There’s plenty to be optimistic about despite Fulham’s losing start

So, the Whites’ 2024/25 campaign is underway.

This summer has proved to be a period of real change. Some would say unprecedented change. I can’t remember a time where Fulham lost four first-team players in a summer. The higher-ups have known the situation as it approached, with each player on the cusp of leaving, and in many ways their departures were inevitable. In the case of Joao Palhinha and Willian, Fulham could not have expected anything more than an end to their time in the famous black and white. One probably can’t handle another full year of Premier League football for fitness reasons, and the other who deserves a shot at the big time in Germany.

So many exits

Bobby De Cordova Reid’s decision to leave can be forgiven as he was a fantastic servant to Fulham. The fans will be sad to see him leave, but also, they are aware that if the club wants to grow, they may need to make tough decisions and let players like him go in order to free up space in the squad. My understanding is that Fulham did want him to stay but only offered him two years on a new deal. Leicester offered him three. It seems like Bobby knows a better offer when he sees one. Although, a potential points deduction could make this year a difficult one for the Foxes. He could have his work cut out.

Tosin’s departure stings given he’s now at Chelsea. Fulham had been negotiating with him for a while and the feelings were that he was the perfect partner to Calvin Bassey. However, Fulham stalled on salary and Chelsea offered more. While it will frustrate Fulham that they weren’t able to convince Tosin to stay, we can be encouraged by Tosin’s unconvincing pre-season. Chelsea fans quickly saw that he is capable of making a mistake per game. He was a fantastic player for Fulham, and if he now spends the rest of season with limited game time that would be a real shame.

The expectations at Chelsea could either make Tosin’s career or break it. He has already been advised (with encouragement from the Chelsea staff) to switch his nationality to Nigeria, there’s an argument that the reason for that advice is because they (Chelsea) don’t think he is good enough to play for England. Tosin would have been surrounded by positivity and encouragement at Fulham, where the bar for performance is little lower. However, with the money that this Chelsea board have spent, he’ll have to be near-perfect to get a look in. Which isn’t a challenge he’s had to face before, as he is now fighting to be first pick.

Fulham have bought in a 24-year-old left-footed centre back in Jorge Cuenca. I haven’t seen enough of him, but his presence alone will help the squad as Issa Diop will be under pressure to perform, and he will add competition to that area of the team. Fulham have also brought another 24-year-old in Emile Smith Rowe. We all know about him, and while his time in a Fulham shirt will be subject to great scrutiny due to the fact he comes at a record price, Fulham should be wary that his confidence and game time will need a significant increase. There is an exceptional player in there, Fulham need to give Marco time to work with Emile. Hopefully he’ll prove me wrong, but it might take a while for Emile to hit full form.

Bodies needed

The main things that Fulham can take away from the implications of these changes after the Manchester United performance are obvious. Fulham lacked composure on the flanks. Where Willian usually provides a litany of skill and Premier League experience. Additionally, Fulham were light in the middle of the park, and United got through too many times simply because Joao wasn’t there to stop them.

I’m don’t subscribe to the view that Joao can be replaced. As goes for all players being brought in, none of them should be ‘replacements’. However, that position can be filled by someone who can get a foot in, keep the ball, and do the running. Scott McTominay was on the winning side on Friday night, I wonder whether he watched Fulham’s midfield area in detail. Would he fit right in? Would he prefer to be playing every week? It must be tempting surely.

Andre is the other player linked with Fulham, and while his arrival looked to be imminent and set up for when Joao left, the move has stalled. Andre would be my preferred choice in that position, simply because he is no way a like-for-like replacement. Joao was brilliant when making tackles and breaking up play but his passing wasn’t his strong suit, and he often lacked control when running forward. Andre will keep the ball with ease and Fulham would build attacks from the middle of the park. Andre can tackle, and being Brazilian, he’ll fit right in. Marco was making a point by playing Andreas in centre midfield rather than as a 10. If Fulham sign a genuine six or an eight, they will be able to go up to another level. Fulham are roughly two quality players away from being a top half finisher (and possibly challenging for the Europa League).

Opportunities arise

Adama Traore will always be a player that intrigues me. When he first burst onto the scene Micah Richards style with his amazing running, we all knew that if he could produce end-product, there was a player with real potential. At Wolves he found his feet, but then lost his way as the game became more technical. This season is going to be crucial for him. He had a great pre-season and if he can work on his decision making, he will be vital from the bench and starting because his directness offers something Fulham can lack. Against Manchester United, we saw that if his final pass was better, he’d create at least one or two gilt-edged chances per game. Marco may well have said to him, ‘you’ll get a run of games at the start of the season and then the coaching team will take a view on whether you will start every week’. This is a style of management I can get behind, as long as he doesn’t turn in performances that demand a substitution.

Rodrigo Muniz shone in this fixture last year. He didn’t have his tail up like he did for the second half of last term. He was effectively shooting from a standing start at Old Trafford this time around, and it showed. If Fulham are going to keep Jay Stansfield, it is worth it, because Stansfield can offer genuine pace to stretch opposition centre-backs. Raul Jimenez doesn’t offer that mobility either, so it’s worth giving Stansfield some game time from the bench in a home game soon, so he gets use to Premier League action.

Ultimately, Fulham have enough going on in the striker department to refrain from getting involved in the market for another forward. There are always rumours, but most can agree the positions that Fulham should concern themselves with are centre-midfield and centre-back. Diego Carlos being the strongest rumour for the latter position. Fulham have made this summer seem almost seamless in terms of transition, unlike other windows business has been done early, but two or three more additions should be the minimum before the window shuts.

There is plenty to be happy about in defeat, and in many ways, it is good to get a loss out of the way early. Fulham looked like a team with great vibes in the camp during pre-season, all the players looked keen and there was a spring in the step. However, there is nothing like a defeat to focus to mind. Nothing really motivates a professional athlete more than losing. Fulham still need to strengthen, but the signs are that they will compete this year. Let’s see how far they can go.