Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 30/01/24...

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Referee confirmed for Fulham game



Our Premier League game against Fulham at home this Saturday will be refereed by Darren Bond whose most recent Burnley game was the promotion clinching 2-1 win at Middlesbrough on Good Friday last year. Fourth official will be Andy Davies while John Brooks will be on VAR duty.

There will be more information ahead of the game.



https://www.uptheclarets.com/referee-confirmed-for-fulham-game-7

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Club still pushing for potential £50m transfer deal with Chelsea as Deadline Day edges closer
Fulham are reportedly still pushing for a late January transfer window swoop for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who could cost as much as £50million.

The Albania international has struggled for playing time at Stamford Bridge recently, though he's previously been regarded as one of the most exciting young talents at the club after impressing during a loan spell at Southampton.

According to Football Insider, it seems Fulham remain keen to snap Broja up before Deadline Day, though his £50m valuation seems to be the main issue at the moment.

The report adds that West Ham were also previously interested in Broja, but ended their interest due to Chelsea's demands for the 22-year-old.

Broja could surely be a fine signing for most Premier League clubs, so interest from the likes of Fulham and West Ham makes sense, and it will be interesting to see if others also join the race.

Chelsea may have to be more realistic with their demands, however, as £50m is a huge amount to pay for someone with relatively little Premier League experience, however big a prospect he may be.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/01/30/chelsea-transfer-news-broja-to-fulham-latest-update/

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As well as Nathan Patterson, Sean Dyche must ditch 'clumsy' Everton dud v Fulham
Everton are back in Premier League action tonight at last, but face a tough task as they travel to face a Fulham side that has troubled them twice already this season.

Having snatched a 1-0 win on the opening day of the season, despite the statistics reflecting home dominance, the hope was that the Toffees might be out for revenge last month in the EFL Cup.

However, neither the fans nor the players really seemed up for it, and despite a late Beto equaliser, the Cottagers would win again, this time on penalties.

They will be hoping to make it a third triumph in just one campaign tonight, and face Sean Dyche's side at arguably the perfect time given their injury crisis.

However, to give themselves the best possible chance of claiming any kind of result, there is one crucial thing that the 52-year-old manager must do.

Who should Everton start up front vs Fulham?
The big issue for Everton of late has been finding the net: a problem that has persisted for years now.

It was thought that the return to fitness for Dominic Calvert-Lewin would solve these issues, but if anything the profligate marksman has only deepened the issue.

That being said, his link-up play and general work rate remain largely faultless, which makes him such a tough man to drop.

Especially if it is for the aforementioned Beto, who does not boast nearly as much technical prowess as the Englishman.

Awkward, uncomfortable and even 'clumsy' in the eyes of journalist Adam Jones, if any of these two strikers have to drop out from the Luton Town game, it is surely the 25-year-old.

Ditching him should also coincide with Nathan Patterson's return to the bench too, with Dyche likely to favour Ashley Young if he does decide to risk the former Aston Villa man.

How did Sean Dyche's 4-4-2 formation work vs Luton Town?
Having started them both up top last time out, trialling a 4-4-2 again in the FA Cup, it swiftly became clear it was a system that the players were not used to.

Barring a few flashes of interplay which threatened to carve open their opponents, the formation left them woefully out of sorts in key areas, surrendering the midfield and forcing a style of play which left the players far too lackadaisical in possession.

The presence of two hulking forwards clearly led the backline and midfielders to pump it long whenever possible, and given both strikers share a similar play style, they often got in each other's way or misread the situation.

As such, it marked a disjointed and awkward showing which left Dyche's players confused. They simply must revert to their usual solid style for tonight's Premier League clash, or if necessary at least the five-at-the-back.

Beto must mark the unfortunate casualty due to his inability to control the ball and bring others into play like Calvert-Lewin can, as they cannot allow the engine room to be offered up to their hosts tonight.



https://www.everton.news/as-well-as-nathan-patterson-sean-dyche-must-ditch-clumsy-everton-dud-v-fulham/

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Report: Fulham, Wolves, and Villa Eye Chelsea Talent

Aston Villa's Bold Move: Pursuing Chelsea Forward Loved by Pochettino
In a surprising turn of events, the football transfer market is abuzz with news of Chelsea's Armando Broja being eyed by multiple clubs, including Aston Villa, Fulham, and Wolves. This unexpected development has put Broja's future on the line, as Chelsea seems willing to part ways with the striker. The question now is, which club will secure the talented player's signature? Fraser Gillan from TeamTalk has reported on the latest.

Exploring Broja's Situation:
Armando Broja, a promising 22-year-old forward, has found himself on the periphery of Chelsea's starting lineup this season, leading to speculation about his future. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has given the green light for Broja's potential departure, considering his lack of consistent game time. With just two goals to his name this season, Broja faces competition from other forwards, including Nicolas Jackson, and Chelsea is also scouting for another striker to bolster their ranks.

Interest from Multiple Clubs:
According to sources close to Chelsea, Fulham, Wolves, and Aston Villa are the frontrunners in the race to secure Broja's services. Both Fulham and Wolves are currently engaged in discussions with Chelsea over a potential loan deal. Chelsea are open to including an obligation to buy in the arrangement, although an option to buy remains an option.

Fulham recently made a bold move by offering a loan deal with an obligation to buy at £25 million, only to have it rejected by Chelsea, who stands firm on their £35 million valuation. It remains to be seen if Fulham or Wolves will meet Chelsea's asking price within the dwindling days of the transfer window.

Aston Villa's Tactical Approach:
Aston Villa has also thrown their hat into the ring for Broja. Interestingly, they could leverage Chelsea's interest in their striker, Jhon Duran, to facilitate negotiations. Pochettino views Duran as a potential future star, making a swap deal involving Broja and Duran a viable possibility.

Contingency Plans for Chelsea:
If the Duran deal falls through, Chelsea is reportedly considering a late move for Newcastle's Callum Wilson as an alternative. This contingency plan adds another layer of intrigue to Broja's potential transfer, as the player's destination remains uncertain.

The Race for Broja's Signature:
As things stand, the competition is fierce among Fulham, Wolves, and Aston Villa for Armando Broja's signature. With the transfer window closing soon, the outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the future of this young, promising striker.

