Sunday Fulham Stuff - 04/01/26...

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Raheem Sterling ready to leave London as 'narrative' debunked over Chelsea outcast amid Crystal Palace, Fulham & West Ham interest
Raheem Sterling is reportedly not limiting his options to clubs in London as the winger seeks an exit from Chelsea during the January transfer window. Sterling was omitted from the Blues' Premier League and Champions League squads for this season, while he has been training away from the first team and with the 'bomb squad' instead.

Sterling unable to leave Chelsea during summer
Sterling spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal as he looked to revive his flailing career. Despite high hopes he could rediscover his best form under Mikel Arteta, whom he worked with at Manchester City, Sterling managed to score only once in 28 appearances for the Gunners. Sterling was sent back to Chelsea but failed to secure another move away during the summer transfer window, instead having to sit on the sidelines for the first half of the season and train away from the first-team squad, alongside fellow outcast Axel Disasi.

An 82-time England international, Sterling has been tipped to finally leave Stamford Bridge for good before the transfer window shuts, with West Ham and Fulham the two sides most prominently linked amid claims that the winger would prefer not to uproot his family from their base around London.

Truth on Sterling's transfer preference
However, BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel believes this is a false 'narrative' and Sterling is ready to consider offers from teams outside the English capital. Mokbel said: "Big interest and growing interest in Raheem Sterling. Obviously he's not played for a while, he's been out of the picture really at Chelsea. West Ham are interested, Fulham are interested. I think there is a narrative with Raheem Sterling that he wants to stay in London, I'm led to believe and people close to Raheem Sterling are telling me that isn't the be all and end all for him. He's not absolutely set on staying in London. He's open to every kind of deal, and every deal and move that comes his way, provided that conditions suit his family and probably most importantly his football development and the next part of his career."

Crystal Palace join West Ham & Fulham in Sterling race
While West Ham and Fulham's respective pursuits of Sterling have been reported on for several days now, the Daily Mail now claim that the 31-year-old is a 'last resort' for Crystal Palace as well if they fail to bring in other targets. The Eagles are desperate to bolster their forward line this month and have already acquired Brennan Johnson from Tottenham in a £33.5 million ($45m) deal, while Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is also wanted by West Ham, is under consideration amid concerns over Jean-Philippe Mateta's long-term future amid interest from Manchester United.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who could leave the club in the summer when his contract expires, was critical of their summer transfer business following a window which saw them only bring in reserve goalkeeper Walter Benitez, backup wing-back Borna Sosa, young defender Jaydee Canvot, and Eberechi Eze replacement Yeremy Pino. However, he has since walked back on those comments, saying: "There is nobody to blame. I was quite harsh once when I said: 'OK, maybe we should have added one or two more players given the circumstances'. But like always, I am always looking in the mirror and asking: 'Could you have done better?'

"I think I should have had a better evaluation of the whole situation that I had in the summer."

January transfer deadline revealed as Sterling looks for new club
The January transfer window will roll into February this year as the customary date at the end of the month falls on a weekend. The Premier League window will close on Monday, February 2 at 19:00 (GMT).

Sterling will have until then to try and find a new club, and it will be interesting to see if suitors from the rest of England or abroad step forward now that his willingness to leave London is now public knowledge.



https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/raheem-sterling-ready-to-leave-london-as-narrative-debunked-over-chelsea-outcast-amid-crystal-palace/blt818ad04eead8334f?utm_id=fa3iys5y8hyz9ezk&utm_source_platform=newsnow

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Fulham v Liverpool: Key stats and talking points
Fulham beat Liverpool 3-2 at Craven Cottage last season and are vying for back-to-back Premier League home wins against the Reds for the first time since 2007. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (15:00 GMT).

Left-hand side of the pitch profitable for Fulham
Tom Cairney's 80th-minute equaliser earned Fulham a point at Crystal Palace on Thursday, ensuring Marco Silva's men head into the new year with plenty of momentum. The Cottagers have collected 19 points from 10 games since the start of November, a run bettered only by the league's top three – Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Silva felt his side "probably deserved more" from the trip to Selhurst Park. Fulham dominated after the break and registered 17 shots in total, their joint-highest tally in an away league match this season. Their expected goals figure of 1.91 was also their second best on the road in 2025-26.

Much of Fulham's threat came down the left, where Kevin, Antonee Robinson and Emile Smith Rowe combined to good effect. In fact, 45.4% of their attacking touches against the Eagles were on that flank – a key feature of their tactical approach this season.

