Fulham begin the Arbeloa era in the Premier League on Monday in the SW6 derby. What will happen in that and the proceeding 37 games? Team Fulhamish give their two pence worth.
Sammy James
The key word ahead of the season for me is excitement. There is a real sense of anticipation around Fulham because we just don’t know what we’re going to get.
Don’t confuse excitement for confidence though; I do suspect that at times this is going to be a really tough and frustrating season. I think the football will be exhilarating at times, but in every game in preseason we have looked like we are capable of very silly mistakes.
The lack of upgrades in defence and goal are worrying, but I do think we are very strong in both midfield and attack, albeit we could do with a bit more depth. As I wrote about recently, I think expectations among fans have become very high in the last few years and for me, finishing upper mid-table should be seen as a good return.
If we can get at least five points out of our opening five fixtures, I think we should be able to keep the relegation battle at an arm’s length for the entire campaign, which would be more than fine by me.
Final position: 12th
Player of the season: Sander Berge
Top scorer: Rodrigo Muniz
Best result: We break the Manchester City losing curse.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Ryan Sessegnon to be a regular right-winger by Christmas.
Jack Collins
We’re all about to embark on a giant leap into the unknown, and that is in equal parts absolutely terrifying and hugely exciting.
We have stepped outside of our comfort zone, the quiet place of Marco’s consistency of approach, Harry scoring goals against Brentford and Raul slotting penalties away; and enter now into the brave new world of Álvaro Arbeloa’s high-octane pressing game, Gonzalo Garcia shooting when he gets a sight of goal, and César Palacios’ dancing feet.
While I am not naive enough to suggest that the huge elements of risk here carry their own baggage, and a difficult start could be deeply problematic; I also think there’s plenty of reasons to be optimistic, and I think once the midfield settles down games will become less frantic than Saturday’s appetite-whetter against Stuttgart.
As well as the new boys, I’m expecting a couple of returnees to really find their groove this season as well - Oscar Bobb has a huge opportunity to nail down the starting spot he never got at City, Josh King should kick on from last season’s campaign and add real end product this time around, and Sander Berge can build on a terrific World Cup to be the anchor for the chaos unleashed in front.
While obviously there is hope that we can push on and challenge for Europe, I do think a successful season from my perspective would be everybody coming through unscathed safely in mid-table, good campaigns from the new boys, no hint of a relegation dogfight, and with plenty to build on in a more settled summer in 2027. Anything above and beyond that and I’d be over the moon. Let’s do this thing.
Final position: 12th
Player of the season: Sander Berge
Top scorer: Gonzalo Garcia
Best result: I think with Pep gone, we might end the City curse.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Most goals conceded outside the bottom three; and over 3000 minutes combined for our academy products.
George Cooper
Honestly, who knows? I was more nervous before we made recent signings, especially Shea Charles, who I expect will fit into our side perfectly and is exactly what we need.
I was also impressed with what I saw in the friendly against Stuttgart, though you can’t read too much into preseason games. I don’t think we should expect too much from our team this term through this transition period. Achieving safety, allowing Arbeloa’s culture and new signings to embed, and preparing to compete the following season would constitute success.
However, I do think we’re in for an exciting season from our front line. I think Kevin will build on last year and become a real star for us, with enough minutes. I also firmly believe this will be the year Josh King cements his place in the team and begins to really turn heads in the league. I’m also excited to see what Garcia has to offer, and expect him to be our first-choice striker over Muniz. That said, I think our defence will struggle without reinforcements, which will ultimately prevent us from finishing in the top half.
Final position: 14th
Player of the season: Kevin
Top scorer: Gonzalo García
Best result: Beating Chelsea at home in the first game of the season.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: back-to-back goal of the season awards for Fulham (Kevin wonder goal).
Elizabeth Barnard
2026/27 feels impossible to predict: it’s the first season in five years without the stability of Marco Silva at the helm, and I genuinely believe we could finish anywhere between sixth and 19th.