In conclusion, Broja's situation is one to watch closely as the drama unfolds in the coming days. Which club will successfully land this talented forward, and how will Chelsea's transfer strategies evolve? The answers to these questions will undoubtedly shape the next chapter in Armando Broja's football journey.



https://eplindex.com/103486/report-fulham-wolves-and-villa-eye-chelsea-talent.html

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Everton Matchday Preview
Fulham v Everton | Tuesday 30th January | 7.45pm | Craven Cottage | #FULEVE

The opposition

    After losing their first three games of the season – including on the opening day at home to Fulham – Everton then went on to win a staggering 11 of their next 17 fixtures across all competitions.
    The first half of December was particularly productive as they won four on the spin without conceding a goal, form which saw them sitting seven points clear of danger – a feat all the more impressive when you take their 10-point deduction into account.
    But since Fulham knocked them out of the Carabao Cup, the Toffees have struggled for results. A goalless draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park is the only point they've picked up in the Premier League in four attempts. They did knock Crystal Palace out of the Emirates FA Cup following a replay, but then exited the competition themselves courtesy of Cauley Woodrow's late winner for Luton Town at the weekend.

Fulham team news

Harry Wilson will miss the next few weeks after hurting his shoulder against Newcastle United, though Adama Traoré is closing in on a return after rejoining training. Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey remain on international duty. Fodé Ballo-Touré's Senegal were knocked out on Tuesday, but he will not return in time for the game.

Everton team news

Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure are nursing hamstring injuries, while Andre Gomes has a calf knock and Dele Alli has undergone surgery on his groin. Senegal international Idrissa Gueye is in the same situation as Ballo-Touré.

Tickets

An extremely limited number of tickets remain available for Tuesday's game.

Weather

A dry day is forecast in SW6, but temperatures will be around seven degrees by kick-off.

Player insight

Bobby De Cordova-Reid isn't reading anything into the fact that Fulham have already beaten Everton twice this season.

"Obviously we've been doing well against Everton but that doesn't mean anything. We know what they're going to bring to the table.

"We have to exploit their weaknesses, but obviously go into the game with confidence and hopefully get the three points."

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to live commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Fulham Flutter

Win prizes while supporting the Foundation by playing the Fulham Flutter!

Early bird

Fans can take advantage of our early bird offers until 7.15pm! Full price reductions across all items can be viewed here.

Bag policy

Bags larger than A4 in size will not be permitted entry to the stadium. Please see our bag policy for full details, and information on our left luggage facility.

Form

Fulham: WLLDL

Everton: LDDWL

Top scorers

Fulham: Raúl Jiménez (5)

Everton: Abdoulaye Doucoure (6)

Matchday programme

The scorer of the winning goal against Everton in the corresponding Premier League fixture earlier in the season, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, spoke to the matchday programme ahead of tonight's match.

"On a personal level, it's been an enjoyable season so far," says De Cordova-Reid, whose five strikes during the campaign also include winners against Arsenal in the Premier League and Rotherham United in the Emirates FA Cup. "I've been able to chip in with a few goals which I'm obviously really happy about. I'm still critical of myself that I can get more goals, so I will continue to work to do that. But I'm enjoying my football and I enjoy being part of this squad."

As part of Green Football Weekend – the world's biggest football campaign to tackle climate change, which culminates on the weekend of 2nd-5th February – Bobby has also been busy in the kitchen. His meat-free recipe for Black Bean and Quorn Mince Chilli Tacos can be found in the matchday programme.

Priced at £4, you can pick up a copy of the programme on the day or online.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/january/30/everton-matchday-preview/

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Fulham vs Everton: Five things to expect at Craven Cottage
Both teams are in the wrong half of the table and suffered FA Cup exits over the weekend.

Everton travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Tuesday night for a clash between two sides in the wrong half of the Premier League table.

Both teams also suffered FA Cup exits over the weekend and will be looking to bounce back in the 7:45pm kick off. So, what can we expect from the match in West London?

Everton's form against Fulham
The last time the two side met was in the League Cup at Goodison Park on 19 December. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, but Fulham would end up winning on penalties. The Toffee's have only travelled to Craven Cottage three time since 2019, with one win, one loss and a draw. In their last five meetings, Everton have only managed a single draw, alongside four defeats.

Fulham will be missing key players, Calving Bassey, Fode Ballo-Toure and most noticeably former Toffees winger Alex Iwobi, who are all away representing their countries at the African Cup Of Nations. Adama Traore is also missing, out injured.

Toffee's response to FA Cup defeat
Everton come into the game off the back of an FA Cup defeat to relegation-threatened Luton. The Toffees have a lot of making up to do after their recent form, which sees them sit 17th in the league table following a ten points deduction. They missed numerous chances in that loss to the Hatters and will need to be more clinical.

Beto looking for goals
The Portuguese forward arrived from Italian side Udinese for £25 million but has struggled to find the net - he has one goal in 16 Premier League appearances. Everton fans were excited when he arrived as he gave the Toffee's some much needed depth in the forward position. He scored in a 2-1 win on his debut against League Two side Doncaster in the cup, but has failed to find the net regularly. There were times at the weekend where he could have scored against Luton and he needs a good game to get his campaign going.

Fulham's loss of form
Fulham came into the season with high hopes after finishing 10th last year. However, Marco Silva's side has been struggling for form recently and are looking for their first Premier League win since the 2-1 victory against Arsenal in December. Fulham can't rely solely on star-man Joao Palhinha, other players need to step-up. Goals have been hard to come by this season and their leading scorers are Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian, who both have five goals.

Danjuma has to step-up
Arnaut Danjuma arrived on loan from Villarreal in the summer. The forward arrived with lots of hope and the thought of him, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison and Beto all up front together was something for the fans to be excited about, but this sadly hasn't been the case. Having started back-to-back games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa he failed to score or register an assist in two games which both ended 0-0.

He's played 13 times in the Premier League this year, having come off the bench in nine of those games. He's scored just once since joining. This could be the perfect game for the Dutchman to make an impact.



https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/everton/fulham-vs-everton-five-things-to-expect-at-craven-cottage-4497832

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Brighton, Everton, Fulham & Brentford stance revealed as Leicester City set £40m asking price

    Brighton ends pursuit of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall due to unwillingness to meet £40 million asking price.
    Everton, Fulham, and Brentford still interested in midfielder.
    Dewsbury-Hall's future may depend on Leicester's promotion to the Premier League.

