Friday Fulham Stuff - 26/07/24...

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Rosenior named new Strasbourg head coach
Former Fulham full back Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the new head coach of Ligue 1 side Strasbourg this afternoon.

Rosenior, who was sacked by Hull City in May despite being nominated for Championship manager of the season after nearly leading the Tigers to the play-offs, has signed a three-year contract to succeed Patrick Vieira at Stade de la Meinau. Strasbourg, owned by Todd Boehly's BlueCo, finished thirteenth last season.

Rosenior, who made 92 appearances in four seasons with Fulham at the start of his career, said:

"I am happy to join Racing, a historic French club, with supporters renowned for their passion and loyalty. I will do everything to make the Meinau proud of its team and its players. I can't wait to get to work."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/07/rosenior-named-new-strasbourg-head-coach/

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Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham: A Tale of What Might Have Been for Arsenal
Arsenal have reportedly decided to cash in on academy product Emile Smith Rowe, but had it not been for injuries, things might have been very different for the midfielder.

Arsenal fans will understandably be experiencing conflicting feelings at the news of Emile Smith Rowe's impending departure.

While feeling sad that the club is finally giving up on an academy product who once promised so much, those supporters will simultaneously – and likely unanimously – be sure that selling him to Fulham for a reported £35 million is for the best.

Smith Rowe broke into the Arsenal first team at a time when there wasn't much – at least by today's standards – to cheer about. When he established himself in Mikel Arteta's team in 2020-21, Arsenal were on their way to a second successive eighth-placed finish, and a fifth season in a row finishing outside the top four (they would go on to make that six seasons). The sole FA Cup they have won under Arteta wasn't enough to satisfy their trophy-hungry fans.

The emergence of Smith Rowe alongside fellow academy product Bukayo Saka, however, helped Arteta change the mood at the Emirates Stadium. Fans had become fed up with the final years of the Arsène Wenger era and Unai Emery's failed reign, so having not one but two homegrown talents in the first team gave them something to cling on to.

The rise of those two players and their output over the next couple of years showed that while the team underachieved, the future was at least bright.

But their paths have since diverged dramatically. Given their contrasting positions in football now – with Saka a reasonable shout for the best right-sided forward on the planet and Smith Rowe heading for an inevitable mid-table battle with Fulham – it's hard to believe there was a time when Smith Rowe was almost as exciting a prospect.

Across his first two seasons playing regularly in the Arsenal team (2020-21 and 2021-22), Smith Rowe scored 15 goals and recorded nine assists in all competitions. With 24 non-penalty goal involvements, he ranked fifth in the Arsenal squad, only seven behind the leader (Saka, with 31).

Only Saka (101) and Martin Ødegaard (97) created more chances in open play for Arsenal in that time than him (69), while only Saka (89), Alexandre Lacazette (79) and Grant Xhaka (75) played more games than him (70).



His 10 Premier League goals in 2020-21 put him in the league's top 20 goalscorers for the season, only one behind Saka, and level with players including Bruno Fernandes, and ahead of eventual title-winner Phil Foden (nine) and future Arsenal teammates Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard (eight each).

At that stage, it would have been unthinkable that Havertz or Trossard would be part of the reason that Arteta would eventually give up on Smith Rowe.

Early on in the following season, he scored and got an assist in a 3-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham. It wasn't as if he needed to give the fans any more reason to love him, but there was nobody left to convince after that display.

Smith Rowe's form that year led to a first call-up to the England senior team in November 2021, and he made three appearances for Gareth Southgate's side in a short space of time, scoring his first international goal, too.

There was to be a disappointing end to the campaign for the team, though, as Arsenal fell away in the race for fourth place and were beaten to the Champions League places by Spurs. Their fortunes would soon change, but unfortunately for Smith Rowe, the years since barely featured him.

By the end of 2021-22, aged 21 years and 192 days old, he had 18 goal involvements to his name in 55 Premier League appearances. Those aren't exactly earth-shattering numbers, but it puts him level at that age with the likes of Paul Scholes (18 in 44 appearances) and Gareth Bale (18 in 76) and ahead of past Arsenal stars like Aaron Ramsey (14 in 75) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (13 in 78), which goes to show the kind of foundations Smith Rowe had established.



Since then, however, he has made just 25 appearances in the last two seasons, and only three of those were starts. He has three assists but hasn't scored a single goal.

