Lemina is Taarabt MKII. Watched some of the Turkish games on TV recently, Oh dear big mistake if Lemina is what we want. Southampton fans are laughing. they thinks he's a poor one man show to the detriment of the team and are happy he's off again. To Quote one of them: "Yes, he has amazing technical ability - he is easily our best midfielder in technical terms, pace, power etc. It's crazy that we're talking of letting him go. But....he has no application, he struggles with consistency, he picks up 'injuries' and lacks motivation to perform. He is the most non-team player you could ever find, it's all about him and it's a struggle to find any consistency as a team when he's part of it." ------- Marlon Fossey has been loaned out to Shrewsbury Town.
Absolutely delighted with Lemina and Reed. I can see Seri, Johansson leaving plus KMac moving into a coaching role. Babel, right back (Bogle?) Centre back (Kongolo?) and back up striker ( Grant?) and this has been a very good window.
2 brilliant gains yesterday, we're doing good. I don't know why but I'm not so keen on Babel, perhaps it's just the red hair that did it. RB would be Cash for me, CB Kongolo if now fit, Forward could be Watkins as he can be wide or down the middle and can score goals. If we keep Zambo (I hope we do), we could do with another midfield dynamo to cover and challenge Reed, perhaps this is Florentino Luís who we are being linked with.
Sky Sports reporting we're in talks with Torino to get defender Ola Aina on loan. I recognised the name and noticed he was at Hull a few years ago but can't remember much about him. Apparently Torino paid £9m for him after a loan spell so he must've impressed? Makes you wonder why hes now available for loan again a season later
The Rumours about Aina appear true and it does sound like we are in talks. He is an interesting one Torino fans are on twitter saying they are happy he is leaving as he wasn’t great last season but that could be sour grapes... further reading I find he was a highly rated youngster at Chelsea winning the U18 prem twice and then the u23 prem, he also represented England at every age group up to U20’s, he played 3 times for Chelsea’s full team before a full season on loan at Hull and then a full season on loan at Torino where he must have impressed as they finished top half and bought him permanently for £9 million. According to Torino fans last season he wasn’t great but with a new manager and a change of formation they struggled and were in a relegation battle so it’s likely most of there team has poor seasons. It is reported that Alfie Mawson is joining Bristol City on loan, the amount of reports and the fact a fan pictured him arriving at Ashton Gate yesterday suggests it is happening which surely means we have a centre back lined up! Anguissa was pictured training with the Squad but no sign of Seri There is a fan on another forum who does seem to have a bit of inside knowledge and he states next week it is looking like a busy week. Looking at all the rumours and which ones are strongest I think we could see a few in and outs this week.... Mawson - Out - Bristol City Johansson - Out - Galatasaray Sessegnon - Out - Blackburn (loan) Seri - Out - ???? Luis (Cm) - In - Benfica Aina (rb) - In - Torino ?????? (Cb) - Luis (Cm) - Benfica
Linked with Martin Hinteregger today, he could possibly be the mystery centre back. He would be a very good signing, exactly the type of commanding player we need beside Hector. Also linked with another Wilson, Harry Wilson this time. Liverpool wanting £20m for him. Not sure how likely this one is at that price and also I'm sure loads of others will be interested if he is for sale, but again would be another great signing if it happened.
Martin Hinteregger seems to be the centre back we are linked with I don’t know much about him but lots of people getting excited, at this point I would almost take any centre back
Alfie Mawson has gone on loan to Bristol City for the season. If we replace him, then I think it's probably a good move for everyone. He needs gametime to regain fitness and sharpness and the PL is not the place for that. However I really hope this means the replacement is already signed. It's a pretty needless risk to let him leave first.
Steven Sessegnon as rumored is joining Alfie Mawson at Bristol City on loan for the season. This should see him have regular game time and gain more experience. Good luck Steven!
Looking like theres some goalkeeping changes coming up, 2 out and 1 in? Fabri back to Turkey, Betts to Middlesbrough and Areola coming to us from PSG. No matter who comes and goes, I think it would be harsh if Rodak doesn't start as our number 1. He made a big difference when he came in last season and deserves his chance in the Premier League.
This has been confirmed. I think it's a good move for all parties. If we replace Rodak with a loaned foreign keeper, I think I would be genuinely angry. Rodak has earned his spot, the PL has been littered with successful young keepers in recent years (e.g. Pickford, Ramsdale, Henderson) and we demonstrated last time how stupid it is to keep changing keepers.
Interesting from Sky...... Fulham are closing in on the transfer of Dutch international right back Kenny Tete. The 24-year-old, who has won 13 caps for his country, came through the Ajax youth academy having joined aged 10. Tete made 55 appearances for Ajax, helping them reach the Europa League final in 2017 before moving to Lyon for £3.6m that summer. He was an unused substitute in Holland’s 1-0 home defeat to Italy yesterday.
Tete has apparently passed his medical, he is 24 years old with no injury history has 13 caps for Holland and has played more than 50 times for both Ajax and Lyon, even with only one season left on his contract £1.8 million looks a steal. £3.8 million for Tete and Robinson who could be Fulham’s full backs for years to come. I’m not sure where this leaves the Aina deal who apparently was also in London to take a medical.
Ollie Watkins has joined Villa. I'd have liked him, but not at the price they've paid for him. I still think we need an alternative central striker who can also play wide - cover for Mitro in case of injury but able to get play elsewhere if he's available. Josh King from Bournemouth has proven Premier league experience and would reportedly cost about a quarter of What Villa paid for Watkins. I'd be happy with him.
Agreed Captain, but we should not forget we have AK47, I think he will do well this season given the opportunity.
Respectfully, I don't necessarily agree. I like Rodak, but if someone significantly better is available, we shouldn't be driven by sentiment. When Jean Tigana took us up, Maik Taylor was superb. It was very harsh on him when we bought Edwin van der Saar, but can any of us say that was a bad move? I'm not saying Areola is as good as Van det Saar, but he's got Champions league experience and might just be the difference between staying up or getting relegated. I agree that it feels a bit different getting someone on loan compared to a permanent signing, but we need the best keeper we can get. Of course, this is only if it's genuinely a really good keeper coming in. If we bring someone who is at a similar level, then I agree that Rodak deserves the first chance to prove himself.
I think you've put enough caveats in your dissent that I can't disagree with it, Captain. Van Der Sar was a top five keeper when we signed him - similarly if we signed Neuer or Ederson then I wouldn't have much room to complain. I think it's worth considering that Areola is available because PSG have signed Sergio Rico permanently - a keeper who I would say is capable but not markedly better than Rodak, despite his experience. But if we sign Areola permanently then maybe he is exactly who we need. Won't stop me being angry until proven otherwise though!
Fair enough, Surlyc. To be fair, I have no idea how good Areola is, but it looks like we'll soon find out!
We have announced the signing of Alphonse Areola on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The goalkeeper will remain at Craven Cottage for the duration of the 2020/21 season, with Fulham holding an option to make the move permanent. Who starts will be the question...............