Brighton are expected to end their pursuit of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this January but Everton, Fulham and Brentford still hold an interest.

According to Talksport (10.42), the Seagulls are not willing to meet the £40 million asking price set by Leicester City.

It emerged late last week that the Premier League side were interested in signing the midfielder, with it being reported that they made an offer worth an overall package of £20 million.

However, there is a big gap in valuation of the 25-year-old, with the Foxes holding out for up to double that figure.

Dewsbury-Hall is a key part of Enzo Maresca's side as the club aims to fight for promotion to the Premier League this season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall transfer latest
Brighton are set to end their pursuit of the Leicester player for the time being, with the top flight club unwilling to match the £40 million asking price set by the Foxes.

However, it is understood that Dewsbury-Hall is still attracting Premier League interest, with the likes of Everton, Fulham and Brentford all keeping tabs on the player.

Dewsbury-Hall has been a standout figure in Maresca's team so far this season, and he has previous experience in the top division from the club's time in the league before suffering relegation last year.

It is possible Brighton will return with another attempt to sign the player in the summer, should he remain at the King Power beyond January.

Dewsbury-Hall's future may also depend on the status of Leicester beyond this campaign, with the club fighting for automatic promotion straight back to the Premier League.

A failure to secure a place in the top division could open the door for his exit, having stayed with the club after their relegation in the previous campaign.

The 25-year-old has contributed nine goals and nine assists in the Championship so far, earning plenty of plaudits for his performances in the second tier.

Leicester are currently top of the second division table, sitting eight points clear of third place Southampton.

Leeds United are a point further behind in fourth, albeit having played a game more than their promotion rivals.

Maresca's side have occupied a top two spot for the majority of the season, and will see themselves as the favourites to secure promotion automatically.

The Italian has earned praise for his work at the Leicestershire outfit, having taken the reins during the summer.

He oversaw a major overhaul of the first team squad, with several key players departing.

Next up for Leicester is a home game against Swansea City this evening.

Dewsbury-Hall must stay beyond January
Leicester have no need to sell any of their key players, so it should take a ludicrous offer to convince them to cash in this month.

There is so little time left in the transfer window that replacing Dewsbury-Hall would be extremely difficult.

Keeping hold of him will be key to gaining promotion, which is worth a lot more than they could reasonably expect to receive from a sale.

There is no doubt that Dewsbury-Hall is a Premier League calibre player, so it is no surprise he is garnering interest, but Leicester should be able to hold firm and keep him beyond January.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/conor-coady-will-not-have-it-easy-at-leicester-city/

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Liverpool eye Fulham star on free transfer as Jurgen Klopp allows three players to leave
Liverpool were hugely impressed with the 26-year-old centre half in their Carabao Cup semi final second leg at Craven Cottage last Wednesday

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo could be an option for Liverpool in the summer.

Liverpool were hugely impressed with the 26-year-old centre half in their Carabao Cup semi final at Craven Cottage last Wednesday. Tosin is out of contract in the summer and has already attracted interest from AC Milan as he is free to talk to overseas clubs.

 The 6ft 5in defender was also on Tottenham 's radar last summer and Liverpool want to bolster their defensive options. Even though Jurgen Klopp is leaving, a free transfer to replace the likes of Joel Matip is likely to appeal.

Fulham are happy to wait and see what develops and Tosin knows they want to keep him but he will have options as a free agent.

 The Reds have allowed centre-back Nat Phillips to join Cardiff City on loan for the remainder of the season after the 26-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Celtic.

Phillips has played 29 times for the Reds, including 20 appearances in the 2020-21 season when Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Matip all suffered serious injuries. He played only five times last term though, and appeared eight times for Celtic in the first half of this campaign.

Blackburn had also been hoping to snap up the defender, but he will now see out the rest of the campaign in south Wales.

The Reds have also loaned right-back Calvin Ramsay to Bolton after a less than fruitful first half of the season at Preston, where the Scot played just twice. Liverpool will hope the loan goes as well for Ramsay as it for right-back Conor Bradley, who won Bolton's player of the year award last season after a stellar campaign and is currently impressing for the first-team.

Liverpool left-back Owen Beck has also been allowed to rejoin Scottish side Dundee on loan after being recalled earlier this month.

Beck excelled at Dundee in the first half of the season but was brought back to Liverpool following injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, and he made his Premier League debut in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth. FIFA regulations state that he could not play for a third team this season after appearing for Liverpool and Dundee.

"I am made up to be back, after the first half of the season that we both had together," said Beck. "I now just can't wait to get back out there and perform in front of the fans again.

"I am over the moon to be back. I just want to thank the Dundee fans for their support in the first half of the season, even when you found out I got recalled you were fantastic with me, but I am back again, so let's get to work again."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-fulham-tosin-32002111

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Fulham and Brentford considering late swoop for Plymouth Argyle talisman as Lazio bid turned down
With Jack Clarke now off the table, Plymouth's Morgan Whittaker could be the man most in-demand from the Championship leading into deadline day



With the final couple of days of the January transfer window now approaching, attentions are turning towards the Championship - but not for incoming players to second tier clubs.

It is the players that could depart one of the world's most competitive leagues that are catching the headlines, with one of them in the form of Adam Wharton close to securing a move away from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace.

But it is the attacking players of the Championship that are now attracting significant interest - with one of those being Plymouth Argyle talisman Morgan Whittaker.

And the 23-year-old is now one of the players to watch ahead of the February 1 transfer deadline, with several clubs declaring their interest in the hot-shot.

Fulham and Brentford considering late Whittaker swoops



According to a report from Football Insider, Premier League sides are now looking into the possibility of putting in late bids for Whittaker in an attempt to take him from the Pilgrims, just a few months after he joined the Devon outfit on a permanent basis.

It is claimed that both Fulham and Brentford sent scouts to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon to watch Whittaker in action as Plymouth drew 1-1 with Leeds United in an FA Cup fourth round clash.

Whittaker captained Ian Foster's side and played all 90 minutes, and having monitored the forward before that anyway, both the Bees and the Cottagers are considering moves for the ex-Derby County and Swansea City man ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline.

