Sunday Fulham Stuff - 7/01/24...

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Sources: Wolves, Fulham and Lyon put off by West Ham asking price for Said Benrahma
West Ham have put off interested clubs by slapping a £20million price tag on attacker Said Benrahma, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Premier League duo Wolves and Fulham – and Ligue 1 side Lyon – are among the sides keen on a potential move for the 28-year-old this month.

But all three clubs currently feel that West Ham's £20million valuation is excessive.

Lyon are very interested in bringing Benrahma back to France following their struggles in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.

But the giants are ready to pursue an initial loan deal for the Algeria international with an option or obligation to buy in the summer window.

Meanwhile, Wolves are also unlikely to get close to the Irons' price tag and will instead be shopping in the loan market this month.

The Molineux club are still reeling from Financial Fair Play issues which forced them to sell the likes of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes last summer.

Fulham have the funds to seal a £20million deal for Benrahma but are unconvinced such an agreement would be value for money.

West Ham will have the Algerian at their disposal throughout January and February after he was snubbed by manager Djamel Belmadi for the African Cup of Nations.

He has notched just one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions this season and missed a penalty in the 2-1 away win over Arsenal last month.

Benrahma is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2026.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-wolves-fulham-and-lyon-put-off-by-west-ham-asking-price-for-said-benrahma/

[WhiteJC]

Blow for Liverpool, Man City & Chelsea! Fulham star Joao Palhinha has heart set on Bayern Munich transfer - but there's a catch
Fulham star Joao Palhinha has reportedly set his heart on Bayern Munich transfer - amid interest from Chelsea and Liverpool - but there's a catch.

    Palhinha wants to leave Fulham in January
    Has reached a "verbal agreement" with Bayern
    Fulham's €65 million demands could derail transfer

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Sky Sports Germany, the Bavarians already have a verbal agreement with the midfielder. However, the move might fall through as Fulham remain adamant about sticking to their €65 million (£56m/$71m) valuation.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bayern are unwilling to meet Fulham's asking price as they deem the demands to be too expensive. As a result, there has been no inquiry or offer from the German club. The Cottagers have an upper hand in this deal as Palhinha agreed to a bumper new contract in the summer which lasts until 2028.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the differences in valuation, the deal remains open, fuelled by Palhinha's strong desire to join Bayern. The Portuguese midfielder has shown no interest in other clubs, even though Premier League giants like Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool remain keen to get him on board.

WHAT NEXT?

The Palhinha transfer might be another long-drawn saga of the winter as the player is eager to leave Craven Cottage at the earliest. Bayern manager, Thomas Tuchel, remains on the same page and is eager to acquire a holding midfielder to add steel at the centre of the park. The 28-year-old is a key figure for Fulham having already made 20 appearances this season across all competitions with two goals and one assist to his name.




https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-man-city-chelsea-fulham-joao-palhinha-bayern-munich-transfer/blt84f0919642b57f6b#csf1f7b288e72b7f2c

[WhiteJC]

Technical director responds after Fulham send scout for star – Marco Silva's side may need extra effort
Fulham are yet to make a move for AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis, despite reports they recently sent scouts to watch him.

That's according to AZ technical director Max Huiberts, who insists they will try to hold on to the player after his performances this season.

A report last month from Greece stated that Fulham had sent a scout to watch Pavlidis, who has 18 goals in 16 games in the Eredivisie this season and 22 goals in 27 games in all competitions, as they potentially look to bolster their forward options.

That report explained that because Pavlidis was entering the final year of his deal this year there could be a deal to be done for him, particularly as the player has indicated he won't renew.

They would need to offer more than €15m for him as AC Milan have already seen a bid for that figure rejected, but either way there was a deal there to be done for the player.

Huiberts, though, insists that neither Fulham or anybody else have made an official offer for the striker yet anyway and he could be talked into remaining where he is until the end of the season even if they do.

"We know that there are many clubs that are interested in a good striker. And Pavlidis is that," he told Langs de Lijn.

"But no one has yet come forward specifically. And he also knows that if he continues to perform like this, he will probably make a very nice step at the end of the season."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/technical-director-responds-fulham-send-scout-star-marco-silvas-side-may-need-extra-effort/

[WhiteJC]

Sustainability and Fulham
As discussion around sustainability within football grows, at the Trust we've been starting to discuss the direct implications that could fall upon Fulham in future.

Climate change is touching every aspect of human life and sport is no exception. Many Clubs in England are taking positive steps to address issues around sustainability, which can be seen in the Sports Positive Green Table which is based on the use of clean energy, energy efficiency and other positive environmental behaviours.

The Football Supporters Association (FSA), recently set up a Green Working Group in partnership with Pledgeball. Sarah Keig, FST Board Member and Fulham Lillies Chair, along with Rach Stevens-Hall and Amelia Armstong from the Fulham Lillies have joined the working group to better understand what steps supporters can take to reduce the impact of Global Warming. The work that is being done by Pledgeball (pledgeball.org) encourages football supporters to consider their own lifestyle choices and how gains can be achieved by the smallest of changes. To date Pledgeball has delivered a saving of 23,976, 132 kg of CO2 equivelance per year, that's the equivelant to over 5,200 cars being taken off the road. The website has lots of great ideas and we would encourage you to check it out.

The FST will be discussing sustainability with the Club at our next meeting as we look to engage with Fulham on how we can work together going forward.

To understand more on the topic we spoke to Fulham fan, Trust member and editor of The Sustainability Report, Matthew Campelli, about the possible implications for our club. He has penned these words, raising important issues of consideration for us.

    "You can, if you like, examine all the clubs in the league and for all their successes, and with the utmost respect for them, not one of them has quite the feel of the club that plays at Craven Cottage by the river."
    Jimmy Hill

He had a way with words, Jimmy Hill. And perhaps none potentially more resonant for Fulham fans than this beautiful little passage that was tucked away in one of his many 'Chairman's Chatter' columns, written in the matchday programme for an October 1996 meeting with Doncaster Rovers.

After a decade of misery on and off the pitch, our iconic chairman was encouraging the faithful to look ahead to better times. '100 years at Craven Cottage and still here' was emblazoned on the programme's front cover, and, after years of fighting for the future of the club and its continued residence at our cherished home ground, Hill was adamant that we had turned a corner. Our generation, and future generations, of Fulham fans would be enjoying football on the Stevenage Road for the next century.

For almost 30 years, that promise has been made good. The most successful period in our history has since been written at Craven Cottage (excluding our brief exile in Shepherd's Bush) – a stadium that, aside from the original cottage and parts of the Johnny Haynes Stand, is totally unrecognisable from ground on which Donny Rovers were vanquished 3-1 (Conroy, Scott, Carpenter) all those years ago.

