Most fans would agree that Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele have been fantastic for Fulham this season. Dempsey is just different class to many modern players with his determined running, the regular touch of pure brilliance and he deserves the praise that he has received this season. Add in his fantastic goal scoring return this season and the fact that he seems to have everything in his locker (heading, clinical finishing, free kicks and 25-yard hum-dingers) I sometimes fret that he might not be in a Fulham shirt next season.
Dembele is another player who has been pure class this season, especially since he has been dropped slightly deeper by Jol. He was one of the players that I was most excited to see when I visited the Cottage this year. The way he glides past players is beautiful to watch and his tackling has also really improves. My only criticism of him would be that he doesn’t really score enough goals but that is something that he himself has said that he would like to improve. It is very important that Fulham hold on to these players if we want to carry on our development under Jol.
At first I wondered how exactly we were going to do this but then I remembered what tournament will be played this summer- the European Championships. It is always the trend that players have the chance to impress at the big tournaments and often if a player plays well; all the lights shine on them over the summer transfers. This might just play into Fulham’s hands when they try and keep a hold on Dempsey and Dembele as neither player will be at the Euros. Dempsey’s USA will obviously not be there and Belgium didn’t qualify so neither player will be in the spotlight in that way. I’m hoping that this will play into Fulham’s hands but I still think that it will be hard to keep them both at Fulham. Although they both suit Fulham and as a club on the up, I hope they give us another season to get into Europe, something which is a realistic target for next season.
COYW!
Or, of course it may be that not being involved gives them and their agents more time to talk quietly to suitors…
It’s all irrelevant. Dempsey will not being playing for fulham next season and it’s because they don’t have a chance to finish top 4 of the league, which means no UEFA invite. Dempsey has already made it clear he wants to play in the champions league, Fulham can’t offer him that. I’d expect Arsenal to be the team who most likely signs him.
Perhaps but both Dembele and Dempsey are currently in contract negotiations with Fulham – so let’s hope the club can conclude those prior to anybody being tapped up.
Loving the certainty of your answer.
Let’s clear up a few things:
1) Fulham could still qualify for Europe this season by beating Tottenham and finishing seventh. The top four Champions’ League places would go to the teams finishing 1-4, Newcastle could take the Europa League spot in fifth and, as Chelsea currently in sixth, have already qualified for the Europa League by virtue of winning the FA Cup, the final spot in that competition would go to the side who finishes seventh. Things would be further complicated if Chelsea won the Champions’ League and finished outside the top four spots – potentially offering the eighth placed finishers in the Premier League a spot in Europe.
2) Dempsey has said that he would like to test himself in the Champions’ League should the opportunity arise. He stressed in his recent interview in the Times that he was happy at Fulham and did so again in his reported post-match comments on Sunday. He has also said before that he would like to play in Spain before he retires. Dempsey’s currently in discussions with Fulham about extending his contract, which still has a year to run.
3) You are correct that Fulham won’t be able to offer Dempsey Champions’ League football next season. We’ve known that for a while and since the club were battling against relegation from the top flight in the face when he arrived from New England Revolution, I don’t think he’s been expecting us to be competing in the Champions’ League. Dempsey’s improved as a player markedly during his time at Craven Cottage – firmly establishing himself as a member of the first team and one of the most consistent players in the top flight. He’s also guaranteed first-team football at Fulham, something that wouldn’t be true of any of the Champions’ League contenders in England.
4) Your contention that Dempsey will head to Arsenal is interesting. For one thing, Arsenal still aren’t assured of a Champions’ League spot themselves. They will need to win at West Brom, in Roy Hodgson’s final game before heading off to manage England, to be sure of a top four finish. Furthermore, Arsene Wenger’s transfer strategy seems to count against signing players of Dempsey’s age. You only have to look back at last summer and his unwillingness to match Fulham’s valuation of Mark Schwarzer to see this. Arguably, if the Gunners had signed the Australian, they would have been in a far better position both last year and this season.
Thankyou for that Dan. Yes, I meant the Europa League and not the Champions League. I also didn’t realise that we stood an outside chance of qualifying for Europe this year!
I also agree what Dan says about Arsenal. I’m just not sure whether it is Wengers style to sign an older player!