A relationship that began so brightly – and both sides lauded – has abruptly ended after a very public summer saga. Aleksandar Mitrovic, the man who scored so many goals for Fulham and reignited his career at Craven Cottage, has got his big-money move to Saudi Arabia. Marco Silva, who had rejected his own offers from the Saudi Pro League, fought hard to keep the team’s talisman to no avail. It was left to the head coach to deliver the news after a home battering by Brentford. You could tell this was a messy divorce from the terseness of Fulham’s official statement. Al-Hilal’s announcement video, partially filmed on Stevenage Road, only rubbed salt into the wounds.
Whatever really happened to make Mitrovic, who was eulogising Fulham on the club’s official Fulham Fix podcast in June, force through his exit – and how we might apportion the blame – doesn’t really matter now. The Serbian striker, who scored 111 times during his five years in SW6, has gone and Fulham have twelve days to sign a new forward. Not that you’ll be adequately able to find a like-for-like replacement for his combination of physicality, hold up play and poaching prowess. It is clear from yesterday’s power puff performance in the local derby that Silva’s side are insipid without him. Perhaps the only silver lining is that he won’t take our penalties any more.
The inevitable comparisons between Mitrovic and Raul Jimenez are unfair on the Mexican, who has led the line with little service for two weeks running. The Mexican is more suited to linking the play, a smoother mover than our hulking Serbian, and probably a greater technician too. He might have broken his Fulham duck at Goodison Park with a chance he fashioned for himself, but even Jimenez himself will admit that he’s not the force of those wonderful early Wolves days – before the horrible head injury that could easily have ended his career. In a side that looked both slow and short of movement, even the game’s most devastating forward would have struggled to make an impression. It was interesting to see Rodrigo Muniz reappear from the bench – ahead of Carlos Vinicius, who finished last season so strongly.
But Fulham now head into the market for a new forward (and maybe more than one). The problem is that buying Premier League quality will cost over and above the £46m they’ve received for Mitrovic – at least judging by the prices during this window. The Whites are believed to be interested in Folarin Balogun, who scored regularly for Reims, but has managed five goals in 30 games in English football. Arsenal want £50m. Few other domestic goalscorers excite – even the £13m Southampton are seeking for Che Adams seems steep. The Whites might have to shop on the continental market but the previous forwards Fulham found there – Kostas Mitroglou, Rui Fonte and Aboubakar Kamara – don’t inspire confidence.
Silva wanted a further four or five players before the start of September even before Mitrovic’s departure became a matter of time. The Brentford defeat showed that substantial investment in a squad that so stylishly overachieved last season is sorely needed. The head coach has so far refused to sign a long-term contract at Craven Cottage, despite displaying his commitment to the Fulham project by turning down the sort of cash that turned his star striker’s head, because he wanted to see what sort of backing he would get this summer. It isn’t a secret that Silva hasn’t got what he was looking for.
Fulham’s recruitment has been a bone of contention with all of Silva’s predecessors. Tony Khan’s position of director of football has been debated endlessly since the summer of senseless spending in 2018. Make no bones about it: the next twelve days are massive for London’s oldest professional football club. Fulham fought for a fortunate win at Everton, but were well beaten by a much better run outfit yesterday. Safety, never mind the top half, looks a long way away if the Whites can’t score with regularity. We’re about to find out if there really is value at the tail end of the transfer window.
An excellent summary of the dire situation. Let’s hope all concerned can rise to the occasion. I am a long standing fan and an old age pensioner. The season ticket represents a lot of money to me. It’s likely that I and many others will.not be getting what we have paid for.
Agree, an excellent summary. I suspect Silva turned down the Saudi offer because he is an ambitious man who is still building his reputation in order that he is considered for one of the very top jobs. If Fulham fail to land the right players over the next 12 days, I believe he will decide that Fulham will not provide him with the platform to enhance his standing in the game. So, it really is a crucial 12 days to get the right players and to retain our manager in the medium/long term. Please note how at press conferences he now slips in “while I manage this football club” He is putting the owners under pressure.
I totally agree I too am a pensioner and am not happy with the high priced tickets and don’t think we are getting value for what they charge. An excellent article Chloe .
Pahlinha is key. If we can’t keep Pahlinha, we will find it hard to get anyone of note. Then it will get all very messy. However, a promising striker and another good midfielder could put us back in course. Let’s remember our next 2 fixtures prove to be difficult to get any points but also with a lot less pressure. Our next 14 days could signal the course of a whole season indeed.
I agree Simon, it is time to spend the Mitro money and add more to it to bring on 4-5 quality players. It is time for the Kahn’s to invest wisely to take this club to the next level! If they don’t, Marco will go and we will never be more than a yo-yo club. This is an opportunity! Now is the time to take this next step to make the club a solid top half Premier League Club!!!!
Great article. Agree with all. With 12 days to go we are actually about £25m up on transfers. That simply can’t happen to a club looking to grow. Of course it can be turned around but our ambition so far in the market does not inspire confidence. If I were Silva I’d be off unless something drastic happens. Our forwards are currently poor. Vinicius, Jiminez, Muniz, BDR. They are not premier league quality of anything other than a relegation team. Last minute £5m rubbish is not going to cut it but I fear that’s where we are heading.
Wasted the summer trying to hold on to Mitrovic and are now left to shop left overs
A very good article by Chloe and agree with Mike and Daves comments completely if the transfer team don’t pull off the almost impossible then they should not be surprised if Marco goes soon. It really is a shame as with the right spend and players we could cement and improve on last year.
Short sightedness could blight our hopes and get the club relegated.
And if that happenes we know where the blame will lie.