At nine years old in 1996, my recollection of that period is simply cherishing Saturday afternoons with my parents in the enclosure. It's only as I reflect on this now, while sifting through my dad's old programmes and TOOFIF copies, that I grasp the severity of the challenges in the years leading up to that time. The club was on the brink of eviction from the Cottage, only allowed to stay there through the sheer will and dedication of individuals like Hill and the Fulham 2000 fan group.

I fear the time has come for everyone connected to the club to come together again and defend our beloved Cottage against an even greater threat than property developers. This threat, unlike others, can't be negotiated with, scared away or ignored—it's climate change and, more precisely, the extreme weather impacts it brings.

A report published a couple of years ago highlighted how climate change is affecting sports, particularly in the UK where more frequent and severe flooding is a major concern. The report assessed risks for all 92 football league grounds, and, you guessed it, Craven Cottage is under significant threat.

The report was widely-publicised and I held out hope that the club would take action to address its own environmental impact and use its position to advocate more broadly. After all, aside from the real and ongoing threat from climate change, our club is intrinsically linked to the natural environment. It's part of our identity and should remain so. The matchday experience for both home and away fans is incomplete without a stroll through the greenery of Bishops Park. A breakdancing badger walks around the pitch before kickoff. And how many of us have looked out onto the river in despair, contemplating the start of the second half 2-0 down?

Alas, that action is yet to be forthcoming. In its 2022 ranking of Premier League football clubs' sustainability credentials, which assesses their environmental performance, the Sport Positive League had Fulham joint-third worst with 10 points out of a possible 27. Relegation form. And, most embarrassingly, a long way off Brentford and that lot down the road.

Even for passionate fans who have stood by Fulham through thick and thin, climate change and environmental sustainability may seem somewhat distant from the club's core priorities. While acknowledging that there are pressing concerns like ticket prices, it's really important to recognise the real threat that climate change poses to our beloved sport, club and home.

Having worked in sports and sustainability for a number of years, I understand it can feel abstract. But this isn't about distant images of polar bears balancing on melting glaciers. It's about the genuine and present danger to the sport we love and our club's existence. Consider a future where the club can no longer play at Craven Cottage, robbing our children and grandchildren of the same experiences we cherish—the walk across the park, the hopeful or despairing gaze at the river. Imagine them having to watch Billy breakdance glumly at Loftus Road or another dreaded groundshare.

Fulham Football Club, both as a club and a fanbase, can't single-handedly solve climate change. But we have a duty to speak up and take action on an issue that is likely to significantly impact something we all hold dear.

To conclude his programme notes, Jimmy Hill reflected on what needed to be done in the aftermath of securing the Cottage's future.

"So how do those of us alive and ready to carry on the tradition give thanks for the past, the fun we've had, the games and the precious victories that have been won, the hours when we have cursed, forgiven and praised our heroes of so many generations of players who have passed us by so readily?

"I think the answer is very clear and is this: having been given the opportunity, a goalscoring chance if you like, we make sure we provide the chance for future generations to continue to enjoy the frustrations and fun by the river. Our duty to our ancestors is to make sure that the new foundations are in place to survive at least another century."

It's on us, collectively, to fulfil that vision.

We would be interested to hear any views from our members about this article and the wider topic of sustainability in football. If you have any feedback or feel like you would like to know more about this subject, please do get in touch.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2024/01/sustainability-and-fulham/

[demeant0r]

Sources: Wolves, Fulham and Lyon put off by West Ham asking price for Said Benrahma
West Ham have put off interested clubs by slapping a £20million price tag on attacker Said Benrahma, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Premier League duo Wolves and Fulham – and Ligue 1 side Lyon – are among the sides keen on a potential move for the 28-year-old this month.

But all three clubs currently feel that West Ham's £20million valuation is excessive.

Lyon are very interested in bringing Benrahma back to France following their struggles in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.

But the giants are ready to pursue an initial loan deal for the Algeria international with an option or obligation to buy in the summer window.

Meanwhile, Wolves are also unlikely to get close to the Irons' price tag and will instead be shopping in the loan market this month.

The Molineux club are still reeling from Financial Fair Play issues which forced them to sell the likes of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes last summer.

Fulham have the funds to seal a £20million deal for Benrahma but are unconvinced such an agreement would be value for money.

West Ham will have the Algerian at their disposal throughout January and February after he was snubbed by manager Djamel Belmadi for the African Cup of Nations.

He has notched just one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions this season and missed a penalty in the 2-1 away win over Arsenal last month.

Benrahma is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2026.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-wolves-fulham-and-lyon-put-off-by-west-ham-asking-price-for-said-benrahma/

Do we really need another winger? We should be putting our money into a forward first.

[WhiteJC]

Pundit urges Fulham to sign Saudi Pro League star despite recent struggles
Given the chance, Fulham should sign Roberto Firmino.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the Brazilian forward could link up well with Raul Jimenez.

Leaving Liverpool last summer following a hugely successful eight years at Anfield, Firmino, 32, helped the Reds lift seven major trophies, including the 2019-20 Premier League and 2019 Champions League.

However, departing in favour of a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia's Pro League, Firmino is now representing Al-Ahli, and despite arriving in the Middle East as one of the country's best players, things haven't quite gone to plan for the South American.

Scoring just three goals in his first 19 games, it is clear the 32-year-old has yet to hit the same levels that saw him become a legend on Merseyside.

Consequently, the ex-Red has been linked with a surprise return to the Premier League just six months after leaving.

According to a recent report from talkSPORT, Firmino is wanted by a trio of English clubs, including Marco Silva's Fulham, and Collymore thinks the Cottagers would be a decent option for Al-Ahli's struggling number 10.

"I think Fulham and a possible strike partnership with Raul Jimenez could be a really interesting set-up," he said in an exclusive interview.

"On their day, Fulham are a good team and I think if they have the chance to sign him, they should because he'd make them even better."

Currently valued at just £10 million (TM), Fulham will feel they could match Al-Ahli's asking price, however, with the 32-year-old earning around £360,000-per week (Wage indicator), for a transfer to materialise, there will need to be a compromise made on both the club and player's part.

During his time at Anfield, Firmino, who has two years left on his contract in Saudi Arabia, scored 111 goals and registered 79 assists from 362 games in all competitions.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/01/06/stan-collymore-tells-fulham-to-sign-roberto-firmino/

[WhiteJC]

Man of the Match Result: Rotherham
Bobby De Cordova-Reid has been named Man of the Match from Fulham's Emirates FA Cup victory over Rotherham United.

