Saturday Fulham Stuff - 16/03/24...

[WhiteJC]

Andreas Pereira ends search for belonging in embrace of Fulham and Brazil
As a child, Andreas Pereira would finish his football training and wait for his father to pick him up and take him home. The problem: his father, Marcos, was a senior professional at the same club, Lommel United in northern Belgium, and his own training session would often run late. One by one, Andreas's friends would get picked up and leave. Slowly the car park would empty. Still he waited on his own. "They forgot about me," he would think to himself.

The impatience and the impotence. The sensation of time passing, of being forgotten or overtaken, of wondering whether he would ever find home. In many ways these are the themes that would come to define Pereira's career as an adult: a career that has taken in six clubs across a decade, and yet which feels as if it is only now beginning.

Until this season he had never started more than 34 league games at any one club. Not at Manchester United, where he was signed as a 15-year-old prodigy after Sir Alex Ferguson intervened to get the deal over the line. Not at Granada under the brief and surreal stewardship of Tony Adams, nor at Valencia or Lazio or Flamengo, where he went on loan and was frequently played out of position on the wing. It took a newly promoted club in west London to give this gifted midfielder a direction and a purpose.

Now 28 and back in the Brazil squad for the first time in six years, this has arguably been his most complete season, even if – with one goal for a solid mid-table team – it's easy to overlook exactly what he's doing out there. But he ranks seventh for key passes in the Premier League this season, and the six players above him – Bruno Fernandes, Pascal Gross, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier and Julián Álvarez – are considered elite creators. Perhaps, with a more reliable source of goals ahead of him, Pereira would be considered among that bracket.

More than this, he has become quietly indispensable to the way Fulham defend under Marco Silva: leading the initial press and then organising the second press. "Of all our midfielders, Andreas is probably the only one who can do that role really well," Silva said recently. This season, compared with last, he is taking fewer shots but seeing more of the ball, dribbling and tackling more, returning to the predominantly creative role he played in his two seasons on loan at Flamengo.

Were it not for a fateful phone call in the summer of 2022, Flamengo is probably where Pereira would be. He had gone to Brazil in search of a fresh start and was on the verge of building a new life there with his young family. But of course there was a kernel of resentment, having spent eight years trying and failing to establish himself in English football. "I wanted to show people I could play in the Premier League," he told the latest (excellent) episode of the Fulham Fix podcast. "I didn't feel I had my top level at United. I wanted to show them: look, you made a big mistake here."

In truth, what happened at United was not so much a mistake as a litany of unfortunate mishaps. Both Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho rated him highly before being sacked. And it was interesting to hear Ole Gunnar Solskjær last week naming Pereira as one of the players – along with Jesse Lingard and Dan James – around whom he built the hard-running counterattacking team that beat Manchester City three times during the 2019-20 season. But there was constant pressure, internally and externally, for a more possession-dominant approach. Fernandes was signed and quickly made the No 10 position his own. Pereira was loaned to Lazio during the pandemic and never played for United again.

This was the pressure point Silva squeezed when he picked up the phone. The manager told Pereira he had unfinished business in England. That he had not shown the Premier League who he really was. He pointed to the success he had enjoyed with Richarlison at Watford. And it is striking how many of Silva's signings at Craven Cottage – Pereira, Willian, Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi, Armando Broja – are players who were once at big clubs but now have a point to prove. Who have slipped to the fringes of the elite and are desperate to claw their way back. Perhaps this is not a sustainable long-term strategy: Fulham currently have the oldest squad in the Premier League. But right now, it is a group with the ideal blend of high standards, experience and impatience.

Even if Pereira's exploits have largely slipped under the radar this season, at least one man has been taking notice. The new Brazil coach, Dorival Júnior, knows Pereira from Flamengo, visited him at Fulham's training ground Motspur Park last month and has now recalled him to the squad for the forthcoming friendlies against England and Spain. He may end up playing in a slightly deeper role for Brazil than he does for Fulham: the role for which he was also reportedly – and unsuccessfully – targeted by Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq in January as a replacement for Jordan Henderson.

It's easy to see why Pereira was happy to stay put. Perhaps the best way of interpreting this fitful career is as a search for belonging: the midfielder mistaken for a winger, the Brazilian born in Belgium, uprooted to England as a child, dispatched around the world and forced to start afresh every time, forever worrying that he had been forgotten for good. It took a while, but Pereira may finally have found his way home.



https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/andreas-pereira-ends-search-belonging-180215382.html

[WhiteJC]

Cairney: 'Frustrating' Wolves defeat stings
Tom Cairney has told the Footballers' Football Podcast that Fulham's defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers ranked as one of the 'most frustrating' games of the season.

Marco Silva's side were beaten 2-1 at Molineux last weekend despite dominating the first half and passing up several glorious chances to take the lead. The Fulham captain, introduced as a second half substitute, scored an own goal and told the BBC podcast:

"I feel like it was one of the most frustrating games of the season. We dominated away from home in large parts of the game, we were looking for our third straight win and the injuries they got and picked up during the game, I think it's fair to say that they ended it with a much weaker side. They had no Neto, Cunha, Hwang Hee-chang, a devastating front three that weren't on the pitch."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/cairney-frustrating-wolves-defeat-stings/

[WhiteJC]

Daily Mail: Fulham prepare counter-move as Milan express interest in star man
Fulham want to try and convince Tosin Adarabioyo to stay at the club amid interest from abroad, a report claims, and they are preparing an improved contract offer.

According to the Daily Mail, Fulham are aware that Adarabioyo has suitors abroad and thus they are readying a new deal that could make him 'one of the best paid players at the club'.

The centre-back's current contract runs out this summer which means that he is free to talk with other clubs, and the report mentions that Milan and Marseille are keen on signing him, while Liverpool are in the mix too.

The 26-year-old has only made 14 Premier League appearances this season having picked up an injury, but his performances have 'put him on the radar of England manager Gareth Southgate'.

