Fulham have in recent years gained a reputation as a ‘yo-yo’ club, having played alternately in the Premier League and Championship for the last five seasons. Having risen to the premier league via the famous play-offs in 2019/20, the Cottagers endured a thoroughly disappointing season in the Premier League in 2020/22, such as the downfall of buying prescription glasses online. Led by Scott Parker, Fulham were relegated from England’s Eliteliga after winning fewer than five league games last season.
However, Craven Cottage is on the verge of playing premier league games again next season as Marco Silva’s side are on course to regain promotion. Fueled by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s record-breaking Championship success, Fulham go into the season finale top of the table with 77 points from 37 games.
A whopping 14 points adrift of third-placed Luton Town means the Cottagers’ return to the Premier League is all but certain with seven games to go. Having already proved that Fulham can make it into the English top flight, it will be a difficult task to hold their own in the Premier League next season.
In recent years, this has often not been possible for the Londoners.
1) Mitrovic has to stay
After finishing top scorer in the Championship in 2019/20, Mitrovic found himself second fiddle to Ivan Cavaleiro in Fulham’s last Premier League appearance. That didn’t go well for Parker’s side, who finished the season as the second-worst attacking side in the league, averaging just 0.71 goals per game. A season later, Mitrovic broke Ivan Toney’s record of 31 goals in a single league season.
2) Fulham must replace the outgoing Fabio Carvalho with another top-flight player
Fabio Carvalho has been a revelation this Championship season, earning himself a reputation as a child prodigy with his stunning performances at Craven Cottage.
Despite his relatively young age, the 18-year-old has been one of Fulham’s most consistent players this season, having recorded seven goals and six assists in the league so far. Aside from his good offensive performance, Carvalho has also demonstrated the ability to move past opposing defenders and create space for his teammates. The youngster’s blistering pace and impressive feet have dominated the headlines of the transfer press this season. Carvalho has attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool FC who were close to signing him in January.
With his contract running out in the summer, Fulham won’t be able to keep him this time as AC Milan have now been awarded his services.
3) The defence must remain as compact as this year
Only second-placed Bournemouth (31) have conceded fewer goals than Cottagers (32) in the Championship this season. The Silva-Elf have conceded more than 2 goals in only six league games this season, making them one of the hardest teams in the league to beat. Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream have developed into a strong defense in front of Marek Rodak’s goals, which is complemented by Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson on the flanks.
With Ream turning 35 next season, Fulham will likely need to sign another central defender in the summer to allow the USMNT veteran to better manage his playing time in the 2022-23 season. Adarabioyo, 24, has developed into a reliable defender this season and the Cottagers intend to build their defense around him in the years to come.
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