In a game low on incident, it was De Cordova-Reid's brilliance that lit up the evening.

Some intense high pressing from Harry Wilson saw him win the ball in the Rotherham box, with his tackle spinning away kindly to his teammate 25 yards out.

De Cordova-Reid quickly got it under control, before lashing it high into the net.

The shot wasn't actually in the top left-hand corner, but such was the power on the strike that visiting goalkeeper Viktor Johansson could do little to prevent it from flying past him for what proved to be the match-winner.

44 per cent of fans voted for Bobby as their top performer on Friday night, putting him some way ahead of Andreas Pereira (12.2%) and Issa Diop (8.5%).

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/06/man-of-the-match-result-rotherham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Decordova-Reid succeeds where his Jamaica pal fails
On a night when Bobby Decordova-Reid's sumptuous strike made sure of FA Cup matters for Fulham against lowly Rotherham, his Jamaican international teammate Shamar Nicholson's lack of cutting edge almost cost Clermont in the Coupe de France against Metz.
 
Jamaica last qualified for a FIFA World Cup back in 1998 in France. And the Reggae Boyz's hopes of returning to the big stage are heavily pinned on Aston Villa's man of the hour Leon Bailey as well as on the 30-year-old Cottager and Nicholson. But while the latter looks like a monster when sporting his country's shirt, he's struggling to catch fire in French football as his two goals in 13 Ligue 1 outings confirm.
 
With the USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified as hosts, Jamaica now have a once-in-a-lifetime chance of doing what legends Robbie Earlie and Theodore Whitmore did a quarter-of-a-century ago. The pair remain to this day the only Jamaicans to have scored at football's biggest tournament. Hull City's one-timer Whithmore brace floored Japan while ex-Wimbledon star Earle netter an academic goal in their 3-1 loss to Croatia. Likewise, Decordova-Reid and Nicholson are the last players on target for Jamaica with the pair combining to devastating effect in their 3-2 win in Canada six weeks ago.
 
Yet for Jamaica to peak again, Nicholson has to fire on all cylinders. And yesterday he hardly made a case for it as he missed three chances either side of Metz midfielder Sadibou Sane's opener. First, he blasted a volley over, then missed the target after taking out two Metz defenders with a spectacular thrn before failing to test Alexandre Oukidja again,  dragging his shot wide.
 
Yet just like his flourishing international teammate, the hit-and-miss striker can take solace in the fact that Clermont, like Fulham,are through to the next round. Hero of the day? Massamba Ndiaye, who parried three Metz penalties in the shootout.



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/fulham-s-decordova-reid-succeeds-where-his-jamaica-pal-fails

[WhiteJC]

Wolves handed Liverpool transfer ultimatum as they look to beat Fulham, Leicester and Southampton in race for highly-regarded forward
Liverpool want guaranteed football for highly-regarded Portuguese forward Fábio Carvalho

Wolves have approached Liverpool about a potential loan for Portuguese forward Fábio Carvalho.

Gary O'Neil has reportedly made contact with his former employers to check out if there's a chance they can bring the 21-year-old to Molineux for the remainder of the season.

That's according to transfer gossip supremo Fabrizio Romano, who claims Wolves are now waiting on Liverpool and the player's camp to make a decision following his return from a frustrating loan spell at German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

That experience will help determine where the 2022 £5m signing from Fulham will end up, with the Anfield outfit supposedly wanting guaranteed game time for Carvalho. At Leipzig, the player made just 15 Bundesliga appearances, with only one coming from the start.

Since his return from Germany, former club Fulham, Southampton and Leicester have all been linked with Carvalho. However, O'Neil, who admitted this week that he's working under financial restrictions this transfer window, will be hoping his Anfield connections can stand him in good stead and help land a player who remains highly-regarded by the Reds. The 40-year-old spent six months at Liverpool between August 2020 and February 2021, working with the under-23s.

Wolves, who drew 1-1 with Brentford in the FA Cup on Friday night, are keen to strengthen their firepower up front, especially with 11-goal top-scorer Hee-Chan Hwang currently on Asia Cup duty with South Korea. Meanwhile, Fabio Silva was allowed to join Rangers earlier this month on loan.



https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/wolves/liverpool-want-guaranteed-football-for-highly-regarded-portuguese-forward-fabio-carvalho-4468743

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'not backing down' in transfer tug of war – Deal 'threatens to collapse' over demands
Fulham continue to demand €60m for Joao Palhinha this month, breaking a promise to sell him for cheaper after his summer move to Bayern Munich collapsed.

That's according to Sky Germany, who say the Portuguese star is currently out of Bayern's reach thanks to Fulham's demands.

They explain that the deal 'threatens to collapse' despite there being an agreement in place in the summer and between Fulham and Palhinha.

They explain that while the midfielder remains an issue and a player Bayern like after they came close to signing him in the summer, a deal is not on the cared.

Palhinha and Bayern are 'still in basic verbal agreement' after the summer and both want the move to happen, but Fulham are playing hardball.

They convinced the Portuguese midfielder to sign a deal until 2028 with an improved salary not long after the summer window closed, and it was believed that part of that saw them make 'a kind of promise' to sell him in January if their asking price was met.

They agreed to lower the €65m fee they had set in the summer but in reality, they are 'remaining firm' and 'not backing down' from their demand of €60m.

Bayern are not prepared to pay that figure, despite the player being determined to join Bayern and currently ignoring interested from any other clubs. Bayern don't want to pay that figure, though, and so there is no inquiry or offer for him currently in place.

"The Palhinha issue is currently cold on Bayern's side. But I'm not saying that it's completely closed. A lot can still happen," said journalist Florian Plettenberg.

"Arsenal, Liverpool – everything that's currently going around, Palhinha isn't interested in that at the moment," added Kerry Hau.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-not-backing-transfer-tug-war-deal-threatens-collapse-demands/

[WhiteJC]

Burnley to Fulham: What do clubs need in January transfer window?
Alex Keble analyses areas to strengthen in our club-by-club review

With the January transfer window now open, Alex Keble assess each of the 20 Premier League clubs and pinpoint areas they need to strengthen.

Burnley
Targets: Direct winger & full-back

Vincent Kompany's side are struggling to make an impact in the Premier League as they continue the patient possession style that won them promotion in 2022/23.

Those qualities need tempering, and while there is no reason to throw out Kompany's tactical plan, he could do with a touch more of the old Burnley.

Burnley's "direct speed" (the average speed of ball movement towards the opponents' goal during a sequence of play) is measured by Opta at 1.45 metres/second, making them the second-slowest team behind Manchester City.

They are also 19th in the Premier League for attempted crosses, with 295, and 20th for completed crosses, with 19. Brighton have scored the second-fewest set-piece goals, with two, and rank fourth-bottom for take-on success, with 42 per cent.

