Considering last season’s 13th-place finish, Marco Silva was keen to put it in “the context of what happened in the summer”, a pointed reference to Fulham’s loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation on transfer deadline day when João Palhinha moved to Bayern Munich.
More than a year after the Portuguese midfielder moved to Bavaria, Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream also left. Palhinha had a legitimate claim to being the best midfielder in English football once Rodri was sidelined.He was the top player statistically in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done together,” said Silva, the departed’s philosopher. Fans are hoping that the club’s sporting director, Tony Khan, son of owner Shahid Khan, will find players to fill such holes. Silva will obviously be relied upon himself, and hopefully he can provide something like the save job he did to Rodrigo Muniz in finding a replacement goalscorer for Mitrovic.
Adarabioyo, who arrived at Chelsea on a free transfer, is a popular player, but he hasn’t missed too much. Calvin Bassey has improved from last season and the versatile Jorge Cuenca has been signed from Villarreal. Ream can be more difficult to replace after sterling service. It is at the core of collective spirit, a quality that has put Fulham at ease with fans over the past two seasons, shedding their former yo-yo status as they become a mid-table team.
This time last year Mitrovic was not the only one being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.In October, Marco Silva finally signed a three-year contract extension to stay at the club with the most home ground.He is ambitious and will forever defend his reputation, but has set his sights on “keeping this club in the Premier League”.This may reflect a more realistic view from someone who jumps around.He won his first job at Estoril for his longest spell at Craven Cottage last season.
Last season, Fulham fans believed in their broad and gentle image as they protested against Shahid Khan’s ticketing policy for Craven Cottage. Every season ticket holder is only too eager to remind outsiders that he’s not a rich, hyper-mobile professional. Most were at risk of going up due to a 33 percent rise in two seasons. This season’s increases are less modest and “reward” long-term loyalty with lower increases. As season ticket sales continue to decline, the club will benefit financially from charging higher one-off premiums for travellers. At the same time,T he centerpiece of Khan’s corporate relaunch, the Riverside Stand will house its full Sky Deck and fine dining restaurant, which launches in December.
Second time for Ryan Sessegnon.Fulham’s former teenage idol is getting older, wiser and the latest reminder that the grass isn’t always greener at London’s bigger clubs. He has been plagued by injuries that have wasted five years at Tottenham.Injuries also played a part and after training with Crystal Palace he opted to take the dirty route home. At 24, there’s plenty of time left, but there are plenty of ghosts to bury for the man who was predicted to be an England player at the moment. Left back Anthony Robinson is one of Fulham’s best players. Which side is more likely.
Another 24-year-old, Emile Smith Rowe, is set to earn a further £34m for his final two seasons at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta remains a confirmed fan of the player previously labeled “Croydon De Bruyne”. Gunners fans fondly remember the role he filled at the start of their current turnaround.If Fulham find that player, These include Danny Murphy and Dmitri Berbatov, a brilliant new hero who will remind fans of the fond Premier League eras of yesteryear. Is it because I expect so much? Willian Andreas Pereira Players such as Raúl Jiménez and Tom Cairney revived their careers under Silva’s care.