Brentford were close to securing Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa in one of the biggest January deals anywhere in the world, but problems over the Norwegian's medical tests, in which a knee issue cropped up, is forcing the West London outfit to look elsewhere, with attentions seemingly turning to Whittaker.

Fulham however have been incredibly quiet in the transfer window, although a late offer for Whittaker's services could change everything.

Lazio bid for Whittaker rejected
Whittaker is also wanted overseas and not just in England, with reports emerging in the middle of the month that Italian Serie A outfit Atatlanta sent scout Mick Doherty to watch the left-footed dynamo in action against Huddersfield Town - a match in which he scored in.

A new team from Italy have emerged as suitors for Whittaker though, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reporting on Monday evening that Lazio were now interested in Whittaker, and Argyle's director of football Neil Dewsnip has confirmed that an offer has been turned down from the Rome-based outfit.

Dewsnip has also revealed that Whittaker is not for sale, which would seemingly scupper anyone's chances of landing one of the Championship's top scorers.

Plymouth should hold out for £20 million figure for Whittaker
There is a saying that every player has his price, and despite Whittaker being declared as not for sale, Plymouth will almost certainly accept a bid providing their valuation is met.

That valuation though, looking at what the likes of Norwich and Sunderland want for Jonathan Rowe and Jack Clarke respectively, must be set very high and they must not be pushed over or bullied by bigger clubs.

Plymouth don't get 40,000-plus crowds through the door like the Black Cats do, but that does not mean they cannot demand a similar figure for their star man like the Wearsiders are with Clarke.

Whittaker has scored 15 times this season in league action and is proving himself to be one of the best players in the division, so a £20 million valuation would be fair and if that is met, then that is huge money for a club like Plymouth - whether that happens though this month remains to be seen.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-and-brentford-considering-late-swoop-for-plymouth-argyles-morgan-whittaker-as-lazio-bid-turned-down/

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Forget Lewis Dobbin... Sean Dyche must unleash 'phenomenal' Everton whiz on Fulham
With Everton returning to action tonight, the age-old debate over who Sean Dyche must start also begins.

However, this time, his options are significantly far more limited than one would hope.

Losing to Luton Town in the FA Cup last time out marked a searing indictment of their recent struggles, but the manner of that exit was indicative of the huge problems they are currently facing.

The former Burnley boss was forced to trial a largely untested 4-4-2 formation with the blind hope that it might click and solve his outstanding issues. It did not.

Thus, it is now back to the drawing board for Dyche, who must cobble together some kind of side capable of troubling Fulham in their own backyard, despite tonight's hosts having claimed two victories from Goodison Park already this term.

What Everton players are fit for the Fulham game tonight?
With the furthest thing from a clean bill of health, the bulk of the side actually picks itself.

Unfortunately, that is not through any outstanding performances or a rich vein of form, but more due to the fact that there is nobody else there.

James Garner and Amadou Onana simply have to start in midfield, as Andre Gomes, Dele Alli and Abdoulaye Doucoure are all still out.

Nathan Patterson seems to be the only truly fit right-back too, as Ashley Young remains doubtful and Seamus Coleman has been ruled out.

Even out wide, Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison have been ever-present thus far despite neither really doing much to earn that cemented spot.

But, with the latter perhaps set to be forced into midfield to occupy that aforementioned Doucoure absence, surely it is about time we saw Arnaut Danjuma from the start.

How good has Arnaut Danjuma been this season?
Chances have been desperately limited for the Dutchman since he made his loan move to Goodison Park in the summer, having initially snubbed their advances around this time last year.

It was expected that he would have a huge impact on any success earned this campaign, but that has been far from the case.

Clearly unfavoured by Dyche, the 26-year-old has instead been limited to a mere four Premier League starts, with even youngster Lewis Dobbin preferred to him on some occasions.

However, whilst he may struggle with the defensive side of the game, what he offers creatively cannot really be replicated within Everton's entire team at the moment.

His flashes of brilliance, however rare due to his lack of game time, have been exceptional and imperative.

A threaded through ball to release Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Aston Villa. Forging numerous chances on the break against Tottenham Hotspur.

The £53k-a-week whiz clearly boasts immense talent, and it is now just about Dyche ushering it out of him whilst keeping him disciplined.

After all, during the time when he was breaking through, Nijmegen's former technical director Remco Oversier would note: 'His dribbling technique is phenomenal. That boy has so much potential. You would have to analyse all of his goals, all different types. I saw right-backs falling over because they did not know what to do anymore.'

His dynamism and flair are unlike anything within this Everton squad, and he simply must be unleashed tonight over Dobbin.



https://www.everton.news/forget-lewis-dobbin-sean-dyche-must-unleash-phenomenal-everton-whiz-on-fulham/

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Up next: Everton (h)
After the disappointment of a double Cup exit in the space of 74 hours, Fulham have an almost immediate opportunity to put things right when they welcome Everton to Craven Cottage this evening. Amidst all the apathy and rancour of the club's pricegouging that came to the fore in the FA Cup on Saturday night, there is a sense of deflation amongst the fan base that Fulham's campaign – which until a week ago carried plenty of promise in the cup competitions – could peter out. Marco Silva was having none of it during his media duties yesterday and you can be certain that will want to beat the Toffees as the memory of being sacked at Goodison Park was what persuaded him to succeed Scott Parker in SW6 three years ago.

Silva's ambition to finish the season strong – and potentially rival last term's top half finish – is somewhat undermined by the threadbare nature of his first-team squad. He will pick from nineteen fully-fit senior players this evening and admitted that his side are feeling the impact of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, who inspired Nigeria to reach the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations, being on international duty in the Ivory Coast. The lack of a reliable alternative to Raul Jimenez remains an issue, as evidenced by Fulham's failure to make their dominance count against Newcastle at the weekend. The transfer window would seem to provide a remedy, but Silva has been downbeat about the prospect of making a significant splash based on his conversations with the club's board.

Of course, the fact that Fulham are comfortably anchored in the middle of the table and reached the League Cup semi-final with a squad that was afflicted by summer uncertainty surrounding several key players and the head coach underlines how well Silva has done with the resources at his disposal. The Whites might have struggled for consistency but they have managed four of their past five home league games – with the four-match winless run largely comprising of those missed opportunities in the two leagues against Liverpool and Saturday's reverse to Newcastle, where the hosts were well in the contest until all hope was extinguished by Dan Burn.

