Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 17/04/24...

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Fulham man makes feelings clear on potential rule change – Seems to be siding with the majority
Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez has urged football's lawmakers to fight against temptation to add new rules to the game, like a potential blue card.

The Fulham man has been speaking to El Universal about football in general and the subject of a blue card entered the discussion.

Football has had to deal with an ever-changing set of rules in recent years, with the introduction of VAR seemingly opening the door for a never-ending slew of new rules to be introduced.

The latest which has been suggested is the introduction of a new card to the game to go alongside the yellow and red card.

The idea for the blue card would be for the card to be shown to players who show dissent to a referee or commit a cynical foul to stop an attack, and they'd then be placed in a sin-bin for ten minutes.

The idea was roundly rejected by the football community, with players, fans and media alike all very much against it from minute one.

FIFA's Gianni Infantino later rejected the idea and appeared to put an end to it, something it seems the Fulham striker is very much on board with.

"Oh, man. I don't know, I think that football here, as you say, traditional football, that's it, it is what it is," he said.

"Just a little while ago I read that they wanted to issue a blue card and leave a player out for ten minutes or five minutes, and since it's a ninety-minute game you can't keep a player out for so long, it's a big disadvantage. I think the rules as they are in football are fine."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-man-makes-feelings-clear-potential-rule-change-seems-siding-majority/

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Sources: Arsenal ready to sell star wanted by four Premier League clubs and will demand £40m
Arsenal will make Eddie Nketiah available for transfer this summer but Premier League rivals West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Fulham and AFC Bournemouth would need to part with £40 million to sign the striker.

HITC understands that Arsenal are ready to cash in on the academy graduate. And, after making £34 million via the sale of fellow centre-forward Folarin Balogun to French giants Monaco back in 2023, The Gunners will hold out for more for Nketiah.

There is interest in the England international from Bournemouth, as well as a trio of London clubs. Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace are all in the market for a new number nine this summer.

It remains to be seen, however, what effect Arsenal's asking price will have on Nketiah's suitors. Mikel Arteta's title challengers want the bidding to start at £40 million. That, then, would require a club-record investment from Palace, Fulham and Bournemouth.

And Nketiah, due to his homegrown status, would count as 'pure profit' for Arsenal.

Arsenal will listen to offers for Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah, the one-time Leeds United loanee, made his first-team debut for Arsenal all the way back in the 2017/18 season. And though he has accumulated over 150 appearances in that time, he remains something of a back-up option at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite missing Gabriel Jesus for much of the campaign, Nketiah has started only ten matches in 2023/24 with Arteta preferring to utilise Kai Havertz through the middle.

Nketiah's goals-per-starts ratio remains impressive, however. He has five goals league this term and mustered four in nine starts last year, including a brace in that dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester United.

"Obviously, it's not easy. Not only for me but for Eddie as well," Jesus tells Beanyman Sports of a man who has spent much of the last few weeks alongside him on the Arsenal bench.

"Eddie, if you see the way he works, it's unbelievable. (But) Kai is amazing, having amazing games, scoring, helping a lot. So that is the price you have to pay to be in a huge club and you have to fight to play."

Interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are reportedly long-time admirers of Nketiah, the all-time record goalscorer for England's Under 21 side. Jean-Philippe Mateta lead the line excellently in Sunday's shock 1-0 win at Liverpool but he remains more profligate than prolific. West Ham, meanwhile, remain reliant on the 34-year-old Michail Antonio.

And though Rodrigo Muniz may be the Premier League's reigning Player of the Month, the Fulham sensation is still unproven over a long spell in England's top flight.

HITC, meanwhile, understands that Arsneal are looking at a number of strikers who would reprsent an upgrade on Nketiah at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have looked at Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic and Brentford contract-rebel Ivan Toney.

We also reported in March that Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2024/04/16/sources-arsenal-ready-to-sell-star-wanted-by-four-premier-league-clubs-and-will-demand-40m/

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Defender sits on the fence as he's asked about Crystal Palace and Fulham – Summer move very possible
Fulham and Crystal Palace are said to be keen on signing Union Berlin's Danilho Doekhi in the summer.