It's not an entirely fair comparison because, clearly, Saka was always going to be the better player (and Smith Rowe might never have come close to emulating Scholes, Bale, Ramsey or Oxlade-Chamberlain), but his rise only serves to brutally highlight what might have been.

A comparison of his and Saka's numbers before and after the end of the 2021-22 season shows just how starkly their careers have diverged.

   

Smith Rowe has had several injury problems, suffering four separate lengthy spells on the sidelines between 2018 and 2020, but it was a groin injury he suffered that required surgery at the start of 2022-23 – having just had his best season – that derailed his progress most significantly.

That recovery meant he missed 121 days and 21 games in the first half of that season, but – crucially – when he returned in early January, Arsenal had a five-point lead at the top of the table. They were flying, and there was next to no opportunity for Smith Rowe to find a way back into the team. Every game was must-win, so Arteta couldn't risk giving Smith Rowe game time in the name of his development.

Then, after a positive pre-season before 2023-24, he came off the bench with his team 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge last October to help inspire a rousing comeback and a 2-2 draw. The following week, he started in the league for the first time in 17 months in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United, in which he set up Eddie Nketiah's hat-trick goal.

But he picked up a knee injury that ruled him out for nine games, and he played only 241 minutes in the Premier League between that Sheffield United win and the end of the season. He wasn't directly involved in any goals in that time.

So, after two seasons of playing so little and contributing next to nothing to successive failed Arsenal title bids, it's the right time for everyone to move on. Smith Rowe needs games and Arsenal need money to invest in high-quality, reliable alternatives to the players they already have.

Fulham, meanwhile, are getting a player with bags of ability and – still just 23 – plenty of time to improve, too. His passing and dribbling ability in tight spaces close to the opposition's goal could prove invaluable to a team who have lost Bobby De Cordova-Reid from one of the attacking midfield positions this summer and also relied heavily for creativity last season on the now 35-year-old Willian. A fit and firing Smith Rowe significantly improves that team.

Ultimately, though, whether or not he comes close to fulfilling the potential he showed all those years ago will come down to whether he can stay fit and put a run of games together.

If he can do that, Arsenal fans could be in for some more mixed feelings as they watch the Emile Smith Rowe they love tearing it up in the colours of another team.



https://theanalyst.com/2024/07/emile-smith-rowe-to-fulham-arsenal-what-might-have-been/

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AFTV Discusses Emile Smith Rowe's Potential Fulham Move
Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe Poised to Join Fulham: Insights from AFTV Podcast

Emile Smith Rowe, a cherished figure among Arsenal fans, is on the brink of leaving the club for Fulham. This breaking news was discussed in a recent AFTV podcast by Robbie Lyle and Curtis Shaw. The potential transfer, reported by David Ornstein, indicates a significant move for both Smith Rowe and Fulham. This article delves into the podcast's insights, highlighting key discussions and quotes from Lyle and Shaw.

Emile Smith Rowe's Journey at Arsenal
Robbie Lyle opened the podcast by revealing the breaking news: "Emile Smith Rowe is on the verge of leaving Arsenal to join Fulham." Smith Rowe's departure marks a poignant moment for Arsenal supporters. Curtis Shaw reflected on the emotional aspect, saying, "It's quite a painful one for Arsenal fans because I think every Arsenal fan has that feeling for Smith Rowe – he's one of our own."

Smith Rowe, who emerged from Arsenal's academy, played a crucial role in the club's recent history. Shaw noted, "A couple of years ago, he was quite influential in keeping [Mikel Arteta's] job with that 10-goal season." However, injuries have plagued his progress, leading to limited playing time and the tough decision to let him go.

Fulham's Ambitious Move
Fulham's pursuit of Smith Rowe is a testament to their ambition. The deal, reportedly worth up to £35 million, would be a record for Fulham. Lyle mentioned, "Fulham are close to reaching a full agreement with Arsenal to sign Emile Smith Rowe, talks over a move worth up to £35 million."

This transfer represents a significant investment for Fulham and a strategic decision for Arsenal. Shaw acknowledged the financial implications, stating, "Smith Rowe is pure profit – came through the system, so I think anybody in that situation, we want to spend big this summer, and we're going to have to offload a few players."