After Bobby De Cordova-Reid's burglary on Merseyside on the opening day, Fulham are in with a chance of completing their first league double over the Toffees at the thirtieth time of asking. Silva should revert to something like full strength having made seven changes on Saturday with this fixture and the trip to Burnley on Saturday in mind. Harry Wilson's shoulder injury is a significant blow given how the Welshman worried Liverpool off the bench on Wednesday and it is a blow that this game probably comes too soon for Adama Traore, although this correspondent can confirm that the Spaniard was moving much more freely at Motspur Park on Sunday.

Sean Dyche's side, beaten by a late Cauley Woodrow winner at the weekend, seem to have lost their way of late – sitting a single place and point above Luton, who have played a game less, and will take confidence from their Cup triumph at Goodison Park. Everton are sorely missing top scorer Abdoulaye Doucouré, whilst the loss of Idrissa Gueye to international commitments and Andre Gomes to an untimely calf injury, has blunted some of the midfield creativity that delivered an upturn in form before the turn of the year.

Dyche will likely be without experienced full backs Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young this evening and his pairing of Beto with Dominic Calvert-Lewin hardly troubled the Hatters in the Cup. Calvert-Lewin remains Everton's most likely source of goals, but a switch in system could see the likes of Arjun Danjuma, Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil provide him with the sort of service upon which he once thrived so successfully under Carlo Ancelotti.

Starting at a high tempo will be vital this evening. Tom Cairney's distribution will be more important than ever, but it will be interesting to see if the skipper starts in the deep-lying central midfield role he has made his own or could be pushed further forward in place of Andreas Pereira.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Adarabioyo; Palhinha, Reed; De Cordova-Reid, Willian, Cairney, Jimenez. Subs: Rodak, Castagne, Ream, de Fougerolles, Francois, Lukic, Vinicius, Muniz.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/01/up-next-everton-h-5/

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Chris Sutton makes 'desperate' claim in result prediction for Fulham vs Everton match in Premier League
Chris Sutton says Sean Dyche and Everton are in "desperate" need of a victory when they take on Fulham in the Premier League.

The Toffees make the trip to Craven Cottage on Tuesday (30 January) aiming to turn things around after a poor run of form.

Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend – as were Fulham – but Sutton has backed them to claim a point in West London.

Sutton predicted a 1-1 draw for BBC Sport [29 January] and added: "Fulham went out of both cups in the space of four days last week, despite not playing badly in either game. But their goals have dried up of late and that is what has cost them.

"It was Everton who were wasteful when these sides met at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season, and Marco Silva's side nicked the points.

"This time, Everton are desperate – like Forest really – and Sean Dyche really needs a result, with his side just above the relegation zone.

"This is a big game for the Toffees with tough fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City coming up, but scoring goals is a problem for them too.

"Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs to start firing for Everton if they are going to start winning games, but this one smells a lot like a draw to me.

Keep the faith
Everton have won just one of their last eight matches – a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their FA Cup third-round replay two weeks ago.

Exiting that competition to Luton at the weekend was a big disappointment, leaving focus now solely on avoiding Premier League relegation.

The Toffees did incredibly well to climb clear of the relegation zone not so long ago, but they have taken just one point from the past 12 on offer.

That leaves Dyche's side 17th and now just one point above Luton Town in the final relegation spot, with the Hatters having a game in hand.

If it was not clear enough beforehand, it certainly is now: Everton are in serious danger and need to start picking up some victories.

A win at Fulham would make a whole world of difference, and it was not so long ago Everton won four league games in a row on their travels.

Supporters need to keep the faith and back the players to return to the form we saw in the first half of last month.

In other Everton news, a date has been set for the Toffees' appeal hearing against their 10-point Premier League deduction.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/01/30/chris-sutton-predicts-scoreline-fulham-vs-everton-premier-league/

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Chelsea dealt £50m Armando Broja transfer blow amid Jhon Duran replacement plan
Mauricio Pochettino says he is happy that Broja is part of his squad but Chelsea have outlined what price they would sell him for.

Fulham and West Ham are pulling together a late chase for Armando Broja, although neither are reportedly keen on the £50m price tag set by Chelsea.

The attacker, who has two goals in 19 appearances this season, has been constantly linked with an exit ahead of deadline day as Todd Boehly continues his player turnover. Mauricio Pochettino says the Albanian has "massive" potential and likened him to Harry Kane, who had to find his feet at other clubs before thriving at Tottenham.

 However, it seems Boehly is not interested in a loan exit but a full sale. That said, football.london understands that Chelsea will not be considering any offers below their £50m valuation. This may be a sticking point for potential suitors.

Fulham have been credited with holding interest in Broja but journalist Simon Phillips says the Cottagers do not wish to spend more than £30m on an initial loan ahead of an obligation to buy. West Ham have more money to offer but it is unlikely they would splash out so much on Broja, who has three goals in 38 senior Chelsea games.

The Telegraph says that Chelsea are considering signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran as a quick-fire replacement should Broja indeed end up leaving. It is thought he is worth less than half of the price tag slapped on Broja and, at 20, is two years younger.

Reports elsewhere suggest that Villa have already turned down an approach from West Ham for Colombian Duran. With Unai Emery seemingly playing hardball, it indicates that the chances of Chelsea bringing in a striker - and thus allowing Broja to leave for less - before deadline day are slim.

Crystal Palace and Wolves have been previously mooted as attaining an interest in Broja, but neither would be able to get near the £50m valuation this month. Speaking last week, Pochettino said he was content with his striker options.

He explained: "We are assessing the squad like always. We had a conversation with the owners and sporting directors yesterday and today and we are looking, like all teams, for options, opportunities.

"I am so happy because we have Broja, we have different players that can play in the striker position and we need our second line offensive players to help the team score goals and help to win games. I am very positive and happy with the squad.

"We are working, if something appears, we will announce. At the moment we are assessing and working normally, how we have been working from the beginning of the season."



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/transfer-news/chelsea-dealt-50m-armando-broja-28536223

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Everton line-ups for Fulham as Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison decisions made
Our writers pick their starting line-ups for the clash with Fulham in the Premier League

Chris Beesley - Harrison fills Doucoure role with Danjuma wide

For Everton's trip to Fulham I'll go with the team that Sean Dyche should have arguably picked against Luton Town on Saturday.

