After a positive 2023 under Marco Silva, Fulham have plenty to look forward to in 2024 including the potential emergence of several exciting youngsters.
Silva has struggled to give Fulham’s young players consistent minutes since arriving at the club but a couple of debuts have been handed out this season.
With a previous youngster linked with a move back to Craven Cottage, the club might be better off looking at the prestigious academy.
They’re currently competing at the top of Premier League 2 against some of the biggest clubs in the country.
Sooner or later they’re going to need to be thrown into the first team to see whether they’re ready for senior football.
Jay Stansfield – 21 – Forward
The most obvious answer for which youngster could break into the Fulham first team in 2024 is Jay Stansfield.
A decent loan spell at Exeter City last season saw him earn a move to Birmingham City in the Championship.
His time at the club started well, quickly breaking into the starting line-up and scoring three goals in four league games.
Unfortunately, the strange sacking of John Eustace and the arrival of Wayne Rooney has coincided with a real downturn in form for the Blues.
Fulham may have to consider recalling Stansfield in January and sending him to a team that will aid his development.
Stansfield should be part of the senior squad in the summer and seeing as he can play as either a centre-forward or on the wings, he could be a useful asset to Silva.
Introducing him slowly to the side next year should be the next step in his development.
Luc de Fougerolles – 18 – Defender
Very few Fulham fans would have heard of Luc de Fougerolles before this year’s pre-season.
However, with the club short of defenders heading to the Premier League Summer Series, the Canadian youngster was handed his opportunity.
Fulham fans were suitably impressed and after making his senior debut in the EFL Cup, 2024 could end up being the ‘really humble’ youngster’s breakout year.
De Fougerolles has already been called up to the Canadian senior team but is yet to make his debut.
A loan move in January might be beneficial and a player who could play across the back line would be a handy player to have in the squad for Silva heading into next season.
Jonathan Esenga – 16 – Defender
The youngest player on the list, there is a huge amount of hype around Jonathan Esenga in the academy right now.
The left-back has consistently played at Under-21 level this season and already has a couple of goals and assists to his name.
It would be too easy to make comparisons to Ryan Sessegnon given the position he plays, but his tendency to bomb down the wing and get into dangerous areas makes him an enticing prospect.
Esenga is unlikely to be one of the Fulham youngsters who breaks into the first team straight away in 2024.
But it would not be a stretch to imagine him becoming more involved with the senior squad and potentially even making his debut.
Other players to look out for next year
There are also a few other players to keep an eye on that could have an impact on the first team going forward.
Fulham simply have to loan out Luke Harris in January, the teenager must start playing regular senior minutes as he’s unlikely to be benefitting from Under-21 appearances for much longer.
Matt Dibley-Dias and Devan Tanton also have first-team appearances to their name and although they don’t feature on the bench as regularly as Harris, should be lining up temporary moves elsewhere.
Finally, the youngster who could come straight into the Fulham first-team squad after his current loan spell in 2024 is Martial Godo.
A winger has starred for Wigan Athletic and earned a call-up to the England Under-20 squad.
He’s a technically excellent player and his debut against Crawley in a humiliating defeat has to be forgotten when you consider the levels he’s reached since that day.