Fulham boss Marco Silva praised Adarabioyo recently, perhaps in an attempt to try get him to consider penning fresh terms, given the Milan links.

"In December, when it was really busy, he helped the team to reach a really good level. He is a really important player for us inside the football club," he said.

"He is growing. He is a really good player and of course we always expect better things from him, and if he is going to be the case to go for the national team (then) even better, because it's always the ambition of a football player."



https://sempremilan.com/daily-mail-fulham-adarabioyo-milan-liverpool

[WhiteJC]

Fulham vs Tottenham: Preview and Prediction

Fulham host Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and they will be looking to bounce back from the defeat against Wolves with a positive result at home.
Fulham are 12th in the league table right now and they will be pushing for a top-half finish. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur picked up an impressive win over Aston Villa in their last league game and they will look to close the gap with the top four.

They are currently two points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and a win here could send them above the West Midlands club in the table.

Tottenham will be desperate for a Champions League finish and they will look to grind out an away win here.

The North London outfit have an impressive record against Fulham and it remains to be seen whether they can extend that run of form.

Team news and tactics
Fulham
The home team have a fully fit squad to choose from and they are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bernd Leno will start in goal for Fulham behind a back four of Timothy Castagne, Tosin Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson. Castagne and Robinson will be deployed as the full backs and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

In the midfield pivot, Joao Palhinha will start alongside Tom Cairney. The two players will look to protect the central defence and break up opposition attacks.

Andreas Pereira will be deployed as the attacking midfielder here and he will look to create goal scoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third. Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi will be deployed in the wide areas.

Rodrigo Muniz has done quite well in recent weeks and he will lead the line for Fulham here.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Tottenham
Ryan Sessegnon has been ruled out for the season with the thigh injury, the likes of Manor Solomon and Micky van de Ven will return later this month from their knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Fraser Forster is expected back next month after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

Spurs will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guglielmo Vicario in goal.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie will continue as the full backs. They will look to keep the defence compact and help out in the attack.

Cristian Romero will start alongside January signing Radu Dragusin in central defence. In the midfield pivot, Pape Matar Sarr will start alongside Yves Bissouma. The two players will look to breakup opposition attacks and initiate transitions from the deep.

James Maddison will continue as the central attacking midfielder and he will look to link up with the attacker and create goal scoring opportunities in the final third.

Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson will start in the wide areas. The two players will look to add pace and creativity from the flanks.

Son Heung-min will lead the line for Tottenham.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son

Key Stats


    Tottenham have won 9 of their last 11 matches against Fulham in all competitions.
    Tottenham are unbeaten in five of the last six Premier League matches.
    Fulham are unbeaten in four of the last six Premier League matches.
    11 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between the two teams.
    Fulham have conceded at least once in five of the last six matches across all competitions.

Key Player
Son Heung-min
The South Korean international has scored 14 goals and picked up 8 assists in the Premier League this season.

He managed to score against Aston Villa in the last game and he picked up two assists as well. The South Korean is in red hot form and he is our key player to watch out for.

Apart from his ability to score goals, Son will chip in with creativity and flair in the final third as well.

The 31-year-old will look to make a big difference in the final third and take advantage of Fulham's vulnerabilities.

Prediction
Fulham 1-2 Tottenham
Both teams will be desperate for a win for very different reasons and this is likely to be a cracking context.

Tottenham are certainly the better team on paper and they should be able to grind out a positive result here.

They have the better set of attackers and Fulham will struggle to contain them. A narrow away win is on the cards.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/03/15/fulham-vs-tottenham-preview-and-prediction/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham FC Fans Lash Out For Exorbitant Ticket Prices
Fulham FC is set to take on their rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, over the weekend at Craven Cottage. However, before the teams even stop on the field, soccer fans are lashing out, calling ticket prices to the match unattainable.

The cheapest adult ticket, listed in the "family zone," is going for £61 — and the price only increases from there, depending on the stand and location. Fans are most disgruntled to see the prices in Fulham's new "Riverside" section, which saw a significant increase. While the section has helped increase the venue's capacity to 29,300, tickets start in the "Bronze" section for £120, followed by "Silver," "Gold," and "Platinum" areas priced at £125 per seat.

Fulham supporters took to social media to air their frustrations, calling-out the team for "ripping off" and "pricing-out" fans.

The prices Fulham are charging for the upcoming game against Spurs. £125 for one ticket in the new Riverside stand😳

Talk about ripping off your own fans. pic.twitter.com/lLq4ZwQuKK

— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) March 13, 2024

Fulham is set to take on Tottenham on Saturday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. From there, they'll face-off Sheffield United, Nottm Forest, Newcastle, West Ham, and Liverpool. Find their full schedule and tickets here.



https://www.ticketnews.com/2024/03/fulham-fc-fans-lash-out-for-exorbitant-ticket-prices/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham to take part in Dallas Cup
Fulham have confirmed that they will compete in the under-19 edition of this year's Dallas Cup in just over a week's time.

The Whites, who have made three previous appearances at North America's oldest youth tournament, have been drawn in a group with the hosts FC Dallas, Mexican outfit Tigres UANL and Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

Fulham will start their campaign against Alajuelense on Sunday 24 March, before facing FC Dallas the following day and finishing their group fixtures by taking on Tigres on Wednesday 27 March. The two semi-finals will be played on Friday 29 March, with the final following on Sunday 31 March.