Impact on Arsenal's Squad and Future Transfers
The potential departure of Smith Rowe raises questions about Arsenal's squad depth and future transfers. Shaw emphasized the need for replacements, saying, "I would like to see a replacement coming in that sort of area, whether that's an Eze or whoever." He also highlighted the importance of bolstering the midfield: "First of all, we've got to get that central midfielder, whether that is Mikel Merino."

Smith Rowe's move could pave the way for new signings, with funds potentially directed towards acquiring top talent. The podcast also touched on the possible arrival of Mikel Marino, a move that could strengthen Arsenal's midfield.

Conclusion
The AFTV podcast provided an in-depth analysis of Emile Smith Rowe's imminent transfer to Fulham. This move signifies a new chapter for Smith Rowe and a strategic decision for Arsenal. As Robbie Lyle summed up, "We're selling a real fan favorite, a player that we all love." The departure of Smith Rowe underscores the challenges and decisions faced by top football clubs in maintaining a competitive squad while managing finances.



https://eplindex.com/116149/aftv-discusses-emile-smith-rowes-potential-fulham-move.html

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Exclusive: Fulham Move Has 'Some Appeal' to £30m Star After Smith Rowe

    Fulham are facing a significant hurdle in their attempts to land Scott McTominay as the Manchester United midfielder needs to be persuaded to leave his boyhood club.
    The Cottagers have set their sights on signing the Scotland international after he has entered the final 12 months of his contract.
    Marco Silva has a genuine interest in securing McTominay's services as he seeks a replacement for Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park.

Fulham are facing a battle to land Scott McTominay ahead of the transfer window slamming shut next month as the Manchester United star is having doubts over whether a summer move to Craven Cottage is the right option at this stage of his career despite the switch having some appeal, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

 The Cottagers have moved to within touching distance of making Emile Smith Rowe the most expensive signing in the west Londoners' history as a £35million agreement is close to being reached with Arsenal, but boss Marco Silva is in the market for further acquisitions as the August 30 deadline edges closer.

Joao Palhinha's move to Bayern Munich for more than £47million has left Fulham short of options in the middle of the park, resulting in vice-chairman and sporting director Tony Khan joining the Portuguese tactician in scouring the market for a potential replacement ahead of the new season getting underway.

McTominay Must be Persuaded to Seal Cottagers Move
Scotland international has doubts over leaving boyhood club
 Fulham are in serious danger of facing a significant hurdle in their attempts to sign McTominay, according to GMS sources, as the Manchester United central midfielder needs to be fully convinced that Craven Cottage is the perfect destination in the aftermath of gaining genuine interest from his current employers' domestic rivals.

The Scotland international has gone on to make 252 appearances for the Red Devils, having come through the Premier League giants' youth ranks, but he has returned from Euro 2024 with uncertainty hanging over how he fits into boss Erik ten Hag's plans for the fast-approaching campaign.

GMS sources have been informed that the idea of becoming one of the first names on the team sheet by taking Palhinha's spot in Fulham's preferred starting line-up has some appeal to McTominay, but he is not fully sold on departing his boyhood club for a fresh challenge at this stage.

Scott McTominay's statistical averages per 90 minutes during the 2023/24 domestic campaign compared to Joao Palhinha

	Scott McTominay	Joao Palhinha
Pass completion percentage	80.6	82.4
Percentage of dribblers tackled	66.7	67.8
Clearances	2.56	1.93
Shots	2.09	1.50
Key passes	0.52	0.43
Goals	0.33	0.13

Statistics correct as of 25/07/2024

Having entered the final 12 months of his £60,000-per-week contract at Old Trafford, the Cottagers have been looking to take advantage of the fact that Manchester United will want to avoid the possibility of seeing the 27-year-old walk away from his current surroundings as a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.

The Red Devils were open-minded about cashing in on McTominay soon after the transfer window reopened last month, GMS sources have learned, and they have been eager to secure a fee in the region of £30million ahead of interested parties potentially heading to the negotiating table.

McTominay Seeking Alternative Destinations
Silva being forced to remain patient in Craven Cottage pursuit
Fulham are being forced to play the waiting game before discovering whether a move for McTominay is on the cards as GMS sources have been told that their transfer target's representatives have been scoping out alternative destinations amid fears of it becoming clear that he has no future at Manchester United.

 Although the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winner is keen to stay with the Red Devils, resulting in the Cottagers facing a tough challenge to persuade him to relocate to the capital, they have not lost all hope of being able to turn his head as he is eager to be given assurances that he will have a key role to play next term.

