Sunday Fulham Stuff - 21/01/24...

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Saturday 20/01
Arsenal	5-0	Palace
Brentford	3-2	Forest

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Fulham update emerges for West Ham United in January battle for Matt O'Riley transfer
West Ham United are battling with Fulham and a number of other Premier League clubs for the signing of Celtic star Matt O'Riley this January, according to Graeme Bailey.

The journalist reported via HITC on Friday (19 January) that the Hammers are one of many English teams considering a move for the Danish international this month and are weighing up a move before the end of the January window.

Within the Premier League, Wolves, Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, while Inter Milan, Napoli, Lille, Nice and surprise La Liga leaders Girona are known to have an interest in O'Riley as well.

Race is on
It is clear that David Moyes is keen to add to his midfield options at the London Stadium this month and O'Riley is a name that has been repeatedly linked with a switch to East London, along with a whole host of other potential options.

However, it seems unlikely that the Hammers will act upon their interest, especially considering just how many teams both in England and further abroad are reportedly monitoring the Danish international currently.

While the Hammers have the financial power to outspend most of their competitors, Moyes already spent heavily in the summer to replace Declan Rice after his move to Arsenal and he is unlikely to do the same so soon after, especially considering the need for signings in other areas.

There seems to be a real battle currently unfolding to secure O'Riley's signature and while the Irons may well have held an interest, they are unlikely to be tempted to enter what will be a bidding war to ensure Celtic receive the highest possible fee.



https://www.westhamzone.com/news/fulham-update-emerges-for-west-ham-united-in-january-battle-for-matt-oriley-transfer/

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Fulham v Newcastle United injury news as seven OUT of FA Cup clash, plus seven doubts - photos
Newcastle United face Fulham in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage with both Eddie Howe and Marco Silva facing selection dilemmas.

Newcastle United face yet more Premier League opposition in cup competitions this season when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Magpies are into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup for the first time under Eddie Howe after defeating Sunderland in the previous round.

Howe, who has had plenty of injury issues to deal with this season, will likely name a full strength team for their trip to the capital, despite a tricky looking fixture against Aston Villa to come just three days later.

However, they will undoubtedly be without Joelinton after he picked up an injury at the Stadium of Light and could miss the rest of the season if he requires surgery. Here, we take a look at the latest injury and team news from both camps ahead of Newcastle United's clash with Fulham in the FA Cup.

1. Adama Traore - doubt
The former Wolves man has an outside chance of facing Newcastle United. He has been sidelined for most of the season with a hamstring injury but could return to action in the near future.

2. Calvin Bassey - doubt
Bassey is away on international duty with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations. His participation will be dependent on how far his country go in the tournament.

3. Alex Iwobi - doubt
Iwobi is away on international duty with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations. His participation will be dependent on how far his country go in the tournament.

4. Fode Ballo-Toure - doubt
Bassey is away on international duty with Senegal at the African Cup of Nations. His participation will be dependent on how far his country go in the tournament.

5. Elliot Anderson - out
Anderson has been ruled-out with a back injury and hasn't featured since the win over Crystal Palace back in October.

6. Joe Willock - doubt
Willock reaggravated an achilles injury and has missed every game since the November international break. There is hope he can return to action soon and the former Arsenal man teased his potential return on social media this week.

7. Jacob Murphy - doubt
Murphy suffered a shoulder injury just moments after coming on against Arsenal. He is believed to be in contention soon and could be fit for a return against Fulham.

8. Callum Wilson - out
Wilson has been sidelined with injury yet again and is expected to miss most of January. He will not feature at Craven Cottage.

9. Sandro Tonali - out
Tonali was handed a 10-month ban from football meaning he won't be available for selection between now and the beginning of next season.

10. Nick Pope - out
Pope has been ruled-out of action for the next few months after dislocating his shoulder during the win over Manchester United in December.

11. Javier Manquillo - out
Manquillo has been sidelined with a groin injury in recent times. He is yet to feature in a matchday squad and has been linked with a move away from the club.

12. Joelinton - out
Joelinton may miss the rest of the season if his injury requires surgery. The Brazilian was superb against Sunderland last time out in the FA Cup.

13. Matt Targett - doubt
Targett was substituted very early on against Manchester United after suffering a hamstring injury in November. His return has been teased on social media after he was spotted on an exercise bike.

14. Harvey Barnes - out
Barnes picked up a foot injury at Bramall Lane and has not featured for the Magpies since that day. It shouldn't be too long until he is able to make his long-awaited return to action.