This correspondent is old enough to remember when the Blues and indeed most of their opponents played 4-4-2 and it's the formation that I was brought up on. It's also the tactic used predominantly by Dyche during his nine-and-a-half year stint in charge of Burnley but the FA Cup exit against the Hatters showed why he has seldom used it at Everton and instead favoured a 4-5-1.

Some Evertonians have been curious to see what it would be like to have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto paired together, if their previous half an hour against Luton back in September had not been enough evidence. However, after another four months of the strikers getting acquainted with each others' games, it unfortunately didn't seem to have improved much in terms of the team's effectiveness, especially against a newly-promoted outfit whose meat and drink is dealing with a couple of big lads up front in opposition.

Many of us have fretted that the Blues' season might get derailed by an unfortunate injury to either Calvert-Lewin or goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but in fact it seems, a year into his reign, that the key to have Dyche's side plays is Abdoulaye Doucoure, who remains sidelined with a fresh hamstring injury.

Given the continued absence of Everton's top scorer, I would revert to the usual shape but bring Jack Harrison in from the wing as the central support for Calvert-Lewin and stick Arnaut Danjuma out wide.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Patterson, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Garner, Gueye, McNeil, Danjuma, Harrison; Calvert-Lewin

Joe Thomas - Scrap the front two

Well, no-one is suggesting he starts Beto and Calvert-Lewin up top are they?

I'm not, just to be clear. I'm not sure Sean Dyche will either, given his apparent acknowledgement the approach had struggled against Luton Town.

For me, there is an obvious pathway for tonight - at least unless there are any further injury issues. I say that because Dyche highlighted that Amadou Onana had a knock after the Luton game and was due to be assessed.

Not wanting to countenance the prospect of Everton being down to one senior central midfielder, I revert back to the 4-5-1 that has served Dyche well. I keep Calvert-Lewin up front. A goal is coming, he just needs to know he is being backed. I move Jack Harrison into the middle to play behind Calvert-Lewin. This is a tactic that has enjoyed some success - think Newcastle United at home and Crystal Palace away in the FA Cup, both games during which he slipped forwards through with cute balls that were not followed up with a finish.

And that brings me to Arnaut Danjuma coming in on the left. I cannot fathom why he has not started during the recent injury issues and if he does not start today then what on earth can we make of his standing with Dyche and within the squad. Danjuma is on the left for me as it is a preferred position of his and it means Dwight McNeil can help offer some protection to Nathan Patterson against Willian, who has caused Everton no end of issues recently.

My team (4-5-1) Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Patterson; Danjuma, Onana, Harrison, Garner, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin



https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/everton-line-ups-fulham-arnaut-28536941

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The Opposition View: Everton at Fulham | Cottagers test for the Toffees
Stuttering Fulham looking to bounce back after dual cup exits

While January has been a slow month as it concerns transfers as well as matches, Everton can end the month on a positive note with three points in London - but they'll have to do it against a side that has had their number this season thus far.

Fulham has been inconsistent this season otherwise, but against Everton, has found success. A tough opening year loss was followed by a difficult loss thanks to penalty kicks at the end of the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup, but in a world where the next game is largely all that matters, a victory and three points against the old Blues boss as February looms would prove massive for the standing and confidence of this team of Toffees.

Yet, who will ultimately win? Of course, only time will tell, but in the meantime, we have some insight concerning the Cottagers.

Ahead of Tuesday's Premier League match between Everton and Fulham, we spoke with Russ Goldman of SBN's dedicated Fulham site Cottagers Confidential and the Cottage Talk podcast:

RBM: First off, tell us what Fulham have been going through in the Premier League and otherwise since last we spoke before the EFL Cup match?

RG: Well, it has been an up-and-down time since then for Fulham. There have been a few disappointing losses to Burnley and Bournemouth, but they beat Arsenal at home, which was amazing. Unfortunately, they followed it up with the two recent cup losses.

RBM: Who has been shining for the club recently? Offensively and defensively?

RG: Defensively, I would go with Calvin Bassey, but he is currently away at the African Cup of Nations. Going forward, I would say that Willian is still very dangerous, and he is a serious threat on the left-hand side.

RBM: How has Everton's old friend Alex Iwobi done in a Fulham shirt since making his move back to London to play for Marco Silva?

RG: Besides Palhinha, he has been Fulham's best player, and they miss him dearly as he is also away at the African Cup Of Nations.

RBM: Will Fulham be looking to add any players in the final days of January? I know at last check, we spoke about positions of need, but any specific names?

RG: I would hope they would bring in a striker and possibly a central midfielder, but at this point, Fulham look unlikely to get much done.

RBM: You predicted not too long ago a seventh place finish on the league table; are we sticking with this, and if so, why?

RG: Well, my prediction is not going to happen, but I will own my prediction and not change it. The Summer Transfer Window was a serious letdown and I was predicting that position based on Mitrovic not leaving, They really did not replace him so I got this one wrong.

RBM: How do you expect Fulham to set up on Tuesday? Which of Fulham's players do you think could cause Everton the most issues in the match?

RG: Willian and Antonee Robinson, I think, will give you all kinds of problems on the left-hand side. I expect Fulham to set up in a 4-2-3-1

RBM: Finally, what's your prediction for the game?

RG: I am going for a 2-1 Fulham victory, but it won't be easy at all.

Our thanks to Russ for his time.



https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/1/30/24055408/everton-at-fulham-the-opposition-view-premier-league-match-preview-marco-silva

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Everton at Fulham: Opposition Analysis | Blues Must Halt the Slide
The team has to start picking up points ahead of a tough run of games

Coming off another poor result in exiting the FA Cup on Saturday to Luton Town at Goodison Park, the Blues form since the end of December is a worry. Everton have now managed only one win in eight games across all competitions, gaining just one point from their last four Premier League outings.

Admittedly, a close away loss to Tottenham Hotspur along with a home defeat inflicted by Manchester City were hardly surprising and a 0-0 draw at Goodison against Aston Villa was a decent enough result. The only terrible league performance over that stretch was a 3-0 walloping by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, where the team seemed ill-at-ease in its 5-4-1 shape.