GMS sources understand that ten Hag wants to keep McTominay as a squad member, having seen him score 13 goals over the course of 82 appearances under the Dutch tactician, but he cannot guarantee how much game time will be on offer or where he fits into his future plans at Old Trafford.

 Manchester United are willing to sell McTominay if their demands are met, GMS sources recently revealed, but they will not entertain allowing Fulham to negotiate a cut-price deal despite setting their sights on overseeing departures to fund an overhaul of their squad ahead of the transfer deadline.

All statistics courtesy of FBref and Transfermarkt



https://www.givemesport.com/fulham-transfer-news-move-some-appeal-scott-mctominay-craven-cottage/

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Sessegnon passes Fulham medical
Ryan Sessegnon has passed his Fulham medical ahead of his return to Craven Cottage.

The 24 year-old is set to sign a two-year contract with the Cottagers – with the club holding an option to extend that deal by a further twelve months – and rejoin his boyhood club five years after he left for Tottenham Hotspur. Sessegnon had been training with Crystal Palace after being released by Spurs at the end of last month, but has snubbed the Eagles to head back to SW6.

An official announcement of Sessegnon's return on a free transfer is expected imminently.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/07/sessegnon-passes-fulham-medical/

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Tottenham 'Not Pursuing' Man Utd Star

    Tottenham are not currently pursuing Man United midfielder Scott McTominay.
    Fulham reportedly saw their initial bid for McTominay turned down by the Red Devils.
    Spurs outcast Sergio Reguilon would be 'keen' on a return to Man United.

Tottenham Hotspur are not in the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

Despite recent reports suggesting Tottenham have entered the transfer battle with Fulham for the Scotland international, Bridge suggests Spurs are not pursuing a deal for McTominay at the moment.

United are reportedly reluctant to sell McTominay this summer, with boss Erik ten Hag keen on retaining him for his third season in charge, but could be forced to sell to balance the books.

Fulham have already had their initial bid turned down by the Red Devils, who are thought to be looking for a fee of around £40m for the midfielder.

According to ESPN, McTominay, alongside Harry Maguire, Antony, and Jadon Sancho, could be available for departure if their valuations are met this summer.

The Red Devils are also considering offers for Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Christian Eriksen, who all have just 12 months remaining on their current deals at Old Trafford.

'Nothing' in McTominay to Spurs Rumours
Tottenham are yet to enter the race
Bridge, speaking to GMS, revealed that Tottenham are not pursuing McTominay at the moment, despite recent reports claiming Spurs are ready to 'hijack' Fulham's bid for the 27-year-old:

"My understanding is that there's nothing in Scott McTominay rumours at the moment.

"He is a very decent player, and he's a bit of a leader, but I don't think Tottenham are in for him as it stands. As we speak, it's not a player I think Spurs are pursuing."

McTominay came close to departing Man United last summer – he was in talks with West Ham United over a possible switch to the London Stadium just 12 months ago.

The Scotland international eventually decided to stay put at Old Trafford and, statistically, had the best season of his career, scoring 10 goals across 43 outings under Ten Hag.

McTominay has already returned to pre-season training after Scotland's exit from Euro 2024, where Steve Clarke's side picked up just a point in their group thanks to McTominay's goal in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Scott McTominay Stats (2023/24 Premier League)

Games	32
Goals/assists	7/1
Pass accuracy (%)	80.6
Progressive passes per 90	3.03
Shots per 90	2.08
Minutes played	1,901

After announcing deals for Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, Man United have now shifted their focus on bringing in a new midfielder ahead of the new campaign, with PSG's Manuel Ugarte among those under strong consideration.

Reguilon 'Keen' On Man Utd Return
Unlikely to feature for Spurs again
Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon would be keen on a return to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Old Trafford outfit on loan on deadline day last year, is reportedly willing to rejoin forces with Erik ten Hag again.

According to Romano, Man United are yet to advance on the deal to sign Reguilon as they scramble through their pre-season without any first-team left-backs available.

Reguilon, who has one year left on his Tottenham deal, is not expected to feature for the north London outfit ever again, after he was left out of Spurs' pre-season tour.

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 25-07-24.



https://www.givemesport.com/tottehnam-not-pursuing-man-utds-scott-mctominay/

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Silva seeks to convince McTominay
Fulham head coach Marco Silva is seeking to convince Scott McTominay to join Fulham as the Whites plan to match Manchester United's asking price with an improved offer.

