Our players out on loan: keep, re-loan, release, or sell?

Jack Stroudley looks at the current crop of Fulham players out on loan.

As the dust settles on the recently-finished campaign, all focus and attention will now turn to next season and how Fulham can improve. We’ll have to be active in the transfer market, of course, but what about those currently under contract the club? I’m going to look over those who were sent to other clubs on loan to work out if any of them have a future at Fulham.

George Wickens

George Wickens joined Ross County on loan in January and soon caught the eye of those up in Scotland following two penalty saves during a 1-0 defeat at Celtic. The 22-year-old played 15 times for the Staggies and has impressed during his time in Scotland. I can’t see him featuring much for Fulham next season with the likes of Leno and Benda at the club (I’m assuming Rodak will probably depart) so I think another loan move could be beneficial to see what his true ceiling is.

Decision: re-loan

Luca Ashby-Hammond

Another keeper who was sent out on loan this year was Luca Ashby-Hammond, who spent the season with Notts County in League Two. Ashby-Hammond found minutes difficult to come by in the early stages of the season with no appearances until November. Since then, the 23-year-old has played 18 times, including all of the final six games. Ashby-Hammond is contracted with Fulham until 2025 and personally I can’t see him being involved with the first team, so cashing in for some money could be way to go this summer.

Decision: sell

Terence Kongolo

Admit it: you forgot Terence Kongolo was still contracted at Fulham didn’t you? The Dutch central defender has spent this season in Austria playing for Rapid Vienna. During his time at the club, he has played 12 times and been sent off twice. It’s once again been a campaign to forget for Kongolo, and with his contract running out this summer, he’s surely going to be out the door.

Decision: release

Kevin Mbabu

Following a disappointing first campaign with Fulham, Swiss international Kevin Mbabu was loaned to Bundesliga side Augsburg last summer and has been a key player throughout the campaign. The 29-year-old made 25 appearances this season for “Fuggerstädter”, picking up two assists in the process. Mbabu seems to have found his feet in Germany and with one year left on his deal, I could see Fulham cashing in given that both Tete and Castagne are both better than him.

Decision: sell

Tyrese Francois

Another player who, if I’m being honest, I forgot was on the books at Fulham. Francois has spent the second half of this season out on loan in Denmark playing for Vejle BK. During his time there, the 23-year-old featured 15 times, picking up two assists. Francois’s contract runs out this summer and I think it’s time for all parties to move on. We’re now a mid-table Premier League side and need to be cutthroat when it comes to cutting down the squad, and Francois simply isn’t good enough.

Decision: release

Kieron Bowie

Kieron Bowie spent a second consecutive season playing for Northampton Town following their promotion to League One. The Scottish attacker was crucial to the Cobblers staying up comfortably with a 14th place finish. The 21-year-old scored nine times and picked up six assists across the season and is well loved by Northampton Town fans. He’s certainly one to keep an eye on and I think a loan to the Championship is the next logical step for his development.

Decision: re-loan

Luke Harris

Another youngster to keep an eye on is Welshman Luke Harris who spent the second half of the season at Exeter City in League One. Harris featured twenty-one times for the Grecians, picking up four goals and two assists. The 19-year-old was also called up to the Welsh squad for the first time. Harris should’ve spent the whole campaign out on loan but was allegedly kept by Marco Silva for the first half of the season due to Joao Palhinha’s uncertain future. That being said, Harris needs some more time to develop in the lower leagues but is one for the future.

Decision: re-loan

Terry Ablade

Terry Ablade also spent this season in League One playing for newly promoted Carlisle United, but didn’t have a campaign to remember. Ablade made 12 appearances off the bench, notching up a combined 255 minutes of football and not scoring a single goal for the eventually relegated Carlisle. The 22-year-old’s contract runs out in 2025 and I can’t really see much of a future for him at Fulham.

Decision: sell

Carlos Vinicius

Following the January signing of Armando Broja, Brazilian forward Carlos Vinicius was sent on loan to Turkish league side Galatasaray, but similarly to Ablade, had a loan spell to forget. Vinicius scored just one goal in 10 appearances for “Cimbom Aslanlar” with the Turkish side stating they don’t wish to make him a permanent signing. I can’t see much of a future at Fulham for Vinicius and with a year left on his deal, now seems a good time to try and recoup some money.

Decision: sell

Martial Godo

Yet another youngster who spent this season playing his football in League One was Martial Godo, who impressed at Wigan Athletic. The 21-year-old racked up eight goal contributions across the League One season. Godo also played all 90 minutes during their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup. Godo’s contract runs out in 2025 so I think another year on loan for his development would be beneficial.

Decision: re-loan

Olly Sanderson

The 20-year-old striker started the campaign with newly-promoted National League side Oxford City. While the Hoops struggled, Sanderson was a bright spark throughout and scored nine times during the first half of the season. Fulham then decided to re-loan him to League Two with Sutton United and while the Us struggled, Sanderson managed to score four goals for the eventually relegated side. I think another League Two loan is on the horizon.

Decision: re-loan

Jay Stansfield

Jay is probably the most talked about of our current loaned players and for very good reason. After a successful loan at Exeter City, ‘Stanno’ was sent to Championship Birmingham City for this campaign. It turned out to be a poor campaign for Birmingham but Stansfield was the one bright spark throughout scoring 12 goals for a side that would eventually fall through the Championship trap door. With Marco Silva liking to have three strikers in his squad, surely Stansfield will be one of them?

Decision: keep