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We are not even one month past the successful conclusion to the 2008-2009 Fulham season and speculation is starting to ramp up about who might come and who might go for the Cottagers during the always busy summer transfer period.
One thing is certain regarding the 2009-2010 season......Fulham will have to add some depth in most areas on the pitch to be able to not just compete in the Europa League, but to avoid players wearing out come February, March, April and May.
The 2008-2009 team was fantastic. Roy Hodgson was able to play a consistent side that included the same starting eleven most every match of the season. Fulham was fortunate to not have to deal with many injuries last season as well. Can we expect another injury-free season? Probably not. On top of that with the extra fixtures for the Europa League more players are needed to keep the team fresh for not just the European matches, but the all important league matches as well.
Fulham did make one signing already when they snapped up right back Stephen Kelly. While the Irish international may not start every match, he will see some playing time for Roy Hodgson. He does have some Premier League experience with Tottenham and most recently Birmingham City. He does add some depth to the defense which at the end of the day seems to be the goal of this signing.
As for other rumours and such, the Cottagers have been in the British papers as being interested in Jo. The Brazilian striker struggled with Manchester City last season after his big money move there, but when he was loaned out to Everton, he was a different player. He scored goals and set up others and looked to be a solid Premier League player. Personally, I like Jo. I think for the rumoured 8-million-pound price tag that he would be a good addition to Fulham. I think he can score goals and give us more options up front. I could see Andy Johnson pairing up with Jo and making a great strikeforce for the Cottagers. What are your thoughts on Jo? Do you think he would be good for Fulham?
The Cottagers have also been rumoured to be interested in both Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone of Tottenham. Bale came to White Hart Lane from Southampton as a can't miss left back. However, he has had some injury problems and has not quite lived up to the billing that was placed on him. Huddlestone is a strong central midfielder that when given some consistent playing time has shown he definitely has what it takes to play in this league. I like both of these players, but I would be curious as to what the combined asking price would be for these two players. What are everyone's thoughts on these two players? Would they fit in at Fulham with what Roy Hodgson is trying to do?
Overall, there will be some comings and goings this summer in the Fulham camp. I would guess more will be coming than going. Rumours are always swirling regarding transfer talk and it is always fun to read it and think what might be. That being said, I leave you with this......give me one or two realistic targets you think would do well at Fulham and why you feel these targets would succeed? Is there any one player out there that you think would be a perfect fit at Fulham? Let me know your thoughts on the transfer window as it pertains to Fulham.
Cheers!
Tom
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Posted by RH on 06/19/2009
I write this having learnt of the possible Scharner swoop and think that all might just be right with the world. Since he would rather operate in midfield, perhaps Stefan Radu, Lazio's Romanian centre/fullback could be the coup we're all hoping for. This after Kelly whom I do not think a worthwhile acquisition but Prem experience on a free makes sense.
Niko Kranjcar would be a fabulous investment to eventually take over from Murphy and bring that little extra to midfield. The new Prosinecki is not a far-fetched comparison.
I've been lobbying for Getafe's Diego Camacho to give Etuhu a bit of competition for his box to box ability. A short contract wouldn't be a bad idea. Look him up, Roy.
Scholes might be a an option just to consolidate our position for the season in Europe.
Much as Jo seems the likely answer to Zamora's obvious shortcomings, Tuncay would be the affordable choice at this point. His guile and work rate wouldn't go amiss.
Also, Wayne Routeledge, for the kid can play.
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Posted by Jordan on 06/21/2009
i think jo would be a great signing! we definitely need someone who can score week in, week out. With someone like that and our consistent back line we have a chance of qualifying for europe once again.
Even more than a striker, we need a star center midfielder. Danny Murphy is getting older and Dickson Etuhu has impressed on some occasions but, for me, is not consistent enough. Rumours that Paul Scharner might come to fulham are good signs and i also think that Tom Huddlestone would be a great signing.
go you whites!
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Posted by Kevin on 06/22/2009
I am curious if there are any Americans out there that could help Fulham. What do you think of Donovan becoming a Cottager? What about Onyewu for Defense? Do you think he'd be a solid addition adding depth in defense? What about Michael Bradley in central midfield?
Curious about your thoughts on whether they'd be good additions for Fulham.
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Posted by Nick on 06/22/2009
After watching the confederations cup you really want any Americans? I mean McBride was a god for us but.... Dempsey looked like a bloody abortion. Donovan tried Europe once, didn't do so well, and even Onyewu was a bit sketchy. I can only imagine Onyewu wants out of where he is now though, and is looking to play at the next level, and he is capable of doing so on most days at being a top center back, and we might need that if Hangeland goes to one of the big four as expected. How about we go after the yard sale that Newcastle is about to have? Martins maybe? Duff? Just some thoughts. Jo would be a magical signing though, I agree.
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Posted by Jordan on 06/23/2009
I think that Michael Bradley would be an excellent signing in midfield. onyewu can hav the tendency to be a little clumsy at times but he could be ok. i would still prefer the hangeland-hughes combination though. a signing i would love to see (although i don't know if it would be possible) is Arturo Vidal from Bayern Leverkusen. He's a versatile player with plenty of experience for a young age.
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Posted by Kevin on 06/24/2009
What do you think about today's rumour that Hodgson is interested in signing Jozy Altidore from Villareal?
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Posted by Nick on 06/24/2009
rumors have it this morning that they might acquire Altidore on Loan from Villareal.... I would enjoy seeing that one go through.
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Posted by Gordon on 06/24/2009
Onyewu was already at Fulham for a brief stint a few years ago - just didn't work out and from what I recall he didn't understand the nuances of the Premier League well enough to do much more than run people over and give away free kicks.