Throw in a Carabao Cup exit on penalties against Fulham, in which Everton had been the better side, a creditable FA Cup stalemate with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park - the Blues having been unfairly reduced to ten men in the closing stages - and a dull 1-0 win over the same opposition in the replay and a case could be made for the club's form being more inconsistent, than awful.

Still, it's undeniable that the heady days of mid-September to mid-December, in which the Toffees won ten of 14 in all competitions seem long gone. Injuries have impacted the squad and a relentless series of ten games over a 39-day period from November 26th through to January 4th, with little rotation have left the players looking jaded.

Next up, Everton travel to Fulham for tonight's game at Craven Cottage.

Form
The Cottagers managed to ride out a turbulent summer transfer window, which was heavily affected by the Saudi Arabian league's sudden spending spree, and emerge intact. Losing the influential Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal was a blow, though the healthy €52m fee they received for the 28-year-old proved useful in rebuilding the squad, with players like Alex Iwobi, Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey and Raúl Jiménez arriving and bedding in as core members of the first team.

The club managed to hang on to the outstanding defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, following a late bid from Bayern Munich, which may have been more important than any new signing.

Their form this season has been inconsistent, the Cottagers having managed to win consecutive games just twice: a pair of astonishing 5-0 victories over Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, with the second sequence consisting of a great win against Arsenal, paired with a rather more routine cup success over Championship outfit Rotherham United. Fulham have lost back-to-back games on three separate occasions.

Following that victory over Rotherham, the team is on a four-game winless run and their lone positive result, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the Cottage, saw them exit the Carabao Cup at the Semi-final stage, on aggregate. They've lost four of their last five in the league and await the Blues in 13th spot in the table.

Style of Play
Marco Silva is a 4-2-3-1 man and has stuck with this formation throughout, though he started the campaign in the similar 4-3-3. He's a manager who likes his team to get on the ball, as Blues fans will remember from his 18 months at Everton. A fluid style in possession, with plenty of movement and swapping of positions is emphasised and can present matchup problems for rigid defensive setups. Wingers are encouraged to come inside and width is provided by overlapping fullbacks, particularly ex-Blue Antonee Robinson, on the left.

Fulham enjoy a 49.9% share of possession, which is quite reasonable for a lower midtable side and demonstrates their desire to ask questions of the opposition. They use the ball well, posting an 83.4% pass accuracy (ranking ninth), courtesy of their possession game and helped by a selection of solid technical footballers. Tonight's hosts have scored 28 times in the league, slightly up on their xG (Expected Goals) statistic of 25.2.

On defence, Silva sets them up in a solid shape, anchored by Palhinha and does not overcommit going forward, evidenced by the team only conceding once via counterattack this term. The West Londoners have shipped 36, broadly in line with their xGA (Expected Goals Allowed) of 36.5. They permit the same number of efforts on goal as the Blues: 13.2 per 90 minutes. Fulham are defending set-pieces very well, conceding only twice and rank joint top along with Man City and Wolves.

Player Assessment
Willian will be a threat tonight, operating off the left flank. The Brazilian will be up against Nathan Patterson, whose positional defending has been weak and who has also looked reluctant recently to break forward, either due to a lack of confidence or by managerial instruction. The veteran winger is not the player he was of old, at 35, but is still agile, tricky, good on the ball and has an eye for a goal.

Palhinha has the ability to dominate Everton's midfield, which lacked its usual energy at the weekend. The Portuguese makes 7.21 tackles and interceptions combined per 90, along with 1.87 blocked passes and leads the team with 6.93 ball recoveries. He's tidy in possession also, completing 82.8% of his passes.

Solution
The Londoners have played one more game than Everton this month, so in theory the visitors should have been the fresher side tonight but unlike the Blues, Fulham rotated heavily in their 2-0 FA Cup loss to Newcastle United on Saturday, resting a number of key players. Sean Dyche was limited in some respects as regards team selection against Luton, but he certainly could have made some changes, both to the starting lineup and during the match.

Expecting the Toffees manager to alter from his preferred approach of sticking with the same eleven starters - barring injury or suspension - and largely ignoring his bench, appears fruitless at this point; the ex-Burnley man is going to stand by his principles, regardless. Right now, this adds up to a team comprised of tired players who he trusts and those on the outside, who are given scant opportunity to contribute. The situation is less than idea and continues to bother me.

Everton have actually played well overall in both outings against tonight's hosts this season, albeit winning neither and with the proviso of enjoying home advantage in each. Perversely, however under Dyche the Blues have generally performed better away from home, possibly due to the way he sets them up to play without seeing much of the ball and maybe also minus the pressure of an expectant Goodison crowd.

I'm expecting minimal changes in the Toffees lineup tonight; why would anyone assume anything else? Obviously Jordan Pickford will return, but the only real question is whether Calvert-Lewin, on a 15-game blank streak in front of goal, or Beto - who didn't pull up any trees on Saturday - will get the nod. I can't see Dyche sticking with a front two, off its poor performance against the Hatters, so for me it'll be DCL leading the line.

In for the Portuguese will be Ashley Young deployed as a right winger, with Jack Harrison moved inside in support of the lone striker. I feel Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Dobbin will again be relegated to bench-warming duty, although a slight window of opportunity for one of them could open should Dyche opt to use Young at fullback, benching Patterson.

There was little reason for encouragement to be drawn from Saturday's fiasco, yet I have a feeling that Everton may unexpectedly rebound and put in a solid effort against the Cottagers. The team's back is against the wall and that may bring out the best from them on the road. It's tough to see the Blues winning against any half-decent opposition currently, but a hard-fought draw is attainable.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Everton

Statistics provided courtesy of fbref.com, transfermarkt.com and whoscored.com



https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/1/30/24055435/fulham-everton-opposition-tactical-analysis-blues-must-halt-the-slide-marco-silva-sean-dyche

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Jamie Carragher predicts unwanted first for Everton in Premier League clash vs Fulham
Jamie Carragher has predicted that Everton will suffer an unwanted first when they face Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday (30 January).

The Toffees lost the corresponding fixture 1-0 on the opening day of the season through a Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal.

Everton have not lost home and away to Fulham in a single league campaign in 29 previous instances [BBC Sport], but Carragher expects that to change.

The former Liverpool defender backed Fulham to win 2-1 in his Sky Sports Super 6 predictions.

