Jol knows what we've all been saying: âWe need four, five or six players but thatâs normal at any club,â said Jol. âWe need to strengthen. âOur home form was always good last year. Last year we could score out of nothing; we had Clint Dempsey to score winners. With Dimitar Berbatov, we gained somebody who could score goals but we lost things in other areas.â http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2013/05/12/82029-33320681/? So who/what do we need? I'm assuming that Jol's 'four, five or six' is in addition to taking up the option on Sacha Reither's contract. -a new goalkeeper -a striker, possibly two -two central midfielders, at least one of whom is a Murphy-esque playmaker -a left back, perhaps. -a centreback (and if reports are to believed, we've already lined up that free signing from Spain whose name once again has escaped me). -I'd like the keeper to be experienced. Stekelenburg would be ideal, but I'm sure there are other good options -As many have said, Rhodes or Austin would be interesting choices up front. If Chelsea are willing to sell Lukaku, he'd be an amazing signing but I don't see that happening. I wouldn't mind MacManaman alongside someone more established if Wigan go down, but he's probably not on big wages so they may decide to keep him for the rebuilding project. He shouldn't be our main striker signing in any case. -Huddlestone is the obvious name for central midfield, but how about Maloney if Wigan go down? -Now that Neil Taylor is fit again for Swansea, they might be willing to sell either him or Ben Davies. Either one would be a good signing, though I think I'd lean towards Davies. -If we are signing that Spanish centreback, I'd rather see Dan Burn given a chance than signing a second player in that position this summer. It's a long summer, and all we've got to see us through is speculation. It starts here...
I think McManaman is a winger, Captain? In any case he's one of a few Wigan players I'd like to see at Fulham too, like McArthur, McCarthy and Ben Watson. Agreed on Dan Burn too, he deserves a squad number next season.
The positive on this summer window is that we have no players left to sell, apart from Berba. Can't see anyone else making headlines... Other than that I agree with Captain's suggestions. Having spoken to a couple of guys who go to the training ground we have a few really exciting prospects coming up.
Well well captain i actually find myself in full agreement with you on summer squad additions. Krull and Vorm could be prized away at the right price. Huddleston and Malony yes, Remy, Rhodes. And Demps back ,as i am sure he will be surplace to Spurs requirements. Dan Burn should be given a run out,as i feel he could learn a lot playing alongside Brede. as would Jack Grimmer. Gossip columns are saying Berbatov will be on the move. A Villa if they survive along with Arsenal, and WH, are interested in Ruiz So MJ be prepared if they up and go in August.
Agree with the positions that need strengthening Captain (and left back is a must). If money is an issue and Jol has only enough to make ONE key signing, then it should be someone with pace up front and my tip to him would be Mohammed 'Moa' Abdellaoue please log in to view this image The Hannover striker has said he is interested in testing himself in the Premier League. Abdellaoue, 26, has bagged nine goals already for the Bundesliga side Hannover this season. He's also a Norwegian International. Valued at around £5m,
I wonder what effect the Financial Fair Play will have on the amount we and other small clubs will be able to spend.
I'll be honest and say I don't really know how the Fair Play agreement is going to work. The basics though are that a club has to 'operate within it's revenue'. One source of revenue is League position - currently it's about £750k per place but with the extra TV money next year that's likely to be closer to £1m per place. Consequently every place that we drop below 10th will mean that much less to spend on transfers.
Yes, I know it's Goal.com but they claim that we've signed Derek Boateng: "The Ghana international is set to move to Craven Cottage on a free transfer soon after the transfer window opens to bring an end to the west London club's long pursuit of the player. Goal.com has learned that Boateng and his representatives were guests of Fulham during their home match against Reading earlier this month, when the formalities of a move were completed. Fulham had been on the brink of signing the 29-year-old both in January and last summer but the deal fell through on both occasions." Here is a link to the full story (which actually gives a good summary of the previous shennegans) - http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/05/14/3978079/- At least it would be on a free transfer this time.
Oh Derek Boateng? Where have I heard that name before? Oh yes, every single transfer window since the dawn of time.
We need a pacey striker up top to make up for Ruiz/Berbatov's lack of pace. Is Darren Bent the answer? A few years ago, definitely, now? Perhaps not.
Figueroa from Wigan too might be a good addition- always thought he looked strong and could fill LB for a few years still.
Yup, he'd be another good one, particularly after Wigan's demise tonight. He's certainly worth trying for.
"Greek giants Olympiakos are ready to report Derek Boateng and Fulham to FIFA if the English side sign the Ghanaian midfielder, MTNFootball.com has reported. Olympiakos officials are furious over reports in England that Boateng is on the verge of signing for Fulham and will report the Ghanaian to FIFA. Insiders from the Greek side have told MTNFootball.com that they already have a one-year deal with Boateng as they await the verdict from FIFA over his legal battle with Dnipro. The midfield anchorman has been training with Olympiakos in recent months while taking his legal battle with his former Ukrainian club to Fifa. But news that the Ghana midfielder was the west London club’s guest for their recent home match against Reading having completed the formalities of a move to Craven Cottage has infuriated Olympiakos. The Greek side are monitoring moves at Fulham before taking their complaint to the world governing body." Source: http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/olympiakos-to-report-fulham-to-fifa-over-derek-boateng-move/ On the one hand, this report suggests that we are indeed close to signing Boateng. On the other hand, trouble seems to follow this guy wherever he goes. I'm sure he's going to be worth all the double dealing he gets involved in.