FULHAM SQUAD:

1. Marco Underwood

2. Bradley De Jesus

3. Bradley Slade

4. Eddy Nsasi

5. Luc De Fougerolles

6. Chibby Nwoko

7. Tom Olyott

8. Ollie Gofford

9. Aaron Loupalo-Bi

10. Callum Osmand

11. Lemar Gordon

13. Oscar Varney

14. Samuel Tabares

15. Tom Wingate

16. Jayden Quashie

17. Seth Ridgeon

18. Farhaan Ali Wahid

19. Damon Park

20. Alfie White

21. Dino Kaiser



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/fulham-to-take-part-in-dallas-cup/

[WhiteJC]

Five-star Fulham U21s win thriller at Leeds
Stoppage time strikes from Terrell Works and Delano McCoy-Splatt ensured Fulham's under 21s came away from three points from an end-to-end encounter at Leeds United despite letting a 3-0 lead slip in a crazy final twenty minutes at the LNER Community Stadium in York.

Hayden Mullins' men dominated the first half but couldn't find a goal to reflect their superiority before the half-time break. Kristian Sekularac, called up to the Swiss under-21 squad, looked to have picked out in-form centre forward Callum Osmand only for excellent defending from Dan Toulson to snuff out the chance. Josh King then dragged a shot wide of the goal after a flowing passing move before McCoy-Splatt looked destined to break the deadlock when picked out by a fine cross from makeshift left back George Okkas but Leeds goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel saved superbly.

Captain Kris Moore then blocked a Sekularac shot before brilliantly clearing off the line after Jamaican international McCoy-Splatt had tucked a shot under van den Heuvel having initially failed to take another excellent delivery from Okkas under his spell. Fulham finished the first half piling the pressure on the Leeds goal. Osmand headed a corner straight at van den Heuvel, Luc de Fougerolles nodded another Adrion Pajaziti flag-kick fractionally wide before the Albanian under-21 international clipped the post with a whipped free-kick that missed everybody on its way through.

Pajaziti's set-plays had caused all sorts of havoc in the Leeds' defence and it was no surprise that the midfielder's dead-ball prowess gave the young Whites the lead within three minutes of the restart. His corner looped past a stranded van den Heuvel off the unfortunate Joe Snowdon and into the net despite the best efforts of full-back Harvey Sutcliffe on the line. The visitors wasted no time in doubling their lead with Pajaziti finding King with a lovely ball from the right three minutes later and Fulham's number ten found a fantastic finish to match his spellbinding control.

Moore made a brave block to prevent Osmand from notching a third, but that escape proved academic when Joe Richards sent King tumbling in the penalty area. Referee Steven Copeland pointed to the spot and Pajaziti calmly converted the penalty to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. Mullins withdrew King and Pajaziti and Leeds hinted at what was to come when Harvey Araujo was forced to intervene after Snowdon sought to release substitute Rhys Chadwick, but the home side were indebted to a stunning fingertip save from van den Heuvel when the goalkeeper somehow kept out a powerful Okkas drive from just outside the box.

Leeds got themselves a lifeline from their very next attack as Snowdon's low cross eluded Luca Thomas in the middle but was diverted past Alex Borto by the stretching de Fougerolles. The home side drew heart from that goal and reduced the deficit to just a single goal when Toulson won the ball back and found the dangerous Thomas on the left flank. Snowdon was afforded too much space when he latched onto the cross and crashed a fine finish high into the net.

Incredibly, Leeds looked to have completed an outstanding comeback when Joe Richards worked a clever one-two with substitute Morten Spencer and strode into the area before drilling a low finish between Borto and the American goalkeeper's near post. But the drama was far from complete. Fulham kept their wits about them and restored their lead with just two minutes of normal time to play when Tanton swung over a free-kick from the right and Works finished after his first effort had been blocked.

Three minutes into stoppage time McCoy-Splatt made sure of the points when he fired past a crestfallen van den Heuvel after being set up by Works. The young Whites might have made heavy weather of this victory, but they were eventually rewarded for an enterprising display – and no little heart.

LEEDS UNITED UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): van den Heuvel; Sutcliffe, Diboe (Chadwick 63), Moore, Monteiro; Coleman (Spencer 78), Toulson; Snowdon, Richards, Chambers; Thomas. Subs (not used): Christy, Cresswell, Lopata-White.

BOOKED: Sutcliffe, Snowdon, Toulson, Richards, Chambers.

GOAL: de Fougerolles (o.g. 72), Snowdon (80), Richards (84).

FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Borto; Tanton, Okkas, Araujo, de Fougerolles; Dibley-Dias, McCoy-Splatt; Sekularac, Pajaziti (Works 71), King (Gordon 71); Osmand (Gofford 89). Subs (not used): Kaiser, Amissah.

GOALS: Snowdon (o.g. 48), King (51), Pajaziti (pen 59), Works (88), McCoy-Splatt (90+3).

REFEREE: Steven Copeland.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/five-star-fulham-u21s-win-thriller-at-leeds/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham vs Tottenham: Preview, predictions and lineups

    Tottenham can go fourth in the Premier League with a win over Fulham
    Micky van de Ven absent from the Spurs defence after suffering injury in Aston Villa victory
    Fulham still fighting for a top-half finish

Tottenham continue their tense fight for the Champions League places on Saturday when they visit fellow Londoners Fulham.

Ange Postecoglou's side can move into the top four at Aston Villa's expense with a victory before their rivals play on Sunday. Buoyed by their emphatic 4-0 win over the Villans last Sunday, Spurs know this is a good opportunity to build on that result.

Fulham have hit some Premier League form recently, winning three out of four matches, but they fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss away at Wolves last weekend which has hindered their chances of finishing in the top half.

Here is 90min's preview of Tottenham's trip to Fulham.

What time does Fulham vs Tottenham kick-off?

    Location: London, England
    Stadium: Craven Cottage
    Date: Saturday 16 March
    Kick-off Time: 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT
    Referee: Rob Jones
    VAR: David Coote

Fulham vs Tottenham H2H Record (Last Five Games)
    Fulham: 1 win
    Tottenham: 4 wins
    Draws: 0

Fulham team news
Marco Silva should have his whole Fulham squad available for this match.