That might sound like an eclectic set of statistics, but put them all together and you find Burnley would benefit from a quick winger with an eye for a cross, both in open play and from dead-ball situations.

That would speed them up a little, add some dribbling power, and potentially improve their attacking set-pieces – a vital tool for any promoted side.

Burnley also need a left-back after failing to make Ian Maatsen's loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer.

Attacking full-backs were a crucial part of Kompany's tactical plan in 2022/23 but not any more, and it is interesting to note that their full-backs are no longer influential.

Last season, full-backs Connor Roberts and Maatsen ranked third and fourth respectively among Burnley players for key passes. This year, Roberts is 13th and left-back Charlie Taylor is ninth.

Chelsea
Targets: Goalscorer & left-back

Everybody knows Chelsea's greatest weakness this season.

They have the second-highest Expected Goals (xG) in the division, with 39.4, yet have only scored 34 goals, which is the fourth-biggest underperformance in the Premier League.

Nicolas Jackson is the chief offender, scoring seven goals but underhitting his xG by 3.6. He is talented, but the 22-year-old needs more time to settle.

And he isn't the only profligate Chelsea player. Despite ranking second for xG, Chelsea's post-shot xG (which measures the quality of the shot after it was taken) is 36.7, putting them seventh in the table.

In other words, they are creating good chances – but shooting poorly.

Chelsea's shots v Nott'm Forest - black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Mauricio Pochettino may also be interested in a left-back, seeing as injuries have restricted Ben Chilwell to 25 Premier League starts across the last two-and-a-half years.

Levi Colwill has deputised well, starting 18 matches at left-back, but he is a centre-back by trade – and it shows.

Overlapping full-backs provide all the width in Pochettino's tactical strategy, yet Colwill has managed just one assist and is averaging only 1.31 shot-creating actions per 90.

Crystal Palace
Targets: Central midfielder & Zaha replacement

Cheick Doucoure's season-ending injury in November has had a huge impact on Crystal Palace, who won 14 points from the 10 matches prior to his injury and half that number in the 10 matches since.

What's missing without Doucoure is control. He tops the Palace charts for pass completion, with 87 per cent, for tackles, with 3.33 per 90 minutes, interceptions, with 1.96 per 90, and recoveries, with 7.25 per 90.

With Doucoure out the team, Palace have been dispossessed and have miscontrolled the ball more than any other Premier League team, with 226 and 338 respectively.

It has left them a little ragged and disordered, hence a record of one win in 10 encounters.

Roy Hodgson could also do with a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray in the summer.

Michael Olise's return from injury has been explosive, with the Frenchman scoring four goals in four matches, but nevertheless Palace lack the spark they had when Zaha, Olise, and Eberechi Eze worked together during those free-flowing early days of Hodgson's second spell.

Over the final 10 matches of last season, Palace averaged 14.8 shots per match and scored 18 goals. This year, they are averaging 11.7 shots per 90 minutes and are the division's third-lowest scorers, with 22.

That's only four more than they managed in half the number of matches at the back end of 2022/23. A Zaha-style winger could restore those happier days.

Everton
Targets: Central midfielder & winger

With injuries in midfield piling up, Sean Dyche was forced to abandon his usual 4-4-1-1 formation for a 5-4-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it backfired pretty spectacularly as Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat.

"We lacked that fizz and energy [and] fell short with the physicality," Dyche said after. "They exposed moments when we looked jaded."

That's why Dyche might be looking to add bite (and depth) into his central midfield, giving Everton the option to rotate or at least cope better with midfield injuries.

Abdoulaye Doucoure will return from injury soon but Everton have not won any of the three Premier League fixtures he has missed this season, suggesting reinforcements are required.

Everton might also benefit from a winger to ease some of the pressure on Dwight McNeil.

Considering the directness and width-focus of Dyche's football, it is surprising that Everton sit 19th for attempted take-ons, with 296.

More surprising still, Everton have only scored three headed goals this season, despite attempting 407 crosses, the second-most in the division and sitting joint-top for completed crosses into the penalty area, with 45.

Perhaps Dominic Calvert-Lewin is to blame for that, but more likely Everton's crosses aren't quite dangerous enough, and since Arnaut Danjuma is still out of favour, the best solution for Dyche may be to dip into the transfer market.

Fulham
Targets: Keeping/replacing Palhinha & Willian alternative

Joao Palhinha came very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer and the German champions are reportedly interesting in reigniting the deal.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Palhinha has been just as imperious this season as last, completing more tackles than anyone else, with 44, and blocking the second-most passes, with 30 in the Premier League.

Regardless of whether or not Palhinha leaves this month, Fulham need to start preparing for life without him. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly good enough to be playing UEFA Champions League football.

Fulham should also look at bringing in help for Willian, who leads the charge in Marco Silva's wing-based tactical system.

Silva relies upon quick switches (Fulham have hit 71, the third-most in the division) to wingers who then drive towards goal and cross for Raul Jimenez, and yet too often Willian is the only creative force.

The Brazilian has hit almost three times as many successful crosses, with 13, as any other Fulham player, which helps to explain why Fulham have won 20 points from the 13 matches Willian has started and only four points from the seven in which he has not.

Silva's team have had the second-fewest touches in the opposition box this season, with 382, and have attempted the third-fewest take-ons, with 301. Another Willian-type player wouldn't go amiss.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/3849924

[WhiteJC]

Fulham plot Roberto Firmino swoop, player wants Premier League return

Fulham are plotting a move to bring Liverpool icon Roberto Firmino back to the Premier League as he continues to struggle in Saudi Arabia.
According to 90min, Fulham are plotting a move for Roberto Firmino from Saudi Arabia amid reports the Liverpool icon is unhappy at Al-Ahli. The Cottagers are looking for a new striker in the winter window and have a lot of other targets apart from the Brazilian.

Fulham to bring Roberto Firmino back to the Premier League?
Fulham are in the market for a new striker and have now set sights on Liverpool icon Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian striker has endured a tough time with Al-Alhi, having not scored in his last 18 games for the club.

Firmino left Liverpool in the summer as a free agent and joined Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, scoring a hat-trick on his debut. He has endured a dry run since, which has given way to rumours he might leave the club in January. Reports suggested he was offered to Fulham, and now it is clear they are indeed keen.

Marco Silva will see the value in signing the experienced striker this month to solve their problems upfront. Whether they are willing to pay a decent transfer fee and, more importantly, agree on a good enough wage package remains the question.