It had gone a bit stale under Silva towards the end, despite everything he had done for the club, and now does feel like the time to take a risk. I’m excited by the age profile of the squad, and the incoming signings, but I am obviously worried that it could all go horribly wrong and that we could be rudderless and desperate by October. Whatever happens, I absolutely cannot wait for that opener against Chelsea on Monday.
Final position: 14th
Player of the season: Kevin
Top scorer: Kevin
Best result: Monday night under the lights to shock Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: We crash out of one of the cups in humiliating fashion, and we make it to Wembley in the other.
Drew Heatley
Everyone is talking about “uncertainty” being the word of this season, but I think it’s “potential”.
We have a squad full of young, hungry players with points to prove. Sure, it’s uncharted territory, but that’s what many of us asked for in May.
Football is like a movie. We spend thousands of pounds across the course of a season and, recently, we already knew how the film was going to end. Now, we have no idea. So we’ll get more bang for our buck - for better or for worse.
On top of our new, high-profile youngsters like Garcia, Palacios and Charles, we have our more “seasoned” starlets who are already embedded - Kevin, Bobb, and King. Just writing that gets me excited.
Yes, Arbeloa’s squad isn’t fully formed yet, but the good thing about getting players in earlier is that there’s still time to shore up other areas, like defence and goalkeeper. I’m sure our work isn’t done yet.
I’ll finish by adding “patience” to my words of the season. Rome wasn’t built in a day - and there may be a few storms to weather on the way. But our trajectory as a club is very much on the up. Strap in!
Final position: 10th
Player of the season: Cesar Palacios
Top scorer: Gonzalo Garcia
Best result: I think we turn Arsenal over at the Emirates.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Arbeloa sells Leno in January and brings in one of Madrid’s young ‘keepers, alongside his old mucka Iker Casillas as his personal goalkeeping coach.
Dan Goga-Cooke
This time last season I wrote: “I’m sensing a season of deja-vu. Same players, same manager, same system, probably similar ultimate outcomes.” I predicted us to finish 12th and Harry Wilson to be top scorer and player of the season; proof that last season was quite predictable and therefore, for some people, a bit boring.
This season, literally none of that applies. New players, new manager, new system. It’s a change that I think has simultaneously raised our ceiling and lowered our floor; which makes it impossible to know where we’ll land.
The philosophy behind what we’ve done this summer is spot on for long-term growth. Out with the old, in with the youth is sensible, especially when paired with a manager whose only real experience is managing young players.
I think it’s going to be a fairly turbulent season that sees us swing from world beaters to bottom feeders, sometimes within the space of a few days. It will take Arbeloa time to learn all of the tricks of the trade and it will take his players time to adapt to his physically demanding philosophy.
As a result of this lack of consistency, I can see a player like Shea Charles really shining. Some big tackles, smoothness in possession and the odd goal is something that I think the fanbase will warm to; the sort of player who will always get credit, even in losing causes. Honourable mention to Sander Berge, who I have never stopped defending, and I have a feeling he might finally repay my faith in him this season.
I can see this being our “worst” season since we’ve been back in the big time but, unless it’s catastrophic, I think it’ll be important to view it as one step back to take a leap forward in the years to come. I like the foundations that are being built, it might just take a bit of time.
Final position: 14th
Player of the season: Shea Charles
Top scorer: Gonzalo Garcia
Best result: Someone is going to get a pasting this season in a game where it all clicks. I’m predicting a 5-0 demolition in a league game.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Arbeloa, in the same season, will be the bookmakers favourite for next manager to be sacked, but will also win manager of the month.
Jack Kelly
Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham. I’m still getting used to saying that.