Poor run
Everton cannot afford for their disappointing run of form to continue for much longer if they are to ease these relegation concerns.

The Toffees stopped the rot somewhat with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa last time out in the league, snapping a run of three successive losses.

There has been an FA Cup third-round replay win over Crystal Palace since then, followed up by a 2-1 reverse to Luton Town in the next round.

Fulham have themselves been on the end of some disappointing results over the past couple of weeks, so both sides will be eager to hit back.

Everton have fared well in this fixture in recent times, having lost on just one of their last seven league trips to Craven Cottage.

A draw would still leave Sean Dyche's side in trouble, especially with Tottenham and Manchester City next up.

There is no reason why they cannot come back from the capital with all three points, but avoiding defeat is key.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/01/30/fulham-vs-everton-jamie-carragher-prediction-premier-league-clash/

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Everton predicted XI, team and injury news v Fulham as Sean Dyche axes Beto
Everton are back in Premier League action again tonight, as they travel to Craven Cottage to face a tough Fulham side under floodlights.

It marks the third meeting of these two sides, with today's hosts having claimed victory in the earlier two clashes, first on the opening day of the league, and later on penalties in the EFL Cup.

The expectation is that, with the backing of their home crowd at last, they will roar to another easy victory.

Especially when looking at the form book, despite Marco Silva's men hardly posting the most spectacular run.

A home win over Arsenal exactly a month ago does stand out, but the Toffees are actually yet to taste victory in the Premier League since early December.

Sean Dyche has this torrid run, plus a huge injury crisis to contend with tonight.

Here's our predicted XI for Everton vs Fulham...
Despite his heroics in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace, and being left hopeless against Luton Town, Joao Virginia will naturally have to bow out from his goalkeeping position after an enjoyable stint.

Jordan Pickford, who has made himself a 'hero' in the eyes of former Everton boss Sam Allardyce and many fans since his £30m move in 2017, will mark the first of three changes from last time out.

He will sit behind a back three, as Dyche could well shuffle the defence to account for the limited personnel at his disposal.

Naturally, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite will remain, whilst the managerial favourite Michael Keane also comes into the side too.

They will be flanked by the ever-present Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson, the latter of which is unlikely to receive competition for his spot just yet as Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman remain doubtful.

Amadou Onana and James Garner will then make up the midfield pairing, as always, and offer a screen for that back five to allow the front three to flex their creative muscles.

Whilst Dwight McNeil has been a mainstay under Dyche, given the two shared a successful spell at Burnley too, tonight could finally see him dropped in order to rest him and offer more offensive threat.

He should be replaced by Arnaut Danjuma, who will likely tuck narrower at times to aid Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front. The Englishman always seems to be preferred to Beto.

Then, with Jack Harrison on the other flank, he also boasts the tactical flexibility to come inside and operate in between the lines as a roaming attacking midfielder.

This front three will hope to cause problems to Fulham's backline and contribute to a fine result on the road at last.



https://www.everton.news/everton-predicted-xi-team-and-injury-news-v-fulham-as-sean-dyche-axes-beto/

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Fulham, Brentford 'to rival Lazio for Plymouth Argyle's Morgan Whittaker'
Fulham and Brentford have reportedly scouted Plymouth Argyle winger Morgan Whittaker amid interest from Serie A side Lazio.

Whittaker returned to Plymouth on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window after spending the first half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at the Devon club.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

Impressively, Whittaker has found the net in six of Plymouth's last seven league games, including in each of his previous three appearances in the Championship.

Despite being under contract until June 2027, Whittaker is attracting considerable interest in the final stages of the January transfer window.

Plymouth director of football Neil Dewsnip has revealed that the club have turned down a bid for Whittaker from Italian giants Lazio.

"Last night we received an official offer for Morgan from Lazio," Dewsnip told Plymouth Live. "Having discussed this internally and with the player's representatives, the offer was immediately rejected. Morgan is very happy at Argyle and we maintain our position that he is not for sale."

While it remains to be seen whether Lazio return with an improved bid, Whittaker has also emerged as a potential target for at least two Premier League clubs.

According to Football Insider, Brentford and Fulham have sent scouts to watch Whittaker in action in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Leeds United.

The former Derby County man wore the captain's armband as the two Championship sides played out a 1-1 draw at Elland Road to send the fourth-round tie to a replay.

The report claims that the two London clubs are continuing to keep tabs on the player's situation as they weigh up whether to make a move before the transfer deadline on February 1.

Although Whittaker has been linked with a move away from Home Park, Plymouth will be reluctant to sanction a sale in the middle of the season.

However, should they decide to entertain a sale, the Pilgrims could stand to make a significant profit after signing him from Swansea City in a deal worth around £1m plus add-ons.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/plymouth-argyle/transfer-talk/news/fulham-brentford-to-rival-lazio-for-plymouths-morgan-whittaker_535332.html?newsnow

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Bryan King shares verdict on Saudi-linked Abdoulaye Doucoure ahead of meeting with Fulham
Goodison News is delighted to welcome aboard our brilliant new columnist Bryan King, the former goalkeeper who spent over eight years as a scout at Everton and 28 years in total in first-team scouting roles. Bryan also spent six years on Tottenham's recruitment team and 11 years scouting at Aston Villa across two different spells...

Bryan King believes that Everton boss Sean Dyche will be keen to keep hold of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure and doesn't believe his absence against Fulham is linked to a move away from Goodison Park.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo (29 January), Doucoure remains absent for the Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday 30 January.

His absence has been a big blow for Dyche in recent weeks after his impressive form during the early stages of the season.

Doucoure has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January (Fabrizio Romano, 20 January), although King believes that a move at this stage is unlikely.

Speaking to Goodison News, King said: "From what I have heard the Saudis are not prepared to pay the amount of money that either Everton or the agent are asking for.

"If the official message from Everton is that the player is injured, then all we can do is go along with that message.

"It is a blow to have Doucoure unavailable, but to be honest I am not sure Sean Dyche even knows what his best team is because he is still trying to work out what players he has at his disposal.

"I am sure that there are five or six players at the club who he is not happy with and who he would much rather sell before Doucoure."



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/01/30/bryan-king-shares-verdict-on-saudi-linked-abdoulaye-doucoure-ahead-of-meeting-with-fulham/