A brief summary and analysis of the transfer rumors floating about regarding Fulham players and targets:
- Paul Konchesky to Liverpool is back in the papers today. SkySports and Goal.com are both reporting he is interested in talking with Roy Hodgson about a possible move to his old boss’s new club. This seems a likely scenario, as Liverpool both need a left back and Hodgson’s relationship with Konchesky is solid. It’s likely Konchesky will move on, but I think it’s a mutually beneficial move for both sides. Stephen Kelly, Chris Baird, or even Aaron Hughes can cover on the left (making room for Rafik Halliche, possibly), and Konchesky can be sold for a profit (see below)
- Carlos Salcido is being linked to Fulham as Konchesky’s potential replacement. Salcido has been linked to Liverpool prior, but Dutch publication Eindhovens Dagblad is reporting a €2 million agreement between the clubs. If Konchesky leaves, this is a likely move—and a good one. With fees for Konchesky to Liverpool rumored at €3.5 million, it’s a nice profit from a lateral move talent-wise. Honestly, considering Konchesky is our weakest of the back four and Salcido is an experienced international coming off a very good World Cup, this is probably a better move for Fulham than for Liverpool. I just hope Salcido and Dempsey can reconcile their CONCACAF differences.
- More reports of Zoltan Gera moving on are emerging. I have a difficult time believing these to be anything more than late transfer window page-fillers, but the more they appear, the more doubt creeps into my mind. The Daily Mail is the culprit this time, saying that Fulham’s emerging depth up front—thanks to the Moussa Dembele acquisition, a nearing return-date for Andy Johnson, and competition from Clint Dempsey—is giving Gera second thoughts about staying on with new manager Mark Hughes. I still don’t buy it, and letting go of Gera would be a poor move both in terms of personnel and public relations for Hughes. Of the rumors mentioned, however, put the least stock in this one.
- Jimmy Bullard is being linked with a return to Fulham…not really, just making sure you are paying attention. But I for one (and literally probably the only one) would welcome Jimmy back with open arms—only if he came home with this look on his face:
How can you hate this man?
- Still no central midfielders seriously linked to Fulham. I wonder if this is a sign of a) confidence in Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, and Baird/Jonathan Greening/someone else or b) a possible experimentation with Simon Davies or Dempsey in a central role. Probably a), but b) would be fun to see.
If anything else floats my way, I’ll be sure to edit and keep you all updated on where things stand in the transfer market at Craven Cottage.
Hate to see Konchesky go, especially getting a f’ing Tri in his place. Ugh.
But if he can do the job…..
Don’t like the Gera speculation one bit. I hope you’re correct that this is being ginned up by the press to sell some papers. One of the things I despise about sport is the press ginning up rumours and speculation out of nothing, then the player/coach in question gets the wild hair and lives up to the rumour when they’d been set prior to the press barrage. It’s sort of a “If-they-keep-saying-it-I-may-as-well-go-ahead-and-inquire” type of mentality; in the same mold of “if the wife is going to accuse me of adultery anyway…..” that I’ve heard of before (Bill Lee, American baseball player wrote that in his book)
Fulham need a left back even if Konchesky is staying. There’s been no proper competition in the role for years.
Don’t like hearing about the Gera story very much and hope it is nothing but would have thought Hughes would use him more on Sunday against MU if he considers him more! Konchesky going is a strange one Roy didn’t think much of him when he was at Fulham and they did spat on the training field but if it means we get Salcido then good move on us but would prefer to see Alex Smith as cover than Kelly or Baird. Baird is more central role and Kelly makes a good tea but nothing else! Thought Benjani would have been meeting with Hughes as he is a free agent but who knows what tomorrow brings they say! Carling Cup run would help us aswell this season.
Dempsey can play central midfield. People tend to forget that he played centrally a lot in College & at times with the NE Revolution.
@Tommy: Cheering for Salcido will be a bit strange at first…but I think he’s an upgrade talent-wise and he’s better value. Gera won’t go, though, I’m fairly certain. He’ll get enough minutes to be happy. People forget it’s a long season.
@Andy: you’re right; Konchesky is vastly overrated anyway
@Ben: See my comments to Tommy
@Jason: I’ve said the same thing in previous articles. I’d love to see Clint get a role in the center.