There are chances of Firmino returning to the Premier League, but they may have to take a financial hit, especially if Al-Ahli decide to let him go permanently. Time will tell whether the Cottagers will manage this signing, as he certainly is an option for them in the No.9 position.

Fulham are chasing other strikers
Silva has not managed to bring a suitable replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic and did manage to make approaches for a few options back in the summer. However, the Portuguese manager will likely look again for a new striker this month, with Wolves attacker Sasa Kalajdzic being one of their targets.

Andre Silva also remains linked after his terrible spell on loan at Real Sociedad this season. The Portuguese international could take his chances with a move to the Premier League on another temporary move. However, with the potential availability of Firmino, Silva might take his chances with the experienced striker. But there could be financial implications for the deal.




https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/01/06/fulham-plot-roberto-firmino-swoop-player-wants-premier-league-return/

[WhiteJC]

Guardiola could secure a big title boost by landing Man City transfer deal for 'influential' £50m star – opinion
Manchester City could pick up a big boost to their title hopes by landing a January transfer deal for Joao Palhinha.

With 19 league games played, Pep Guardiola's side have conceded 21 goals, which is more than Liverpool (18) and Arsenal (20) have let in, and have only been able to keep five clean sheets.

This showcases that leaking goals has been an issue for the Citizens this season and could end up costing them the chance of making history by winning four Premier League titles in a row.

However, with the January transfer window now open for business, one deal that we think could help City fix this issue and give them a boost towards potentially winning the title is by signing Palhinha.

City should sign Palhinha this month
Last month, it was reported that City are plotting a £50m swoop for the Fulham midfielder for the current winter transfer window.

The west London club signed the Portuguese international during the 2022 summer transfer window from Sporting CP for £20m.

Since then, the 28-year-old has made 60 appearances for his current side, scoring six goals along the way.

Despite only being in England for 18 months, Palhinha has shown how much of an impressive defensive unit he is.

For example, looking back over the previous Premier League campaign, the midfielder won more tackles (83) than any other player in the division by a comfortable distance.

Palhinha has started this latest campaign in the same fashion, as he currently has the highest combined total of tackles an interceptions (112) in the league.

This makes it easy to see why the Fulham star was labelled as an "influential" player by Jamie Redknapp recently.

It also highlights how much of a useful player the midfielder could be for City in terms of helping them stop conceding as many goals as they have been over the first few months of the season.

With all of that in mind, we feel that securing a January transfer deal for Palhinha could be a very smart move for City to make, especially if Kalvin Phillips ends up making a move out of the Etihad Stadium this month.



https://www.manchestercity.news/guardiola-could-secure-a-big-title-boost-by-landing-man-city-transfer-deal-for-influential-50m-star-opinion/

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho is the subject of numerous loan approaches with Premier League rivals Fulham and Wolves among the suitors for the starlet after his spell at RB Leipzig was cut short

    Liverpool have received a host of loan enquiries for Fabio Carvalho
    Fulham, Leeds, Southampton, Wolves and Hull are all interested in the prospect

Liverpool have received a number of loan enquiries for Portuguese forward Fabio Carvalho.

Former club Fulham, Leeds, Southampton, Wolves and Hull City are all keen to bring in the 21-year-old.

Paramount to Liverpool's decision will be the amount of game time he receives, after cutting short his loan with RB Leipzig at the end of December.


Fulham, Leeds, Southampton, Wolves and Hull are all interested in taking Fabio Carvalho on loan

The prospect played 15 times for Leipzig but started just once in the Bundesliga.

Carvalho arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2022 and has featured 21 times under Jurgen Klopp to date, scoring three goals.

A product of Fulham's academy, Carvalho made 44 senior appearances for the Cottagers and scored 12 goals, while he provided eight assists.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12934647/Liverpool-Fabio-Carvalho-loan-approaches-Premier-League-Fulham-Wolves-RB-Leipzig.html

[filham]

A few possible transfer on hold because the selling price is considered to high by the buying club, so a cat/mouse game goes on until the end of the window when a sudden agreement is reached.
Why does the winter window need to be open for a month, surely 2 weeks would be sufficient as negotiations can take place ahead of the window opening.

[Bassey the warrior]

Burnley to Fulham: What do clubs need in January transfer window?
Alex Keble analyses areas to strengthen in our club-by-club review

With the January transfer window now open, Alex Keble assess each of the 20 Premier League clubs and pinpoint areas they need to strengthen.

Burnley
Targets: Direct winger & full-back

Vincent Kompany's side are struggling to make an impact in the Premier League as they continue the patient possession style that won them promotion in 2022/23.

Those qualities need tempering, and while there is no reason to throw out Kompany's tactical plan, he could do with a touch more of the old Burnley.

Burnley's "direct speed" (the average speed of ball movement towards the opponents' goal during a sequence of play) is measured by Opta at 1.45 metres/second, making them the second-slowest team behind Manchester City.

They are also 19th in the Premier League for attempted crosses, with 295, and 20th for completed crosses, with 19. Brighton have scored the second-fewest set-piece goals, with two, and rank fourth-bottom for take-on success, with 42 per cent.

That might sound like an eclectic set of statistics, but put them all together and you find Burnley would benefit from a quick winger with an eye for a cross, both in open play and from dead-ball situations.

That would speed them up a little, add some dribbling power, and potentially improve their attacking set-pieces – a vital tool for any promoted side.

Burnley also need a left-back after failing to make Ian Maatsen's loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer.

Attacking full-backs were a crucial part of Kompany's tactical plan in 2022/23 but not any more, and it is interesting to note that their full-backs are no longer influential.

Last season, full-backs Connor Roberts and Maatsen ranked third and fourth respectively among Burnley players for key passes. This year, Roberts is 13th and left-back Charlie Taylor is ninth.

Chelsea
Targets: Goalscorer & left-back

Everybody knows Chelsea's greatest weakness this season.

They have the second-highest Expected Goals (xG) in the division, with 39.4, yet have only scored 34 goals, which is the fourth-biggest underperformance in the Premier League.

Nicolas Jackson is the chief offender, scoring seven goals but underhitting his xG by 3.6. He is talented, but the 22-year-old needs more time to settle.

And he isn't the only profligate Chelsea player. Despite ranking second for xG, Chelsea's post-shot xG (which measures the quality of the shot after it was taken) is 36.7, putting them seventh in the table.

In other words, they are creating good chances – but shooting poorly.

Chelsea's shots v Nott'm Forest - black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Mauricio Pochettino may also be interested in a left-back, seeing as injuries have restricted Ben Chilwell to 25 Premier League starts across the last two-and-a-half years.

Levi Colwill has deputised well, starting 18 matches at left-back, but he is a centre-back by trade – and it shows.