I’m excited; I like the system, and our business. It’s going to be a tough season, for sure. Most neutrals have instantly wrote us off, because it’s the easy opinion. I think we will have a good season, perhaps cause a few upsets across the campaign. Watching Fulham this season is going to be fun. I think we could score plenty, but could be vulnerable when hit in transition. We’re a new RCB away from being almost there as a squad, and I expect further depth to be added. If things don’t start well, I’m not going to panic. Early points, and I think people will sit up and take notice. The blend of youth and experience - I believe will work well and I think the new signings will thrive in this team.
Another season of consolation, I think most would be happy with that. There’s a bit of fear of the unknown and with the Premier League being incredibly unforgiving, the unpredictability does make me nervous. But, I believe Fulham will have a solid season, and Arbeloa will be a success in SW6.
Final position: 12th
Player of the season: César Palacios
Top scorer: Gonzalo Garcia
Best result: I think we hit a team with a 5-0 away win this season. Let’s say Hull 0-5 Fulham!
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Fulham will break the losing streak against Manchester City this season.
Joe Sansom
I have gone through every single emotion this summer, ranging from fear to excitement, and ultimately I’m sat here on the dawn of a new season switching daily between the two.
One thing that is without doubt is it’s exciting to have a fresh start. Judging by the wider footballing community’s Fulham predictions this season, you’d assume that we would be going up against Super League quality opposition in the fight to stay up as opposed to Coventry, Hull and Ipswich (with zero offence intended to any of them), let alone our existing Premier League counterparts who have also gone through a Summer of change, or even those that now have to factor in European football.
I see this as a transition season, but one that marks the start of an ambitious new era on and off the pitch. I think we will be middle of the road once again, with some big scalps and some frustrating defeats, but hopefully a more exciting style of football will breathe some much needed optimism back into the club and the fanbase. A cup run would help too…
Final position: 12th
Player of the season: Gonzalo Garcia
Top goalscorer: Gonzalo Garcia
Best result: A win at home to Man City to break our long-standing hoodoo against them.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Fulham will make it to Wembley this season.
Jack Stroudley
This feels like the first season in forever where nobody has a clue what’s going to happen. Alvaro Arbeloa and his merry men of Spaniards have rocked up in SW6 to try and upset the mid-table applecart. I’m impressed by the ambition to bring in a big name number nine, and I think we’ll be just fine.
Final position: 12th
Player of the season: Josh King. This is his time to kick on.
Top scorer: Gonzalo Garcia. He’ll adapt to the Premier League like a duck to water.
Best result: Fulham win in the FA Cup quarter final.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Fulham finally get a Wembley day out. Albeit against a top six side in a semi-final where we crash out.
Ben Jarman
Whether Marco walked or not, moving on from a proven manager that extracted a lot from the squad to an unproven coach is a bold move from Fulham. Yes, there were slumps towards the end of the season, but there were some great times.
Arbeloa-ball has shown patches of promise in preseason, and the arrival of Shea Charles is fantastic. He should have a big future regardless of who is in charge. Throwing all of our eggs in the Real Madrid B basket and having a quiet window when the squad needed a refresh is concerning. But I am looking forward to Josh King breaking out in the middle of the park. I think we’ll lag behind in the Premier League and go deep in one of the cups.
Final position: 16
Player of the season: Calvin Bassey
Top scorer: Alex Iwobi
Best result: Winning away at Old Trafford on the last day to deny them something big.
Most left-field Fulham prediction: Fulham sack Arbeloa and Newcastle sack Matthias Jaissle with some weird managerial swap happening halfway through the season.
I'm mostly with Ben. I think it'll be a struggle. I'll go for 16/17th. I know it's a pessimistic view but I just feel it's too much transition too quickly. A young, inexperienced manager and a new reliance on younger players with little Premiership experience is a risk. An exciting risk but a big risk nonetheless. To play devil's advocate with myself(lol), we do have plenty of Premiership experience in the squad but none of them(apart from Sess), have a genuine eye for goal. It's all about whether the new signings have goals in them.
Geez you lot! I stand with Drew. 10th sounds nice. "Everyone is talking about “uncertainty” being the word of this season, but I think it’s “potential”. - DH