The Scotland skipper is yet to be persuaded that a Craven Cottage move is right one for his career, according to Give Me Sport's Dean Jones. The 26 year-old has entered the final twelve months of his Old Trafford contract with uncertainty about how he fits into Erik ten Haag's plans as the United boss seeks to sign more midfielders this summer. McTominay, who has made 252 first-team appearances for the Red Devils since coming through the club's academy set-up, is intrigued by the possibility of becoming a key player under Silva at Fulham – but would ideally prefer to playing European football should he leave his boyhood club.

McTominay, who scored in Scotland's group stage Euro 2024 draw with Switzerland last month, has attracted interest from a number of continental clubs as well as Southampton, Newcastle United and West Ham United but Sky Sports News have reported within the last hour that Tottenham Hotspur are not interested in pursuing a deal to sign him this summer. It remains to be seen whether Silva can assuage McTominay's doubts about moving to London with Fulham still seeking a replacement for Joao Palhinha, who joined Bayern Munich earlier this month.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/07/silva-seeks-to-convince-mctominay/

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Fulham are closing in on a £35m deal to sign Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe... with Marco Silva's side having also agreed to re-sign free agent Ryan Sessegnon

    Fulham had a £30m bid for Emile Smith-Rowe rejected by Arsenal last week
    The attacking midfielder's contract at the Emirates is due to expire in 2026
    Marco Silva's side have also agreed a deal to re-sign Ryan Sessegnon

Fulham have agreed to re-sign free agent Ryan Sessegnon and are advancing on a £35million deal for Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe.

It comes after the Gunners rejected an initial bid of £30m for the 23-year-old Arsenal academy graduate.

The attacking midfielder's contract at the Emirates is set to run out in 2026 and it is understood that Crystal Palace have also held an interest in signing him.

Smith-Rowe did not feature during Arsenal's 2-1 win against Bournemouth in California earlier on Thursday, with Mikel Arteta giving an update on his future.

'Yeah there are things happening in the background at the moment. We decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game today,' the Gunners boss said after the match.


Fulham are closing on a deal to sign Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe in a £35million deal
 

Marco Silva's side have already had a £30m bid rejected for the 23-year-old midfielder
 

Fulham have agreed a deal to sign free agent Ryan Sessegnon after his Tottenham deal expired

While a lengthy knee injury would keep Smith-Rowe out for a portion of the season, the Arsenal midfielder would only make 19 appearances for his club during the 2023-24 season - starting in just three Premier League games.

Following Arsenal's 2-0 win against Luton in March, Smith-Rowe opened up on his difficulties breaking into the first team.

'It's been a long time since I started. It's been a tough season for me. I was getting cramp after 50 minutes; it's been a tough season. I haven't played as much as I would have liked,' he told TNT Sports.

There has been much speculation that the midfielder, who has been capped three times by England in 2021 and 2022, would leave the north London outfit this summer in search of more regular first team football.

Sessegnon, 24, started his career at Fulham before joining Tottenham and had been training with Crystal Palace. He has signed a two year deal with option for another year.

The Fulham academy graduate left the west London side in 2019 to join Tottenham.

He would had a loan spell with Hoffenheim in 2020 before returning to Spurs the following season.

Sessegnon made 57 appearances in total for Tottenham, but only featured once last season after being forced to undergo two separate hamstring surgeries in the past year.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13673883/Fulham-closing-35m-deal-sign-Arsenals-Emile-Smith-Rowe-Marco-Silvas-agreeing-sign-free-agent-Ryan-Sessegnon.html

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OFFICIAL: EX- Fulham joins Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq



Former Fulham Slovak goalkeeper Marek Rodák is joining Steven Gerard' Saudi club Al-Ettifaq after his contract in Craven Cottage came to an end.

Gerrard was keen on bringing on Rodák to replace the aging Paulo Victor, who will complete 38 mid-way through the next season.

Rodák will become Al-Ettifaq's third summer signing after deals for Ittihad's Madallah Al-Olayan & Abdulelah Al-Malki from Al-Hilal.

Rodák has been playing for Fulham since 2013, joining the club's academy from Slovak club MFK Kosice, and went on to play for The Cottagers 93 times, helping them win the EFL Championship in 2022.

