Fulham are planning to bring ex-Liverpool defender John Arne Riise to Craven Cottage. Cottagers boss Martin Jol is planning to bring a new left-back to the club as he prepares for the departure of homesick Mexican full-back Carlos Salcido. Former Fulham star Paul Konchesky was initially linked with a return, but Riise is now the preferred target. Reports in Italy suggest that the Roma defender is being primed for a link-up with his brother Bjorn Helge, who is already at the club. The Norwegian is in the last 12 months of his contract and the Italian side are likely to cash-in on him this summer, and new coach Luis Enrique already has a replacement lined up in the shape of Sporting Gijon's Jose Angel. Riise would reportedly be happy to return to the Premier League after his successful seven-year stint at Anfield.
I've just made the same point on the Full-backs thread, WDWW. He's a good player, but he's not what we need right now.
Always loved watching when he was younger, a fine left foot similar to someone like leighton baines. However this would be the wrong signing at the wrong time for us.
This one looks like more lazy journalism to me. He's got a year left on his contract at Roma, so is being linked with a move away if they don't offer him a new deal. His brother's at Fulham, we tried to sign him a decade ago, and we probably need a new left back so it's 2+2=5. Why would a manager who's been talking about lowering the average age of the squad bring in another 30 year old?
Initially i was against J A Riise,but weighing up the situation,we urgently need 2 fullbacks. he has a proven track record and at thirty " although not young",is 1 year younger than our Mexican sally who most fans would agree is definitely not "prem "quality. To bring him in would give us some stability,and Jol the chance to look around at our needs, before the Jan window opens.
ros raises valid points. If we can get him dirt cheap and on sensible (relatively speaking) wages then he'd be a good stop-gap. I'm still hoping Big Maarty pulls a shrewd signing out of the bag, though.
he has premiership experience, at a reasonable price and not just that, decent full backs seem hard to come by these days. His brother is at the same club which can only be good for settling and he seems to have a great attitude. I think he would be a very fulhamish signing.
Got to agree with Spoony here. He will be solid defensively and agree that it may well bring out the best in his brother. Welcome onboard Spoony. I have always thought that Bjorn Helge Riise was pretty decent, given some regular game time he could develop into a good prem player. He has a decent cross on him and is fairly tenacious.
Likewise, Froggy. I've always thought the younger Riise deserves chances for the reasons you mentioned.
Welcome Spoony, nice to have you with us. That said, I'm not sure I agree that Riise the Elder would be such a great signing. He was great for Liverpool, but seemed to decline towards the end of his time at Anfield (which probably explains why they let him go). He would be a solid, decent player for us but I'm not sure he'd be great. Given his age, I just don't think he's what we should be looking for right now. That said, Spoony makes a good point about there not being a lot of decent full backs around. And no, this isn't another of my regular shouts for us to sign Rhoys Wiggins from Bournemouth. He signed for Charlton last week. Remember the name though, he's bound for better things than league one.
Swans fan in peace. I'm a huuge Riise fan, I'm really jealous you look to be signing him, he's a great defender, even at his age he'll do a good job for you!
