The Standard suggests tonight that Kenny Tete’s decision to sign a contract extension with Fulham – and his U-turn after agreeing a move to Everton – illustrates why the Whites are in a much stronger position that many of their Premier League rivals.

Sam Tabeau’s piece has a few interesting nuggets – such as the increasing influence of Marco Silva over Fulham’s transfer and contractual policy – and the way that the data-driven approach, something director of football Tony Khan has always championed, has been hardwired into the way that Fulham operate. But some sections, such as the contention that the Whites always made clear to Tete that they wanted him to stay, stretch the bounds of credulity – especially when other journalists see Silva’s phone call as ‘crucial’ in getting the right back the contract that he wanted.

The head coach’s intervention – when it appeared as though his first-choice right back would be plying his trade at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium from August – was explicitly referenced in Tete’s post-announcement chat with FFC TV. The Dutch defender said:

“From the moment Marco [Silva] came, everything went up, we elevated! Here we are now. If someone pushes that much for you, then I’m really thankful for that! Without him, I don’t know if I’d be here. I want to thank him for that. Now it’s for me to give something back!”

Tete is far from the first Fulham player to stress how successful Silva has been – either in bringing them to the club, improving individuals or tactically creating a stronger side. It is also why the head coach’s own contractual situation remains pivotal to Fulham’s future progress. The Portuguese boss rejected overtures from England and abroad to continue his Craven Cottage adventure but he has yet to put pen to paper on his own extension, with only eleven months remaining on current deal.

The concluding paragraphs of Tabeau’s article are telling.

“Fulham, who finished 11th last season, have yet to make a signing this summer, but they’re also not seeing the core of their team ripped apart like Bournemouth and Brentford, two teams that finished above them last year.

The Whites are calm about their lack of movement in the transfer window and believe their solid foundations, reinforced by Tete’s new contract, mean they’re in a better position than those around them to build on last season.”

Whilst it is undoubtedly a good thing that Fulham have yet to sell a key player this summer – like Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Palhinha in previous years – Silva has made it plain that he is looking for the board to match his own ambition. The head coach has presented a hefty shopping list to the Fulham hierarchy and those acquisitions will be essential in ensuring that London’s oldest professional club can realise their dreams of bringing European football back to the banks of the Thames.