SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Fulham are going through a very interesting spell at the moment.
The Whites have every right to be pleased with their recent form, as they’re unbeaten in each of their last four games, and they’ve not conceded a goal from open play in almost 450 minutes.
However, for all their defensive solidarity, things have gone stale up top.
Indeed, the Whites have scored just two goals in their last four games, and even then, one of those was on own goal.
The problem isn’t that Fulham are unable to carve out chances, they have creative players such as Ademola Lookman, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, but when it comes to finishing chances, they’re severely lacking.
Indeed, as much good work as Ivan Cavaleiro has been doing, his finishing has left a lot to be desired.
Since Fulham’s 3-2 loss against Everton which sparked a tactical change from Scott Parker, Cavaleiro has the ninth-highest xG of any player in the Premier League, yet his goal tally for the season remains at just one.
He’s squandered chance after chance, with his free header against Southampton the latest golden opportunity that he has spurned, and unfortunately, something needs to change.
So, what’s the answer? Aleksandar Mitrovic is the obvious solution to the problem, but as we’ve seen in recent weeks, the Serbian’s lack of energy and mobility does take a lot away from Fulham’s new counter-attacking style, but luckily, there is another option within the team.
Bobby Decordova-Reid has been playing at right-wing-back as of late, but as we all know, he’s more than capable of playing as a number nine, after all, he is Fulham’s top scorer this season and he once netted 19 league goals in a campaign for Bristol City.
Of course, Decordova-Reid has been doing a brilliant job down that right side in recent weeks, but Fulham will have another option coming into the fray in the coming weeks in the shape of Kenny Tete.
Indeed, Tete looked brilliant during his first few appearances for the Cottagers this season, and if he comes in at right-back it will free up Reid to move up front.
Reid has been clinical at times this season, netting four goals for Fulham and his energy and pace is exactly what the Whites need in a striker right now.
Parker will certainly have another dynamic to explore once Tete is back in the picture.