This has all the hall marks of our previously shambolic relegation seasons. Without Marco's steady and stabilising hand, we look to be simply reverting to type. Championship beckons.
Ipswich plays 38 games, only 2 of which v Fulham and only one away. And we know Diop — who I personally felt underrated. Why would we not wsnt to “improve” Fulham.
And talk of relegation is overblown. Currently, Fulham have 5 players who were at the Cup; two more who would have been but for Nigerian organizational ineptitude; and an England reserve. And Fulham awaits resolution of the Real Madrid situation. Europe, though unlikely, is a more probable scenario than relegation.
"First, the money. The reported £8m to £9m fee is too low". Is it really? His current value is about £6.825m, and his contract is up at the end of this season, when he will be 30 years old. I would guess that Fulham jumped at what is probably going to be the best offer. Selling a defender to a club like Ipswich, who will be defending most of every game of the upcoming season, probably isn't improving them that much at our expense.
This article illustrates the two-pronged problem that Fulham find themselves in.
We shouldn't have let Wilson leave for zero fee, but that would have required FFC front office playing hardball TWO summers ago and moving him out in June of 2024 if he woiuldn't sign a new deal. That hardball maneuver could have gotten us some decent transfer ££, but it also would have denied us the last two seasons of goals and performances from Harry. That's not an easy call to make. Similarly, the time to sell Diop to get a larger fee was 12 months ago, but there were certainly times this last season where we sure needed Issa on the field.
As to why we're selling Diop to relegation rivals within the league - who the hell else can we sell him to? I doubt Arsenal or Man City wanted Issa. The financial might of the PL means that moving Diop on to safer landing spots like Fiorentina or Fortuna Dusseldorf would have gotten us (I'm guessing) half of the £8mil that Ipswich paid. I agree that moving an asset on to a rival isn't optimal, but would the club rather do it this way or lose out on £4mil? Not an easy choice.
Diop and Berge were revelation at the World Cup. It was a genuine pleasure watching the pair play unshackled from the bounds of insecurity imposed by Silva upon too many players who were always looking over their shoulders hoping not to make a misstep. Anderson's another but he did commit the mortal sin. Why would Cuenca ever follow Marco? He buried the poor guy.
Have some faith, after 5 consecutive seasons finishing comfortably mid-table we cannot be afraid of Ipswich just because they took off our fourth choice central defender on his last year of contract. We must be better than this.
There is absolutely no doubt we are relegation rivals. We've lost our goals in Wilson and Jimenez, have signed a manager who wants 100% commitment to a full press with players who do not fit that way of playing and have a head of recruitment who insists on signing players on transfer deadline day. It's nuts.
This has all the hall marks of our previously shambolic relegation seasons. Without Marco's steady and stabilising hand, we look to be simply reverting to type. Championship beckons.
Should have kept Diop and lost Anderson.
You’d not get anyone paying his level of wage. He had a bad season, hopefully he can now have a good one.
Why are we strengthening our rivals. Easy. It's spelled "T O N Y" and pronounced "idiot."
See: Khans' ownership of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.
Ipswich plays 38 games, only 2 of which v Fulham and only one away. And we know Diop — who I personally felt underrated. Why would we not wsnt to “improve” Fulham.
And talk of relegation is overblown. Currently, Fulham have 5 players who were at the Cup; two more who would have been but for Nigerian organizational ineptitude; and an England reserve. And Fulham awaits resolution of the Real Madrid situation. Europe, though unlikely, is a more probable scenario than relegation.
Sorry: improve Ipswich
"First, the money. The reported £8m to £9m fee is too low". Is it really? His current value is about £6.825m, and his contract is up at the end of this season, when he will be 30 years old. I would guess that Fulham jumped at what is probably going to be the best offer. Selling a defender to a club like Ipswich, who will be defending most of every game of the upcoming season, probably isn't improving them that much at our expense.
As usual our club are taking forever to make any signings still quibbling over paying the prices for signings to arrive we are a bloody joke.
This article illustrates the two-pronged problem that Fulham find themselves in.
We shouldn't have let Wilson leave for zero fee, but that would have required FFC front office playing hardball TWO summers ago and moving him out in June of 2024 if he woiuldn't sign a new deal. That hardball maneuver could have gotten us some decent transfer ££, but it also would have denied us the last two seasons of goals and performances from Harry. That's not an easy call to make. Similarly, the time to sell Diop to get a larger fee was 12 months ago, but there were certainly times this last season where we sure needed Issa on the field.
As to why we're selling Diop to relegation rivals within the league - who the hell else can we sell him to? I doubt Arsenal or Man City wanted Issa. The financial might of the PL means that moving Diop on to safer landing spots like Fiorentina or Fortuna Dusseldorf would have gotten us (I'm guessing) half of the £8mil that Ipswich paid. I agree that moving an asset on to a rival isn't optimal, but would the club rather do it this way or lose out on £4mil? Not an easy choice.
Diop and Berge were revelation at the World Cup. It was a genuine pleasure watching the pair play unshackled from the bounds of insecurity imposed by Silva upon too many players who were always looking over their shoulders hoping not to make a misstep. Anderson's another but he did commit the mortal sin. Why would Cuenca ever follow Marco? He buried the poor guy.
It seems Fulham fans on this page are stuck in the championship years.
Relegation rivals?! Lol
Tell me why I'm wrong? We've let go of 20+ goals and not replaced them.
Have some faith, after 5 consecutive seasons finishing comfortably mid-table we cannot be afraid of Ipswich just because they took off our fourth choice central defender on his last year of contract. We must be better than this.
There is absolutely no doubt we are relegation rivals. We've lost our goals in Wilson and Jimenez, have signed a manager who wants 100% commitment to a full press with players who do not fit that way of playing and have a head of recruitment who insists on signing players on transfer deadline day. It's nuts.
This is worrying, transfer policy has to be right, look at the fall of Leicester going back to 2023 and you can see why this team were relegated.
Cuenca has already gone with Marco I think. Issa bargain at 9 million worth at least 25 absolute rock