Despite playing regularly in the Championship, Rodák was dropped in favour of Bernd Leno since the German's move from Arsenal, leaving the Slovak to play just 11 times across the last two seasons.

On the international level, Rodák has 22 caps to his name and was part of the Slovakia team in the recent Euro 2024, sitting on the bench for Martin Dúbravka.



https://www.kingfut.com/2024/07/25/ettifaq-ex-fulham-keeper/

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Why Fulham Fans Should Be Excited About the Upcoming Season

Fulham's Ambitious Road Ahead: Insights from EPL Index Podcast
Fulham's Potential for Growth
Fulham has the potential to rise above its mid-table status and challenge for European spots. Tadiwa Chanakira, in the EPL Index podcast, emphasises that Fulham fans are keen to see the club emulate the ambition and success of teams like Aston Villa. He states, "They should be doing and emulating kind of the stuff that Aston Villa have been doing in recent seasons of being ambitious, making bold signings, looking to challenge for those European spots."

Key Departures and Their Impact
Several significant departures have left gaps in the squad. Notably, Tosin Adarabioyo's move to Chelsea and João Palhinha's transfer to Bayern Munich have created significant voids. Discussing Tosin's move, Tadiwa highlighted the mixed reactions among Fulham fans: "How dare he do this to Fulham? He knows the rivalry between Fulham and Chelsea. Him going to Chelsea on a free transfer is unforgivable." However, some fans believe his departure might allow for an upgrade, given his occasional errors.

Palhinha's exit to Bayern Munich is another critical loss. Tadiwa remarked on the challenge of replacing him, stating, "Expecting someone to come in and play to the level that Palhinha was playing at would be a tall order and an unfair standard to put on whoever does come in and have to fill those shoes."

Opportunities for Young Talent
Despite these departures, there is optimism about promoting young talents from within the academy. Players like Devan Tanton, Luke Harris and Matt Dibley-Dias are seen as promising prospects. Tadiwa suggests, "If those three players are in and around the team, getting minutes in the Carabao Cup, if games are going really well and Fulham are winning, they get thrown into some Premier League games."

Devan Tanton, described as a "young, pacy right-back," could be integrated into the squad gradually. Similarly, Luke Harris, a young center-back, might benefit from being eased into Premier League action alongside an experienced partner. Midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias is another talent who could step up, especially with Palhinha's departure.

Strategic Signings and Ambitions
Fulham's transfer activities will be crucial in determining their ambitions. Tadiwa mentions potential targets like Scott McTominay from Manchester United and André from Fluminense. McTominay is highlighted for his experience and ability to handle pressure, with Tadiwa noting, "A player like Scott McTominay will be able to handle something like that, and I do think that he adds maybe a bit more going forward."

André, a Brazilian midfielder, is another long-term target. Tadiwa explains, "He could be molded into more of a box-to-box midfielder that's strong in the challenge." These signings could provide the necessary depth and quality to Fulham's midfield.

Managerial Concerns and Future Outlook
A significant concern for Fulham is the potential frustration of manager Marco Silva if he feels unsupported. Tadiwa warns, "If they don't back him in the way he maybe wants to be backed or is hoping to be backed in this transfer window, does he then turn around and start thinking maybe this isn't the club for me?"

Despite these concerns, there is optimism about Fulham's potential. Tadiwa expects an exciting season, stating, "I'm expecting a really fun season from them. I'm expecting them to get back to not last season but the season before and what they were doing there and propelling themselves up the table."

Fulham stand at a crossroads, with the opportunity to build on their recent progress and challenge for higher positions in the Premier League. With strategic signings, the promotion of young talents, and strong backing for Marco Silva, Fulham could indeed emulate the success of clubs like Aston Villa and make a significant impact in the league.



https://eplindex.com/116168/why-fulham-fans-should-be-excited-about-the-upcoming-season.html

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Fulham agree £25m André deal with Fluminense
Fulham and Fluminense agreed a fee of £25m for the sale of Brazilian international André, according to various reports this evening.

The deal appears to bring to an end eighteen months of discussions between the sides about a potential move to the Premier League and Fluminense have moved to secure the services of Facundo Bernal, who has been described in the Brazilian press as Andre's replacement.

The Copa Libertadores winner is set to sign a five-year contract at Craven Cottage, according to Goal.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/07/fulham-agree-25m-andre-deal-with-fluminense/