Friday Fulham Stuff - 26/04/24

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Results

Thursday 25/04
Brighton	0-4	Man City

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Fulham's billionaire owner rocks up on AEW after his son is attacked on live TV
Shahid Khan, the owner of Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars, made a shock appearance on All Elite Wrestling as son Tony laid stricken in the ring


hahid Khan turned up on AEW TV for the first time (Image: AEW)

Fulham owner Shahid Khan made a debut appearance on All Elite Wrestling after son Tony was attacked in kayfabe.

Khan, who took over the Premier League side in 2013, has helped fund his son's venture into the wrestling business. AEW have become a competitor to WWE in the United States since their 2019 launch.

But he'd steered clear of being involved himself - until last night (April 24). The 73-year-old, ranked by Forbes as the 164th richest person in the world with a $12.1billion (£9.7bn) net worth, appeared at the end of the weekly Dynamite broadcast.

It came after The Elite members Nick and Matt Jackson, who co-founded AEW alongside Tony, left him laid out on the canvas to set up what looks to be one of the company's biggest storylines to date.

The angle centres around the real life drama involving CM Punk and Jack Perry, who physically clashed at their All In event at Wembley last year, leading to the former quitting and later returning to WWE.


Khan's son Tony was attacked in kayfabe on Wednesday night's Dynamite (Image: AEW)

After an eight-month absence, Perry made a shock return of his own at AEW pay-per-view Dynasty at the weekend with his new 'scapegoat' gimmick.

He was supposedly going to clear the air with Tony, but instead attacked him. The Jackson brothers, accompanied by former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kazuchika Okada, emerged to seemingly help - before joining in on the beat down.

The show ended with Tony in the middle of the ring supposedly receiving medical attention, with his elderly father emerging with a concerned look on his face. His arrival prompted a pop from the crowd in Jacksonville, where Khan owns the Jaguars NFL team.

He previously admitted having reservations when Tony, a lifelong wrestling fan, brought the idea of backing a start-up to him. But AEW is now estimated to be the third most valuable combat sports promotion in the world at $2bn (£1.6bn).

Khan told Forbes in 2021: "I absolutely didn't think this was a good idea. But I told Tony, 'Look, when I'm dead and gone, I'm going to be leaving you and your sister a lot of money'. Why don't you blow some of that while I'm alive?"



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/fulham-shahid-tony-khan-aew-32668280

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Player set to return to Fulham at end of season – Things haven't been going well for him
Striker Carlos Vinicius will be returning to Fulham in the summer, with his loan deal at Galatasaray not working out as planned.

That's according to Oda TV, who say the striker is one of four loan players who will be sent back to his parent club at the end of the season.

They explain that Vinicius is 'not considered permanent value' by the club or the management team and so there is no plan to try and turn his loan deal into a permanent one.

He moved from Fulham in the January transfer window but has barely featured for Galatasaray this season, with just eight appearances in the Super Lig to date and one goal and one assist to his name.

The fact is that he has not impressed in the slightest and the Turkish side, who are reluctant to spend their money at the best of times, don't consider a permanent move worth it.

What happens when he returns to Fulham remains to be seen as he's long since been replaced by Rodrigo Muniz there and is unlikely to oust him from the team given his compatriot's performances in his absence.

A move away from Craven Cottage seems the most likely for the 29-year-old, whose brief stint in Turkey has not worked out how anyone presumably hoped it would.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-set-return-fulham-end-season-things-havent-going-well/

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Lloyd Kelly More 'Open' to Newcastle Move Than Adarabioyo
Newcastle United are looking to sign Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly on free transfers at St. James' Park this summer.

    Newcastle United are considering moves for Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly on free transfers this summer.
    The defensive duo see their current deals expire in June, piquing the Magpies' attention.
    Newcastle must be conservative in the transfer market to remain within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

 Newcastle United are looking at signing Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly on free transfers this summer at St. James' Park, as journalist Ben Jacobs hints the latter will be more willing to make the move north.

