Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 27/02/24...

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Results

Monday 26/02
West Ham	4-2	Brentford

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Liverpool and Bayern Munich race for PL star takes 'new twist' as report reveals 'major update'
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha remains on Bayern Munich's shortlist as they battle Liverpool for his signature ahead of the summer, according to reports.

The Cottagers blocked Palhinha's exit on transfer deadline day in the summer as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich pushed to get a deal over the line.

Palhinha has been in brilliant form for Fulham since joining Marco Silva's ranks at the beginning of last season from Sporting Lisbon.

His good performances have continued this season, despite being denied a move to Bayern Munich late in the summer window, with the Portugal international contributing three goals and an assist in 22 Premier League games this term.

And now Football Insider claims Bayern Munich 'remain alongside the likes of Liverpool in the race' for the Fulham midfielder 'despite the imminent departure of Thomas Tuchel'.

The German boss – who will leave the Bavarians at the end of the season – was 'a major driving force behind their push' for Palhinha in the summer and his mutual decision to leave Bayern is a 'dramatic new twist' in the transfer saga.

A source has told Football Insider in a 'major update' that 'the Portugal international remains on their shortlist and they could swoop for him if he is available for the right price' with Bayern Munich's board 'big admirers' of Palhinha.

Arsenal are another club reportedly interested in Palhinha with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the Gunners interest in the winter.

Romano told Kick in December: "What I can confirm about Palhinha... is that there are also English clubs interested in Palhinha. One of those clubs is Arsenal. It is true that Arsenal appreciate the player. There are some people at the club who consider Palhinha a very good player. It's one of the players they discussed internally.

"There are two issues – the first one is the age, he's not a super young player. I think next year he will be 29. Also, the price. Arsenal cannot spend that amount of money, something like £70-80m on one more midfielder after spending the big amount of money they invested on Declan Rice."

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp thinks Palhinha is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League and recommends that the Reds sign him.

"I am a big fan of Palhinha in midfield," Redknapp told Sky Sports last year. "I think he is one of the most underrated players.

"The job that he does. If I was Liverpool right now, I would look to get him in my midfield in January. He makes a big difference to any team."



https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-bayern-munich-fulham-palhinha-new-twist-major-update

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Calvin Bassey believes Fulham 'wanted it more' than Manchester United in dramatic win
Cottagers win at Old Trafford for the first time in 21 years

Calvin Bassey claimed Fulham "wanted it more" after his goal helped them stun Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Bassey netted the opener and his Nigeria team-mate Alex Iwobi scored a sensational 97th-minute winner as Fulham beat United away from home for the first time in 21 years.

Victory served as redemption of a sort for Fulham, who led United at Old Trafford in last season's FA Cup quarter-final, before Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva were all sent off and the Cottagers were eventually beaten 3-1.

"I don't think you can just come here and overrun them — you can see the quality of the players they have", Bassey said after Saturday's surprise win.

"They have got top players and a top manager and players that can have an effect off the bench. But we were just at it more and I felt we wanted it more today. That showed in the way we played.

"Of course, we had belief. It was just the details and making sure we got the details right. It worked out for us, thank God.

"Even if we are not good on the ball, the minimum we can do is work as hard as the team we are playing, or more. That is our foundation, and I think we have done that well throughout the season."

Match-winner Iwobi was similarly delighted after sealing Fulham's victory on his first start since returning from Nigeria's run to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

"I'm over the moon to come back into the team and get a win at Old Trafford, there's no better feeling", he said.

"We feel like we've been performing well recently — it's just about getting the results. To do it at Old Trafford, hopefully we can kick on from this performance."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-bassey-man-utd-premier-league-2024-b1141508.html

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Ally McCoist praises 'different class' Fulham star after Manchester United victory on Saturday
Ally McCoist has praised Fulham defender Calvin Bassey after his starring role in Saturday's Premier League win over Manchester United.

