for two Millers games, the first in August at the New York Stadium when Shrewsbury were in town. Jon Taylor put the visitors in front in the first half but twelve minutes into the second half an Alex Revell goal equalised for the Millers. Just after the hour mark the Shrews went in front for the second time with a Tom Bradshaw goal which prompted Steve Evans to bring Daniel Nardiello off the bench for Matt Tubbs and within three minutes the Millers striker had equalised again. Not long after Nardiello received a yellow card for 'unsporting behaviour` and incensed at the end of the game he ran over to the ref and started an argument which saw him get a second yellow after the final whistle.

This was followed by a game in the May when Rotherham visited the County Ground to take on Swindon Town. The Millers got off to a flying start when Wes Thomas opened the scoring in the first minute. Wes doubled the score twenty-two minutes later with Swindon but when Massimo Luongo fell over in front of Kari Arnason in the penalty box on the hour mark Mr Whitestone pointed to the spot and with Michael Smith scoring the penalty. Adam Collin pulled off some great saves in the second half of the game with Mr Whitestone infuriating Steve Evans when he said 'no' in the final minute of the game when Foderingham had three lunges at Kieran Agard before pulling him down in the area with the ref being the only person in the stadium not thinking it was a penalty.

Dean has been in the middle for other Millers games in the past, the first being at the Liberty Stadium two days before Christmas in 2006. Eugen Bopp put the Millers in front eleven minutes into the second half but an Adebayo Akinfenwa goal on the stroke of full-time gave Swansea a share of the points. In January 2008 a hat-trick from Derek Holmes at Sincil Bank saw the Millers beat Lincoln City three-one. That day Dean showed red to Shane Clarke of Lincoln City in the final minute of the game. September 2012 saw Dean in the middle for our nil-nil draw with Barnet at Underhill when he sent Alex Revell off ten minutes from the end of the game for what he said was a 'two-footed challenge'.

Of the seventeen games Dean has been in charge of this season he has shown sixty-three yellow cards and two red.

Running the line on Friday night we have Gary Beswick and Sam Lewis, the Fourth Official will be Gill Sunny Singh with Graham Scott, Michael Oliver and Dan Cook on VAR.



https://rotherham.vitalfootball.co.uk/fa-cup-ref-watch-millers-v-fulham/

[mrmicawbers]

I would be very surprised if Cairney was only on 30,000 grand a week.