Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 14/02/24...

[WhiteJC]

Sebastien Haller, Olivier Giroud 'rejected January moves to Fulham'
Fulham reportedly failed with January moves for Borussia Dortmund's Sebastien Haller and AC Milan's Olivier Giroud.

The Cottagers made one signing in the winter transfer window, recruiting Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Broja made the short trip across West London on the final day of the transfer window after Fulham won the race to secure his signature.

While Fulham were able to add Broja to Marco Silva's attacking options, they seemingly failed to land a couple of their other forward targets.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Fulham attempted to sign Haller on loan from Dortmund in the final week of January.

However, the Ivorian was reluctant to leave Dortmund in the middle of the season and ultimately turned down the chance to complete a move to Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old also wanted to remain focused on the Africa Cup of Nations, where he led his country to their third trophy.

Haller scored a late winner in Sunday's final against Nigeria as the Ivory Coast came from behind to clinch the silverware at their home tournament.

According to Calciomercato, via Fichajes, Milan's Giroud also rejected the opportunity to join Fulham in the January transfer window.

The report claims that Giroud turned down an offer to return to the Premier League in favour of continuing his stay in Serie A.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Giroud continues to contribute to Milan's attacking efforts, having scored 11 goals and providing eight assists in 21 Serie A appearances.

The 37-year-old has less than six months remaining on his current deal, and it remains to be seen whether he will sign a new contract with the Italian club.

Broja, meanwhile, is facing a fight to earn a starting place in the Fulham side following a couple of impressive displays from Rodrigo Muniz.

Muniz has stepped up in the absence of the injured Raul Jimenez to score three goals in Fulham's last two Premier League games.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/haller-giroud-rejected-january-moves-to-fulham_536584.html?newsnow

[WhiteJC]

AFCON: Sports minister condemns Iwobi's social media troll
rallies support for the Fulham midfielder

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has condemned in strong terms the media attack on Super Eagles and Fulham's midfielder, Alex Iwobi, after Nigeria's 1-2 loss at the final of the 2023 AFCON which ended in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Enoh, who led the Super Eagles of Nigeria back home from Abidjan, had a tete-a-tete with Iwobi and said the Ministry will continue to protect Nigeria's sportsmen and women who are flying the nation's flag high at major tournaments around the world.

A statement from Enoh's special adviser, media, Diana Mary Nsan, quoted the minister as saying, "I am aware of what is happening on social media and as a Ministry, this isn't the first time we are going to make a statement against bullying, not just you, but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions. We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated. For me, I have taken myself out of social media after yesterday's game."

The outcome of the AFCON 2023 final match has seen Iwobi experience a routine of unpleasant remarks hurled at him by cyberbullies which the former Arsenal player confirmed by exiting social media.

The minister however encouraged the player when he said, "You did your best for your country and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country is proud of you. Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong.

"You did your best, you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal which the country last won at AFCON 2000, which is 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much."



https://sportingtribune.com/afcon-sports-minister-condemns-iwobis-social-media-troll/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham attempts for transfer laid bare – Player 'unconvinced' by Craven Cottage move, eyes now turned to summer
Fulham were unable to convince Fluminense midfielder André into a move last summer, despite being willing to pay for him.

That's according to Trivela, who cover the interest around the highly rated midfielder today and Fulham's efforts to get him last summer.

They explain that André is 'still the hot ticket' at the Brazilian club, with plenty of clubs interested in him and having tried to lure him away over the last 18 months.

Fluminense had expected to lose him and defender Nino after their success in the Copa Libertadores last year, but Nino is the only one to have departed, joining Zenit in Russia.

André remains at the club but there is a belief there will be renewed efforts in the upcoming summer transfer window, when Fluminense believe his value will be even higher.

They know there are plenty of suitors, particularly Fulham, who made an official offer for the midfielder last year.

Their offer was less than the €30m proposed by Liverpool at around €25m but did not satisfy Fluminense's demands. Furthermore, the player was unconvinced by the idea of a move to Craven Cottage, which was not his 'preferred destination'. Thus, any conversations 'progressed little'.