The Cottagers were unable to rely on Raul Jimenez in the loss to Wolves but he is expected to be fit to face Tottenham, though the excellent form of Rodrigo Muniz means the Mexico international will likely be on the bench.

Joao Palhinha was a substitute last time out but, against a team like Tottenham with so many runners, he is expected to start, meaning Sasa Lukic may drop out of the starting XI.

Fulham predicted lineup vs Tottenham
Fulham predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz.

Tottenham team news
While the victory over Aston Villa was a potentially huge moment in Tottenham's season, Micky van de Ven picked up a fresh knee injury and is not expected to play. That will likely see January signing Radu Dragusin make his first start for the club.

Ryan Sessegnon, Fraser Forster and Manor Solomon are all still on the treatment table, but Richarlison may be closer to availability than previously thought having been included in Brazil's squad for the March international break.

Even if the former Everton attacker makes the squad, Brennan Johnson should get another start in the attack.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs Fulham
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son.

Fulham vs Tottenham score prediction
Fulham have been a very difficult team to beat at times this season and Arsenal fell victim to them at Craven Cottage earlier in the campaign, but Tottenham will be flying after that win against Villa which has put them in a great position for the top four.

A leaky Spurs defence means the Cottagers will likely find the back of the net at some point, but there is too much firepower and confidence in the Tottenham attack for Silva's side to get a result on Saturday evening.

Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Tottenham



https://www.90min.com/posts/fulham-vs-tottenham-preview-predictions-lineups-16-3-24

[WhiteJC]

Ange hands Dragusin 1st start in Spurs predicted lineup vs Fulham
The Lilywhites could make it three wins on the trot in the Premier League tomorrow.

Tottenham Hotspur have clicked into gear at the perfect time, with the campaign entering its crucial late phase and the race for Champions League qualification heating up.

Whether the Premier League will receive a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition next season remains to be seen but given that Spurs are only two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa after last weekend's victory - and with a game in hand - there will be confidence that fortunes can be placed beyond doubt with a top four finish.

That said, anything other than victory at Craven Cottage will unravel the recent gains made and hand Manchester United a lifeline in their own pursuit of Champions League football, currently six points behind Ange Postecoglou's side having played a game extra.

Fulham will not make life easy for their London rivals on Saturday evening, with Marco Silva instilling discipline and togetherness that has seen the Cottagers pull off recent victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and Man United (at Old Trafford).

Richarlison remains sidelined with a knee injury while Micky van de Ven was forced off at Villa Park and is expected to miss this one out. Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon are longer-term absentees and are nowhere near a comeback.

1 GK - Guglielmo Vicario
The defence gets a lot of credit but Guglielmo Vicario has been a monstrous presence between the sticks this season, and the 27-year-old looks set to stay for the years to come under Postecoglou's leadership.

 2 RB - Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro has been utterly brilliant in the top flight this season and has so far chalked up seven assists from 24 fixtures, also completing 80% of his passes, averaging 1.7 key passes, 2.9 tackles, 2.5 clearances, 5.6 ball recoveries and 5.0 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

Dynamic? Yes. World-class? He's getting there.

 3 CB - Cristian Romero
Sure, Cristian Romero has his detractors, but while he might be a tiny bit hot-headed, his elite defensive skill set has been the bedrock of Postecoglou's success this term, blending brilliantly with Van de Ven's athleticism and enterprise.

Fulham have some powerful figures in their squad but there's no doubt that the Argentina international has the tools to deal with them.

 4 CB - Radu Dragusin
Radu Dragusin will start at Craven Cottage, with Postecoglou eradicating any doubt in his pre-match press conference and confirming as such.

Van de Ven is injured but this is exactly why the Romanian defender was signed from Genoa for £27m in January, and he will be desperate to make an impression.

 5 LB - Destiny Udogie
Daniel Levy signed Destiny Udogie from Udinese in a £15m package in 2022 and he spent the 2022/23 campaign back on loan with the Serie A side. This was a prudent move; it's now paying off.

One of the Premier League's finest full-backs this season, Udogie is ferocious in attack and formidable in defence.

 6 CM - Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma has enjoyed a much-improved campaign in a Tottenham shirt this year, albeit battling against the over-aggressiveness that has caused three suspensions.

As per FBref, the Malian midfielder ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 9% for successful take-ons, the top 5% for tackles and the top 7% for interceptions per 90.

He really is key in the centre of the park and will be vital against tough-tackling counterpart Joao Palhinha.

 7 CM - Pape Matar Sarr
He collected it, he drove, he whipped it toward the box, just so. Pape Matar Sarr is a man of many talents, and despite his youth and inexperience, he looks the part at the centre of a Tottenham team targetting success.

His delightful cross kickstarted Spurs' second-half dismantling of Aston Villa and he will start once again. He makes such a difference.

 8 RW - Brennan Johnson
Having posted three goals and four assists in the Premier League across his past ten matches, starting just six of those, Brennan Johnson will feel that he has done enough to earn a starting berth at Fulham.

His role from the outset would come at the expense of the £110k-per-week Dejan Kulusevski, described as Tottenham's "engine" by Sky Sports' Jamie Weir, but then rotation is healthy and the Welshman can't really do much more to retain his starting berth.

 9 AM - James Maddison
James Maddison is one of the Premier League's finest playmakers and looks to be a real steal at £40m, arriving from relegated Leicester City back in June.

There's no question that he will be lodged in the No. 10 position, and you wouldn't bet against his influence harvesting a goal or an assist on Saturday.

 10 LW - Timo Werner
He might have only been introduced in the late stage against Aston Villa but Timo Werner scored for the second game running, netting a close-range strike as his side narrowed the gap to the top four.

The Germany international could start to make up an electric flank, with Johnson on the alternate, and with Maddison pulling the strings centrally, it could spell danger for the hosts.

 11 CF - Heung-min Son
Heung-min Son added a goal and two assists to his seasonal tally at Villa Park, taking his seasonal return up to 14 goals and eight assists. He's only bagged one goal from seven matches against Fulham though.