For the first time in 21 years, Fulham finally got the better of Erik ten Hag's side thanks to goals from Nigerian pair Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi.

Speaking on TalkSPORT (26/2 9:34am), McCoist and Jeff Stelling raved about 24-year-old centre-back.

McCoist praises Bassey after Fulham defeat Manchester United
Fulham's awful record against the Red Devils ended in the most glorious way possible at Old Trafford.

Recent seasons have seen Fulham conspire to find any way to lose to Man United even when dominating proceedings.

The last two fixtures at Craven Cottage have seen Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes score undeserved late winners.

Meanwhile, our last visit to Old Trafford saw three red cards handed out and a trip to Wembley thrown away.

Without Joao Palhinha and Willian, Marco Silva masterminded a fantastic win and a brilliant performance.

Sasa Lukic had arguably his best game in a Fulham shirt, while Rodrigo Muniz continues to go from strength to strength.

However, McCoist and Stelling singled out Fulham goalscorer Bassey for his performance against Man United.

After returning from a heart-breaking final defeat with Nigeria last month at AFCON, he's put that quickly behind him to play his part in a famous win for the Whites.

Bassey and Iwobi part of Fulham folklore
Talking about Saturday's win, McCoist said: "We've been pretty critical of Manchester United without probably giving Fulham the mention they deserve.

"A couple of great goals, obviously Calvin Bassey scoring and Iwobi late on.

"To show that character after losing a lead and equalising late on shows character, all credit Fulham.

Stelling added: "No Willian, no Palhinha. I like Calvin Bassey, I like his energy! He had a bit of a nightmare start to his career there but goodness me, he has grown and grown and grown."

McCoist agreed and said: "We loved him [at Rangers], I tell you now we absolutely loved him. He was different class for us and you're right, he just looks as though he's taken a little bit of time to settle, obviously away for the African [Cup of] Nations as well.

"I think he'll do well, I just hope he's turned that corner, genuinely, he's one of these boys that you want to do well."

Stelling concluded: "Well done to Fulham, it was an absolutely brilliant victory."

Adama Traore played a key role in the winner, with his pace helping him escape Harry Maguire and finding Alex Iwobi for his composed winner.

Maguire was lucky to still be on the pitch after an awful challenge on Lukic earlier in the game.

But McCoist and Stelling were right to single out Bassey and he continues to go from strength to strength in a Fulham shirt as his performance against Man United proved.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/02/26/ally-mccoist-praises-different-class-fulham-star-after-manchester-united-victory-on-saturday/

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Liverpool transfer news amid Bayern battle as $76m star sends Arsenal reminder after 'contact'
Liverpool transfer news: The Reds reportedly remain keen on a Premier League midfielder while there is interest in a Porto star after his Champions League heroics.

Liverpool fans have another classic Wembley final to remember after Virgil van Dijk's dramatic extra-time winner against Chelsea on Sunday. The two sides looked to be heading for penalties again, two years after meeting in the final, when the Dutchman headed home Kostas Tsimikas' corner.

It could be the start of a quadruple for Jürgen Klopp in his final season at Anfield and the Liverpool boss admitted after the match that it was his 'most special' achievement given the players he was without. The Reds are back in action in the FA Cup against Championship side Southampton on Wednesday night, before a trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

His focus will be on continuing his side's excellent run but the Liverpool board is continuing its search for Klopp's successor, as well as a new sporting director. Despite those vacancies yet to be filled, there continue to be links to potential summer recruits.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today, including competition from Munich for a Premier League star and interest in a talented midfielder.

João Palhinha (Fulham)
Liverpool and Bayern Munich could go head-to-head for Fulham midfielder João Palhinha at the end of the season, according to Football Insider. Portugal international Palhinha appeared to be on his way to Munich during the transfer window last summer but the move fell through at the 11th hour.