Overlapping full-backs provide all the width in Pochettino's tactical strategy, yet Colwill has managed just one assist and is averaging only 1.31 shot-creating actions per 90.

Crystal Palace
Targets: Central midfielder & Zaha replacement

Cheick Doucoure's season-ending injury in November has had a huge impact on Crystal Palace, who won 14 points from the 10 matches prior to his injury and half that number in the 10 matches since.

What's missing without Doucoure is control. He tops the Palace charts for pass completion, with 87 per cent, for tackles, with 3.33 per 90 minutes, interceptions, with 1.96 per 90, and recoveries, with 7.25 per 90.

With Doucoure out the team, Palace have been dispossessed and have miscontrolled the ball more than any other Premier League team, with 226 and 338 respectively.

It has left them a little ragged and disordered, hence a record of one win in 10 encounters.

Roy Hodgson could also do with a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray in the summer.

Michael Olise's return from injury has been explosive, with the Frenchman scoring four goals in four matches, but nevertheless Palace lack the spark they had when Zaha, Olise, and Eberechi Eze worked together during those free-flowing early days of Hodgson's second spell.

Over the final 10 matches of last season, Palace averaged 14.8 shots per match and scored 18 goals. This year, they are averaging 11.7 shots per 90 minutes and are the division's third-lowest scorers, with 22.

That's only four more than they managed in half the number of matches at the back end of 2022/23. A Zaha-style winger could restore those happier days.

Everton
Targets: Central midfielder & winger

With injuries in midfield piling up, Sean Dyche was forced to abandon his usual 4-4-1-1 formation for a 5-4-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it backfired pretty spectacularly as Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat.

"We lacked that fizz and energy [and] fell short with the physicality," Dyche said after. "They exposed moments when we looked jaded."

That's why Dyche might be looking to add bite (and depth) into his central midfield, giving Everton the option to rotate or at least cope better with midfield injuries.

Abdoulaye Doucoure will return from injury soon but Everton have not won any of the three Premier League fixtures he has missed this season, suggesting reinforcements are required.

Everton might also benefit from a winger to ease some of the pressure on Dwight McNeil.

Considering the directness and width-focus of Dyche's football, it is surprising that Everton sit 19th for attempted take-ons, with 296.

More surprising still, Everton have only scored three headed goals this season, despite attempting 407 crosses, the second-most in the division and sitting joint-top for completed crosses into the penalty area, with 45.

Perhaps Dominic Calvert-Lewin is to blame for that, but more likely Everton's crosses aren't quite dangerous enough, and since Arnaut Danjuma is still out of favour, the best solution for Dyche may be to dip into the transfer market.

Fulham
Targets: Keeping/replacing Palhinha & Willian alternative

Joao Palhinha came very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer and the German champions are reportedly interesting in reigniting the deal.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Palhinha has been just as imperious this season as last, completing more tackles than anyone else, with 44, and blocking the second-most passes, with 30 in the Premier League.

Regardless of whether or not Palhinha leaves this month, Fulham need to start preparing for life without him. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly good enough to be playing UEFA Champions League football.

Fulham should also look at bringing in help for Willian, who leads the charge in Marco Silva's wing-based tactical system.

Silva relies upon quick switches (Fulham have hit 71, the third-most in the division) to wingers who then drive towards goal and cross for Raul Jimenez, and yet too often Willian is the only creative force.

The Brazilian has hit almost three times as many successful crosses, with 13, as any other Fulham player, which helps to explain why Fulham have won 20 points from the 13 matches Willian has started and only four points from the seven in which he has not.

Silva's team have had the second-fewest touches in the opposition box this season, with 382, and have attempted the third-fewest take-ons, with 301. Another Willian-type player wouldn't go amiss.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/3849924

We probably should be looking at another winger, but would we need to offload someone first?

[demeant0r]

Burnley to Fulham: What do clubs need in January transfer window?
Alex Keble analyses areas to strengthen in our club-by-club review

With the January transfer window now open, Alex Keble assess each of the 20 Premier League clubs and pinpoint areas they need to strengthen.

Burnley
Targets: Direct winger & full-back

Vincent Kompany's side are struggling to make an impact in the Premier League as they continue the patient possession style that won them promotion in 2022/23.

Those qualities need tempering, and while there is no reason to throw out Kompany's tactical plan, he could do with a touch more of the old Burnley.

Burnley's "direct speed" (the average speed of ball movement towards the opponents' goal during a sequence of play) is measured by Opta at 1.45 metres/second, making them the second-slowest team behind Manchester City.

They are also 19th in the Premier League for attempted crosses, with 295, and 20th for completed crosses, with 19. Brighton have scored the second-fewest set-piece goals, with two, and rank fourth-bottom for take-on success, with 42 per cent.

That might sound like an eclectic set of statistics, but put them all together and you find Burnley would benefit from a quick winger with an eye for a cross, both in open play and from dead-ball situations.

That would speed them up a little, add some dribbling power, and potentially improve their attacking set-pieces – a vital tool for any promoted side.

Burnley also need a left-back after failing to make Ian Maatsen's loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer.

Attacking full-backs were a crucial part of Kompany's tactical plan in 2022/23 but not any more, and it is interesting to note that their full-backs are no longer influential.

Last season, full-backs Connor Roberts and Maatsen ranked third and fourth respectively among Burnley players for key passes. This year, Roberts is 13th and left-back Charlie Taylor is ninth.

Chelsea
Targets: Goalscorer & left-back

Everybody knows Chelsea's greatest weakness this season.

They have the second-highest Expected Goals (xG) in the division, with 39.4, yet have only scored 34 goals, which is the fourth-biggest underperformance in the Premier League.

Nicolas Jackson is the chief offender, scoring seven goals but underhitting his xG by 3.6. He is talented, but the 22-year-old needs more time to settle.

And he isn't the only profligate Chelsea player. Despite ranking second for xG, Chelsea's post-shot xG (which measures the quality of the shot after it was taken) is 36.7, putting them seventh in the table.

In other words, they are creating good chances – but shooting poorly.

Chelsea's shots v Nott'm Forest - black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Mauricio Pochettino may also be interested in a left-back, seeing as injuries have restricted Ben Chilwell to 25 Premier League starts across the last two-and-a-half years.

Levi Colwill has deputised well, starting 18 matches at left-back, but he is a centre-back by trade – and it shows.

Overlapping full-backs provide all the width in Pochettino's tactical strategy, yet Colwill has managed just one assist and is averaging only 1.31 shot-creating actions per 90.

Crystal Palace
Targets: Central midfielder & Zaha replacement

Cheick Doucoure's season-ending injury in November has had a huge impact on Crystal Palace, who won 14 points from the 10 matches prior to his injury and half that number in the 10 matches since.

