Starting with the opening date, which is the easy bit - 9th June 2018. Today EFL clubs voted that the closing date will be - 5pm on 9th August 2018 (in line with what's already been agreed by Premiership clubs). However there are a couple of 'buts' ... * EFL clubs can make standard loan arrangements until 31st August (and this may include an option to buy in the next window) * EFL clubs can sign players not registered up to 31st August * the FIFA transfer deadline, and therefore the one for all other European clubs, stays at 31st August but after 9th August EFL clubs can only transfer OUT to a club whose window is still open. In essence the shortening of the home transfer window seems sensible since in brings stability from the start of the season. It should equally focus individual club's recruitment policy. Worst case scenario and we're still in the Championship the season starts on Saturday 4th August. On our promotion to the Premiership, the first game will be Saturday 11th August. Life is further complicated however if we're in the 'Bagels' with the Wembley decider being on 26th May. Leaving only two months to get transfers organised, have pre-season training and so on. Also, and this may or may not affect us, the World Cup finishing only 4 weeks before the new deadline of 9th August don't help. As said, the change has to be good in principle. But blimey, for Fulham whichever League we're in, it's going to be one heck of a job for those making decisions. Whomever they might be !!