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Posted by DAustin on 06/25/2009
huddlestone lacks pace and we have enough players that can deliver the ball. Bale...an injury disaster waiting to happen and given what we learned with Jimmy, move on. I like Jo, but not sure I see Jo and Johnson as a natural partnership. I would rather see Owen restart his career here. that might be interesting.
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Posted by PH on 06/25/2009
Jason Scotland would be an excellent signing for Fulham. He could work well with any of the current forwards or if you wanted to pack out the mid field can work on his own and Fulham proved they can defend but they do need more goals. Huddlestone would be a good addition and would work well with Fulhams passing game, the only other thing missing is a bit more youth and pace, but that is probably going to cost.
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Posted by Nick on 06/25/2009
This blog sucks you don't update it....
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Posted by Tom Wille on 06/25/2009
I apologize for not updating the comments section the last few days. My 6-month old has pneumonia so I have had some bigger fish to fry.
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Posted by DAustin on 06/26/2009
Gordon, Onyewu was at Newcastle, not Fulham
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Posted by Blake on 06/26/2009
Michael Bradley would fit in the midfield like a glove. I think he's a slight improvement over Etuhu, and would give us the needed depth for Europe. Not sure the price would be right though.
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Posted by todd on 06/27/2009
I like watching fulham, of course because it is somewhat american friendly, so i like to see how my boys do in the best league in the world. I think donovan would fit better in a team like fulham than the big bayern munich. he could bring some speed and creativity to craven cottage and not have the huge pressure of being on bayern. he could get even better if he had regular playing time in the bpl and if he is getting better, then that means fulham gets even better.
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Posted by Chicago on 06/27/2009
First off, the USA finally showed something in the Confed Cup, so they apparently are not a bloody abortion. I think Bradley would be a great fit for Fulham. If you watch the USA national team at all, you would see Bradley as the most consistent and strong performer. He scores often from the midfield and would be an excellent addition. He can perform at least to the level of Dempsey.
Scholes, as much as I hate anything related to Man U, would be a smart move to give them someone with so much experience.
Jo would be a coup.
The big thing the Whites need is depth. Roy has proven he can organize a solid team, but given the extra games they'll be playing, they need depth.
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Posted by Da_Big_C on 06/29/2009
I'm a little late to the comments but... Altidore seems to green...Onyewu now is different than the Onyewu of two years ago...Bradley would be great to see in action for us...I felt bad for Boca on Sunday, he was eaten alive and looked really out of sorts. His shipping out was just...Landon??? Ha,ha,ha. No way.
What does the academy look like Tom? Are there any youth players with promise?
Hope the Baby is feeling better.
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Posted by Tom Wille on 06/29/2009
The Fulham acadmeny does not have all that much right now. The club has not had much cash to go out and buy young players for the future. Unfortunately, the homegrown kids they do have are not ones that can and will contribute anytime soon if at all.
As for some other thoughts, I agree with the a previous post that Fulham does need depth and they need someone to spell Danny Murphy in the center of midfield. With more matches next season due to the Europa League depth will be important so the team does not burn out.
I do like Altidore and I do think he would do well in England. He is big, strong and young and his best days are ahead of him. His physical style of play is something I feel would translate to English soccer. I would not expect 20 goals from his for a season, but 7-12 coming off the bench and getting a spot start would be in line with expectation in my mind. We will have to see what happens with him this summer.
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Posted by Theodore Bennett on 07/01/2009
Aloha All and thank you Tom for responding to my various emails over the course of the season!! I am interested in the many comments in this blog as I am most interested in how Fulham change and improve their squad which means not only quality, but chemistry as well.
For that, we must all defer to Sir Roy Hodgson. The fact that there were few injuries goes back to the fact that Sir Roy had the team playing within themselves and I expect similar next season.
Some of the names bandied about look promising: Jo or other promising Brazilians have shown what they can do; witness last year's UEFA Cup. In particular, Diego looked optimal, but we see the cost of the obvious---34 mil to Juventus. As an American, I am biased toward Americans; Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley, Oneywa, and even Kenny Cooper might add depth. Don't forget Eddie Johnson on loan to Cardiff City.
In the end, Sir Roy must decide not only cost, but the chemistry that each signing may add or detract from a focused T-E-A-M.
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Posted by BadgerDawg on 07/03/2009
Tom, 7-12 goals? Zamora couldn't sniff that as a starter, and Johnson barely did. If Jozy came off the bench and scored 4-5 by comparison he'd be doing great.
That being said, I would love Jo but I thought he was going back to Everton. I would also love Gooch but I think he'd be a sub and I think getting a real goal scorer (I thought that was Johnson) and adding midfield depth are the most important things for them.
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Posted by Tom Wille on 07/09/2009
Someone asked about Paul Scharner and yes....Fulham is still in for him. He is a solid midfielder and when needed could play defense as well. He would be a nice signing. I have always thought he was a solid player at Wigan. I would expect him to be signed sometime in the next few days.
Posted by sam v on 07/22/2009
eidur gudjohnsen - he wants to return to england from barca, i really dont see him going to play for manchester or chelsea. I think he will go to a club that will start him immediately, and fulham fits that perfectly. dont you think?
I am excited about the new season.
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Phil Mison is a lifelong follower of Fulham FC. As a broadcaster, writer and sports producer he has supplied past club videos and numerous articles on FFC. LBC Radio's Fulham correspondent 1988-1993 and Sky Sports’ reporter for the 1996-97 promotion season. Professionally Phil delivers football content to the highest level both overseas and across the UK via TV, radio and mobile.
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