The South Korean has really stepped up since donning the captain's armband since the start of the season and there are melodious murmurings that a fresh deal lies around the corner...

Predicted Spurs line-up in full vs Fulham: (GK) Guglielmo Vicario; (RB) Pedro Porro, (CB) Cristian Romero, (CB) Radu Dragusin, (LB) Destiny Udogie; (CM) Yves Bissouma, (CM) Pape Matar Sarr; (RW) Brennan Johnson, (AM) James Maddison, (LW) Timo Werner; (CF) Heung-min Son



https://www.footballfancast.com/tottenham-spurs-dragusin-handed-first-start-in-spurs-predicted-xi-vs-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Ange Postecoglou says 'magnificent' Spurs star should be back v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has issued a positive update regarding Richarlison's fitness ahead of the Fulham game.

The Spurs boss, speaking to reporters at his press conference on Friday, claimed that the Brazil international took part in the day's training and "should" be available.

Richarlison has missed Tottenham's last two Premier League games due to a knee injury he suffered in February's 2-1 loss against Wolves.

The 26-year-old was in great form prior to his injury setback. He registered five goals in as many games for Spurs, including a brace against former club Everton.

However, it looks as though Richarlison should be good to go for Saturday evening's encounter against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

"Richy, he trained today and should be available tomorrow," the Evening Standard quoted Postecoglou as saying.

Richarlison will be raring to go for Spurs in pursuit of Premier League top-four spot
Richarlison had been in outstanding form for Tottenham after recovering from surgery to rectify a long-standing groin issue.

The 'magnificent' Spurs man struggled for much of his maiden season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he continued to struggle this term until he went under the knife.

Now set to be back from another spell on the sidelines, Richarlison will be raring to go and eager to hit the ground running once again if he's available and gets the nod against Fulham.

Luckily, Tottenham haven't missed him too much in his absence, which is testament to their strength in depth and goals from all over the pitch.

James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and Timo Werner all found the back of the net for Spurs against Aston Villa.

Son and Werner also netted against Crystal Palace, with Cristian Romero also getting on the scoresheet.

Should Tottenham get the better of Fulham on Saturday, they'll leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth.

There's a chance Tottenham can stay put in the Champions League spots into the international break, depending on how Villa fare at West Ham on Sunday.



https://tbrfootball.com/ange-postecoglou-says-magnificent-spurs-star-should-be-back-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Peter Crouch predicts who is going to win today between Fulham and Tottenham
This weekend, Tottenham Hotspur will look to climb into the top four of the Premier League table going into the international break.

Spurs, currently fifth in the standings, head to Fulham in a 5:30pm kick-off on Saturday. Should Ange Postecoglou's charges win, they'll leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth.

There's a chance Tottenham can stay put in the Champions League spots into the international break, depending on how Villa fare away at West Ham on Sunday.

In terms of the latest fitness news, Micky van de Ven will sit this game out for Spurs, while Richarlison is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Fulham currently sit 12th in the standings and will be eager to push into the top half over the coming weeks. Chelsea and Newcastle currently stand in their way.

The Cottagers have Raul Jimenez back after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Joao Palhinha and Willian, who were on the bench last weekend, could come back into the XI.

Peter Crouch has now shared his prediction for the game, and he feels Postecoglou's charges will eke out a narrow win at Craven Cottage.

Spurs have strong record against Fulham in league
It's not a surprising prediction for Crouch to make. Tottenham are a fairly strong proposition at present, but Fulham won't make it easy for them in west London.

The Cottagers have beaten Spurs already this season, triumphing on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round back in August. However, Tottenham won the league reserve 2-0 in north London back in October.

Fulham have lost 14 of their past 16 Premier League games against Tottenham. They are also winless in nine top-flight contests since a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane back March 2013.



https://tbrfootball.com/peter-crouch-predicts-who-is-going-to-win-today-between-fulham-and-tottenham/

[WhiteJC]

Up next: Tottenham Hotspur (h)
Fulham will look to return to winning ways after the disappointing of being beaten at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week – with both Marco Silva and Harry Wilson in confident mood as Champions' League chasing Tottenham Hotspur come to Craven Cottage for the Saturday Night Football. Silva and Wilson have spoken of their belief that the Whites can match anybody on their day, especially on home turf, and Fulham can draw upon the experience of being the first English outfit to inflict a defeat on Ange Postecoglou in English football.

Spurs should travel to SW6 in good heart after a comprehensive dismantling of European contenders Aston Villa at Villa Park that puts their hopes of qualifying for European's elite competition back in their own hands – and they will also be buoyed by an home win in the reverse league fixture that felt far too easy. Silva outlined the scary composition of the attacking options at Postecoglou's disposal, with the influential James Maddison back amongst the goals in the Midlands and looking as if he is coming into form at just the right time to make a late run in Gareth Southgate's England squad for this summer's European Championships in Germany.

Tottenham were similarly clinical after suffering the shock of going behind to Crystal Palace in their last home outing – and have plenty of quality with which to trouble a Fulham defence that appeared fairly frail in the Black Country with Calvin Bassey and Tosin Adarabioyo, who had previously forged an excellent and miserly understanding after the Nigerian international's return from the African Cup of Nations, both suffering off days. Postecoglou will have to do without Micky van de Veen, who limped off against Villa, but can call upon Richarlison, a scorer at the Cottage in the League Cup tie back in August, who has recovered from a knee problem. There will be no emotional return for either Ryan Sessegnon or Manor Solomon, who are both sidelined with long-term injuries.