Thus, André ended up staying where he was, but eyes are now on the summer, when the likes of Fulham could come calling again, particularly if they lose Joao Palhinha.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-attempts-transfer-laid-bare-player-unconvinced-craven-cottage-move-eyes-now-turned-summer/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham striker earns big praise from Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer
Rodrigo Muniz has received praise from Premier League legend Alan Shearer for his display in Fulham's 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Brazilian forward scored twice for the Whites to add to his first league goal of his career in the previous weekend's 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Fulham signed Muniz from  Flamengo in August 2021 and spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough.

A hamstring injury to Raul Jimenez has led to an opening up front.

Muniz's performance at Burnley ensured he started ahead of Chelsea loanee Armando Broja for the visit of the Cherries.

"He really was a handful – horrible to play against," former Newcastle  United sharpshooter Shearer told BBC's Match of the Day. "That always is a good thing for a centre-forward, it is what you have to be.

"He was strong, ran the channels and brought players into the game. He really upset the Bournemouth defenders in every way.

"He was willing to run in behind and on one of the occasions he does that they get their first goal because of that. I really enjoyed his performance. We haven't seen enough of him because he has been out on loan or injured.He's got to produce that every week now.

"They have signed Broja on loan but he has a real opportunity to stay in the team if he keeps performing like that."

Fulham head coach Marco Silva said: "When you play against sides who press really high and go man-on-man almost every time, you need someone [like Muniz]. He did so well."

Bobby De Cordova-Reid opened the scoring for Fulham as they recorded their first league win of 2024.

The west Londoners have won five of their last seven home league matches – only one fewer than they managed in the whole of the 2022-23 season.

Fulham are 12th in the standings and welcome Aston Villa to Craven Cottage on Saturday.



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/fulham-striker-earns-big-praise-from-newcastle-and-england-legend-alan-shearer/

[WhiteJC]

Iwobi had a great AFCON tournament, says Odumodublvck
Popular rapper, Odumodublvck, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles playerm Alex Iwobi amid harsh criticisms from Nigerians over the 2023 AFCON championship loss.

Following Nigeria's 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday, the 27-year-old came under intense backlash.

Despite the criticism, Odumodublvck praised Iwobi's performance and said that he had a fantastic tournament on his Twitter page.

He praised the squad for bringing the nation to a level that many did not anticipate and voiced hope that the Super Eagles will make a comeback.

Odumodublvck tweeted: "Iwobi had a great tournament. The whole team took us to where we never imagined. We will be back."



https://thenationonlineng.net/iwobi-had-a-great-afcon-tournament-says-odumodublvck/

[WhiteJC]

Fans urged to stop trolling Iwobi after Afcon loss
The captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles football team has taken a stand against the wave of online harassment targeting midfielder Alex Iwobi.

Following Nigeria's 1-2 loss to Ivory Coast in Sunday's Afcon final, some football fans resorted to social media trolling, directing blame at the 27-year-old player for the defeat.

During the match, Iwobi put in a 79-minute effort before being substituted by Alhassan Yusuf. However, the backlash he faced online led him to remove his Instagram photos on Monday.

Responding to the cyberbullying, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and other Nigerians defended Iwobi, denouncing the targeted attacks and stressing that singling him out for the team's loss is unjust.

In a statement posted on X, Musa urged fans to cease the online harassment directed at Iwobi. "Losing a game is undoubtedly tough, but targeting a single player for the team's shortcomings is unfair and unjust. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. Alex gave his all on the field, just like every member of our squad," Musa emphasized.



https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/13/fans-urged-to-stop-trolling-iwobi-after-afcon-loss/

[WhiteJC]

Goal Of The Month Result: January
Bobby De Cordova-Reid's belter against Rotherham has been named Fulham's first Goal of the Month of 2024.

The sweet strike, coming in the 24th minute, was enough to secure victory in our Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at the Cottage.

Harry Wilson muscled Millers defender Sebastian Revan off the ball, and it fell kindly for Bobs to leather it in from 20 yards.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/february/13/goal-of-the-month-result-january/