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/fulham-v-newcastle-united-injury-news-as-seven-out-of-fa-cup-clash-plus-seven-doubts-4484279

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 2023 AFCON: What Super Eagles coach Peseiro must do to get the best out of Iwobi
There are no mincing words that Alex Iwobi has had a slow start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Fulham midfielder failed to impress against Equatorial Guinea and didn't do any better against Ivory Coast when he was deployed deep in Jose Peseiro's 3-4-3 set up.

While he struggled in an offensive role against the Nzalang Nacional, deploying him as a deep-lying playmaker against the Elephants only worsened his situation.

he Hale End Academy product made no attacking impact as he could only manage one key pass all game against the host nation and offered little help defensively, attempting just one ground duel which he won, made 2 clearances and one block.

If the Super Eagles don't want to restrict their chances creation to turnovers and set pieces, Peseiro will need to deploy Iwobi, the team's best creative player in an offensive role.

Despite his struggles against Equatorial Guinea, he still created one of Nigeria's biggest chances of the game when he played a through ball to the feet of Victor Osimhen which the latter wasted.

The 27-year-old is one of Peseiro's best players and the Portuguese tactician will need to find a balance between playing him in his best position and deploying the perfect formation for the team

A solution could lie in Peseiro sacrificing Samuel Chukwueze to introduce one more midfielder that could sit in front of the defense line with Frank Onyeka which will allow Iwobi to play behind Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in what can be seen as a 3-5-2 formation.

While another change in formation isn't good for the team, the best time to make a change in a cup competition is during the group stages, particularly against an opponent who has little or nothing to fight for any longer like Guinea Bissau.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=50182

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Tony Cascarino raves about 21-year-old Fulham loanee, compares him to Alan Shearer
While Fulham might not have been in action this weekend, Tony Cascarino has been raving about Jay Stansfield after another top performance on loan at Birmingham City.

Marco Silva had a rare weekend off and would have been looking over Fulham's young players who were in action away from the club.

Speaking on TalkSPORT (21/1 6:20am), Cascarino was reflecting on Birmigham's 2-1 away win over Stoke City in the Championship yesterday.

It's been a topsy-turvy season for Jay Stansfield after switching the Premier League for a return to the Championship.

Initially signed by John Eustace, he scored a couple of early goals as the Blues made a strong start to the campaign and sat in the play-off positions.

However, Eustace was shockingly sacked for Wayne Rooney and the England legend oversaw a freefall in the league table.

Rooney was dismissed at the start of the month and Tony Mowbray became Stansfield's third manager of the season.

Birmingham are now unbeaten in four matches in all competitions and while the play-offs are out of reach, mid-table safety would be a comfort after Rooney led them into a relegation battle.

Cascarino has been raving about Stansfield after the Fulham youngster scored his eighth league goal of the season.

Silva has a decision to make in the summer to decide whether he's ready to be part of the first-team squad next season.

Fulham have struggled to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic and while Raul Jimenez is starting to make an impact at the Cottage, Stansfield could end up being his long-term successor.

Cascarino praises Fulham loanee Stansfield
Speaking about his performance yesterday, Cascarino said: "The lad that's on loan at Birmingham City is Jay Stansfield.

"And he got a terrific goal against Stoke yesterday and he's having a decent season, it's been a tough year for Birmingham City.

"But, he's a bit of a shining light, he's on loan from Fulham, he's only 21, he does really well, he's quick and he's quite direct when he needs to be and his goal yesterday typifies his play.

"It gets played into him, he gets on the turn, he goes one way, then he comes back on his left foot and finishes it with his right foot.

"It was a terrific finish! He strikes it like Alan Shearer and I've seen a lot of him and I've got a good friend who goes to Birmingham a lot and I've talked about him and watched him, I just thought it was a perfect example of a player there's all his assets in one goal that you see what he's like.

"He's quite dynamic, he gets in great spaces and when he gets there he makes quick decisions, he gets his head down and puts his foot through the ball, great finish."

Fulham fans will be delighted to hear Cascarino compare Stansfield to Alan Shearer after his brilliant goal yesterday.

The 21-year-old has around 20 games left in all competitions this season to continue to get minutes under his belt and to add more senior experience to his game.

Playing a key part for a Championship side this year sets him up perfectly to join the Fulham squad next season.