Spurs' resurgence will have boosted belief in the white half of north London that they can reel in Villa, whom they are now only two points behind with a game in hand, despite Postecoglou memorably insisting that qualification for the Champions' League was 'not a golden Willy Wonka ticket'. The Australian's commitment to front foot football and his easy-going manner have been a refreshing reset to the overhyped and winner-takes-all hysteria of Premier League football, but even a relaxed Postecoglou will be fully aware of the ramifications of failing to deliver success under an unforgiving Daniel Levy. The no-holds barred approach does fit more comfortably with Tottenham's traditions than Antonio Conte's more pragmatic style and should make for a very watchable London derby in tomorrow's late kick off.

It may also stand to give Fulham a chance of breaking one of their longest top flight hoodoos. The Cottagers haven't won a league encounter against Tottenham since former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal at White Hart in 2013 – and tomorrow's visitors have won on their last seven straight league visits to Craven Cottage. Silva certainly won't be resting on his laurels, or putting men behind the ball, but may have to rethink his starting line-up after a miserable afternoon at Molineux – where Fulham were dominant only to pay the penalty for failing to take a number of presentable first-half opportunities.

The Fulham head coach also had reason to regret not putting Joao Palhinha straight back into the starting line-up on his return from suspension, with the Whites all too easily outgunned in the engine room once Wolves stepped up the intensity at the start of the second half. Palhinha's peerless tackling will be required to quell several Tottenham threats tomorrow and there is probably a strong case for restoring Willian to the starting line-up and offering a first Premier League start in a Fulham shirt to Adama Traore, who looked sharp on his old stomping ground – despite being introduced when the game looked beyond his new employers. The exact composition of the Fulham line-up will be intriguing, especially as Silva's bench looked as strong as it had all season last weekend and could be strengthened by the return from a hamstring injury of Raul Jimenez.

The Mexican striker, left out of his country's Nations' League squad today as a consequence of his recent injuries, is unlikely to be able to force his way past Rodrigo Muniz to make an immediate return to the starting line-up. The former Flamengo forward was quieter than he has been in recent weeks at Wolves, but still had a header scrambled off the line and posed problems for the home defence, with one brilliant turn in the first half, almost leading to another goalscoring opportunity. There's been much conjecture about how Muniz's rich vein of goalscoring form has both catapulted his value upwards and diminished Armando Broja's chances of playing time, although the pair struck up a promising partnership that almost dragged Fulham back from the dead in the closing stages. The Albanian international certainly won't be starting the remainder of Fulham's matches – and, therefore, incurring the Cottagers a cost of around £4m under the terms of his loan from Chelsea, but he looks a useful option off the bench when goals are required.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Bassey; Palhinha, Lukic; Iwobi, Willian, Pereira; Muniz. Subs: Rodak, Tete, Ream, Reed, Cairney, De Cordova-Reid, Wilson, Broja, Jimenez.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/up-next-tottenham-hotspur-h-7/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea to receive huge financial windfall if forgotten player doesn't start this weekend
Chelsea waived a loan fee when they allowed Fulham to take Armando Broja to Craven Cottage in the January transfer window, but the Albania international has hardly played for his new club

Chelsea will pocket a cool £4million from one of their London neighbours if Armando Broja doesn't start for Fulham this weekend.

A deal was agreed for Broja, 22, to swap Stamford Bridge for Craven Cottage back in the winter transfer window. The Albania international was sought after by a number of Premier League clubs after finding first-team football at Chelsea hard to come by - but he's experienced similar issues at Fulham.

Broja has yet to start a single match for the Whites in the wake of Rodrigo Muniz's red-hot form. However, Broja's dearth of match action will help the Blues bank a tidy sum if he remains on the bench for Fulham's Premier League meeting with Tottenham on Saturday.

The Sun outlined some of the terms behind the deal which took Broja across the capital earlier this week. Fulham did not have to pay a loan fee to land Broja per the initial agreement, but that would only stand if he started in 60 per cent of their remaining games.

Chelsea were happy with such terms after failing to find a buyer for Broja, who was valued in January at £50m. The idea was that his six-month stint at Fulham would put him in the shop window ahead of the summer, although that hasn't proven to be the case.

With just 10 games remaining this season, if Broja fails to start against Tottenham, Fulham would be unable to meet the threshold of starts needing to honour their agreement with Chelsea, therefore triggering a seven-figure payment to their London rivals.

Even with that financial penalty looming over them, it remains to be seen if Fulham will hand Broja his first start at the weekend. Muniz has made the No.9 spot his own in recent weeks after plundering five goals in his last six matches.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-fulham-armando-broja-payment-32346360

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea could net £4m cash injection after today thanks to Premier League rivals
Chelsea are set to benefit from their Premier League rivals barely playing one of their loan players

Chelsea look set to receive a £4 million loan fee if Armando Broja is not named in the starting line-up for Fulham's clash with Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

Fulham signed the Albanian forward on loan on January transfer deadline day from their west London rivals until the end of the season. Chelsea originally asked the Cottagers for £50m to secure Broja's services permanently, but eventually settled on a loan deal with a fee dependent on the number of games he plays, with Fulham refusing to pay a straight £5m loan fee.

According to the Mail Online, Fulham agreed to pay £750k for the 22-year-old attacker, rising to £4m if he started fewer than 60 per cent of their remaining games. At the time of signing, Fulham had 16 fixtures left. With only 10 matches left this season, and Broja without a single start for Marco Silva's side, failure to name him in the starting line-up against Spurs will make it impossible for Fulham to reach Broja's 60 per cent threshold.

The striker has only made four appearances - all of which have come off the bench - since making the move across west London. He has not played more than 16 minutes in any encounter. Chelsea hoped that Broja would hit a run of form at Craven Cottage, which would increase his sell-on value, as they look to permanently part ways with the youngster in the upcoming window.

Fulham turned to Broja as a temporary solution to plug their misfiring attack, with few goals provided by Silva's forwards since the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi side Al-Hilal last summer. Broja's limited game time has not been down to a lack of effort, but the impressive performances of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz.