What's missing without Doucoure is control. He tops the Palace charts for pass completion, with 87 per cent, for tackles, with 3.33 per 90 minutes, interceptions, with 1.96 per 90, and recoveries, with 7.25 per 90.

With Doucoure out the team, Palace have been dispossessed and have miscontrolled the ball more than any other Premier League team, with 226 and 338 respectively.

It has left them a little ragged and disordered, hence a record of one win in 10 encounters.

Roy Hodgson could also do with a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray in the summer.

Michael Olise's return from injury has been explosive, with the Frenchman scoring four goals in four matches, but nevertheless Palace lack the spark they had when Zaha, Olise, and Eberechi Eze worked together during those free-flowing early days of Hodgson's second spell.

Over the final 10 matches of last season, Palace averaged 14.8 shots per match and scored 18 goals. This year, they are averaging 11.7 shots per 90 minutes and are the division's third-lowest scorers, with 22.

That's only four more than they managed in half the number of matches at the back end of 2022/23. A Zaha-style winger could restore those happier days.

Everton
Targets: Central midfielder & winger

With injuries in midfield piling up, Sean Dyche was forced to abandon his usual 4-4-1-1 formation for a 5-4-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it backfired pretty spectacularly as Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat.

"We lacked that fizz and energy [and] fell short with the physicality," Dyche said after. "They exposed moments when we looked jaded."

That's why Dyche might be looking to add bite (and depth) into his central midfield, giving Everton the option to rotate or at least cope better with midfield injuries.

Abdoulaye Doucoure will return from injury soon but Everton have not won any of the three Premier League fixtures he has missed this season, suggesting reinforcements are required.

Everton might also benefit from a winger to ease some of the pressure on Dwight McNeil.

Considering the directness and width-focus of Dyche's football, it is surprising that Everton sit 19th for attempted take-ons, with 296.

More surprising still, Everton have only scored three headed goals this season, despite attempting 407 crosses, the second-most in the division and sitting joint-top for completed crosses into the penalty area, with 45.

Perhaps Dominic Calvert-Lewin is to blame for that, but more likely Everton's crosses aren't quite dangerous enough, and since Arnaut Danjuma is still out of favour, the best solution for Dyche may be to dip into the transfer market.

Fulham
Targets: Keeping/replacing Palhinha & Willian alternative

Joao Palhinha came very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer and the German champions are reportedly interesting in reigniting the deal.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Palhinha has been just as imperious this season as last, completing more tackles than anyone else, with 44, and blocking the second-most passes, with 30 in the Premier League.

Regardless of whether or not Palhinha leaves this month, Fulham need to start preparing for life without him. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly good enough to be playing UEFA Champions League football.

Fulham should also look at bringing in help for Willian, who leads the charge in Marco Silva's wing-based tactical system.

Silva relies upon quick switches (Fulham have hit 71, the third-most in the division) to wingers who then drive towards goal and cross for Raul Jimenez, and yet too often Willian is the only creative force.

The Brazilian has hit almost three times as many successful crosses, with 13, as any other Fulham player, which helps to explain why Fulham have won 20 points from the 13 matches Willian has started and only four points from the seven in which he has not.

Silva's team have had the second-fewest touches in the opposition box this season, with 382, and have attempted the third-fewest take-ons, with 301. Another Willian-type player wouldn't go amiss.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/3849924

We probably should be looking at another winger, but would we need to offload someone first?

Aren't there more pressing positions to fill first? Like a ST. We don't know if Raul has actually returned to his best or if this is a blip compared to his last 2-3 seasons and we can't rely on our other strikers for goals.

[Bassey the warrior]

Burnley to Fulham: What do clubs need in January transfer window?
Alex Keble analyses areas to strengthen in our club-by-club review

With the January transfer window now open, Alex Keble assess each of the 20 Premier League clubs and pinpoint areas they need to strengthen.

Burnley
Targets: Direct winger & full-back

Vincent Kompany's side are struggling to make an impact in the Premier League as they continue the patient possession style that won them promotion in 2022/23.

Those qualities need tempering, and while there is no reason to throw out Kompany's tactical plan, he could do with a touch more of the old Burnley.

Burnley's "direct speed" (the average speed of ball movement towards the opponents' goal during a sequence of play) is measured by Opta at 1.45 metres/second, making them the second-slowest team behind Manchester City.

They are also 19th in the Premier League for attempted crosses, with 295, and 20th for completed crosses, with 19. Brighton have scored the second-fewest set-piece goals, with two, and rank fourth-bottom for take-on success, with 42 per cent.

That might sound like an eclectic set of statistics, but put them all together and you find Burnley would benefit from a quick winger with an eye for a cross, both in open play and from dead-ball situations.

That would speed them up a little, add some dribbling power, and potentially improve their attacking set-pieces – a vital tool for any promoted side.

Burnley also need a left-back after failing to make Ian Maatsen's loan move from Chelsea permanent in the summer.

Attacking full-backs were a crucial part of Kompany's tactical plan in 2022/23 but not any more, and it is interesting to note that their full-backs are no longer influential.

Last season, full-backs Connor Roberts and Maatsen ranked third and fourth respectively among Burnley players for key passes. This year, Roberts is 13th and left-back Charlie Taylor is ninth.

Chelsea
Targets: Goalscorer & left-back

Everybody knows Chelsea's greatest weakness this season.

They have the second-highest Expected Goals (xG) in the division, with 39.4, yet have only scored 34 goals, which is the fourth-biggest underperformance in the Premier League.

Nicolas Jackson is the chief offender, scoring seven goals but underhitting his xG by 3.6. He is talented, but the 22-year-old needs more time to settle.

And he isn't the only profligate Chelsea player. Despite ranking second for xG, Chelsea's post-shot xG (which measures the quality of the shot after it was taken) is 36.7, putting them seventh in the table.

In other words, they are creating good chances – but shooting poorly.

Chelsea's shots v Nott'm Forest - black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Black: blocked; green: miss; red: save

Mauricio Pochettino may also be interested in a left-back, seeing as injuries have restricted Ben Chilwell to 25 Premier League starts across the last two-and-a-half years.

Levi Colwill has deputised well, starting 18 matches at left-back, but he is a centre-back by trade – and it shows.

Overlapping full-backs provide all the width in Pochettino's tactical strategy, yet Colwill has managed just one assist and is averaging only 1.31 shot-creating actions per 90.

Crystal Palace
Targets: Central midfielder & Zaha replacement

Cheick Doucoure's season-ending injury in November has had a huge impact on Crystal Palace, who won 14 points from the 10 matches prior to his injury and half that number in the 10 matches since.

