Nathan Hartley
After an impressive first campaign, Marco Silva will be hoping to build on a great first season back in the Premier League with Fulham. The Cottagers finished the 2022/23 season in 10th, whilst being in the mix for the European places for the majority of the season. With many predicting Fulham to go down last season, it is fair to say that they smashed expectations. Will they be able to do it again this season?
Silva will be hoping to build on from last season (Image Credit: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Who's in charge?
After lots of speculation, Fulham will be going into the 2023/24 season with Marco Silva in charge once again. It was reported that Silva had an offer from Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal. The Portuguese manager was offered £40 million to go further east. However, the 46-year-old declined the offer to stay at Craven Cottage.
Silva implemented his 4231 last season, adding the right players to play the perfect role for him. Aleksander Mitrovic was the focal point of Fulham's attack, bringing lots of success to Fulham's attacking play, guiding them to a 10th place finish in the 2022/23 season. Silva has had plenty of experience in English football spending time at Hull City, Watford and Everton before joining Fulham. Therefore, the 46-year-old knows how to set up a team correctly in the Premier League.
The In's and Out's
In's
Calvin Bassey - Ajax, £22.50m
Raul Jimenez - Wolves, £5.50m
Out's
Paulo Gazzaniga - Girona, free
Joe Bryan - Millwall, free
Shane Duffy - Norwich, free
Neeskens Kebano - Al-Jazira, free
Fulham's standout player
Fulham has an abundance of important players throughout their squad. Although Mitrovic would be the obvious choice, the Serbian is heavily linked with a move away from Craven Cottage to got to Saudi Arabia. The Serbian refused to play for the Cottagers during pre-season.
Therefore, I believe Joao Palhinha will be the most influential to Fulham's potential success in the 2023/24 season. The Portuguese midfielder joined the Cottagers last summer and was a key component in how Fulham played. He would break up the play and regain possession, being in the heart of the Cottager's midfield. Therefore, I think he will be key for Fulham winning the midfield battle.
Will it be a successful or unsuccessful season for Fulham?
After smashing expectations from last season, it will be hard to improve going into the 2023/24 season. With the rumours of Mitrovic leaving the club, it will be hard to replace the crucial goals that the Serbia brought to the team. Therefore, I can see the Cottagers struggling more this season, finishing mid-table in around 13th.
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