Across the entire campaign, the Whites have directed 41.7% of their attacks via the left-hand side, with only Bournemouth (42.8%) more reliant on that flank.



Slot seeks spark for Reds
Liverpool's final match of 2025 ended in a drab stalemate with Leeds, the Merseysiders' first goalless draw in 117 league and cup games. While Hugo Ekitike missed a golden chance to break the deadlock (and was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty), the Reds gradually ran out of ideas and managed just one shot on target in the second half.

Head coach Arne Slot admitted on Friday "we find it quite hard to generate enough chances for all the possession we have", adding "sometimes you need a bit of magic to unlock a game, or a set-piece". But the Dutchman predicts the match against Fulham will be more open as the Cottagers "will try to attack a lot and want to have the ball a lot".

Recent meetings suggest he's right – the last four Premier League encounters between the sides have produced a total of 20 goals, with both teams scoring at least twice in three of those games.

Slot failed to beat Fulham in his first season in charge, drawing 2-2 at Anfield and losing the return fixture 3-2 in April. However, that is Liverpool's only defeat at Craven Cottage since 2011.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham

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EXCLUSIVE: Lois Colley on Actonians ahead of local derby against table-toppers Fulham
Local derbies always have a bit of spice – and it'll be no different when Actonians travel to face Fulham in the FA Women's National League Division One South-East on Sunday, says defender Lois Colley.

"You want to win your 1v1s a little bit more than usual," she tells SheKicks.net – although she's also quick to add that there'll be no needle or malice involved, saying, "They're lovely girls!"

Fulham – who were promoted from tier five last season and are currently unbeaten at the top of the table – will no doubt be a tough challenge, but Colley says there will be no pressure on Actonians.

"Games like this are exactly why we play football," she says.

"It's nothing but positivity for us tomorrow. We know we can beat any team in the league if we show up, but we've got to believe in ourselves."

The contrast will be vast. Fulham are part of a men's Premier League club; Actonians operate independently and are beholden to nobody, which has its advantages as well as its down sides.

"Obviously money is amazing and Fulham are showing the direction of women's football – but Actonians is a beautiful community club," says Colley. "No one is there for the money; everyone is there because they enjoy themselves and they want to show up and get better as players. I love being the underdogs. We're really excited to show who we are as a club."

Lois Colley: We're ambitious but realistic
Actonians finished 2025 in fine form, with their last defeat coming in October, but Colley refuses to contemplate the idea that the winter break came at the wrong time for them as they look above them in the table and realise they have a real chance to make the top three.

"I'd rather end on high momentum than go downhill then have a break!" she says.

In fact, October saw two painful defeats as they exited the FAWNL Cup in the first round at the hands of Swindon, and then the Women's FA Cup in the first round to Watford – two tough draws at such early stages.

"We were gutted at the big teams we drew in cup games – we were unlucky to get them," admits Colley – but she can also see the positives, describing every day as a "classroom".

"Playing Watford was an amazing experience about where we could be as players and a club," she says of the tier three team, adding that with no cup distractions Actonians can now focus solely on the league and their upcoming opponents.

They are currently sixth in the league, two points behind west London neighbours QPR, who have played a game more. Chatham Town are in fourth place, equal on points with QPR. Resuming a winning run would rocket Actonians up the table.

"We can definitely finish in the top four – it's keeping that togetherness and belief in each other," says Colley.

"We're ambitious but realistic. Holding each other accountable is really important. If we are together and stay strong in our beliefs and our attitudes don't change, we're more than capable of finishing top four."



https://shekicks.net/exclusive-lois-colley-actonians-fulham/

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MR KHAN'S PROGRAMME NOTES
Good afternoon and thank you for making our match vs. Liverpool part of your continued holiday celebration. I say this every year but it bears repeating that there is no better setting in sport during the festive season than Craven Cottage, and I trust our supporters and visiting fans from Liverpool will take this opportunity to close the holidays here in great spirit. It is my pleasure to welcome you!

As we embark on the second half of the Premier League campaign and a new year, I want to take this opportunity to share my appreciation to everyone associated with Fulham who made 2025 so successful, memorable and fun. Our 54 points in Premier League play last season represented a Club record, and our pace through the first half of this campaign makes it possible to at least replicate that feat. Immense credit is due to Marco Silva, his staff and our First Team for reliably preparing, competing and positioning Fulham as a club that is always difficult to face, and our fans and partners can be proud to support. Thank you.

