Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 28/04/26...

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Results

Monday 27/04
Man Utd	2-1	Brentford

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Marco Silva has had enough of one 'completely unfair' accusation – and we're here for it
 Marco Silva is a man who keeps his receipts, as Paul Merson and Phil Thompson must fear.

Twice during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Aston Villa, the Fulham manager – largely unprompted – referenced the "completely unfair" accusations that his players were "already on the beach".

One win – at home to Burnley – in their previous six games had helped fuel the criticism, as did failing to score in those other five matches, combined with Fulham's tendency to drift at the end of Silva seasons even with European qualification or trophies hanging in the balance.

It was a bold move with Villa on the horizon, Silva having lost each of his six meetings with Unai Emery's side since forcing Steven Gerrard's sacking in October 2022.

But Silva talked the game up as "one that we need to win" rather than "talking about not to lose", describing it as "a key three points for us" – and his players delivered their best performance in months as a result.

Going by the manager's post-match reaction, they didn't have much of a choice.

"Did you see us on the beach today?" Silva asked after a deserved victory.

"It was the early kick-off, a sunny moment, but it was to be on the grass, not on the beach," he added.

"This about being on the beach is not something I recognise at all in our players. It's much more about quality and capacity to win games than to be on the beach," he continued, slowly shrinking and transforming into a corn cob in a delightfully withering takedown of one of the sport's most enduring springtime cliches.

It should really be something Fulham are accustomed to.

A couple of seasons ago, Silva said that the idea his players were On The Beach was "not even something I need to waste my time on", even as they were winning just two of their last nine games.

The optics of Raul Jimenez, Willian and Rodrigo Muniz literally flying a kite in training ahead of a 4-0 home defeat to Manchester City in May were sub-optimal.

A year prior, Andreas Pereira insisted "I'm not going to be sitting here for the last six games thinking about the beach," before sitting out the last five games through injury as Fulham lost eight times from March onwards.

And this is nothing new: Scott Parker's deeply mediocre Winston Churchill cosplay extended to him rhetorically asking "'Are your players still up for the fight or on the beach?'" when the Cottagers snapped a relegation-inducing nine-game losing streak during his caretaker reign more than half a decade ago.

Fulham do feel intrinsically beach-adjacent, especially in this Silva era of absolute stability. They have not so much as flirted with relegation since coming up, nor have they quite shattered that glass ceiling encasing European qualification.

The absurdity of this season's continental chase could finally change that, with Fulham two points off a sixth-placed finish which could yet deliver Champions League football next campaign.

If they don't manage to pull it off and instead simply stroll to another comfortable mid-table finish, pray for whoever suggests to Silva that the players reached for their flip-flops, sunglasses and towels a little too early.



https://www.planetfootball.com/premier-league/marco-silva-completely-unfair-accusation-here-for-it

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Aston Villa and Fulham competing to sign in-demand La Liga defender
Aston Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, have regularly looked to exploit the La Liga market in recent years, and they could be set to do so again in 2026. Alongside fellow Premier League side Fulham, they are in race to sign one of Spanish football's most in-demand defenders ahead of the transfer window opening in July.

The player in question is Oscar Mingueza, who is almost certain to be leaving Celta Vigo when his contract expires in June. The Galicians have desperately tried to get the former Barcelona player to extend his stay at Balaidos, but their hopes are all-but gone now, as they prepare to lose him for nothing.

Earlier this month, Arsenal's interest in Mingueza was reported, and now Aston Villa and Fulham have entered the race, as per The Telegraph (via ED). The Gunners and Villains would have the advantage, in that their are both very likely to be playing in next season's Champions League – Celta have chances to do so, although they would need Spain to get the extra spot in order to have any opportunity.

Where will Mingueza end up?
At this stage, it is increasingly likely that the Premier League will be Mingueza's next destination. As well as Arsenal, Aston Villa and Fulham, Liverpool were keeping tabs on his situation not too long ago, while in Italy, Juventus have also shown an interest. The chances of a La Liga stay are very slim for the Spain international, who would be an excellent fit for the likes of Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

It will be very interesting to see where Mingueza ends up by the time the 2026 summer transfer window closes. His focus remains on Celta for now, but soon, he will need to make a decision on where he intends to play his football from next season onwards.



https://www.football-espana.net/2026/04/27/aston-villa-fulham-sign-la-liga-defender

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How sweet would it be to ruin Arsenal's season?
Fulham have the chance to do the funniest thing this weekend.

They're a funny bunch, Arsenal fans.

Terminally online, with an unquenchible thirst for content about their club - they're insatiable. It makes them inherently tribalistic. To the point where you just cannot have a conversation with them about football.

Simply put, they're unbearable.

So, wouldn't it be great if we could ruin their entire season?