Muniz, who struggled to break into Middlesbrough's team last season, is in red-hot form. He scored his first-ever Premier League goal in February as Fulham squandered a 2-0 lead to draw at Turf Moor. He has scored four goals in the following five games and was nominated for February Premier League Player of the Month. Brazil manager, Dorival Junior, even travelled to Fulham's training ground, Motspur Park, to scout the striker.

Fulham sit in 12th place with 35 points and have almost guaranteed their top-flight status for next season. The Cottagers reached the League Cup semi-final for the first time ever this season, but are now out of all domestic trophies, and are unlikely to challenge for the European places.

Their other attacking option, Raul Jimenez, started his Fulham career slowly but has bagged five goals so far this campaign. However, due to injuries and a suspension, he has only played three Premier League matches since 16 December.

Carlos Vinicius failed to convince and was shipped out on loan to Galatasaray. With Broja's stay in Fulham only temporary, Silva has opted to stick with Muniz. The young Brazilian will almost certainly lead the line for Fulham tonight in what will end up being a very expensive decision.



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1877683/Chelsea-transfer-news-Fulham-Armando-Broja

[WhiteJC]

Spurs Eye Top Four in Premier League Clash with Fulham

Tottenham Spurs vs Fulham: Premier League Showdown
As Tottenham Hotspur gear up for a critical away match against London rivals Fulham, the stakes couldn't be higher in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League. This encounter not only promises to be a spectacle of football finesse but also carries significant implications for both teams' positions in the league standings.

Spurs Eyeing Top Four
In their most recent outing, Tottenham Hotspur clinched a victory against Aston Villa, edging them within a whisker of the top four. With just two points separating them from Unai Emery's side, who have their next fixture scheduled against West Ham on Sunday, the Spurs have an opportunity to reclaim their spot in the coveted Champions League positions. As Ange Postecoglou's men prepare for this crucial encounter, it's evident that even a fifth-place finish may suffice, but the ambition is undoubtedly to secure a position higher up the ladder.

Fulham's Top-Ten Ambitions
Fulham, on the other hand, are not merely participants in this London derby; they're contenders with ambitions of securing a second consecutive top-ten finish in the Premier League. A goal that speaks volumes of their progress and aspiration in one of football's most competitive leagues.

Matchday Viewing Details
For fans eager to witness every moment of this thrilling encounter, the match will be televised live. Coverage is set to begin at 5 pm GMT, with the kickoff slated for 5:30 pm. Viewers can tune in to Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR to catch all the action live. Additionally, for those on the move, the Sky Go app will provide a live stream, ensuring no one misses out on what promises to be an electrifying match.

Tactical Analysis and Expectations
As Tottenham travel to Fulham, all eyes will be on how both teams approach this pivotal match. Tottenham's recent form indicates a resurgence, with the team demonstrating both resilience and tactical acumen. Fulham, never to be underestimated, have shown they are capable of upsetting the odds, making this match an unpredictable and exciting affair.

For Tottenham Hotspur, this game is more than just another London derby; it's an opportunity to solidify their Champions League aspirations. Fulham, thriving under the underdog status, will look to disrupt Tottenham's plans, aiming to continue their impressive run in the league. This game is set to be a showcase of tactical prowess, individual brilliance, and, most importantly, the unrelenting spirit of the Premier League.

In conclusion, as Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham lock horns in this crucial Premier League encounter, fans are guaranteed a match filled with passion, intensity, and the pursuit of glory. With both teams eyeing crucial points for their respective campaigns, this match is poised to be a highlight of the season.



https://eplindex.com/107078/spurs-eye-top-four-in-premier-league-clash-with-fulham.html

[WhiteJC]

Tosin's contract situation: Fulham coach Marco Silva reveals his stance
Portuguese football tactician Marco Silva was on media duties on Friday, on the eve of his side's Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, and one of the topics he addressed was the contract situation of Tosin Adarabioyo.

Tosin along with Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Kenny Tete could depart Craven Cottage as free agents at the end of the season if they don't extend their contracts.

The Manchester City academy product is really having an outstanding season at Fulham and even ahead of a lot of England internationals in terms of their stats.

Tosin was heavily linked with a departure from Fulham in the hours leading up to the close of the summer transfer window but a potential move to Monaco fell through because the Cottagers hadn't secured a replacement for him.

Silva has confirmed that Fulham are eager to extend Tosin's stay because he is an important player.

Asked if there's any latest on Tosin's contract situation, Silva told reporters: "We have three players that are at the end of their contracts, him and Bobby Reid plus Kenny (Tete) that we have a clause in his contract that we can trigger if we don't do something before and the three players we would like to keep them because they have been important for us.

"They are part of the 'furniture of this football club' if I can say. Tosin is a really important one, going direct for him.

"We have been trying to renew with him, the club they are speaking with him, his agent and the people that are taking care of his career and let's hope that we can have news as soon as possible.

"But clear if you ask me what I want, I'd like to keep him in our football club."

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A teams are monitoring the situation of Tosin with a view to signing him at zero cost in the summer.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel




https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=50825

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham full squad revealed for Fulham as late Richarlison decision made with Van de Ven update
Tottenham news as Spurs look to jump into fourth with victory over midtable Fulham

 It looks set to be a case of one in and one out for Ange Postecoglou with Tottenham as they host Fulham on Saturday evening. Spurs are aiming to leapfrog top four competitors Aston Villa - even if temporarily - and are in a strong position to do so.

Postecoglou will have almost a fully fit squad to work with in north London after six days off. Meanwhile, Marco Silva's Fulham are coming off the back of a disappointing defeat to Wolves last time out despite having the better of the chances.

Tottenham will start the day in fifth, two points behind Villa, but could end it with a small buffer ahead of Unai Emery's trip to West Ham on Sunday. They could also open up a sizeable nine-point gap to Manchester United in sixth, all but ending the chances of dropping out of the top five at this stage.