Although he's initially a product of Exeter's academy, it wouldn't be a surprise to hear shouts of 'He's one of our own' from the Hammy End in years to come if Stansfield lines up for the Whites.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/01/21/tony-cascarino-raves-about-21-year-old-fulham-loanee-compares-him-to-alan-shearer/

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Chelsea make shock decision to drop asking price for Fulham, West Ham, Wolves target by £15m; loan exit also on cards
Chelsea are so eager to find a buyer for striker Armando Broja they have reduced their asking price by £15million and may even accept a loan this month, according to reports.

The 22-year-old Albanian frontman has played a significant role for Mauricio Pochettino this season, making 13 Premier League appearances as the Blues waited on the return of Christopher Nkunku after the summer signing suffered an injury in pre-season.

However, much like stand-in skipper Conor Gallagher, academy graduate Broja is considered a viable option to balance the books at Stamford Bridge as the club tread carefully around FFP rules. Indeed, the fact that Gallagher and Broja came through the youth system in west London means any sale will be 100 percent pure profit.

As TEAMtalk revealed previously, there has been significant interest in the 6ft 3in attacker, with the likes of Fulham, West Ham, Wolves, and Crystal Palace all keen on striking a deal.

And while Chelsea were initially asking for £50million for a player who has only scored three goals in 36 appearances for the club, The Sun reports that figure has now changed.

They claim the Blues are now ready to knock £15m off that price tag and sell for £35m instead – with a loan deal also not out of the question.

The reports adds that Chelsea are extremely conscious of other clubs, much like themselves, struggling to stay on the right side of FFP rules and are willing to sell Broja or even accept a loan with an option to buy to ease any concerns that might arise.

Mauricio Pochettino's men already did a similar deal last summer when they let Lewis Hall move to Newcastle on loan, even though the two sides were considered major rivals for a top-four spot.

However, Metro adds that this time they are likely to demand an obligation-to-buy clause as part of the loan, with Toon boss Howe having already suggested that his side may decide against signing Hall permanently. That is not a scenario want with Broja.

The £35m price tag does appear much more appealing to suitors for a player who has only hit double figures for goals in one season, when he was on loan in the Netherlands with Vitesse in 2021/2022.

However, Broja's potential exit this month would leave them light on options up front, given that Nicolas Jackson is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Nkunku continues to have injury issues.

Pochettino remains a fan of work in progress Broja
Pochettino has certainly given Broja plenty of chances to stake a claim for a regular starting spot though, but he tempered expectations after the striker scored in the FA Cup third-round win over Preston.

The Argentine said: "He needs to use this type of game to improve. Not only in his fitness or his capacity for work ethic, he needs to step up and move forward and smile more and be more positive in the way he needs to improve in his game.

"The potential is amazing, we are talking about a young striker here in England or Europe, with one of the most potential. He needs to push himself, and we are going to try to help, to realise it's never enough and work really hard."

While Broja could be shown the exit door, Chelsea remain on the hunt for a prolific marksman with the likes of Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Karim Benzema all said to still be on their radar.

The Blues are back in action on Tuesday evening when they host Middlesbrough in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, trailing 1-0 after a shock loss on Teeside.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/chelsea-make-shock-decision-drop-asking-price-for-fulham-west-ham-wolves-target-15m-pounds

[gang]

Fulham update emerges for West Ham United in January battle for Matt O'Riley transfer
West Ham United are battling with Fulham and a number of other Premier League clubs for the signing of Celtic star Matt O'Riley this January, according to Graeme Bailey.

The journalist reported via HITC on Friday (19 January) that the Hammers are one of many English teams considering a move for the Danish international this month and are weighing up a move before the end of the January window.

Within the Premier League, Wolves, Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham are all keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, while Inter Milan, Napoli, Lille, Nice and surprise La Liga leaders Girona are known to have an interest in O'Riley as well.

Race is on
It is clear that David Moyes is keen to add to his midfield options at the London Stadium this month and O'Riley is a name that has been repeatedly linked with a switch to East London, along with a whole host of other potential options.

However, it seems unlikely that the Hammers will act upon their interest, especially considering just how many teams both in England and further abroad are reportedly monitoring the Danish international currently.

While the Hammers have the financial power to outspend most of their competitors, Moyes already spent heavily in the summer to replace Declan Rice after his move to Arsenal and he is unlikely to do the same so soon after, especially considering the need for signings in other areas.

There seems to be a real battle currently unfolding to secure O'Riley's signature and while the Irons may well have held an interest, they are unlikely to be tempted to enter what will be a bidding war to ensure Celtic receive the highest possible fee.



https://www.westhamzone.com/news/fulham-update-emerges-for-west-ham-united-in-january-battle-for-matt-oriley-transfer/

Should have kept him when he was here.