To our fans and partners, my deepest thanks to you as well. Always know that everyone at Fulham Football Club recognises and appreciates your commitment, both in 2025 and in the future. Today's match is the first of three straight at the Cottage and the fourth of six consecutive games overall here in London, and I have no doubt some of you reading this will eventually attend all six matches. While that would be fantastic and far from surprising, wherever you may be this week, and in the year ahead, know that your support in all of its forms is valued. We treasure our relationship with you, and look forward to further developing and celebrating that bond in 2026.

There are unsung heroes here at Craven Cottage and Motspur Park who deserve a hearty round of applause for a spectacular 2025. Our business and administration staff, Women and Academy squads, EDI, Fulham FC Foundation, matchday operations teams, safety and security and many more made massive contributions to our Club last year. Those contributions were not overlooked. They never are.

Finally, to all who have or are currently playing a role in bringing the new Riverside Stand and Fulham Pier fully to life, I hope you are as proud of your accomplishments as I am.

There is so much to look forward to in 2026, including the FIFA World Cup where Fulham will be well represented among numerous national teams competing in the 48-nation tournament. But first, we have a lot in front of us here with Liverpool visiting today, Chelsea here on Wednesday night and our first FA Cup match of the season back here at the Cottage on Saturday vs. Middlesbrough.

I appreciate you joining me and Marco, his staff and players, and everyone at Fulham Football Club for the journey ahead, and for taking the time to read these notes as we face off against defending league champion Liverpool under the Cottage floodlights with the stands sold out and a global television audience watching on. Moments like this are what the Premier League is all about!

Happy New Year! Come on, Fulham!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/january/04/mr-khans-programme-notes/

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Fulham fail with €20 million bid to sign Arthur Atta
Fulham's €20 million offer to sign French midfield sensation from Serie A club Udinese Arthur Atta has reportedly been turned down.

Arthur Atta's sensational rise at Udinese has not gone unnoticed. The French midfielder's consistent performances have put him on the wishlist of multiple top clubs, and Fulham are one of them.

According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Cottagers recently tabled a bid worth €20 million to sign the 22-year-old. While the West London outfit were hoping to convince the Serie A club, their offer has been turned down as they have no intention to sell him mid-season.

Arthur Atta came up the ranks at FC Metz and made a name for himself with their first team before joining the Serie A  outfit in the summer of 2024. The Frenchman enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Serie A, and on the back of those performances, the move was made permanent in the most recent summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has only gone from strength to strength, and he has established himself as one of their mainstays. Prior to picking up the hamstring injury, he was involved in 15 matches across competitions and ended up contributing towards four goals.

Fulham fail in their attempt to sign Atta
While Arthur Atta prefers playing as a central midfielder, he is capable enough to play in advanced roles as well. The French midfielder's performances have resulted in interest from Fulham.

Marco Silva's team have not been at their best in the ongoing campaign, and the Portuguese tactician is looking to add more quality to help the West London outfit get back on track. The Fulham boss wants more competition in the centre of the park, and Atta could be a solid acquisition for the long run.

The Cottagers have already held talks with Udinese, and they have submitted a €20 million bid to secure his services. But the Serie A outfit have turned down the proposal, as they do not want to lose him midway through the 2025/26 season. Having received a setback, it will be interesting to see if Fulham return with an improved offer or decide to look at alternative options.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/01/04/fulham-fail-with-e20-million-bid-to-sign-arthur-atta/

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"The problem is..." – Paul Merson explains why Glasner, Iraola and Silva don't want Chelsea job
Paul Merson has been on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday this afternoon talking about Chelsea, the team he supports.

The Blues parted ways with Enzo Maresca this week, and according to Merson the coach was happy to take a risk by pressuring those above him because he had the leverage of a Club World Cup in his back pocket.

"If he'd have lost four on the trot he'd still be there. He's come in, and because he's doing well and his stock is high, he's gone in and thought 'I'll mix it up, and if I do get the sack I've left on a high," Merson explained.

Top coaches scared off Chelsea job by conditions
Merson also explained in chilling terms the reality of why the Premier League's up and coming coaches don't want the job:

"He's gone in because his stock is high. The problem is that it's not a good job. Marco Silva's not after it, Andoni Iraola's not after it. Oliver Glasner's not after it... Chelsea's an unbelievable club, but it's not a good club for someone because you're not in charge. You're just coaching."

That's exactly what Chelsea need to worry about – they've created a system where it's very hard to find a top coach who will take the job, and where if anyone makes a success of it, they will want to force their way out.

You can see Merson make his point in the clip embedded here:

https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/2007796676971331627?ref_s



https://chelsea.news/2026/01/top-coaches-merson-explains-dont-want/

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