Marco Silva says he has no concerns over Aleksandar Mitrovic’s mindset as he prepares to reintegrate the centre forward into Fulham’s first team squad after a summer transfer saga.
The Portuguese head coach confirmed that the Serbian striker had trained with his team-mates for the past two days after Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal proved unable to match Fulham’s asking price for the 28 year-old. Silva, speaking ahead of Fulham’s final match of the Premier League Summer Series against Chelsea tomorrow night, admitted that the speculation surrounding Mitrovic had been far from ideal, but insisted he knows how to handle his number nine.
Yes, Mitrovic is back. It is a process and it is not an easy situation. I am not here to talk about the negotiations and clubs that are linked with him. He is with the group since two days ago. Let’s hope we get him as fit as we can in the next few days. For me, Mitrovic never was hard to manage. Never, never, never. A lot of people say he has an aura around him but people who know him know he was never a problem or difficult to manage.
He was so easy to manage in the beginning of the pre-season and he will be if he stays. Mitro knows me, I know him very well — he knows the group we are working with. Everything I said to him and everything he said to me will be between me and him.”
Silva did give voice to his disappointment that he is still working with a such a threadbare squad with a fortnight to go until the start of the season. Fulham have signed striker Raul Jimenez, who could make his debut as a substitute in the SW6 derby and centre back Calvin Bassey, but the Whites still had to finish the midweek defeat against Aston Villa with a host of youngsters.
The Fulham head coach was quite explicit about what he wanted in the remainder of the transfer window:
Unfortunately, we need many [more signings] still. We have some important players injured. I hope they can come sooner. We have just two full backs, we need a midfielder too and we have just two wingers so we need another two wingers. We have completed our central defenders. I needed these players 15 days or 20 days ago, not now.”
Silva also offered an update on Joao Palhina after the midfielder suffered a shoulder injury in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Brentford. He hopes to have the Portuguese international available for the big kick off at Everton on August 12.
“It will be difficult for him to be available for the first Premier League match. We have to see week by week how he is going. He is getting better every day. He is not working on the pitch. He is doing some gym and we will see if we can get him on the pitch next week.”
Silva suggested that Jimenez could feature against Chelsea in Maryland despite only joining up with his new team-mates earlier this week.
“He can play some minutes tomorrow but let’s see if from the start or bench. We want to see him get some minutes with his team-mates. He is an important signing for us. We are looking for a player with his profile. We are planning to have three strikers in our squad.”
He also lavished praise on new arrival Calvin Bassey, who completed a £18m move from Ajax yesterday.
“He is a talented player first of all which is one of the most important things for us. Two seasons ago he did a great, great season at Rangers. Last season overall for Ajax was not the best but we recognise the quality from him that we want in a central defender.
We were looking for a left footed defender. It is not easy to find in the market and you know why, many clubs are looking for the same and to complete out central defenders. Now we have four. We are happy with him. Tim Ream did an amazing season last year.
We believe that he can play at the same level now with different competition from a left footed central defender that we believe is ready and can improve and get us stronger. He can play as a left back too which will give us different solutions and fits well in our ways with the quality to play in the back which we are always looking for in a central defender and is a player we give the conditions to improve in his defensive process too.”
He is right .We are short in numbers !! One right backt a left back,one mid and two wingers !! Tony Khan ,please get it done !!
Unless Mitro eats humble pie and apologies I cannot see The Fulham fans accepting him. However if Marco feels it is OK to play him then we must go along with it. The slowness in signing new players is worrying, Marco has said what he want but very little has happened so how can we expect him to sign a new contract.
I am not sure Mitro will be welcome but if Marco Silva thinks it’s ok then we must go along with it, but please find another penalty taker. I sympathise with lack of signings. Let’s get Hudson Odoi over the line and perhaps Graybfrom Everton. Another midfielder is imperative. Tony Khan needs to get his finger out otherwise there is no hope of Marco signing another contract. What happened about signing Aarons from Norwich he would be a good buy
There is no movement from the Saudies. Fulham stance has not changed. So Mitro returns to Squad to show there is nothing more he can do to force exit. Therefore is up to Saudies to meet the 52mill cost now, or he stays at Fulham. That’s how I see it.
‘We just have two fullbacks’…. Kevin mbabu just sat crying in the corner
What happened to this André feller we was chasing. It’s all gone quiet as usual.
Mitrovic still plays for us. For that we need to move on and continue to support him if it benefits our team. COYW!!
“I’ll never play for Fulham again” wasn’t said publicly by Mitro – the media reported it as something said to a family member. May be true but which of us hasn’t vented at home after a bad day at work.
He clearly wanted to go to Saudi and he was (probably still is) angry that the club blocked the move. it’s not clear whether training alone was his idea or Marco’s either because of bad vibes or planning for a future without him. That’s now changed. Good – we’re much stronger with him.
It’s frustrating the transfers come so late. It really affects the preparation for the new season and ability to gel from the off. Callum HO would be a great signing in my opinion. Young, pacey etc.
For mitro, I never understand why players throw their toys out the pram when they have a long term contract and demand a move. Suck it up. Once he starts scoring again, the fans will forgive him and cheer him on.
One player doesn’t make a team but at this level and for a club the size of Fulham one player can be the difference between competing or capitulating out of the league, but I’m not sure if Mitro is that player anymore!
We need some fresh faces that’s for sure but I’d also like to see some of our young academy talent given a chance to develop in the first team.
The same old story taking ages to make signings due to putting in below offers for players trying to save some money, pay what these clubs want and get them in early so Marco can wii on em his magic.
Absolutely great news if Mitro really is staying. Lots of players get linked with moves away that don’t happen and they fit right back in. Marco will sort him out and the fans will love him as much as ever.
Yes, recruitment is late, but it is tricky. Dyche at Everton has been bemoaning the same thing. Fulham recruitment has generally been late, but really good.
I feel like the squad keeps improving and we can look forward to another happy season!
It’s down to Marco to reintegrate Mitrovic which I think he will do it’s not about Mitrovic it’s about what’s good for the team and no one player is bigger than our great club, and again Marco is right as always Tony Khan always stays over transfers we need another CB and two fullbacks another holding player maybe Andre or Maia from São Paulo or Ward-Prowse also the Palinha situation all the time Marco stays Palinha will nobody knows him better than Marco and the Affection the fans have for the big man also two wingers needed l let’s wait and see these we need these new players ASAP so Marco can integrate them within the team and Tony Khan.knows that so we know who to blame if it goes belly up COYW
What about tosin? Any news?
Every transfer window it’s the same old story of frustration and delay in the market.
I wouldn’t be overly concerned if it was one or two shortages. But it is 4 or 5 light in a threadbare squad. Yes it’s good to see the youngsters but 2 in a team is OK 5 is not.