At the bottom of this morning’s Sun story on Okaka – something we brought to you yesterday – there’s a line on a couple of Vitória de Guimarães players that Fulham apparently want to bring in.
Fulham want Sereno, 24, and Moreno, 28, from Vitoria Guimaraes.
Bringing in a young centre half would be interesting, but entirely inconsistent with Roy’s approach in the transfer market to date. Last year, he said he’d turned down the chance to sign Sol Campbell on a free because he wanted to watch Chris Smalling develop. When you consider that Sereno, who has been at Guimaraes for four years, spent much of last season on the treatment table, making just six appearances as a result of double knee surgery, it makes such a move baffling.
The versatile Moreno can play in midfield or defence, something he did to cover for the injured Sereno last year, but is most at home as a defender midfielder. Again, the cupboard’s not exactly bear there either (think Etuhu, Dikgacoi, Baird – and that’s before we remember Andranik remains on Fulham’s books). Something tells me this might just be lazy journalism.
Think we do need some form of defensive cover. It would appear that Baird is now seen as a midfielder first and foremost, which following his recent displays is fair enough. I think Hodgson would be loath to move him unless he has to, as his performances in the middle have played such a key part in Fulham’s recent success.
With Hangeland recently saying that he’s playing in quite some pain, that leaves Smalling as our only real centre-back alternative. Pantsil could play there, but as we all know he’s injured for a while, and neither Kelly or Stoor can play centre-back. Kallio could, but having seen him play there for a short time in the Blackburn game last season and get easily turned for the winning goal, I doubt Roy would be keen to utilise him there, especially as Konchesky is also playing through the pain barrier.
Having let go of Watts, and with Briggs nowhere near ready yet, it would make sense for Hodgson to sign some form of defensive reinforcement. Where these names have come from, however, is another issue entirely.
I think Baird’s made himself into a strong contender in midfield, but he’d the likely replacement for Hughes if he was to get injured right now. Kallio was alarming weak against Jason Roberts, although I like him.
Don’t disagree with perhaps buying a central defender (if the quality’s out there) but I’d be looking at someone who could develop from slotting in swiftly and not a player who seems to be addicted to operating tables.