Emile Smith Rowe insists that his club record move from Arsenal to Fulham ‘has actually been quite easy’ ahead of his first reunion with the Gunners on Sunday.
The England international moved to Craven Cottage in the summer for an initial £27m in search of the regular game time than he had struggled to earn at the Emirates. Smith Rowe has started thirteen of Fulham’s fourteen Premier League fixtures since the start of the season, scoring three goals and adding two more assists.
Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live ahead of Fulham’s latest London derby, the 24 year-old said:
“At the age of 24, you want to be playing every week and getting opportunities and it was getting to the point where I wasn’t really getting opportunities anymore for whatever reason. I had to make the decision to move on. I’m getting my chances now and I’m really happy with it.
I obviously want show them what they are missing out on in terms of being there and leaving, but it’s nothing personal. I have so much love for them but obviously I want to win with Fulham.
I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. It has actually been quite easy. I thought I would be really upset and sad. It was obviously the hardest decision I have ever had to make – but definitely the right one. I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really happy. Marco has given me so much confidence, given me the freedom to just enjoy myself and if I make a mistake just go again.”
Right move for you, maybe, mate. But definitely wrong move for Fulham if your erratic form, to date, is anything to go by.
You need to shake yourself up and get your act together because, right now, you are looking likely to be the most expensive transfer mistake in Fulham history.
You have undoubted ability and that would be the icing on the cake for fans when you dare to display it but, as a bare minimum, we expect 100% commitment-and we are NOT getting it.
Marco Silva may be giving you so much confidence but it is not translating to actual pitch time so PLEASE get your act together and make it difficult for the manager to sub you every week.
Echo the sentiments of Charles I thought ESR said he could not wait to play against Arsenal to show them his true worth but what season was he talking about it is certainly wont be this season the way things are progressing I think now Marco has given him enough freedom but it needs to be every week not just when he feels like it can we afford to play him and Perreira together in the same team if both start the same game everyone and that incudes those two shook start looking back on videos and see what their contribution was worrying situation with ESR but watch this space
Fully agree with above. I refer to ESR as the invisible man – no where to be seen in the game and looks like he can’t be bothered. The comparaison with AP is stark … AP puts 150% into every game . At 34 million ESR on course to be our historical worst signing . But hope is that Silva , a true expert in rejuvenating players, can turn this around.
Must be joking that pereira puts 150% in every week!! the amount of times other teams breeze past him is ridiculous, happened several times in the wolves game. The balance of the team is not correct at the moment, you can’t play pereira and ESR together as the midfield is too lightweight and gets over run. You need more legs and industry to break up the opposition, so berge and lukic at the base with ESR or AP in the more advance role looks most comfortable
Lukic and Berge should both be main to in midfield flair one up for grabs at moment. I still feel ESR will come good he’s working hard but not always showing the flair he has and we need . He not played a lot of football and had few injuries before he joined so felt it was always a risk at that prise . Bonus he’s stayed fit shown sparks of his ability and fitted in . Fell we have to be patient, I won’t judge him till next season after a full pre season with club. Seem to be a nice guy who wants to succeed.