Thursday Fulham Stuff - 18/01/24...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U21s top PL International Cup group
First half goals from Adrion Pajaziti and Kristian Šekularac ensured that Fulham's under 21s topped their Premier League International Cup group as the young Whites beat AS Monaco II 2-1 in freezing temperatures at Motspur Park tonight.

Romaric Etonde drilled home a reply for the French side midway through the second period, but Hayden Mullins' men made sure of their place in the last eight of the prestigious continental competition despite a nervy moment at the death when Alex Borto claimed another Etonde effort after Caelan Avenall's clearance cannoned off Valentin Decarpentrie and into the goalscorer's path.

Monaco had enjoyed the best chances in the early stages of the contest as both teams acclimatised to the challenging conditions. Lucas Michal should have done better than spooning a shot over the crossbar when he latched onto a corner, but Fulham grew into the contest and began to dominate possession. Callum McFarlane headed an excellent cross from George Okkas, who again deputised at left back, straight at the goalkeeper but the hosts hit the front six minutes later.

Some probing passing created the space for McFarlane to tee up the Albanian under-21 international, who fired into the bottom corner with aplomb. Monaco mustered a riposte but the lively Etonde couldn't test Borto having worked an opening for himself before the visitors were fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when Šekularac  appeared to have been fouled in the area. Referee Emily Heaslip consulted her assistant and awarded a free-kick outside the box.

Damien Perrinelle's charges almost made the most of that piece of good fortune with Borto forced into a smart save to prevent winger Enzo Baglieri powering in a long-range leveller. Fulham found themselves some breathing space before the break when Swiss youth international Šekularac picked his spot superbly to double the hosts' lead.

Mullins' side could have made the game safe early in the second half. McFarlane was denied by Yann Lienard when he nodded a free-kick towards goal, but Monaco remained a serious threat on the break. Etonde wasted a good chance to bring his team back into the contest by steering a shot wide when well place, but the striker made no mistake after stepping between the Fulham centre halves to sweep home on 68 minutes.

Baglieri then headed straight at Borto after Idris Odutayo had failed to deal with full back Nazim Babai's ball in, but Fulham survived both that scare and Etonde's chance to finish the group stages with four victories from four games. The young Whites are back in action on Monday when they travel to Leicester City in the domestic Premier League Cup.

FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-3-3): Borto; Williams, Okkas, Araujo, Odutayo; Donnell, Pajaziti (Quashie 75), Lanquedoc; Works, Šekularac, McFarlane (Avenall 62). Subs (not used): McNally, Tabares, Picotto, O'Neill.

BOOKED: Araujo, Quashie.

GOALS: Pajaziti (20), Šekularac (34).

AS MONACO II (4-4-1-1): Lienard; Babai, Bakali (Bertolucci 87), Valme, Beri; Bamba, Benama, Michal, Baglieri (Baranik 75); Yacoub (Decarpentrie 61); Etonde. Subs (not used): Kuzmanovic, Gesan, Zadi.

BOOKED: Bery, Valme.

GOAL: Etonde (68).

REFEREE: Emily Heaslip.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/fulham-u21s-top-pl-international-cup-group/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham move for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah... with west London rivals exploring a loan deal for the 24-year-old centre back

    Trevoh Chalobah has yet to play this season after a hamstring injury
    Chelsea and Fulham are exploring a loan deal for the 24-year-old defender

Chelsea centre back Trevoh Chalobah is attracting interest from Fulham.

The west London rivals are exploring a loan deal for the 24-year-old who has yet to play this season after a hamstring injury.

The defender is expected to be fit by the end of the month.

Chelsea would be willing to sell as they look to raise funds for a left-back and striker, particularly as Chalobah is homegrown and help with the Premier League's Financial Fair Play FFFP rules.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has settled on a back four of Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto.


Chelsea centre back Trevoh Chalobah (above) is attracting interest from Fulham

Bayern Munich, Roma and Tottenham are also monitoring developments.

Chalobah has made 63 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea since returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer following loan spells at Ipswich Town and Huddersfield in the Championship and at Lorient in Ligue 1 .

Fulham are also among the clubs monitoring developments with Armando Broja who Chelsea are willing to sell for near to £50million by Chelsea.

Wolves are also keen on signing Broja during the January transfer window.

Much will depend on Chelsea's own search for a striker as they explore the market for late opportunities.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12976275/Fulham-Chelsea-defender-Trevoh-Chalobah-west-London-rivals-exploring-loan-deal-24-year-old-centre-back.html

[Stevieboy]

David Ornstein says Premier League club are 'willing to let' £17.5m forward leave amid Fulham interest
Fulham are yet to make a move in the January transfer window but may be buoyed by the decision from Chelsea to let Armando Broja leave this month.

Marco Silva has yet to have the chance to make any additions to his squad with his side sitting 13th in the Premier League.

Posting on social media, David Ornstein has now said that Chelsea have decided that Albanian international forward Armando Broja can leave Stamford Bridge.

Fulham fans will be well aware of the £17.5m-rated forward after his performances against the Whites this season.

The 22-year-old started both matches for Chelsea against Fulham this season.

While he didn't trouble Bernd Leno at Stamford Bridge last weekend, he did get on the score sheet during their 2-0 win at Craven Cottage in October.

Broja dispossessed Tim Ream in his box and deflected the ball into an empty net moments after Mykhaylo Mudryk opened the scoring.

After Carlos Vinicius's heroics last season, Fulham have suffered back-to-back defeats to their biggest rivals.

However, despite starting Chelsea's last match, Broja could be allowed to leave amid interest from Fulham.

Replacing Aleksandar Mitrovic hasn't been an easy task for Fulham this season.

While Raul Jimenez is continuing to improve, having a younger option in the squad with Premier League pedigree might not be the worst idea.

Fulham target Broja allowed to leave Chelsea
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Ornstein said: "Chelsea willing to let Armando Broja leave on permanent if suitable offer received.

"Interest from multiple clubs including Fulham, West Ham & Wolves. Not contingent on #CFC signing replacement + Nkunku expected back soon."

Fulham will be encouraged by Ornstein's update considering he believes Chelsea don't need to sign a replacement before letting Broja leave.

However, despite his goal against the Whites earlier in the season, the Albanian international might not be the best signing.

He looked competent on loan at Southampton without blowing anyone away.

On his return to Chelsea, he's failed to impress, despite the centre-forward role being wide open due to Christopher Nkunku's injury.

Fulham need to think very carefully about whether Broja is the right player to potentially play up top for them for the next few years.

Given Fulham are unlikely to have huge sums to spend this month, entering into a bidding war with West Ham and Wolves would be advised against as well.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/01/17/david-ornstein-says-premier-league-club-are-willing-to-let-17-5m-forward-leave-amid-fulham-interest/

Saw somewhere they want @£50m for him