This was reported in the UK and has now reached the German media, in particular Bild.

Following claims of interest from both Fulham and Crystal Palace in the 25-year-old, Bild decided to get in touch with him for an opinion on links with the London clubs.

When responding to it all, the centre-back has not closed the door on a possible exit after this season.

"I'm concentrating on the last few games with the club. That's my full focus. We'll see what happens in the summer. But I'm focussed on the here and now with Union," he said.

The Dutchman has less than 18 months left on his current deal and the report states his future is 'uncertain'.

He has to make a decision on his future in the summer. It's possible for Doekhi to sign a new contract and if there's no renewal, Bild state the Bundesliga side could sell him for a 'double-digit million' [€10m or more] offer in the next window.

He joined Union Berlin from Vitesse for €4m in 2022 and Bild state he's currently valued at €17m.

Doekhi's side are 13th in the table and three points away from the relegation zone, and he's confident of Union Berlin continuing in the top flight next season.

"We know the table, we know that we need points. There are still three home games left and we want to get as many points as possible. That should be enough," Doekhi explained.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/defender-sits-fence-hes-asked-crystal-palace-fulham-summer-move-possible/

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Silva: 'Fulham must keep the focus'
Marco Silva has demanded that Fulham keep their focus following Sunday's derby win at West Ham United.

The Whites bounced back from taking just one point from a possible nine by stunning David Moyes' side at the London Stadium thanks to a double from Andreas Pereira.

Speaking after his side returned to winning ways, the Fulham head coach said:

"We have to keep focus this season. It's too early to start on next season. We are at the best moment of the season. Keep the focus, keep the concentration but we want always more. Every game we fight for three points. At the end of the season is when we will analyse this season to prepare for the next one."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/04/silva-fulham-must-keep-the-focus/

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"It's in the works" – Fulham F.C star Alex Iwobi set to release new music soon
Alex iwobi has equaled Kanu Nwankwo's record for most assists made by a Nigerian player in the Premier League



Fulham F.C star Alex Iwobi has revealed his plans to release new music in the near future, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian forward first surprised fans with his rapping skills back in March, showcasing his lyrical talent in a social media comeback video.

In a recent interview with UK radio station "Kiss Fresh", Iwobi talked about his interest in music and his aspirations.

The football star responded affirmatively when asked if he plans on releasing new music, saying that "there could be a single, it could be a music video. It's in the works".

In response to a question on whether he plans to be a "jack of all trades", Iwobi said "I like to express myself in more ways, and you'd be surprised footballers have a lot of time. I like to dip in and out of a few things and yeah, music is one of them".

The 27-year-old athlete also hinted at music collaborations with other stars, which he chose not to name. He made reference to his collab with ex-Everton teammate Amadou Onana, also saying that "there's more to come".

The Super Eagles player mentioned that footballers like to rap and there would be a number of football stars featured in his upcoming music project.



https://soccernet.ng/2024/04/its-in-the-works-fulham-f-c-star-alex-iwobi-set-to-release-new-music-soon.html

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Premier League table 'leaked' as Sky Sports make Arsenal and Liverpool blunder
Sky Sports appeared to have made a huge blunder when updating the Premier League table on Monday night, with Arsenal and Liverpool's results against Wolves and Fulham seemingly 'leaked'

Sky Sports has been caught in an embarrassing blunder as they appeared to 'leak' the results of Arsenal and Liverpool's upcoming matches against Wolves and Fulham, respectively. The broadcaster, following Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing of Everton on Monday Night Football, provided viewers with an updated Premier League table that seemed to include the outcomes of two fixtures yet to be played.

In a strange twist, Arsenal were displayed as having played 33 games instead of their actual 32, one more than current leaders Manchester City. Their goal difference was also off, listed as +47 when it should have been +49 after their defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday.