What's missing without Doucoure is control. He tops the Palace charts for pass completion, with 87 per cent, for tackles, with 3.33 per 90 minutes, interceptions, with 1.96 per 90, and recoveries, with 7.25 per 90.

With Doucoure out the team, Palace have been dispossessed and have miscontrolled the ball more than any other Premier League team, with 226 and 338 respectively.

It has left them a little ragged and disordered, hence a record of one win in 10 encounters.

Roy Hodgson could also do with a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray in the summer.

Michael Olise's return from injury has been explosive, with the Frenchman scoring four goals in four matches, but nevertheless Palace lack the spark they had when Zaha, Olise, and Eberechi Eze worked together during those free-flowing early days of Hodgson's second spell.

Over the final 10 matches of last season, Palace averaged 14.8 shots per match and scored 18 goals. This year, they are averaging 11.7 shots per 90 minutes and are the division's third-lowest scorers, with 22.

That's only four more than they managed in half the number of matches at the back end of 2022/23. A Zaha-style winger could restore those happier days.

Everton
Targets: Central midfielder & winger

With injuries in midfield piling up, Sean Dyche was forced to abandon his usual 4-4-1-1 formation for a 5-4-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it backfired pretty spectacularly as Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat.

"We lacked that fizz and energy [and] fell short with the physicality," Dyche said after. "They exposed moments when we looked jaded."

That's why Dyche might be looking to add bite (and depth) into his central midfield, giving Everton the option to rotate or at least cope better with midfield injuries.

Abdoulaye Doucoure will return from injury soon but Everton have not won any of the three Premier League fixtures he has missed this season, suggesting reinforcements are required.

Everton might also benefit from a winger to ease some of the pressure on Dwight McNeil.

Considering the directness and width-focus of Dyche's football, it is surprising that Everton sit 19th for attempted take-ons, with 296.

More surprising still, Everton have only scored three headed goals this season, despite attempting 407 crosses, the second-most in the division and sitting joint-top for completed crosses into the penalty area, with 45.

Perhaps Dominic Calvert-Lewin is to blame for that, but more likely Everton's crosses aren't quite dangerous enough, and since Arnaut Danjuma is still out of favour, the best solution for Dyche may be to dip into the transfer market.

Fulham
Targets: Keeping/replacing Palhinha & Willian alternative

Joao Palhinha came very close to joining Bayern Munich in the summer and the German champions are reportedly interesting in reigniting the deal.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Palhinha has been just as imperious this season as last, completing more tackles than anyone else, with 44, and blocking the second-most passes, with 30 in the Premier League.

Regardless of whether or not Palhinha leaves this month, Fulham need to start preparing for life without him. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly good enough to be playing UEFA Champions League football.

Fulham should also look at bringing in help for Willian, who leads the charge in Marco Silva's wing-based tactical system.

Silva relies upon quick switches (Fulham have hit 71, the third-most in the division) to wingers who then drive towards goal and cross for Raul Jimenez, and yet too often Willian is the only creative force.

The Brazilian has hit almost three times as many successful crosses, with 13, as any other Fulham player, which helps to explain why Fulham have won 20 points from the 13 matches Willian has started and only four points from the seven in which he has not.

Silva's team have had the second-fewest touches in the opposition box this season, with 382, and have attempted the third-fewest take-ons, with 301. Another Willian-type player wouldn't go amiss.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/3849924

We probably should be looking at another winger, but would we need to offload someone first?

Aren't there more pressing positions to fill first? Like a ST. We don't know if Raul has actually returned to his best or if this is a blip compared to his last 2-3 seasons and we can't rely on our other strikers for goals.

We can do both can't we? Of course Traore will be available at some point but that still leaves a question over who is best placed to fill in when Willian is injured, I guess Iwobi would be my choice.

[Twig]

Sources: Wolves, Fulham and Lyon put off by West Ham asking price for Said Benrahma
West Ham have put off interested clubs by slapping a £20million price tag on attacker Said Benrahma, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Premier League duo Wolves and Fulham – and Ligue 1 side Lyon – are among the sides keen on a potential move for the 28-year-old this month.

But all three clubs currently feel that West Ham's £20million valuation is excessive.

Lyon are very interested in bringing Benrahma back to France following their struggles in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.

But the giants are ready to pursue an initial loan deal for the Algeria international with an option or obligation to buy in the summer window.

Meanwhile, Wolves are also unlikely to get close to the Irons' price tag and will instead be shopping in the loan market this month.

The Molineux club are still reeling from Financial Fair Play issues which forced them to sell the likes of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes last summer.

Fulham have the funds to seal a £20million deal for Benrahma but are unconvinced such an agreement would be value for money.

West Ham will have the Algerian at their disposal throughout January and February after he was snubbed by manager Djamel Belmadi for the African Cup of Nations.

He has notched just one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions this season and missed a penalty in the 2-1 away win over Arsenal last month.

Benrahma is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2026.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-wolves-fulham-and-lyon-put-off-by-west-ham-asking-price-for-said-benrahma/

Do we really need another winger? We should be putting our money into a forward first.

We need someone to share the load with Willian and become his successor. Benrahma could be that person.

[demeant0r]

Sources: Wolves, Fulham and Lyon put off by West Ham asking price for Said Benrahma
West Ham have put off interested clubs by slapping a £20million price tag on attacker Said Benrahma, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed Premier League duo Wolves and Fulham – and Ligue 1 side Lyon – are among the sides keen on a potential move for the 28-year-old this month.

But all three clubs currently feel that West Ham's £20million valuation is excessive.

Lyon are very interested in bringing Benrahma back to France following their struggles in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.

But the giants are ready to pursue an initial loan deal for the Algeria international with an option or obligation to buy in the summer window.

Meanwhile, Wolves are also unlikely to get close to the Irons' price tag and will instead be shopping in the loan market this month.

The Molineux club are still reeling from Financial Fair Play issues which forced them to sell the likes of Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Matheus Nunes last summer.

Fulham have the funds to seal a £20million deal for Benrahma but are unconvinced such an agreement would be value for money.

West Ham will have the Algerian at their disposal throughout January and February after he was snubbed by manager Djamel Belmadi for the African Cup of Nations.

He has notched just one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions this season and missed a penalty in the 2-1 away win over Arsenal last month.

Benrahma is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2026.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-wolves-fulham-and-lyon-put-off-by-west-ham-asking-price-for-said-benrahma/

Do we really need another winger? We should be putting our money into a forward first.

We need someone to share the load with Willian and become his successor. Benrahma could be that person.

We certainly can but this is the January window. One overpriced player is probably all we can afford.