Bayern has remained interested in the 28-year-old, who has enjoyed another decent season with Fulham, and could make a move despite Thomas Tuchel's departure. The ex-Chelsea boss is said to have been a huge admirer of Palhinha but it was confirmed last week that he will leave this summer.

He remains on Bayern's radar though and the report suggests Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will also be in the mix for the right price. Earlier this month, Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan insisted the club wanted to keep the midfielder but accepted 'sensible' offers would have to be considered.

Liverpool.com says: Palhinha is having another fine season with Fulham and has made more tackles (105) than any other player in the Premier League. It would be no surprise to see Bayern revisit the situation in the summer but there could be competition from England. Liverpool does have a lot of midfield options, when everyone is fit, but the Fulham man would be a real addition for any top side.



https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/transfer-news/liverpool-transfer-news-bayern-arsenal-28706405

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Ex-Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon confirms latest Tottenham Hotspur injury blow
Former Fulham talent Ryan Sessegnon has posted an emotional message on social media after suffering another injury blow.

We have seen some real talent emerge from the Fulham ranks in recent times.

Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott spring to mind with both currently on the books at Liverpool.

There was arguably even more hype over Ryan Sessegnon though, who earned the tag of being a wonderkid at Craven Cottage.

Sessegnon shot to prominence at Fulham, hitting 25 goals and 18 assists in 120 games.

Even the most passionate of Fulham fans probably knew that a transfer would come, and it arrived in 2019 as Sessegnon joined Tottenham Hotspur for £25million.

That move was supposed to catapult Sessegnon to superstardom but it just hasn't happened with injuries and a lack of form hampering him.

Ryan Sessegnon shares latest injury update
Sessegnon has only managed one first-team appearance this season.

The 23-year-old has been struggling with hamstring problems and made a long-awaited return in a Premier League 2 clash earlier this month.

Disaster struck for Sessegnon after just 37 minutes as he suffered another hamstring injury – this time in his other leg.

Sessegnon has now taken to social media to confirm that he is undergoing surgery again, believing that this is the best solution for his career.

Sessegnon admitted that he is 'devastated' and 'gutted beyond belief' and urged fans to be respectful after another setback.

We are sure that Fulham fans everywhere will be gutted for Sessegnon too and we have even seen Fulham-owned midfielder Tyrese Francois sending a message stating 'head high' to the Tottenham ace.

We hope to see Sessegnon back in action and thriving again soon, with the former Fulham talent in desperate need of a bit of luck after a testing time in recent years.



https://www.fulham.news/2024/02/26/ex-fulham-wonderkid-ryan-sessegnon-confirms-latest-tottenham-hotspur-injury-blow/

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Fulham's Nigeria star Bassey joins Arsenal and Liverpool defenders in BBC Team of the Week
Calvin Bassey  has been recognized for his outstanding performance during Fulham's 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford this past weekend, with BBC football pundit Garth Crooks naming the versatile defender in his Team of the Week.

After 1,456 minutes without finding the net for the Cottagers, the Super Eagles' 2023 Africa Cup of Nations star opened his account in the 65th minute to inspire the Londoners to their first win at Old Trafford since 2003.

Bassey smacked the ball home on his second attempt after a loose ball fell to him from a corner kick.

It was the 24-year-old's first start for Fulham since his return to London after starring for Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa have contributed two players each to the Team of the Week, while Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham United have one representative each.

In a 3-4-3 formation, Bassey starts as the right-sided central defender with Arsenal star Gabriel deployed as the left-sided central defender and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence.

And completing the lineup are: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), John Stones (Man City), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Leon Bailey (Aston Villa), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) and Phil Foden (Man City).

Backing his decision to name Bassey in the Team of the Week, Garth Crooks wrote: "This was an impressive team performance by the Cottagers with Bassey and Tosin Adarabioyo back in the starting line-up and could have played this match in stocking feet.

"Nigeria international Bassey's goal was a nice finish to an excellent personal performance."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=50610