The Gunners don't do pressure. They fold faster than my son's pop-up goal in our back garden. The mere presence of Man City behind them in the table, slowly gaining on them like Michael Myers in Halloween, has them dropping points left, right, and centre.

Saturday's win against Villa showed two things: we've not given up yet, and we're more than capable of toppling the league's best sides.

Our record in North London is atrocious. We've literally never won there. But the beauty is,on Saturday we don't need to.

A point at the Emirates - something we have actually managed on a few occasions in the last 15 years - would put us in a strong position going into our final three (winnable) ties against Bournemouth, Wolves, and Newcastle.

For Arsenal, it would take the title race out of their own hands, assuming Cty beat Everton (which would also work for us, by the way).

There's no needle between Arsenal and Fulham fans. It's not personal (though this will undoubtedly be found by the aforementioned part-internet Gooners trawling X). It would just work really well for us - and be really funny.

To soften the blow, perhaps Arsenal - fond of making comemorative kits for every occasion - could release a special white kit to mark the day the mighty Fulham snuffed out their Premier League title dreams?

What's the point in being alive if you can't troll other fanbases dream?



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/how-sweet-would-it-be-to-ruin-arsenals

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Xabi Alonso among names on Chelsea three-man shortlist in huge new manager update
The latest on Chelsea's hunt for a new permanent head coach with Andoni Iraola being joined by two other names on the west London club's shortlist

Chelsea are making checks on Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso as options to become Liam Rosenior's permanent successor at Stamford Bridge, football.london understands.

As reported on Monday afternoon, sources say the Blues have made initial contact with Iraola's representatives over his plans in the summer once he leaves Bournemouth. Iraola is close to the end of his third season down on the south coast and believes it is "the right moment to step away" once his Cherries contract expires.

Chelsea have been in touch with the 43-year-old's representatives to gather information in recent days following the departure of Rosenior last week. However, he is not the only person in contention to take the reins at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 campaign.

Silva, who could leave Fulham at the end of the season, is also admired by senior officials at Chelsea, sources say. The 48-year-old Portuguese coach has done a fantastic job at Craven Cottage but there has been reports linking him with a move away in the summer.

Elsewhere, Alonso is also on Chelsea's radar, football.london has been told. The former Liverpool midfielder departed Real Madrid after less than eight months in charge back in January, but still has a great reputation around Europe.

Chelsea are looking to appoint a head coach following Rosenior's departure, after his tenure was cut short less than four months in, with experience at managing at the top level. There are understood to be other names on the aforementioned shortlist, though their identities have not been disclosed just yet.



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/xabi-alonso-among-names-chelsea-33847112

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Chelsea eyeing Marco Silva as Liam Rosenior replacement
Chelsea have added Marco Silva to their list of managerial candidates as their search commences at an exploratory level.

Chelsea could soon step up their search for a new manager, as they have begun exploring different options in the market. As per Ben Jacobs, Marco Silva is a serious contender for the Stamford Bridge role, as his future at Fulham is yet to be determined, with no new updates on a new deal.

Chelsea are set to ramp up their efforts to land a new manager, with an appointment pencilled in for the summer. Liam Rosenior was relieved of his duties following a fifth consecutive league defeat, as the Blues are now looking for the man who is ready to take their ambitious project forward.

Xabi Alonso was a name mentioned, and at the moment, he could be under consideration. Of late, Andoni Iraola appears to be the leading candidate and probably the preferred choice for Chelsea, but there is plenty of convincing needed, as per reports, to bring the Bournemouth man on board — he will leave his current club in the summer.

Marco Silva is the latest contender to be added to their list, as Chelsea could begin exploratory talks to understand if a move is possible. The Portuguese tactician is into the final few months of his deal, with Fulham largely optimistic about a new contract.

The reality of the situation is that Silva has yet to commit to a new deal at Craven Cottage, which could open the doors to a potential exit. Should Chelsea make their play and convince the manager from their fellow London Premier League club, then they could get their man from just across the road from Stamford Bridge.

Will Marco Silva make the Chelsea switch?
Of late, reports are centred around Chelsea's project being the problem rather than the manager being the issue. This season alone, they have sacked two managers — first Enzo Maresca and now Rosenior — which has made the media take notice of their inefficient planning in the background. This will probably force the club to convince leading candidates like Iraola or Silva about their plans.

Silva has had the freedom to express himself and run things his way to a large extent, and as a manager, he would want continuity of that sort. Given his experience in the game, particularly in the Premier League, Chelsea may need to bend their existing rules to convince the Fulham boss to take over as their new manager in the summer.



https://thehardtackle.com/news/2026/04/28/chelsea-eyeing-marco-silva-as-liam-rosenior-replacement/