The Magpies have endured a difficult 2023/24 season but could still ensure qualification for continental competition in the final weeks of the Premier League campaign.

Eddie Howe's side must be mindful of remaining compliant with profit and sustainability regulations as they look to avoid being sanctioned and deducted points for their spending. Adarabioyo and Kelly both see their contracts expire with their current clubs this summer.

Newcastle Interested in Adarabioyo and Kelly
 Jacobs has recently told GIVEMESPORT that Newcastle are likely to approach the 2024 summer transfer window conservatively after heavy spending over the past two years. The journalist has claimed that Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly have been lined up as potential budget options to bolster their defence.

In March, Adarabioyo was linked with a move to Liverpool. Fulham are keen on extending the £40,000 per-week earner's contract to avoid losing him for free this summer and will continue to enter talks with the centre-back as they look to keep hold of one of their key players.

Meanwhile, Jacobs has previously told GIVEMESPORT that Kelly is open to making the move to St. James' Park this summer. The 25-year-old defender, who earns a weekly wage of £30,000, has proven to be a versatile option in the Cherries backline, playing anywhere across a back three or four.

Ben Jacobs - Adarabioyo 'Quite Happy in London', With Kelly Open to Newcastle Move
 Jacobs has indicated that Adarabioyo is 'quite happy' in London and there have been no signs necessarily hinting that he would join Newcastle should an offer from the Magpies arrive. However, the journalist reaffirms Kelly, once dubbed "incredible" by former boss Gary O'Neil, is open to a move to the North East when his contract at Bournemouth expires this summer. Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT:

"We don't know yet where Adarabioyo's head lies. I've always been told that he's quite happy in London, and Fulham will push to get him to extend. So that one's not a given, and there's not yet any indication whether he would pick Newcastle should an offer arrive.

"With Kelly, I am told that he's open to moving to Newcastle. So, there's a fair chance that Newcastle will get one of those two. If the opportunity presents itself to get both, then I think they will be able to move for both of them without worrying about overbuying in one area or the financial or wage situation. I think both of them will be within a budget if, as I say, the opportunity presents itself."

Arsenal 'Like' Bruno Guimaraes Ahead of Summer Move
Newcastle's need to remain inside the Premier League's profit and sustainability threshold may result in them selling one of their star players this summer. The Magpies have potential assets such as Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, and Joelinton that could be shown the door to raise funds.

The Athletic's David Ornstein has recently revealed that Arsenal 'like' Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The 26-year-old has established himself as the face of the Saudi Public Investment Fund's early days at St. James' Park, having been the marquee arrival of their first transfer window in the winter of 2022. However, the Brazil international has also been linked with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and has a release clause that can be activated for £100m.

All statitsics courtesy of Transfermarkt and WhoScored, correct as of 24-02-24.



https://www.givemesport.com/newcastle-transfer-news-lloyd-kelly-more-open-move-than-tosin-adarabioyo/

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Tottenham Hotspur hold the advantage over Newcastle in the race to sign Nigerian centre-back
Transfer market expert Ben Jacobs has indicated that Tottenham Hotspur hold the advantage over Newcastle United in the race to sign Tosin Adarabioyo after revealing that the Manchester-born Nigerian central defender would like to remain in London next season.

Tosin's contract with Fulham ends in the summer and a host of clubs are lining up to sign him for free, given his experience and quality.

He has been linked with Premier League giants, Manchester United and Liverpool, with both preparing to bolster their defensive department in the next transfer window.

Lately, an interest from north London club Tottenham has resurfaced while Newcastle have also been said to be eyeing up a move for him alongside AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly.

Outside the Premier League, Italian giants AC Milan are also considering a move for the Manchester City Academy product but obviously face an uphill task of beating their Premier League counterparts.

Fulham have obviously not given up on getting Tosin to sign a new contract but as the end of the season beckons, it is looking highly unlikely that he extends his stay at Craven Cottage.

With the uncertainty surrounding the future of the former England youth international, Jacobs has given the latest update regarding his future.

