SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
We’ve been putting off saying it, but the reality is that, barring a miracle, Fulham will once again be playing their football in the Championship next season.
Scott Parker admitted in his press conference on Thursday that the squad will need a bit of a restructure, and with seven loanees in the side at the moment, we can’t help but agree.
However, there is the skeleton of a solid Championship side at Craven Cottage, and we’re going to take a look at how the Whites could line-up next season.
For our money, that looks like a side that could get out of the Championship next term.
Marek Rodak was one of the finest stoppers in the division in 2019/20, while Michael Hector was also as solid a centre-half you could wish for,
Tosin Adarabioyo and Kenny Tete have both been solid in the Premier League this term, and with both players being tied down to long-term contracts, we’d expect them to stay next season, the same applies to Antonee Robinson at left-back.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Fulham’s midfield options.
Mario Lemina is likely to return to Southampton, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa will surely be too expensive to keep on the wage bill, as will Jean-Michael Seri.
Harrison Reed was a star in the Championship last time around, but if any Premier League side has been paying attention to him this season, he will surely get a move to another top-flight outfit.
Therefore, we thing Fulham need a new signing in midfield, while Tom Cairney, should he remain injury-free, can still do a job.
Ivan Cavaleiro, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Anthony Knockaert and Aboubakar Kamara should give Fulham enough options on the wings, while Josh Onomah is a solid number 10.
Under any other circumstances, we’d expect Aleksandar Mitrovic to find a move, but he’s been so out of sorts this season that it’s hard to imagine any club meeting what is sure to be a hefty asking price from Fulham.
Is this side good enough to bounce straight back to the Premier League? Time will only tell.