From the Press Box: Bobb through the door ahead of Man United trip

JK updates us from Marco Silva's pre-United press conference

Seventh in the league and new signing through the door. There’s a lot to like about what’s going on at Fulham right now. Fulham completed the signing of Oscar Bobb from Manchester City one hour prior to Marco Silva’s press conference.

It’s an impressive signing, and Marco Silva shared his delight with the new addition. But before that he gave an update on team news.

“Kenny is working completely, involved in everything that we need for the game. After last week where he was 67% completely involved, this week he has been completely fit from himself, he is going to be in contention for the game.

“Rodrigo Muniz is around the team already in some drills with the team.This week is probably going to be too soon, probably next week we are going to have good news about him as well. So far, let's continue in the same way, all the other players are going to be available for the game.”

Silva said the club are supporting Samuel Chukwueze after the passing of his mother, and that’s it’s his decision whether he wants to be involved on Sunday.

“Chukwueze is going to have everything he needs in this moment, simple as that. If he needs one day, two days, one week, he is going to have, depending really from him, how he feels. Right now, completely support from myself, from an individual point of view, for the club as well.

“It is going to be his decision much more than anything. What he needs from us, we are here to support him.”

The question turned towards the new man and Silva said that Bobb was a replacement for the departing Adama Traore.

“I'm very pleased, because I think it's a very, very good move from ourselves.

“We, as a football club, since Adama left the club, or was coming close to leaving the club, I had some players in my mind, and we as a club had some players as targets.

“Oscar was one of them, for sure he is a clear replacement for the player that left the football club, that was Adama. We signed Oscar, and it’s a great move from us.

“Very talented player, quality, individual quality as well. Needs more consistency in the game-time, has to come here to show himself and to help the team, like the other forward players who are helping ourselves so far.

“It’s going to be great for us to have another – from an individual point of view – good player around those forward positions. Can play right, like Adama, can play inside, behind the striker as well. He’s a player that can play in tight spaces, between the lines he’s very good.

“Now it’s a matter of us to work with him, to put him in the best physical condition he can be, because I’m sure that he’s going to be a very good signing for the football club.

“And, of course, I have to congratulate the Club and the board for the move, to react from the player that left the football club, like Adama, to react in order to replace him with a – in my opinion – very, very talented player like Oscar Bobb.”

There were questions around whether Fulham were thinking about making Chukwueze’s loan a permanent deal this summer.

“We have time, we have time to talk about it. I think the option is there, it's dependent on us. We all are very pleased with him, his integration in our football club, his adaptation is being very good for the Premier League.

“I'm very pleased. He's a great lad, he's a nice boy, create a good environment, he's adapting for what we need, he's adapting for the Premier League demands. He has quality, that's the most important thing and we are going to have time to do it.

“But of course, ourselves, myself as a manager, ourselves as a football club, the fans, they have the same feeling for sure and they share the same feelings with us.”

So, Manchester United. What will happen on Sunday? Wins against Man City and Arsenal have been impressive and have got the fan back onside, but Fulham are no mugs. Fulham will go to Old Trafford with confidence that they can win back-to-back games there after last season’s FA Cup win (albeit on pens).

But to finish off - Bobb in, Silva happy. Another one or two before 7pm on Monday would be very impressive and would indicate to Silva and fans that the board are serious about their intentions of long-term planning.

Enjoy the weekend and COYW!