The FFC Rumour Mill: McKenna touted as Silva successor
Jack Stroudley rounds up Fulham's week in the transfer market.
With Marco Silva’s exit confirmed, the next question becomes who will be his successor. Premier League experience? A continental dabble? Or maybe even a look at someone managing in the upcoming World Cup? There are lots of potential suitors we could look at.
But what does this mean for the ins and outs in SW6? Here are all the latest whisperings.
Incomings
Fulham have decided against triggering Samu Chukwueze’s €24m option, according to Italian reporters Tuttomercato. It was a difficult second half of the season for the 27 year old following AFCON and a tragic off-field situation in his personal life, and as a result of this, I think Fulham’s money would be better spent elsewhere. But Fulham need a winger and Milan will probably want him off the books and may lower the price; if that’s the case, maybe we’ll have a second look. But for now I’d be thinking of other options.
In the full-back department, Fulham have emerged as surprise contenders for Andy Robertson, claim TalkSport while TeamTalk are reporting that Fulham hold an interest in West Ham full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
If we’re being honest, Robertson isn’t happening, but the latter of the two rumours interest me. For £10m we could certainly do a lot worse than Wan-Bissaka, especially given Tete’s injury record. One to look out for.
Outgoings
Starting with Benfica (but not in the way you’d imagine), Sacha Tavolieri is once again reporting that there is an interest in Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca. These rumours came about in January as well and I’ll say what I said then. I’d love Cuenca to stay as I think he’s a very valuable and dependable player, but I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to move elsewhere to push for more guaranteed minutes.
There was quite a lengthy piece on Marco Silva in this rumour mill before he made his decision, so I’ll keep his departure brief. Following talks with Benfica over the weekend, the club confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Silva will depart for Lisbon this summer.
The interesting part of the statement was the notes from Shahid Khan, who, after thanking Silva, went on to say “we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment. We will soon appoint a new leader in a timely but deliberate manner, who will meet the standards of our Club and expectations of our fans throughout the world.”
In terms of a replacement for Silva, it was all a little bit quiet up until Monday night when TalkSport reported that Fulham will make a move for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna when Silva departs, which they then doubled down on following Silva’s departure. That being said, there are question marks about his £8m release clause. I’ve seen a lot of scepticism online about this potential appointment but honestly, I think Fulham could do a lot worse.
TalkSport has since claimed that Coventry boss (and Chelsea legend) Frank Lampard is also high on the club’s list. This one is going down like a lead balloon on X. But Lampard’s Coventry finished 11 points ahead of McKenna’s Ipswich in the Championship last term, and the Whites are reportedly wary of McKenna’s £8m release cause…
In terms of other names that could be thrown around (there are no reports of this, more just my suggestions on what Fulham could do), Sérgio Conceição is now out of a job following his departure from Al-Ittihad, if we wanted to continue down the Portuguese route. Conceição comes with European pedigree, with trophies won for both FC Porto and AC Milan.
If the club want to show some ambition, throw a big offer on the table for Oliver Glasner or Arne Slot, who both remain without a club. These may be seen as far-fetched, but Fulham would really be stamping down a marker with either. Mauricio Pochettino could be a viable option post-World Cup but while I think he’s also someone who would do a stellar job, I don’t think we’ll wait around and see.
If Fulham really wanted to throw a curveball in, Big Ange is still about. It would be chaotic to say the least and could end in a ball of flames, but it could also end in his obligatory second-season trophy.
Kjetil Knutsen from Bodo/Glimt is surely overdue a move to one of Europe’s big five, and even Fulhamish’s very own Jack Kelly is in the mix having being touted at 50/1 to take charge! (Yes, seriously).