Jay Stansfield appears to set to stay with Fulham this season rather than head on loan after impressing Marco Silva during pre-season.
The 20 year-old forward, who was an unused substitute at Goodison Park as the Whites started their Premier League campaign with a win over Everton on Saturday, spent last term on loan at his boyhood club Exeter City, where he scored nine goals and contributed eight assists as the Grecians finished fourteenth on their return to League One. City were keen to take Stansfield on another loan and several Championship clubs, including Reading, were also interested in signing the Tiverton-born attacker, but the Sunday Mirror sports editor Darren Witcoop has suggested he will be staying at Craven Cottage.
Stansfield, who has made eight first-team appearances since moving to Fulham in 2019, featured in all four of Fulham’s pre-season friendlies and is already a favourite of Silva’s – having been handed a Premier League debut at the start of last season. The youngster’s eagerness to learn and his versatility – displayed during an eye-catching first top flight start on the right flank in the 3-2 win over Brentford at Craven Cottage last August – have again impressed the Fulham coaching staff. The apparent decision to retain him as part of the first-team squad is a vote of confidence in Stansfield’s ability as the Whites recently strengthened both at centre forward, having signed Raúl Jiménez, and out wide, with Adama Troaore completing his move to SW6 on Saturday.
I watched young Stansfield playing in Exeter last year, he was then head and shoulders above others on pitch, great vision for one so young. Would not be surprised if regular 1st teamer for FFC by Christmas time?
Jay’s performance against the Bees last year was good
Surprised he was loaned to the Greceans but he performed well for them and had a good pre season in the states. I hope he’s not sent out on loan again and Is part of the squad this year. I think he can add either as 9 or on the wing.