Gunners fans were quick to spot the error, jokingly expressing their dread for another two-goal loss this weekend that could potentially end their title hopes. However, Arsenal weren't the only team affected by this mishap, as Liverpool's updated stats were even more perplexing.

Liverpool, currently third in the league, seemed to have their Sunday match against Fulham already accounted for in the table. Reds supporters will be hoping this 'forecast' doesn't come true, as it would mean they remain on 33 games played after a narrow loss, with their points still at 71 but their goal difference reduced from +41 to +40.

Sky leaking that we win by two goals on Sunday?😂 pic.twitter.com/GDFFAxdOCQ

— Dan (@1874dan) April 15, 2024

In a bizarre turn of events, the Cottagers were prematurely awarded three points, catapulting them from 12th to 10th place. Despite Liverpool's goal difference only decreasing by one, Fulham's rose from -2 to zero, suggesting they somehow found an extra goal.

Man City fans humorously celebrated the new table, as they were inadvertently given an extra game after returning to the top of the table. Pep Guardiola's squad is not playing in the league on Saturday due to their FA Cup semi-final match against Chelsea at Wembley.

The errors are likely due to a glitch behind the scenes at Sky Sports, rather than an attempt to trick fans or make audacious predictions. However, the broadcaster has since been mocked by supporters from various clubs who jest that they have 'leaked' this weekend's outcomes.

Sky's dominance over English football has certainly diminished over the past decade, with the rise of TNT Sports. In December, the Premier League finalised a new four-year deal with both companies, as well as the BBC, for the rights to broadcast live football and free-to-air highlights from the 2025/26 season onwards.

It was subsequently announced that Sky Sports will cover at least 215 live matches per season and, for the first time, will broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of the season. Meanwhile, TNT Sports will cover 52 live matches per season.



https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/premier-league-table-leaked-sky-29008037

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Tottenham Hotspur surge ahead of Man United in Tosin Adarabioyo race as they send "firm contract offer"
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly jumped ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

Adarabioyo is believed to be one of the names on INEOS' wishlist to arrive at United and bolster the backline.

This season, Erik ten Hag has had to contend with many of his defenders missing multiple games due to injuries. In fact, Diogo Dalot is the only defender on the club's payroll not to have missed a match so far due to a physical setback.

Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans' respective deals are set to expire at the end of the campaign and both players will leave as free agents unless they can reach an agreement over fresh terms with the club.

It has also been suggested that United could potentially let Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof leave if they receive enticing offers. Amidst all this, it's easy to see why the Red Devils are eager to secure defensive reinforcements.

Last month, a report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ten Hag's side were keeping a close eye on Adarabioyo.

The Fulham man is out of contract at Craven Cottage when the Premier League season draws to an end and as it stands, he will leave the London outfit on a free. This scenario is understood to be one of Adarabioyo's main points of attraction, during an era in which rival clubs demand outrageous fees to permanently part ways with their key stars.

It was subsequently relayed that United and Tottenham approached Adarabioyo and his agents in an attempt to agree a pre-contract deal.

TEAMtalk have provided a huge update on the situation and indicated that Tottenham are now in the driving seat to land the 26-year-old.

The outlet reveals, "Tottenham Hotspur have accelerated their pursuit of Tosin Adarabioyo and have sent the Fulham star a contract offer they try to beat Manchester United in the transfer race."

"TEAMtalk can now reveal that Tottenham have overtaken Man Utd in the transfer pursuit by sending him a firm contract offer."

"The proposal includes a lucrative wage, and Tosin and his agent are currently considering it."

"Spurs want to forge an agreement with the ball-playing defender before Man Utd launch an official offer of their own. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now part of the ownership team, Man Utd have the potential to blow Spurs' bid out of the water."

TEAMtalk add that Fulham are still hopeful that they can convince their defender to stay but their prospects are looking increasingly grim. Due to this, Fulham are already looking at potential replacements for him.



https://thepeoplesperson.com/2024/04/16/tottenham-hotspur-surge-ahead-of-man-united-in-tosin-adarabioyo-race-as-they-send-firm-contract-offer-278977/