Whilst English clubs wait to find out if they will be granted an extra spot in the Champions League next year, Spurs are planning to do all they can to have things in their own hands regardless. With returning players from injury, it is coming together nicely at an ideal time.

Spurs did suffer the one blow at Villa Park last week but didn't let the sight of Micky van de Ven being helped off the field distract them. The 4-0 win in the Midlands swung the pendulum once more and Postecoglou is hopeful that his key centre-back will be fit for when the league resumes in two weeks time.

"Micky, nothing too significant," the head coach said on Friday. "He'll miss tomorrow. But we're quite confident if the recovery goes well with the international break, he shouldn't miss too much more. I think he came off at the right time to be honest. So while he misses tomorrow, it's still positive."

This isn't the first time that Van de Ven will be ruled out via injury but the break will allow the damage from his absence to be limited. Meanwhile, there are hopes that Richarlison could make his return to the side.

"Richy, he trained today so we'll just see how he pulls up," Postecoglou explained. "If he pulls up OK, he'll probably be available." The Brazilian has missed two games so far with a knee injury but looks to be making good progress.

With an otherwise familiar set of attacking options, there are still plenty of choices left to cover for him. Manor Solomon remains out with a long-term issue and there are still no impending returns for Ryan Sessegnon or Fraser Forster.

In terms of what Tottenham look like on the day, it may well be just the two changes to the 20 players selected feature. Here, football.london predicts what will be on offer.

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Brandon Austin

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, Emerson Royal, Ben Davies

Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo Bentancur

Attackers: Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski, Dane Scarlett, Richarlison



https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/tottenham-full-squad-revealed-fulham-28831553

[WhiteJC]

Player explains why he chose Fulham over European giants – Marco Silva appears to be key
Belgian defender Timothy Castagne has revealed he chose Fulham over Juventus last summer after being convinced by Marco Silva.

The full-back has been speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, where he revealed the reasoning behind his decision last summer.

He joined Fulham in a €13m deal from relegated Leicester in the summer transfer window, having decided to leave the Foxes following their drop into the Championship.

He had been with Leicester for three years following a €20.9m move from Atalanta in September 2020, establishing himself as the first choice right-back at the club as Ricardo Pereira struggled through several long-term injuries.

He was a part of the side that won the FA Cup in 2020/21 but was unable to keep them up last season and elected to depart in the summer.

He had suitors around Europe, with several sides in the Premier League and outside of it keen on a deal for him, including Italian giants Juventus.

That never came to fruition though and he ended up at Fulham instead, where he's established himself as first-choice at right back this season and been a regular in the team.

On the face of it, choosing Fulham over Juventus is not a choice many players would make, but Castagne insists he was convinced by Silva's pitch to him.

"We often talked with Juventus, but it never became concrete," he said.

"They also didn't have enough money at that time. Plus, after speaking to the coach here and hearing how Fulham wanted to play, I liked it. The players are better in England.

"I had the most work with Luis Diaz from Liverpool and Mitoma from Brighton. But it is tactically a little less strict here, which sometimes means there is more space. Italy is much more tactics based."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-explains-chose-fulham-european-giants-marco-silva-appears-key/

[WhiteJC]

Fabrizio Romano: Premier League club to offer Liverpool 'target' new deal to ward off suitors
Liverpool transfer news: Liverpool's centre-back target has interest from multiple clubs with his deal coming to an end.

Fulham have reportedly offered defender Tosin Adarabioyo a new deal to ward off the likes of Liverpool who have been linked with a summer move.

Adarabioyo, 26, has impressed at Fulham across the last few seasons as a towering and powerful defender who was impressive in the EFL Cup semi-final ties against Liverpool earlier this season. With Joel Matip's deal set to expire in the summer, another defender could be brought in and the six foot four centre-back could be a great option - especially given his deal expires this summer.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on X, writing; 'Understand Fulham have offered new long term deal to Tosin Adarabioyo with salary rise as part of the proposal. Tosin's current contract expires in June. But he's still considering his future as several clubs remain interested in signing him as free agent'. He is also wanted by AC Milan, according to the London Evening Standard.

Breaking through the Manchester City academy originally, but he made just eight senior appearances before departing. He developed strong experience in the Championship with both West Brom and Blackburn before arriving at Fulham. That experience has put him in good stead as he is now on the cusp of a move to a better club. Against Liverpool in the cup over two ties, he managed 13 clearances and won eight of his 11 ground duels. Additionally, he lost just one aerial duel from eight and he has proven to be a towering presence at the back.

Earlier this month, Fulham boss Marco Silva praised the English defender's form this season: "In December, when it was really busy, he helped the team to reach a really good level. He is a really important player for us inside the football club. He is growing. He is a really good player and of course we always expect better things from him, and if he is going to be the case to go for the national team (then) even better, because it's always the ambition of a football player."



https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/sport/football/liverpool/fabrizio-romano-premier-league-club-to-offer-liverpool-target-new-deal-to-ward-off-suitors-4557040

[WhiteJC]

Silva was key to Fulham switch, says Castagne
Timothy Castagne has revealed that head coach Marco Silva proved a crucial element in his decision to join Fulham instead of Juventus last summer.

The Belgian international moved to Craven Cottage from relegated Leicester City during the summer transfer window in a deal worth around £11m and has quickly become Fulham's first choice right back, usurping Dutch defender Kenny Tete with a series of consistent performances.

Castagne told Het Belang van Limburg:

"We often talked with Juventus, but it never became concrete. They also didn't have enough money at that time. Plus, after speaking to the coach here and hearing how Fulham wanted to play, I liked it. The players are better in England."

The right back also disclosed who have been some of his toughest opponents this season.

"I had the most work with Luis Diaz from Liverpool and Mitoma from Brighton. But it is tactically a little less strict here, which sometimes means there is more space. Italy is much more tactics based."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/03/silva-was-key-to-fulham-switch-says-castagne/