"We don't know yet where Adarabioyo's head lies. I've always been told that he's quite happy in London, and Fulham will push to get him to extend", he told GIVEMESPORT.

"So that one's not a given, and there's not yet any indication whether he would pick Newcastle should an offer arrive."

Apparently, this hands Tottenham an advantage of winning the signature of the Super Eagles-eligible center back while Fulham still have hopes of retaining his services.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=51291

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Preview: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace - prediction, team news, lineups
A mid-table Premier League contest takes centre stage at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon as 13th-placed Fulham play host to 14th-placed Crystal Palace.

The two London clubs meet for the first time since September last year when they played out a goalless stalemate at Selhurst Park.

Match preview
Although Fulham have never looked like entering the relegation picture this season, a run of three defeats in their last four Premier League matches leaves little to be desired, and Marco Silva's side are now playing catch-up in their quest to secure a second successive top-half finish.

Defeats against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United were followed by a 2-0 victory at West Ham United, but the Cottagers were condemned to their 16th league loss of the campaign at the hands of Liverpool (1-3) last weekend.

Fulham remain in with a shot of matching their 52-point haul from last season, although they require 10 points from their remaining four fixtures to achieve that. The Cottagers sit 13th in the table and only three points behind Bournemouth in 10th, while they are eight points adrift of the top seven, so a late push for Europe will be a tall order.

A return to Craven Cottage on Saturday will be welcomed by Fulham as they have collected 66.7% of their Premier League points on home soil this season, although they have lost their two matches in front of their own fans and will be seeking to avoid three home losses in a row for the first time since a run of six in May 2021.

Fulham will fancy their chances of claiming a positive result against Crystal Palace, whom they have not lost against in any of their previous four league meetings, while Silva's side have won four of their last five London derbies in the top flight, as many as their previous 44 beforehand.

In contrast to Fulham, Crystal Palace are in buoyant mood as they have won each of their last three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 8-2, with their latest success over Newcastle United securing their Premier League status for a club-record 12th successive season.

Three days after thumping West Ham United 5-2 at Selhurst Park, the Eagles returned to home soil and claimed a 2-0 victory over the Magpies on Wednesday, with Jean-Philippe Mateta following up his brace against the Hammers with two more goals to increase his tally for the campaign to 11 in the Premier League.

Oliver Glasner has settled in well as Crystal Palace boss since taking the reins in February and has successfully steered the club to safety with four games left to spare; the Eagles sit 14th in the table and 14 points above the drop zone, while victory on Saturday would move them level on points with Fulham in 13th.

Palace ended a 10-game winless away run when they surprisingly beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in their most recent match on the road, and they can travel to Fulham with optimism of success on Saturday as they are unbeaten in their last four visits to Craven Cottage (W2 D2).

Fulham Premier League form:

    W    D    L    L    W    L


Crystal Palace Premier League form:

    D    L    L    W    W    W


Team News
Fulham's only injury concern is with experienced winger Willian, who missed last weekend's defeat to Liverpool due to a minor groin problem that will be assessed ahead of kickoff against Palace.

Timothy Castagne scored his first goal for the Cottagers last time out and is expected to continue at right-back ahead of Kenny Tete, joining Tosin Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson in the back four.

Harrison Reed will be pushing to start in midfield ahead of Sasa Lukic, while Harry Wilson and Adama Traore will battle with Alex Iwobi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid for a place on the flanks as top scorer Rodrigo Muniz leads the line.

As for Crystal Palace, Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Marc Guehi (knee), Jefferson Lerma, Rob Holding (both thigh) and Matheus Franca (groin) all remain sidelined with injuries.

Michael Olise, who has been hampered with injuries for large spells of this season, began as a substitute in midweek, but the winger could work his way back into the first XI on Saturday at the expense of Jordan Ayew.

Glasner is unlikely to make too many other changes, if any, to his starting lineup, although Joel Ward could take the place of Nathaniel Clyne at right centre-back having recently recovered from injury.


Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid; Muniz

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Olise, Eze; Mateta

We say: Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace
There has been little to separate these two teams in recent years, with three of the last four meetings ending all square, but taking into account the contrasting form of both clubs heading into Saturday's fixture, we believe Palace have the momentum behind them to collect maximum points against an out-of-sorts Fulham outfit.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/preview/preview-fulham-vs-crystal-palace-prediction-team-news-lineups_542127.html

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Carlisle United: Failed Fulham transfer should offer stern warning for future deals - View
This failed move should be taken as a lesson by present and future signings by the Blues

Carlisle United haven't shown themselves to be particularly adept in the loan market over recent seasons, and one standout case should serve as a warning for current and future loanees who come to the club.

 A discussion topic on the most recent episode of the Carlisle Social podcast was the success that Carlisle have had recently with bringing in players on temporary moves.

The likes of JK Gordon and Dynel Simeu were mentioned as some of the best that the club have had over recent years.

Both players did well, in their own right, but they weren't the type who came in and immediately set themselves out as top talents, and had a profound, lengthy impact on the team.

You look at some of the loan players in League One this season and compare them to what United were able to sign, and it's chalk and cheese.

 Alex Robertson and Marc Leonard are two of the standout players from this season, and have played for Portsmouth and Northampton Town. Even though they are both still young, they quickly established themselves in the starting XIs because of their quality. The same can't be said about Luke Plange, Jökull Andresson, or Terry Ablade.

Plange and Ablade came from Crystal Palace and Fulham, respectively; two clubs that United have frequented for loanees over recent seasons.

The well has pretty much gone dry with these two clubs, and available young talents, and moving away from these same old recruiting methods is something that club chairman Tom Piatak has spoken about as being a necessity this summer.

But there are more lessons to be learned than just not to go back to the same clubs over and over again in the search for players. There are cases in the past that players who will be joining the Blues on loan this season should look at and look to do the opposite of, and one of those cases is another former Cottager.

Sonny Hilton's failed Carlisle loan move
 The attacking midfielder joined the club at the start of the 2022/23 season with a decent reputation behind him.

He was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Year award in the prior season. Other nominees for the award included Liverpool's Conor Bradley, Manchester City, and now Sheffield United's, James McAtee, and Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

McAtee ended up winning it, and the 22/23 winner also came from Man City. That man was Carlos Borges, who was sold to Ajax this summer for £17.3 million.

So there's quite a good pedigree that comes with this award, but the question with these young players is will they be able to translate under-21s performances into being able to play in the EFL, where the style is very different.

 The answer for Hilton was no.

He only made seven league appearances for Carlisle, and was on the pitch for an average of 14 minutes per game, according to Sofascore. It should be no surprise, too, that he performed best in the Football League Trophy, against under-21 sides.

Now, the fact that he wasn't as effective as fans hoped he would be wasn't an issue that season. Carlisle have a strong, consistent midfield, and they weren't struggling to create, or score, chances, unlike this season.

 He was eventually deemed surplus to requirements, and he was sent back to London at the start of the January transfer window.

Future Carlisle signings should look at Sonny Hilton as a warning
 After he left Brunton Park, the now 23-year-old was released by Fulham at the end of the 22/23 campaign. At one point, he was nominated alongside some of the most exciting talents in the Premier League, and all of a sudden he found himself without a team.

Where did he land? Bootle FC. A team in the Northern Premier League West Division; AKA, four steps below the EFL in the footballing pyramid.

Because of one comment by Chris Lumsdon, all Carlisle loanees who don't do well will now be compared to Hilton, and rightfully so.

 He is now the perfect example of how quickly you can go from being one of the big hitters in the under-21s of a big club to playing semi-professionally, and having very little chance of getting back into professional football.

It's not like he did anything wrong as a player at Carlisle which led to him being where he is now. But this case should be taken seriously by young players who are getting their first chance in the EFL.

You had better do your best to take it because there's no guarantee that another opportunity is going to come around the corner.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/carlisle-united-failed-fulham-transfer-sonny-hilton/